Patient Resources & FAQs

If you are unsure whether something needs attention, it is always okay to call us at (203) 750-7400. You should reach out to the on-call nurse if you have new or worsening symptoms, questions about your medications, or concerns after a procedure that cannot wait until the next business day.

The on-call nurse can help you decide whether your symptoms are expected, whether you should monitor at home, or whether additional care is needed. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have severe pain, heavy bleeding, trouble breathing, or signs of a serious reaction, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have questions about medication timing or side effects, new symptoms that concern you, or issues after a procedure that need guidance, call our on-call nurse line at (203) 750-7400.

If you do receive emergency care, please notify your nurse as soon as possible so your Illume Care Team can coordinate follow-up.

For time-sensitive medication questions outside of normal business hours (7am–4pm), please call Illume’s 24-hour nurse line at (203) 750-7400. The on-call nurse can confirm dosing or timing, help troubleshoot missed or delayed medication doses, and escalate urgent concerns to your provider if needed.

If you miss a dose, take the wrong amount, or are unsure whether a medication was administered correctly, call as soon as possible for guidance.

Important Note

Please do not double up on a dose or make medication changes on your own unless a member of your Illume Care Team instructs you to do so. Your team will help determine the safest next step based on your treatment plan and timing.

It is normal to feel tired, nauseous, bloated and crampy after an egg retrieval.

Some patients who have a higher number of eggs retrieved can experience ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is caused by an exaggerated response to fertility medication and elevated estrogen levels. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, though severe cases are rare, and OHSS can be treated quickly if it occurs.

Please contact us if you begin to feel a swollen abdomen with weight gain of 5 lbs or more, shortness of breath, pain, vomiting, or decreased urination. Prior to discharge, your nurse will review these symptoms with you.

Learn more about IVF egg retrieval side effects in this detailed guide.

Light spotting or bleeding is common in early pregnancy and is usually nothing to worry about, though we know it can feel scary to see.

One common cause is implantation bleeding, which happens as the embryo implants in the uterine wall. Some IVF patients may also experience subchorionic hematomas, which typically resolve within a few weeks.

If you are experiencing heavy bleeding (similar to a period) or feel concerned, please contact your Care Team or call (203) 750-7400 so we can guide you. We may ask you to come into the office for an ultrasound to confirm that everything looks normal.

If you are using Endometrin suppositories, watery or clumpy discharge is expected and normal. Your body absorbs what it needs and expels the rest. Wearing a panty liner can help manage excess discharge during this time.

Results are typically shared by phone, secure email, or during a follow-up appointment depending on the type of test. We make every effort to accommodate your communication preferences whenever possible.

• If you had blood work or a procedure in the morning, you can usually expect to hear from your nurse later that afternoon with results or next-step instructions.
• If your results require changes to your plan, your nurse will review those updates with you and answer any questions.
• If there are no changes to your plan, please continue your protocol as instructed and reach out to your nurse if you have any concerns.  

Most Illume Fertility patients will receive semen analysis results within about 7 days, though some tests may take slightly longer depending on laboratory processing.

• If you were referred by a urologist, your results will be shared with you directly by that provider within 7 days.
• If you were referred by a primary care provider or OB-GYN, an Illume Fertility physician will call you with your results within 7 days.
• If you haven't received your results, please contact your referring provider directly for updates.

If your team does not call after a monitoring appointment or diagnostic testing, it often means your plan remains unchanged. You are always welcome to reach out to your Care Team if you feel unsure or would like confirmation about what's next.

Occasionally, severe weather requires us to temporarily close Illume's satellite offices (Stamford, Danbury, Trumbull, and Harrison) in order to keep patients and team members safe.

However, certain time-sensitive fertility procedures must still move forward, because delaying them could affect your treatment outcome - and we want to ensure you have the best chances of success.

In these cases, Illume's Norwalk, CT office will typically remain open for scheduled procedures, including egg retrievals, embryo transfers, inseminations, and other provider-directed appointments that cannot be safely postponed.

If you have an appointment scheduled during inclement weather, your Care Team will contact you in advance with instructions regarding location, timing, or any other changes to your plan. Unsure whether you should still come to an appointment during a storm? Call (203) 750-7400 for guidance before heading in.

If you think you may be delayed and arrive late to your appointment, please call the Illume office you're traveling to as soon as possible so we can advise you on next steps.

Depending on the type of visit and timing, you may still be able to be seen, or your team may help you reschedule when appropriate.

Some appointments, especially those tied to an active fertility treatment cycle, are time-sensitive and may not be able to be moved without affecting your plan.

Contact your patient navigator or nurse as soon as possible so they can review your treatment plan and discuss the best alternate option based on where you are in your cycle.

"Day 1" refers to the first full-flow (bright red bleeding) day of your period. This marks the first official day of your menstrual cycle.

Note: Brown or pink spotting does not count as Day 1. 

If your period begins over the weekend, please call our main line at (203) 750-7400 first thing Monday morning for next steps.

You will receive a link from your nurse or patient navigator to a platform called EngagedMD, where you can complete all required IVF education modules before your first treatment cycle.

At Illume, each patient's assigned Care Team works collaboratively, but reaching out to specific members directly can offer more streamlined communication.

• Clinical or treatment questions should go to your nurse.
• Scheduling or next steps questions should go to your patient navigator.
• Billing or insurance questions should go to your financial coordinator.

If you have a question about something else or feel unsure, contact any member of your team and they will connect you with the right person.

Some insurance plans require prior authorization before certain fertility services can begin. Your Illume Financial Coordinator will help determine whether authorization is needed and provide guidance throughout the process.

If you have additional questions about your specific plan, please contact your insurer (via the number listed on the back of your insurance card) or your HR representative (if you have employer-sponsored insurance) for assistance.

If you receive a bill you did not expect or have questions about a charge, please contact your Illume Financial Coordinator so they can review the details with you.

Billing can vary based on your insurance coverage, benefits, and the services provided, and our team is happy to help explain what you’re seeing and what steps to take next.

Before you begin testing or treatment, your Illume Financial Coordinator will perform a benefits check (if insured), then provide a detailed review your insurance benefits and guidance on potential out-of-pocket expenses.

Because coverage varies by insurer and plan, cost estimates are based on the information available at the time and may shift if your treatment plan changes.