Your First IVF Consultation: What Actually Happens

Before you arrive

Most clinics send a questionnaire in advance. Fill it out thoroughly — your medical history, your partner's history if relevant, how long you've been trying, any previous pregnancies, medications, lifestyle factors. The more complete this is, the less time you spend recounting basics in the room and the more time the consultant has for the conversation that matters.

Bring any test results you already have. AMH levels, FSH, semen analysis, ultrasound reports, your GP referral letter. Clinics can access some of this through NHS records, but having it on hand avoids repeated tests and speeds things up.

The consultation itself

Expect 30–60 minutes, though private clinics tend to be more generous with time than NHS ones. The consultant — usually a reproductive medicine specialist — will review your history, discuss what's been tried so far, and explain what investigations are still needed. This isn't the appointment where treatment starts. It's the appointment where they figure out what's going on and what the options are.

For women, they'll likely recommend or review: AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone) to assess ovarian reserve, an antral follicle count via transvaginal ultrasound, day 2–5 FSH and LH blood tests, thyroid function, rubella immunity, and screening for infections. For male partners: a semen analysis if not already done, plus basic blood tests.

The treatment plan conversation

Based on your results, the consultant will outline a treatment recommendation. This might be IVF, ICSI, IUI, or sometimes further investigation before committing to a treatment path. They should explain why they're recommending a specific approach, what the expected success rate is for someone with your profile, and what it will cost.

Pay attention to how they discuss success rates. A good consultant will be honest about your individual chances based on your age, AMH, and diagnosis — not quote headline clinic averages. If the numbers they give you sound too good, ask them to be specific about your age group and situation.

Questions worth asking

• What's the birth rate for patients my age at this clinic specifically?
• What's included in the price you've quoted, and what will be extra?
• How many cycles do patients in my situation typically need?
• What add-on treatments do you recommend, and what's the evidence for each?
• What's the waiting time to start treatment?
• Who will I see for follow-up appointments — you, or different doctors?
• What happens if the first cycle doesn't work?

The cost conversation

Some clinics are upfront about pricing in the first consultation. Others give you a treatment plan and then hand you off to a finance coordinator. Either way, you should leave that first appointment with a clear written breakdown of costs — the cycle fee, medication estimates, any recommended add-ons, and storage fees if embryo freezing is part of the plan.

If the clinic is vague about pricing or says they'll discuss it later, that's a yellow flag. You're about to spend thousands of pounds. Transparency matters. This is exactly why we built Vero Fertility — so you can see verified pricing before you even book a consultation, not after you're emotionally invested in a particular clinic.

Red flags to watch for

Pressure to start immediately. Quoting success rates without specifying age bands. Recommending expensive add-ons without discussing evidence. Difficulty getting a straight answer on total cost. And — most importantly — a clinic that makes you feel like you can't ask questions. The best clinics welcome scrutiny because they have nothing to hide.

Your first consultation should leave you feeling informed and in control, even if the information is hard to hear. If it leaves you feeling confused, rushed or pressured, that tells you something about how the rest of your treatment experience will go.