Overview
You’ve booked the appointment. Good. That first visit changes everything. It brings facts into the fog. It moves you from guessing to planning. Walk in with these ten questions. Don’t leave without answers you understand.
Every couple who walks into ARC Fertility Hospital in Chennai carries that same quiet mixture of courage and uncertainty. And we always tell them this: You’re already doing something brave. You showed up. That’s the hardest part.
In your next visit, be sure to ask these 10 questions
What are the most likely causes for our delay in conceiving?
Ask this first. It frames everything else. Is it ovulation, sperm quality, age, hormones, or something silent like endometriosis or tubal block? If the doctor says “it could be many things,” ask which ones they most suspect for your case, and why.
What specific tests do each of us need — and why?
Fertility is a two-person job. Women often need blood work, ovary scans, and uterus imaging. Men need a semen analysis. If they mention terms like Ogliospermia or low sperm count, make them explain what those mean for your chances, and what the next steps will be.
How urgent is this, given our ages and medical history?
Age changes the math. If you’re over 35, talk timelines. Ask clearly: “How long should we try IUI or IVF before moving to ICSI?” You deserve a timeline that balances patience with realistic action.
What are our treatment options, from least to most invasive?
Get a plain list: lifestyle tweaks, ovulation induction, IUI, IVF, ICSI. Ask about the process, the cost, the time each takes, and the real success rates for people like you. Don’t accept vague optimism. Ask: “What’s the next reasonable step for us?”
What are the success rates in your clinic for people like us?
Request numbers based on age, diagnosis, and treatment type. Clinics can give overall rates that sound good but don’t apply to everyone. Ask for the figures that reflect your situation. If they can’t provide them, ask why.
What side effects or risks should we expect from tests and treatments?
Understand the downside. Ovarian stimulation can feel brutal for some. Injections can cause bruising. Surgery has recovery. Know the physical, emotional, and financial costs before you sign up.
If a male factor is suspected, what will we test and treat?
Men are often the quiet half of the story. Ask explicitly about semen analysis, sperm DNA testing, and conditions like varicocele. If results point to Ogliospermia or low sperm count, request clear next steps: lifestyle change, medical therapy, surgery, or assisted reproduction like ICSI. Demand clarity about what “treatable” means for you.
How will this process affect our mental health, and what support do you offer?
Fertility treatment is heavy. Ask about counselling, support groups, and how the clinic handles emotional care. If there’s no support, ask for referrals. This work is not just clinical, it’s relational. Protect your relationship and mental health proactively.
What are the financials, exactly? Break it down.
Don’t leave this to guesswork. Ask for an itemized estimate: tests, medications, scans, procedures, and likely extras. Ask about refund policies if cycles are canceled. If treatment involves several likely cycles, ask for a 6–12 month cost projection.
If this doesn’t work, what is Plan B?
Hard question, but necessary. Ask what the options look like after failed cycles: donor sperm or eggs, surrogacy, adoption, or long-term care. Ask how the clinic supports transition to those options. Knowing Plan B eases panic later.
A few practical tips for the appointment
- Bring a short timeline, written, of tests and treatments tried so far.
- Bring a list of current medications, even supplements. Some drugs affect fertility.
- If you’re a man, bring a partner or be ready to ask about a semen analysis — ask how to prepare for it.
What I would say, if I were your doctor:
Be blunt. If you’re 35 or older, don’t waste months on guesswork. If a male issue like low sperm count shows up, treat it openly and early. If tests are normal, don’t assume you can wait forever. The clock still matters. We’re here to find the fastest path that respects your health, your heart, and your wallet.
Why these questions matter
Most people leave the first visit confused because they were polite, embarrassed, or afraid to ask. These ten questions force clarity. They make the clinic accountable. They protect your time and money. They protect your mental health.
Fertility care should feel like a plan, not a mystery. When the answers are sharp and honest, you stop guessing and start acting.
ARC Fertility Hospital in Chennai — where every question is heard, and every story matters.
