What should we bring and prepare for our first fertility appointment?

A little preparation makes the first visit far more useful. Carry every old report you have, even if it feels outdated: blood tests, ultrasound reports, any semen analysis, HSG or other tube tests, discharge summaries from surgeries, and a list of medicines either of you has taken for fertility. Arrange them by date in one folder. The doctor will usually ask how long you have been trying, your cycle length and regularity, period pain or heavy bleeding, past pregnancies or losses, any surgeries, thyroid or sugar problems, and lifestyle details like smoking, alcohol, work shifts and weight changes. For your husband, they may ask about past infections, surgeries, mumps, medicines and how often you are able to have intercourse. Jot down the first day of your last few periods before you go. Write your own questions on paper too: what tests are needed, in what order, roughly how long the workup will take, and what the next step would be. It helps if both partners attend, since male testing is part of the first assessment. If you have severe pain, very heavy bleeding or have missed periods for months, mention it clearly so it is prioritised.