What to expect at your first appointment and visit to CARE Fertility

Everyone’s fertility journey is different. At CARE Fertility, our expert team of physicians creates personalized treatment plans to support your goal of getting pregnant.

We’ve made changes to many of our policies and procedures to keep our patients, staff, and their families safe from the coronavirus. That means that all of our initial appointments take place either by phone call or via Zoom, a video conferencing software we use to conduct telehealth consultations.

Here’s what to expect during your first few consultations and appointments with CARE Fertility:

Your first telehealth consultation

Your first appointment will take place remotely over Zoom, or by regular phone call if you prefer. It’s ideal if your partner can be with you for the consultation.

Prior to your initial consultation, you will be asked to complete an online medical history form. Completing your medical history 1 to 2 days prior to your consultation allows time for your physician to review and prepare.

We realize it is not always possible to obtain past fertility records. If you can, great but if not, no worries! You and your physician can still talk and strategize the best approach to your fertility journey.

During the video conference, we’ll ask questions to help us understand your medical and reproductive history. We’ll discuss any prior pregnancies, medical problems, surgeries, menstrual patterns, pelvic pain, prior evaluation and treatment for infertility, and your partner’s history.

To prepare for your Zoom visit, make a list of questions you would like answered. All of our physicians love questions!

After we answer your questions, your physician will discuss your next steps. One of our financial counselors will call you after your visit to discuss insurance coverage and cost. Additionally, our front office staff will help you schedule your first in-person appointment.

Above all, be sure to check your mailbox over the next few days following your visit for helpful information.

Your first onsite visit with a CARE Fertility physician

Your initial appointment does not need to be scheduled at any particular time of the menstrual cycle.

Our lobby is open and partners are welcome at all visits. We are excited to have partners attend for embryo transfers and pregnancy sonograms.

We require all patients, partners, staff, and physicians to wear a mask at our clinic at all times, regardless of vaccination status. You must keep your mouth and nose covered at all times while you are in the office, even if you are alone in the bathroom or exam room. Masks, when combined with hand-washing and maintaining a safe distance, have been proven to be effective at limiting the spread of COVID-19.

During your first onsite visit

During this visit, your physician will perform a full physical examination which includes a pelvic exam and a transvaginal ultrasound to evaluate the size and shape of the uterus and ovaries. Your physician will point out your uterus and ovaries to help you get your bearings! Ultrasound helps identify anatomical causes of infertility like polyps, scar tissue, ovarian cysts, and uterine fibroids. Ultrasound also allows us to assess your “egg count” or egg reserve. 

Routine blood work can also be done at this time, which includes screening for infectious disease, genetic screening, and prenatal labs. Frequently your AMH level (blood test to look at your egg count) is drawn at this visit.

If you have not had a genetic carrier screening test, we recommend this simple test to determine if you carry a gene for certain genetic disorders.

Getting your personalized treatment plan

Once we have completed your initial testing (which typically can be done with just 2 in-person visits), you and your physician will schedule a Zoom or phone consultation to discuss treatment options. After that call, the rest of our CARE Fertility team will talk with you to help you begin your personalized fertility journey.

From there, you’ll begin your treatment plan. It’s as simple as that, and you’ll have dedicated, helpful staff to assist you through the process.

To schedule your initial telehealth consultation with CARE Fertility, call 817-540-1157.