Understanding how to prepare for fertility testing

Knowing how to prepare for fertility testing at our Louisiana fertility center can make the experience more efficient and stress free. This testing is crucial as it helps our fertility doctors understand why hopeful parents are having challenges conceiving a healthy pregnancy. It can also help them develop the most effective treatment plan. Being properly prepared for this testing helps ensure that our team can make the right diagnosis.

How to prepare for fertility testing

The knowledgeable and compassionate staff at our Louisiana fertility center will work with you to ensure you understand how to prepare for fertility testing. However, there are some general ways a hopeful parent can prepare for fertility testing.

Tell the clinic when you expect to begin your menstrual cycle. As the bloodwork done to test a hopeful mother’s ovarian reserve is often done at the beginning of her menstrual cycle, it’s important to inform our clinic when you expect to start your period.
Practice relaxation techniques. If you have a fear of needles or experience anxiety in medical environments, it can be beneficial to begin practicing relaxation tools like deep breathing and calming visualizations. You can even listen to soothing music or a guided meditation while we perform fertility testing.
Drink ample water. As blood is about 50% water, drinking a significant amount before a blood draw will help the veins become plumper and easier to draw from. In addition, a urine test is occasionally needed during fertility testing. Arriving with a full bladder will make it easier to provide an adequate sample.
Before a semen analysis, abstain from ejaculating. Hopeful fathers receiving a semen analysis should abstain from sex or masturbation for two to five days before the test.

Types of fertility testing

The most common types of fertility testing include bloodwork to test hormone levels, an ultrasound to assess a woman’s ovaries and uterus, a semen analysis for hopeful fathers, and preconception genetic screening that identifies inheritable genetic conditions.

With the preparation complete, hopeful parents can rest easy knowing they’ve done all they can to make sure their fertility testing is the effective next step on their journey to welcome a healthy baby into their family.