Preparing for Your First Appointment
Your First Appointment
Your initial consultation at the Duke Fertility Center will be a virtual video visit. About a week before your virtual appointment, you will receive a call from a nurse or medical assistant. They will review your medical history and gather information about you and your reproductive partner, if applicable.
During the virtual visit, your provider will discuss your medical history and any diagnostic testing you need, such as blood tests. At the end of your visit, you will schedule this recommended testing. You will also schedule a follow-up visit with the same provider for four to six weeks after your initial appointment.
During your follow-up appointment at the Duke Fertility Center, your provider will discuss your test results and help you formulate a treatment plan.
Your Care Team
Physician or Physician Assistant
Our experienced physicians and physician assistants (PAs) are directly involved in the critical stages of your care. Your initial session will be with a physician or a PA. You will continue to meet with the same provider throughout your care at the Duke Fertility Center. They will help you decide which approach is best for you and your family.
Nurses
Our nurses help you navigate the everyday details of your recommended treatment plan. For instance, the nursing team will give you instructions about when to take certain medications, schedule your monitoring visits, and answer questions about your treatment.
Sonographer
Regular ultrasounds may be a part of your treatment plan. Sonographers perform ultrasounds, which are reviewed by your provider.
Phlebotomists and Medical Assistants
Blood draws may be performed regularly throughout your visit.
Psychologists
Our psychology team offers individual and couples therapy while you’re going through treatment. They also offer support groups.
Anesthesiologists
Our anesthesiologist provides sedation for outpatient procedures like egg retrievals or hysteroscopies, a procedure that allows the doctor to look inside your uterus.
Embryology Team
Treatments involving eggs or sperm in our invitro fertilization lab are handled by the embryology team.
Financial Coordinator
Once your treatment plan is established, you’ll speak with a financial coordinator. The financial coordinator reviews your recommended treatment plan and the cost, what is and is not covered by insurance, and your out-of-pocket expenses. A financial coordinator is available to you throughout your care at the Duke Fertility Center.