DO YOU KNOW THE RIGHT QUESTIONS TO ASK…

…TO GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED?

Maybe you do know the questions to ask. Many of my clients have educated themselves to PhD level on all things fertility, but in my opinion you really shouldn't have to. And you shouldn’t be at a disadvantage if you haven’t. The system shouldn't be so hard to navigate that you need encyclopaedic knowledge just to ask the right questions at your appointments. A good fertility acupuncturist knows what to ask and can guide you through the process, so you come away from your medical appointments with answers rather than reassurance or, worse, more questions than you went in with.

Although lots of people read all the research they can find, most people going through fertility care are overwhelmed by the amount of information out there and don't know what they don’t know, and that isn't a failing on their part. Medical appointments are often short, results can come back as "all normal" with no further explanation, and the next step can depend on knowing what to ask. So even though you shouldn't need to know everything to get the right level of care, it helps to understand why the questions matter, and to have someone in your corner who does know what to ask.

Why the question matters as much as the test

A result is only as useful as the question behind it. Ask "Are my bloods normal?" and the answer might be yes, because "normal" usually means within the lab's reference range. That range is set for the general population, not for someone trying to conceive. Ask a slightly different question, such as "Is this level optimal for fertility?" or "What day of my cycle was this taken?", and the answer can change significantly. I cover the tests most often missed or misread in "Why would a fertility acupuncturist ask you to get more tests?"

The questions that change the conversation

Often the most useful question is the simplest: "Can I have a copy of my test results?" This allows you to go through them yourself (after all, who is more invested in those results than you?) and to share them with anyone else on your team, whether that's your clinic, your acupuncturist or your nutritionist. Other, less straightforward questions that often get missed are ”What has been ruled out, and what hasn’t been tested yet?” and “Has my partner been fully assessed, beyond a basic semen analysis?” Most importantly, someone needs to be asking whether your results are optimal for fertility or just within the normal range. That shouldn’t fall to you, and it’s a big part of my role.

Before starting IVF, it's worth asking why this particular protocol is right for you, whether there is anything in your history the clinic would want to investigate before you start, and what they would change if this cycle doesn't work. After a failed cycle or a loss, the key questions are what you know now that you didn't know before, and whether further testing is indicated before trying again.

Why you shouldn't have to be the one asking

You can't ask about something you don't know exists, and you shouldn't have to spend hours researching to find out. You're also emotionally invested, often exhausted, and sitting in an appointment where the time goes quickly. Before I meet a new client, I go through every test they've had. We then talk through what's missing or unclear and, where applicable, their consultation report includes the specific questions to take to their next appointment with their GP, consultant or clinic.

Asking the right questions isn't about being difficult or doubting your doctor. It's about making sure the decisions being made about your fertility are based on the full picture, and that you're confident every part of the puzzle has been considered.