New Patients

Realizing it’s time to seek fertility care can be hard. Distraction, misinformation, and, oftentimes unsolicited, advice may seem to lurk around every corner, perhaps making it easy to put the problem on the back burner as you focus on other matters in your busy life.

It’s actually quite simple. If you’ve been attempting pregnancy without success for over a year (or less if you’re over 35), it’s time to talk. If you’ve been trying for less time but are still concerned, it’s never too soon to seek help or just some useful information. Pursuing fertility evaluation and, possibly, treatment isn’t an admission of defeat. It’s an opportunity for empowerment.

If you’ve already taken the next step of scheduling a consultation or are considering it, we hope the following information helps you to learn more about what to expect, making the unknown a little less intimidating.

Preparing for Your Visit

Allow plenty of time when planning your schedule for the day. You can expect to be at our center for approximately 90 minutes during your first encounter. In order to maximize your time and experience during the appointment, we recommend the following prior to your arrival:

• Complete all new patient forms
• Arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time if you don’t get a chance to complete the forms prior to your appointment
• Request that your primary physicians send records. This is especially important if you’ve been to another fertility center in the past. If you already have them, send us a copy prior to your appointment.
• Be sure to complete an authorization for medical records release for any you’ve requested to be sent
• If you have a partner, clear their schedule – it’s best that they join you
• Bring photo identification (for you and your partner) and insurance card
• Obtain Tricare authorization (if military)
• Prepare for payment: Co-pay per insurance plan or $200 if uninsured

What to Expect

First and foremost, you’ll have ample time to meet with your physician, an important opportunity for you to learn about one another. Your medical and reproductive history will be discussed in detail, as well as any prior fertility testing and/or treatment you may have already had. The focus of the initial visit is making a plan for evaluation/testing which, typically, begins that very day. Once complete, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled when results will be discussed and a treatment plan made.

Following your visit with your physician, you’ll have an opportunity for discussion with one of our financial counselors regarding the financial/insurance implications of the proposed evaluation. They’re here for you, so feel free to ask any questions you may have. Questions will certainly arise following your first appointment, but no need to worry. You’ll meet with them, again, once you and your physician have discussed treatment options during your follow-up appointment.

The extent of completion of your initial evaluation during your first visit will depend on where you are in your menstrual cycle that day, but plan on having some labs drawn and, perhaps, a pelvic ultrasound. You will likely meet with members of our nursing staff, as well, who will become excellent resources and advocates as you move forward.