Body mass index
Reproductive function is highly sensitive to body weight. Being underweight, overweight or obese can negatively impact the chances of conception and adversely affect the health of both, mother and the baby during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.
Blood pressure
Your general health is closely linked to your fertility health. We will check your blood pressure to ensure it is within the recommended guidelines.
Rubella (German measles)
Rubella infection is very rare in pregnancy. However, if you get it whilst you are pregnant, it can cause miscarriage and/or serious problems with the development of the baby. 2 doses of MMR vaccine can give lifelong protection from rubella infection as well as measles and mumps. It is very likely that you will have received this vaccine as a child already as a part of NHS vaccination scheme. We request that you to provide us with the proof vaccination of this whilst you are undergoing fertility investigations. If you are unsure if you have been vaccinated or you have not received this vaccine, you should ask your GP surgery for 2 doses of vaccination. You should also avoid getting pregnant for 1 month after having the MMR vaccine.
Infection screening
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea can damage your fallopian tubes and cause them to become narrow or blocked. This can affect your fertility and increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy (implantation of an early pregnancy outside of the womb). It is therefore important to detect and treat this early. If you are found to have Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea your partner will also need to be treated.
Reproductive hormone blood tests
Before you are referred to the fertility clinic, your GP will take your blood to detect if you are ovulating. There may be additional reproductive hormones checked, if your cycle is irregular. Some of those hormones need to be taken at specific day during your menstrual cycle. Your GP will advise you regarding the time depending on the hormones being tested.
Anti-Mullerian hormone
Age is the best determinant of an ovarian reserve. For those undergoing in-vitro fertilization, the level of anti-mullerian hormone in the blood is used as an additional indicator of an ovarian reserve and may give us a better idea of how you will respond to fertility treatment.
Transvaginal ultrasound scan
Depending on the clinical indication, you may be offered an ultrasound scan when you attend the fertility clinic. This is to check your ovaries, womb and if there are any other reasons that are affecting your fertility. You may need further tests depending on the results. Ultrasound scan is undertaken by a gentle insertion of a sterile probe into the vagina. Transvaginal approach allows a more accurate assessment of your reproductive organs. It is similar to having a smear test. We will ask you to empty your bladder before the scan.
Tubal patency check
Damaged and/ or blocked fallopian tubes may affect your changes of conception and increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. As part of your fertility investigations your doctor may recommend hysterosalpingogram (HSG). A hysterosalpingogram is a specialised type of x-ray procedure that can allow us to assess the shape and size of your womb and also determine whether your fallopian tubes are open (patent). Fallopian tubes can also be tested at the time of an operation under the general anaesthetic, and this may be a preferred option, if you need an operation for your fertility for another reason.
