What happens during an initial consultation?

Initial consultation is a very important part of the process. It first of all is the provision of information to the consulting doctor. It is then the working through with the couple what might be an appropriate solution for them, and there's always a big range there. It's whether or not they even continue to proceed with IVF. Any really good, well honed IVF practitioner will always understand when it's best to help couples know that maybe IVF is not the best thing for them. But if it is, then of course what is the best IVF approach? What are the tests that need to be done initially? It's always a very difficult balance between overdoing the tests, a lot of which may be unnecessary, and under doing them, and doing the ones that are absolutely important in deciding the management of that particular individual patient or couple. At that consultation, it will be worked through as to what is the best approach. All the high technology features of the outset? Or maybe a step line approach through conventional IVF, moving on to different technologies only if required. And the treatment plan will be set, and the protocol for moving forwards will be set. But, what will be in the mind of every single consultant in that consultation is what is the fast track, most efficient, and effective way to give a couple their chance of a baby.