Step 1: Meeting your Fertility Specialist

At your first appointment with one of our fertility specialists, your doctor will review your medical history, assess your general health, and arrange initial tests and investigations for you and your partner.

Please bring a doctor’s referral from a GP (valid for 12 months) or specialist gynecologist or obstetrician (valid for three months). Ensure the referral includes both partners' names. This will also ensure you are eligible for Medicare rebates.

You can download and print our referral form and take it to your GP or medical specialist to sign.

For women, depending on the level of testing already performed, the fertility specialist may order further pathology tests. For men, a blood test for hepatitis B and C, HIV and a semen analysis are all routinely conducted.

Pre-pregnancy screening for some genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis is available and can be discussed with your specialist.

Other diagnostic tests may include some or all of the following:

Blood tests for women

• Rubella immunity (German measles),
• Chicken pox,
• Hepatitis B and C,
• HIV,
• Full blood count, checking your blood group, your thyroid status and
• Current pap smear (within last 2 years);

Other fertility tests for women

• Vaginal ultrasound to check for fibroids, polyps, ovarian cysts, and to act as a ‘baseline’ for reference during your treatment

Blood tests for men

• HIV
• Hepatitis B and C

Other fertility tests for men

• Semen analysis to check for antibodies and any possible infection

Once we have the results of these tests, your fertility specialist will meet with you again to explain in detail your recommended treatment plan.

At IVFAustralia, all of our fertility specialists are supported by our experienced scientific staff who undertake the detailed sperm analysis. For particularly challenging cases we have a dedicated male infertility clinic for diagnosis, investigations or surgery (including microsurgery). You may wish to meet with Dr David Golovsky, our male infertility and urology specialist; he consults from IVFAustralia’s city clinic.

Meet our fertility specialists...
Find out more about female infertility tests...
Find out more about male infertility tests...

Step 2: Preparing for treatment

After your fertility specialist appointment, you will then meet with a nurse and administration team member, as well as being informed of the counselling services available to you, before you begin treatment.

Your fertility nurse will explain what to expect in your upcoming IUI/IVF/ICSI treatment cycle, including any specific treatments, injection techniques and medications. Generally, It is best to arrange for the appointment to be about a week before you expect your period in the month that you plan to commence treatment, though a nurse will advise you of this ahead of time.

Our administration team will explain the costs associated with your treatment, and answer any questions you have related to these and the timing of payment. This will help you understand the fees involved and explain the complexities of the Medicare Safety Net, Medicare rebates and your final, out-of-pocket expenses.

A fertility counsellor is available to meet with you and your partner, to discuss the physical and emotional implications of your treatment. You may have already faced many frustrations, disappointments and investigations before coming to IVFAustralia. Your counsellor is here for you at every stage of your treatment, even at short notice, if you need to discuss things or explore ways of coping.