I describe a consultation here so you can see how easy it is. I think many people hesitate to call because of unrealistic fears.

Your consultation begins with a call to my personal assistant, Aurea. We try to schedule you within a reasonable number of days. And with the rare exception, I’m even on time for your appointment!

We designed our exceptional space to reflect the respect we have for our patients. Our waiting area is spacious, comfortable and private. A resource library is open to our patients. All exam rooms have private restrooms.

The best part of my week is seeing new patients. I like meeting people, listening to them and helping solve their problems. I approach a consultation with keen respect for the people sitting before me and with resolve to give them the best and most ethical treatment. And I think people find me cheerful and friendly.

After we meet and get comfortable with one another, I begin asking basic questions. How long have you been trying? What methods have you used? What treatments, if any, have you had and how did you respond? What is your family medical history?

If you’ve been treated before, I ask that you bring your records. I go through the operative reports if there was any surgery. I review hystersalpingograms by looking at the film, not just by reading the records.

A complete physical exam is our next step. Since our goal is to get you pregnant, we want to make sure your pap smear is up to date. We want to make sure that you have a proper gynecologic exam. I look for things that may be interfering with your ability to become pregnant or to maintain a pregnancy. We also want to ensure that there will not be a health risk to you in becoming pregnant.

During the exam we perform an ultrasound, also called a sonogram. The ultrasound is a painless test to help us visualize the reproductive organs including the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Finally, we formulate a plan. I review your available options, and unlike many doctors, I go over your statistical chances of success with each. We formulate a plan that you are comfortable with. The plan may be different than the one you came in with, but I believe there are fresh ways of looking at every problem, and of thoroughly evaluating a problem to reach a good solution.

By the way, some plans are surprisingly simple. As I’ve stressed before on this website, consulting a specialist is an excellent first step if you suspect you need help getting pregnant. A consultation is quite easy and comfortable, and you leave knowing you have the best and most accurate information.