FIRST DOCTORS APPOINTMENT

If you have been to the nurse appointment then your paperwork and test results will be ready for review with the doctor. If you have not been to a nurse appointment then we encourage you to bring along reports of all tests or treatment you have had previously.

Doctors appointments are available at both clinics locations or by telehealth, During the COVID19 pandemic all doctors appointments are by telehealth.

What to expect at your first doctors appointment

We encourage both partners to attend your first doctor’s appointment so that you can both be involved in the discussions and decision-making. On the day of your appointment you should plan on spending at least one hour at our office. Please make sure that you are on time for your appointment and allow plenty of time for parking and traffic problems or if you are having a telehealth find a calm quiet space with good wifi.

We require all new patients to complete our medical information form, provide photo ID and bring along all previous medical tests and treatment reports. Please complete your form before your appointment as this will save time. If you have already attended the nurse appointment, then this form will already have been completed.

The medical information form includes information on all medical conditions, past surgery, family members medical history, drug use (medicines and any other drugs) all pregnancies and all the tests or treatments you may have completed previously.

The doctor will review all your information, explain your tests results, advise if there are any remaining tests you should consider and then the doctor will give you some information on all your possible treatment options.

Most blood tests will be performed by the nurses in clinic at your appointment, however sometimes the female partner will need to wait for a period to do hormone blood tests. For other tests, such as tube x-rays you will need to make an appointment at a recommended x-ray centre.

What are the initial tests that will be suggested?

• Women will be given blood tests to check the numbers of eggs they have (AMH), whether they are making and releasing eggs (ovulating) and to check the levels of hormones that control their fertility and menstrual cycle. They will also need a detailed pelvic ultrasound to check the health of the womb, ovaries and pelvic area. Sometimes a woman will be asked to have a tube x-ray (HSG).

• For men a detailed semen analysis, from a qualified professional, is essential. This sperm test checks the number of sperm you are producing, how well they swim, whether they are healthy and other possible problems such as antibodies, infection, other cells and problems with the semen fluid. In our clinic all sperm tests are performed by qualified andrologists and embryologists. Sperm tests from other clinics and laboratories performed by untrained personnel with inadequate microscopes are not detailed enough to make the important (and sometimes) expensive decisions on your fertility treatment plan. For this reason you will be asked to undertake a sperm test in our clinic or provide results from an accredited andrology centre.

What are the next steps?

The next steps for you depend on your individual situation. There are many different treatment options available.

Often some further tests are required before the doctor can help you choose your treatment plan, and provide you with the success rates and treatment options for you both as a couple.