1Step 1 of 5
Arriving and registering
About 15 minutes
A coordinator welcomes you, checks your ID and opens your file. A short form asks about your health and your cycle.
Your first visit, without the worry
Most first visits take one to two hours. Here is what happens, what to bring and what to ask, so you can walk in feeling ready.
- About 1 to 2 hours
- 6 things to bring
- Your partner is welcome
What happens on the day
Every clinic is a little different, but most first visits follow these 5 moments.
2Step 2 of 5
Meeting your specialist
About 30 to 45 minutes
Your doctor listens to your story first, then explains what could be going on in plain words and answers your questions.
3Step 3 of 5
A gentle scan
About 10 to 15 minutes
A short ultrasound shows your womb and ovaries. A nurse stays with you, and you can ask to stop at any time.
4Step 4 of 5
Your first tests
About 10 minutes
Usually a blood test for you and a semen test for your partner. Some tests are booked for a certain day of your cycle.
5Step 5 of 5
Leaving with a plan
About 10 minutes
You go home with the next steps in writing and the name of a person to call.
Checklist
What to bring
Tick things off as you pack. Your ticks stay on this device only.
0of 6 ready
Start with your ID and earlier reports.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Write down the ones that matter to you. There is no such thing as a silly question here.
- What do you think is making it hard for us to conceive?
- Which tests do we need, and on which day of my cycle?
- What are our options, from the simplest to IVF?
- What are our chances with each option, honestly?
- What will the tests and treatment cost?
- What happens next, and when do we come back?
Before you come
What people ask before a first visit
How long does a first visit take?
Usually one to two hours, including the consultation, a scan and the first tests.
Should my partner come too?
It helps if they can. The doctor will ask about both of you, and your partner can often give a sample the same day.
Will I start treatment on the first day?
Rarely. The first visit is about understanding your story and testing what needs testing.
When you are ready
The hardest part is booking. We will make the rest easy.
Talk to a specialist first, without any pressure, or find a clinic near you.
Thinking further ahead? See how IVF works, step by step