Questions to Ask Your Fertility Doctor at Every Stage

Fertility appointments are short. The information is dense. The stakes feel enormous. And most patients walk out of at least one appointment thinking: *I should have asked about that.*

It's not a knowledge problem, it's a timing problem. You don't know what questions matter until you're already in the middle of a stage, and by then the appointment where those questions would have been most useful has already passed.

This guide gives you the questions that matter at each phase of the IVF journey—from your first consultation through to your pregnancy test. Not a generic list of "things to consider." Specific, pointed questions that will get you the information your doctor has but hasn't volunteered yet.

At Your First Consultation

Your initial consultation is a diagnostic and planning conversation. You're being evaluated—but you should also be evaluating. This appointment sets the trajectory for your entire treatment.

• About your diagnosis and prognosis

Q: Based on my age and test results, what is your clinical assessment of my fertility?

Your doctor should be able to give you a clear, honest picture — not a guarantee, but a grounded explanation of where you stand.

Q: What is the recommended treatment path, and why this one over alternatives?

IVF is not always the first step. Depending on your diagnosis, IUI, ovulation induction, or lifestyle modifications may be appropriate first. Ask why IVF is (or isn't) being recommended.

Q: Are there any additional tests you'd recommend before starting treatment?

Some conditions; uterine polyps, fibroids, hydrosalpinx, and male factor issues should be addressed before beginning IVF.  Make sure the workup is complete.

• About the clinic

Q: How many REI-certified specialists are on staff, and who will manage my cycle?

Understand whether you'll see the same doctor at every appointment or rotate through a team, and whether your retrieval will be performed by your primary physician.

‍Q: What does your lab use for incubation and embryo assessment?

Time-lapse incubation and AI-assisted embryo grading are not universal. Ask specifically.

Q: What is your communication model between appointments and how do I reach my care team and how are results delivered?

This will matter more than you think. Get specifics, not "we're always available" but how, when, and through what channel.

• About cost and logistics

Q: Can you provide an itemized cost estimate for my expected treatment plan?

This should include the cycle fee, monitoring, medications, anesthesia, embryology, freezing, storage, and any genetic testing — before you start.

Q: Do you participate in the Ontario Fertility Program, and is there a separate waitlist for funded cycles?

If you're eligible for OFP-funded IVF, this changes the financial picture significantly. Ask whether funded and private patients are treated differently in terms of access or timing.

Q: What is the cost of medications for a typical cycle, and do you have guidance on where to fill prescriptions?

Medication costs ($6,000–$8,000 in Canada) are often the largest variable. Some pharmacies offer better pricing for fertility medications; your clinic may have recommendations.

During Stimulation (Monitoring Phase)

Once stimulation begins, your appointments are focused on follicle growth and hormone levels. They're brief and clinical. But this is the phase where understanding your own data gives you the most control.

• At every monitoring appointment

Q: How many follicles are growing, and what sizes are they?

Ask for the specific numbers, not just "things look good." Knowing your count and size range helps you track your own progress.

Q: What is my estradiol level today, and how does it compare to my last appointment?

The trend matters more than the absolute number. Your doctor should be able to tell you whether your levels are tracking as expected.

Q: Are any dose adjustments being made, and why?

If your medication is being increased or decreased, ask what in the data prompted the change. This helps you understand the logic of your protocol, not just follow instructions.

Q: Based on current growth, when are you estimating retrieval?

This changes as monitoring progresses, but having a working estimate helps you plan practically; time off work, arranging a driver, adjusting your schedule.

• If something seems off

Q: My follicles seem to be growing unevenly; is that a concern?

Uneven growth is common, but if you're seeing a big gap between lead and trailing follicles, ask how your doctor is thinking about the trade-off at trigger time.

Q: My estradiol is rising faster/slower than expected — what does that change?

Fast rises may increase OHSS risk. Slow rises may mean the follicles aren't responding as hoped. Either way, ask what adjustments are being considered.

Before Egg Retrieval

The period between your trigger shot and retrieval is short — usually about 36 hours — but the instructions are precise and the stakes are high.

• Questions to ask when your trigger is prescribed

Q: What exact time do I take the trigger shot?

This is not a range. It's a specific time. Confirm it verbally and in writing.

Q: What type of trigger am I getting, and why?

hCG and Lupron triggers serve different purposes and carry different OHSS risk profiles. Understand which you're on and the reasoning.

Q: What are the fasting and arrival instructions for retrieval day?

Confirm when to stop eating and drinking, what to wear, who needs to come with you, and what time to arrive.

Q: What should I do if I experience symptoms of OHSS before retrieval?

Bloating, pain, shortness of breath, decreased urination; know what to watch for and when to call.

After Egg Retrieval (The Embryo Development Phase)

After egg retrieval is the phase where you have the least control and the most anxiety. The questions you ask here are about understanding what the data means; not about influencing the outcome.

• When you receive your fertilization report

Q: How many eggs were retrieved, how many were mature, and how many fertilized normally?

These are three separate numbers, and the drop between each is expected. Ask for all three.

‍Q: Is the fertilization rate what you expected based on our situation?

This contextualizes the numbers. A rate that's normal for your age and diagnosis may still feel disappointing if you didn't know what to expect.

Q: When will I receive my next update, and what will it include?  

Know when to expect the Day 5 report and what information it will contain — number of blastocysts, grading, and next steps.

• When you receive your Day 5 report

Q: How many embryos reached blastocyst, and what are their grades?

Ask for the specific grading (e.g., 4AA, 3BB) and a brief explanation of what the grades mean for your embryos.

Q: If we're doing PGT-A, when will results be available?

Typically one to two weeks. Confirm the timeline and how results will be communicated.

‍Q: Based on these results, what is the plan for transfer, and when?

Your doctor should be able to outline the next steps: when you'll start FET preparation, what the protocol looks like, and the expected transfer timeline.

Before Embryo Transfer

The transfer itself is straightforward, but the decisions leading up to it deserve attention.

Q: Which embryo are you recommending for transfer, and why?

If you have multiple embryos, ask how the selection was made — grading, PGT-A results, or a combination.

Q: Are we transferring one embryo or two, and what's the clinical rationale?

Single embryo transfer is the standard of care at most clinics for good-prognosis patients. If two are being recommended, ask why.

Q: What does my lining look like, and is it where it needs to be?

Your doctor should be able to tell you the thickness and pattern (trilaminar is the target) and whether your progesterone level is adequate.

Q: What are the specific instructions for after transfer; activity, medications, restrictions?

Get clarity on what's evidence-based versus precautionary. Bed rest is not recommended. Normal activity is fine for most patients.

During the Two-Week Wait

The two-week wait generates more patient anxiety than any other phase; and it's also the phase where your care team is least likely to proactively reach out.

Q: What symptoms should I expect from the progesterone, so I can distinguish them from implantation or other signs?

Most two-week-wait symptoms are progesterone side effects. Knowing this in advance saves significant anxiety.

Q: If I experience spotting or cramping, when should I contact you versus wait?

Get specific thresholds; light spotting is common, heavy bleeding warrants a call, severe pain requires immediate contact.

Q: Can I take a home pregnancy test, and if so, when is the earliest reliable window?

Your doctor's recommendation will depend on your trigger type. If you used hCG, early home tests can give false positives.

Q: How and when will I receive my blood test result?

Know exactly when the test is, how the result will be delivered, and who will follow up with you to explain what it means.

The Big Question: How Do I Reach You?

At every stage, the most important question may be the simplest:

Q: How do I contact my care team between appointments, and what is the expected response time?

This isn't about one appointment. It's about every moment between appointments; the evening injection that doesn't look right, the monitoring result that confuses you, the two-week-wait symptom that scares you.

At Pollin, the answer is the Pollin App: secure direct messaging routed to your care team, with prompt responses during clinic hours, an on-call nurse monitoring messages until 9pm, and responses first thing at 7am for overnight questions. Your results, medication schedule, and appointment calendar are all in the same place.

Ask any clinic you're considering this question, and pay attention to how specific or vague the answer is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I ask at my first fertility consultation?

Focus on three areas: your diagnosis and prognosis (what's your clinical assessment, what treatment path, are there additional tests needed), the clinic itself (physician credentials, lab technology, communication model), and cost (itemized estimate, funding eligibility, medication costs). These questions give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

‍What questions should I ask during IVF monitoring?

At each monitoring appointment, ask for your specific follicle count and sizes, your estradiol level and how it compares to your last appointment, whether any dose adjustments are being made and why, and the current estimated retrieval date.

What should I ask after egg retrieval?

Ask for all three numbers — eggs retrieved, mature eggs, and normally fertilized — and whether the fertilization rate is what your doctor expected. Confirm when you'll receive the Day 5 blastocyst report and what it will include.

What questions should I ask before embryo transfer?

Ask which embryo is being selected and why, whether one or two embryos are being transferred, what your lining looks like, and what the specific post-transfer instructions are regarding activity, medications, and restrictions.

How can I communicate with my fertility doctor between appointments?

This varies significantly by clinic. Some clinics rely on phone lines and voicemail. Others offer patient portals or dedicated messaging systems. At Pollin, patients use the Pollin App for secure direct messaging with their care team, with responses during clinic hours and on-call nurse coverage until 9pm.

Should I write my questions down before a fertility appointment?

Yes. Fertility appointments are brief and information-dense. Writing your questions in advance — and taking notes during the appointment or reviewing your results afterward through a patient portal — ensures you don't leave with unanswered questions.

Have a question right now? 

If you're a Pollin patient, message your care team through the Pollin App. If you're ready to start, book a consultation.  There is no waitlist, and we handle your referral.

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