Questions to ask your fertility doctor, and why to ask them
Whether you’ve had initial tests with your OB/GYN or REI doctor or are just thinking about making an appointment, you’re in the right place.
To help you feel prepared for a conversation with your fertility doctor about your results and next steps, we’ve put together a list of questions to ask — and why to ask them. Think about taking notes on your phone or bringing a notebook and pen so you can look back on the answers when you get home.
Questions to ask, and why to ask them
Baseline diagnostics and test results
What is my diagnosis? How does it affect my ability to get pregnant?
A diagnosis is an important starting point so that your doctor can create an action plan.
(For heterosexual couples only) What are my chances of conceiving without treatment?
This can help you understand whether fertility treatment is right for you, and to compare your chances of conceiving with and without assistance.
What results did you expect from the tests I had done? How do my results compare?
This helps benchmark you against others with similar backgrounds and goals. For example, a lower ovarian reserve result can help you and your doctor decide on a treatment plan that aims for quality, not quantity, in an egg retrieval.
Do you recommend any lifestyle changes I can make to help improve my chances of getting pregnant?
Your doctor will ask questions about your lifestyle and medical history, including any past illnesses, that might impact your fertility. Quick plug: It’s never too late to make changes, especially if you’re a smoker.
Are there any additional tests you recommend I do before starting any particular treatment or based on my diagnosis?
Sometimes doctors will want to do some further investigations and tests to ensure they fully understand your case. This helps you understand how many more steps there might be before starting treatment.
Your treatment plan
What treatment plan do you recommend for me?
Note: This depends on the type of doctor you go to and their ability to actually carry out treatments. An OB/GYN won’t be as helpful as an REI doctor in this case.
You should feel comfortable with your doctor’s recommendations and reasoning. They’ll consider your goals, timeline, diagnosis, and medical history before creating a plan.
What generally does this treatment entail and what are the potential side effects/things to expect?
This should include a timeline on when to start and how long it’ll take, any downtime or travel required, and how the treatment might impact your day-to-day life.
How much will this treatment cost?
Note: This is a question for your clinic’s finance department. They should be forthcoming, straightforward, and patient as you ask questions about money!
This is not the time to be shy asking about money. You are your own best advocate, and you have the right to know how much your treatment will cost, no surprises!
Potential outcomes and next steps
What are the success rates for this treatment based on my age?
Every clinic defines success rates differently, so it’s hard to compare apples-to-apples results. The answer to this question will help you understand whether you’ll be likely to have a child after treatment, and how many cycles you might need, which we’ll go into in the next question.
How many treatment cycles do you estimate I’ll need to get pregnant?
Many people need more than one cycle to get pregnant. Knowing a best estimate up front helps you set expectations about outcomes, plus understand how much your overall cost might be.
What are the chances of having multiple babies?
As much as everyone loves twins, giving birth to multiples can cause complications in pregnancy and birth. It’s important to understand your chance of having twins or triplets from your family history, plus the fertility treatment you’ve been recommended.
Quick plug: Clinics that partner with Gaia guarantee a 90% chance of single embryo transfers to ensure your, and your child's, safety.
Who is the best person I contact if I have any additional questions?
Your clinic should have a go-to staff member to answer any questions or concerns. Your clinic contact should be reachable by call, text, or email, and will be accessible for anything you need as you start your fertility journey.
(If you’re speaking to your OB/GYN) Can I transfer my test results to my REI doctor?
It’s important to know whether your test results can be shared or applied to any future doctors you see, or if you’ll need to go through testing again.
What do people ask that I haven’t asked yet?
There's so much to keep track of as you consider starting treatment. This catch-all last question helps ensure you’ve hit all the important questions.
The most important takeaways from all of these questions
It’s the clinic staff’s job to make you feel comfortable, heard, and listened to.
There’s no such thing as a silly question, and there’s no time limit on asking questions, either. Even if it doesn’t feel important or consequential, it’s worth asking if it’ll give you answers or peace of mind.
You are your own best advocate, and you deserve to have your questions taken seriously. If you don’t feel like things are moving in the right direction at your clinic, reach out to your Member Advocate for advice and next steps.
Wrapping up
We hope this list of questions is a good starting point before you go in for a consultation. If we can help in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out. No question is too big or small!
