Chances are you have already been through quite a lot before you sit down in the waiting room preparing for your first meeting with your doctor! Here are some suggestions to help you get ready for this next chapter on your journey.
When I meet a new patient, I always ask, “why are you here today?” Although I usually know the answer (“I want to have a baby”), and what I might recommend (based on their medical history), this moment is about them and what they are looking for.
A very informed or experienced patient might already have a good idea of their medical situation and the treatment they want. Others are at square one and are open to listening, learning and following our recommendations.
Most of the time there is more than one answer and more than one way to reach their ultimate goal.
Each patient deserves to be heard and understood so that we can move forward together while speaking the same language. We all bring many feelings, thoughts, and hopes into every conversation. The more directly we communicate, the more we can work together to achieve our treatment goals.
The Right Questions
The “right” questions are personal and relative to each individual, but here are some basic questions the majority of patients ask:
- Why do you think I’m not getting pregnant?
- What tests do I need to assess my fertility potential?
- What are the ways to improve or correct my fertility potential?
- What are my treatment options and their success rates?
- How long will a cycle of treatment take and how many appointments will I have?
- What kind of medication is necessary, are there side effects and risks?
- What more can I do to increase my chances of getting pregnant?
- What is an overall estimate of the cost?
- If all else fails, what are my other options?
I hope that each patient leaving my office can answer these questions after their first appointment.
