Questions to ask at your first consultation

A first fertility consultation is often 30 to 60 minutes and covers a lot of ground quickly. Going in with prepared questions means you leave with the information you need. This checklist covers what is worth asking; pick the questions that fit your situation.

Checklist · 5 min read · Reviewed 13 September 2026

In this checklist
  1. About your specific situation
  2. About the clinic
  3. About costs
  4. About donor sperm
  5. About the process
  6. Sources

About your specific situation

Start with your own clinical picture:

  1. What do my test results (AMH, FSH, AFC) tell you about my ovarian reserve, and how does this compare to what you would expect for my age?
  2. Based on my results, what treatment do you recommend as a first-line approach: IUI or IVF?
  3. What is the realistic birth rate per cycle for someone with my profile at this clinic?
  4. Are there any investigations you would want to do before we start treatment?
  5. Is there anything about my history that would change your recommendation?

About the clinic

These questions help you assess whether this is the right clinic for you:

  1. Do you routinely treat families like mine, whether that is solo patients, same-sex couples, or another situation? What proportion of your patients are in the same position?
  2. What are your success rates for my age group and treatment type? (Ask to see the HFEA-reported figures specifically, not internal marketing data.)
  3. Can I see your patient ratings and inspection rating on the HFEA's Choose a Fertility Clinic site?
  4. How many consultants work here, and will I see the same person throughout my treatment?
  5. What is your policy on add-ons such as PGT-A, embryo glue and endometrial scratch? How do you advise patients on these, and what is the HFEA rating for each?
  6. Is counselling included in the price, and what support do you offer during treatment and after a failed cycle?
  7. How responsive are you between appointments? Is there a nurse coordinator I can contact with questions?

About costs

Always leave with a written cost breakdown:

  1. Can you provide me with a full itemised quote in writing that covers everything: drugs, ICSI, donor gamete handling if relevant, counselling, storage, and any standard add-ons?
  2. What is not included in your standard IVF quote?
  3. Will you accept test results (such as AMH, semen analysis or infection screening) from my GP or an independent lab? Which labs, and how recent do they need to be?
  4. Do you offer multi-cycle packages, and what do they cost?
  5. What are your cancellation and refund policies if a cycle needs to be stopped?
  6. Do you offer any funding schemes, payment plans, or finance options?

About donor sperm

If you are using donor sperm, these are particularly important:

  1. Do you have a preferred list of sperm banks, or can I choose my own and ship to you?
  2. What are your sperm import procedures and timelines? How far in advance do I need to organise this?
  3. Do you have any recommendations on how many vials to purchase for sibling potential?
  4. What CMV matching policy do you follow?
  5. If I need to cancel a cycle after sperm has been imported, what happens to it?

About the process

Understanding what treatment involves day-to-day:

  1. How many monitoring scans will I need, and can any of these be done at a clinic closer to where I live or work?
  2. What does the stimulation protocol typically involve in terms of daily injections?
  3. How much time off work should I plan for egg collection?
  4. What is your embryo transfer policy: single embryo transfer only?
  5. What support do you offer if a cycle fails or if I have a pregnancy loss?

Sources

Last reviewed 13 September 2026. General information, not medical or financial advice. Your clinic and a regulated adviser can advise on your situation.

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