Initial IVF Consultation

Dealing with infertility is stressful and the toughest time of your life. However, we hope your initial IVF consultation for fertility will bring positive results and hope. So to help you prepare for your first fertility consultation and ease the stress, we have outlined what you may expect. 

And if this is your first journey with infertility treatments, then there is so much to know and learn. You may probably also have so many questions, so if you want to find out what to expect at your initial consultation, you are at the right place.

Medical History

At your Initial IVF Consultation, the doctor will discuss your medical history to know the cause of your infertility. The questions will be related to your medical, gynaecological, surgical, and obstetric history and some lifestyle questions. So, Prepare a folder with information about your medical history and previous fertility tests and treatments if you have undergone any.

Family History

Your fertility specialists will ask questions about your family medical history and genetic background in your initial IVF Consultation because it may contribute to your fertility. So you need to know and provide information on your family medical history.

Physical Exam

The doctor will perform the physical exam together with a pelvic ultrasound. This ultrasound helps discover abnormalities in the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other internal and external organs. Sometimes it helps in getting evidence of pelvic scarring, such as when an ovary appears to be stuck to the uterus.

Performing an ultrasound also helps get information about the woman’s potential for adequate ovarian stimulation with medications by counting antral follicles.

Ovarian Reserve Assessment

Ovarian reserve assessment is a very important assessment partin your Initial IVF Consultation. It is done to check how the women’s remaining egg supply is. It is checked by performing a blood test and ultrasound.

Ovulation Assessment

Ovulation disorder is the cause of almost 25% of all infertility. So its assessment is important. It can be done in many ways. The polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the types of ovulation disorder. However, it can be treated effectively with medications.

Semen Analysis

In the entire Initial IVF Consultation evaluation process, semen analysis is very important and cannot be neglected. Because 25% of infertility is caused due to sperm defects, and 40 to 50% of infertility is due to sperm defects. 

And in semen analysis, if severe sperm defects are diagnosed, then the treatment is modified and is directed towards the male partner treating the sperm problem instead of the female partner treatment.

Blood Tests

As every individual is different, they may require a different blood test as per their situation in their initial IVF Consultation. There are various blood tests recommended to couples after analyzing their current situation. However, it may include

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSA)
• Estradiol
• Luteinizing hormone (LH)
• Testosterone
• 17-hydroxyprogesterone
• Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test (AMH)
• Progesterone
• Thyroxin
• Stimulating thyroid hormone, etc.

 Lupus Anticoagulant (LAC) and Anti-CardioLipin antibody (ACL) are done if the patient has a history of recurrent miscarriages, together with other tests.

Hysterosalpingogram

A hysterosalpingogram is also called an HSG test. It is a type of x-ray done to assess any issues in the endometrial cavity of the uterus and the fallopian tubes. It is usually done after periods or before ovulation, that is, between 6 and 13 days of the cycle.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure performed only after the partners’ basic testing. Sometimes, it is done to check for pelvic scarring or endometriosis.

Most couples prefer opting for intrauterine insemination treatment; if this fails, they prefer going for IVF instead of laparoscopy because the IVF success rate has increased over the last 20 years.

Hysteroscopy

A hysteroscopy helps fertility specialists better see the uterine cavity to diagnose or treat any problems in the uterus.