Questions to Ask Your Fertility Doctor at Your First IVF Appointment in Reston, VA

Starting IVF can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. You want clear guidance, realistic expectations, and a plan that fits your life. 

At your first IVF Appointment in Reston, Virginia, your job is to ask great questions, share your story, and leave with next steps that make sense. 

Use this clear, concise, and informative guide to help prepare, so your consultation feels calm, productive, and empowering.

You are just a short read away from the care your family has been waiting for.

Making the Most of Your First IVF Appointment in Reston, Virginia

The great purpose of your first IVF appointment in Reston, Virginia, is to understand your medical history, set a testing plan, review treatment options, and outline a timeline. 

You should leave knowing what happens this month, what to expect in the lab, and how you will be supported between visits.

A great provider will have you leaving your first appointment knowing all your questions were answered, and then some.

Start With Your Story

To help your provider get a clear perspective, bring notes and records so your doctor can see the full picture. Consider:

• Prior pregnancies, losses, procedures, or surgeries
• Cycle length, ovulation patterns, and any irregular bleeding
• Past fertility testing or treatments
• Medical conditions like thyroid disease, endometriosis, or PCOS
• Medications, allergies, and supplements
• Lifestyle factors such as stress level, sleep, and shift work
  
  

A clear history helps personalize your protocol from day one, and ensures a seamless partnership between you and your provider..

Testing and Timeline, What Happens First?

Most clinics start with ovarian reserve testing and a semen analysis. Common studies include AMH, FSH, and estradiol, an antral follicle count by ultrasound, and a uterine cavity evaluation. 

Your doctor may suggest thyroid and vitamin D labs, and infectious disease screening.

Stimulation often lasts eight to fourteen days, followed by egg retrieval. 

Embryos grow in the lab for several days, often to day five. Transfers may be fresh or, more commonly, planned as a frozen cycle after your body has time to recover.

Medication Plan and Everyday Logistics

When a comprehensive plan is created with your doctor, you can expect a mix of injectable gonadotropins to grow follicles, a medicine to prevent early ovulation, and a trigger shot to time retrieval. After retrieval or before transfer, progesterone supports the uterine lining.

You can also expect some temporary bloating, mood changes, bruising at injection sites, and fatigue as these are all common and normal side effects. 

Ovarian hyperstimulation is uncommon with modern monitoring. Call the clinic promptly if you notice rapid weight gain, severe pain, or shortness of breath.

Inside the Lab, How Embryos Are Created

Once retrieval happens, eggs and sperm are combined either by conventional insemination or with ICSI, a technique where one sperm is placed into the egg. 

Embryos are cultured in carefully controlled conditions. Some clinics recommend genetic testing of embryos in select situations. 

Ask how decisions are made and how results guide which embryo is transferred. The more you know, the better.

Success Rates, Safety, and Setting Expectations

Your personal odds depend on age, ovarian reserve, sperm health, embryo quality, and uterine factors. 

Ask for clinic specific data that matches your age group. Also ask about the expected number of eggs, likely embryos, and the plan if response is higher or lower than expected.
Most modern programs favor single embryo transfer to reduce the risk of multiples and protect maternal and baby health.

Costs, Coverage, and What Is Included

Clarify what is included in a cycle quote and what is not. Discuss medication costs, anesthesia, genetic testing, embryo freezing fees, and storage. 

Ask about payment options and any documentation needed for insurance or employer benefits.

The right practice for you will not have any hidden agendas or fees. They’ll ensure transparency, as you are working together.

Lifestyle, Work, and Emotional Support

Monitoring visits are usually brief morning appointments. You can always ask for a sample calendar and plan a communication method that fits your schedule.

Making sure to take good care of yourself is essential for healthy development.

Gentle movement, hydration, and consistent sleep support hormone balance and recovery. Many patients find counseling, support groups, or mind body techniques helpful for stress as well.

A Handy Question Checklist

Bring this list and add your own:

• What protocol do you recommend for me, and why?
• How will you adjust dosing if I respond quickly or slowly?
• What are the lab’s fertilization and blastocyst rates for my age group?
• Do you recommend genetic testing in my case?
• What is the plan for excess embryos and storage?
• What are the most common side effects with my protocol and how do I manage them?
• Who do I call after hours and how fast can I expect a response?
  
  

Before You Go, Set Your Next Steps

Before your First IVF Appointment in Reston, Virginia, gather records, list medications and supplements, and discuss scheduling needs with your partner or support person. 

Before you leave the visit, confirm your testing dates, your medication teaching session, your financial plan, and your main point of contact. Clarity reduces stress and keeps your cycle on track.

Your Next Step: Book Your First IVF Appointment in Reston, Virginia

You deserve a team that listens, explains, and walks beside you every step of the way. When you are ready to move from questions to a clear plan, contact us online or give us a call at Annandale Fertility at 703-462-8665. 

A thoughtful consultation can turn uncertainty into a step by step roadmap, so you feel informed, supported, and confident about your path to growing your family.

You are not alone. And the right team is waiting to support you.