1. Home
2. Education
3. AFCC Fertility Blog
4. Your First 30 Days With Our Fertility Clinic: What to Expect, Step by Step

Your First 30 Days With Our Fertility Clinic: What to Expect, Step by Step

Starting care with a fertility clinic can be overwhelming — even if you’ve been trying to conceive for a while. New terminology, testing, timelines, and decisions can raise a lot of questions before you ever walk through the door.

The good news? The first month is often about information gathering and creating a plan without rushing into treatment.

Here’s a realistic look at what most patients experience during their first 30 days with our fertility clinic, including timelines, common tests, possible outcomes, and how to prepare.

Week 1: Scheduling + Getting Organized

What typically happens

Once you request an appointment, our team will:

• Schedule your new patient consultation

• Send intake forms and medical history questionnaires

• Ask about prior testing or treatment, if applicable

• Begin the process of insurance verification, if using coverage

• Upload any medical information from other clinics to your Prelude Connect portal

This phase is largely administrative, but it plays a big role in keeping things moving smoothly later.

What you can do now

To help reduce delays:

• Complete paperwork as soon as possible

• Gather records from previous providers (OB‑GYNs, fertility clinics, urologists)

• Make a list of questions or goals for your visit

Tip: Even if you’ve never had fertility testing before, that’s okay — many patients are starting fresh.

Week 2: Your First Visit (New Patient Consultation)

What the consultation is (and isn’t)

Your first visit is primarily a conversation, not a commitment to treatment.

During this visit, your physician will:

• Review your medical, reproductive, and family history

• Discuss your fertility journey so far

• Ask about menstrual history, ovulation monitoring, and any prior pregnancies

• Review any past test results

• Outline next recommended steps

For couples or partners, if applicable. This appointment often includes both individuals.

Common questions patients ask

• Why hasn’t pregnancy happened yet?

• What testing do we need before deciding on treatment?

• What options might make sense for us — and why?

• What does a typical timeline look like from here?

You do not need to decide on treatment during this visit - you will be presented with options to consider..

Week 3: Fertility Testing & Evaluation

After your consultation, your physician may recommend diagnostic testing. Not everyone needs every test — your plan is personalized.

Common fertility tests include:

For patients with ovaries:

• Bloodwork (often cycle‑day specific) to assess hormones and ovarian reserve

• Baseline ultrasound to look at ovaries and uterus, identify abnormalities, and assess egg reserve

• Ovulation evaluation, if cycles are irregular

For patients with testes:

• Semen analysis to evaluate sperm count, motility, and shape

Additional testing (if indicated):

• Uterine imaging (such as an hysteroscopy and saline ultrasound)

• Genetic carrier screening

• Follow‑up hormone testing

Some tests are timed to specific days of the menstrual cycle, which is why testing may span more than one week.

Week 4: Reviewing Results & Creating a Plan

Once testing is complete, your care team will review the results with you and discuss what they mean — and what they don’t.

Common outcomes at this stage

• Reassurance that many things look normal

• Identification of a specific diagnosis (such as ovulation issues, male factor, or tubal concerns)

• A diagnosis of unexplained infertility (which is more common than many people expect)

• Discussion of next steps, which may include:

  • Continued trying with guidance

  • Ovulation induction or IUI

  • IVF or advanced treatment options

  • Fertility preservation planning

This is also when more detailed conversations about timing, costs, medications, and success rates typically begin.

What to Bring to Your First Appointment

You don’t need to bring everything — but the following can be helpful:

• Prior fertility testing or treatment records (if available)

• Surgical reports related to reproductive health

• A list of current medications and supplements

• Insurance information

• Your questions (written down helps!)

If you don’t have records or aren’t sure what applies to you, that’s okay. Our team can help guide next steps.

What the First 30 Days Are Really About

The first month at a fertility clinic is about:

• Understanding your fertility

• Reducing uncertainty

• Building a personalized plan

• Feeling supported — not rushed

Many patients worry they’ll be pushed into treatment right away. In reality, the early phase is designed to give you clarity and control, so any decisions you make feel informed and right for you.

Taking the Next Step

If you’re considering fertility care, know that you don’t have to have everything figured out before your first visit.

Your job is simply to start the conversation. Our job is to help guide you from there — one step at a time.

Ready to schedule your consultation?
Our team is here when you are.

See all articles