To provide effective treatment, your doctor needs to know as much as possible about your health and reproductive background. Gathering medical records early in the treatment process can save time, money and energy.
Ovulation induction cycles: name of stimulation medicine(s) and dosage, number of days taken, estradiol levels, number of follicles.
Intrauterine inseminations (IUIs): same information as above, as well as the day of cycle IUI was performed, semen-processing reports, including the percentage and grade of motile sperm.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) cycles: same information as above, as well as number of eggs retrieved, day of cycle when retrieved, number of embryos frozen, type of sedation received for
retrieval, number and quality of embryos transferred, amount of time between cycles (rest cycles).
Most medical practices will not release medical records without the patient’s written authorization. In the authorization letter to your doctor, be sure to include the date you want the records to be sent and all of your contact information.
Tips
Before requesting medical records, couples should:
Call to determine to whom the authorization should be sent and at what fee, if any.
Keep a dated photocopy of the letter.
Call within seven to 10 days of sending the letter to verify the records have been released (ask for the name of the person to speak to and record the outcome of the conversation).
Call the office to confirm that the records have arrived before an appointment with the fertility specialist.
