A practical guide to the questions worth raising with your clinic - covering nutrition, supplements, testing, and post-retrieval recovery. (These are questions I wished I had asked)
Before IVF or Egg Freezing
1. What diet changes should I make?
Is tofu okay as a vegetarian protein source?
Are there foods I should actively avoid?
I'm in an 800 cal/day deficit -
does that affect outcomes?
2. Which supplements do you recommend, and do I need bloodwork first?
CoQ10 - dosage and timing?
Vitamin D - should I test levels first?
B12 - especially relevant as a vegetarian?
Omega-3 - any concerns with fish oil vs algae-based?
How far in advance do I need to start?
3. Is estrogen priming necessary for me?
4. What baseline blood tests should I run?
5. Does Metformin (or similar) help? Is it indicated for me?
6. What tests should my husband have beyond a semen analysis?
7. How many embryos should we target for 1–2 children?
8. Does acupuncture actually help, and do you recommend it?
9. How do I regulate my cycle before starting? Will birth control affect my results?
After Egg Retrieval
10. Which lab techniques do you use to enhance outcomes?
Do you offer ICSI or Zymōt sperm selection?
How are eggs graded, and will you share that with me?
11. What activity restrictions apply until my period arrives?
Is swimming off the table?
What about sauna / heat exposure?
These are discussion prompts for your treating team, not recommendations to start supplements, medication, or treatment add-ons. Ask which options have evidence for your situation and what risks or extra costs they carry.
Prepare for Your Consultation
Use our guide to evaluating a fertility clinic for questions about the laboratory and outcomes. If you are planning treatment abroad, explore clinics in Spain and the cost calculator.