2016 - 2018, Unknown Success
After analyzing a previous canceled IVF cycle (with another doctor), he [Dr. Herber Dunaway] decided to try a micro-flare protocol with me. I don't remember all of the specifics of that cycle. The end result was, I got canceled again because my ovaries love to grow cysts. After that cycle, we discussed and agreed to go back to what worked in the past. We switched back to 25 mg of Clomid & IUI, adding in IVIg infusions. The clomid + IUI by itself had previously gotten me 2 viable pregnancies that were lost in 2nd trimester due to an incompetent cervix. That combination has been successful since then, but has ended in chemical pregnancies and an 8 week miscarriage. We're waiting on a cyst to resolve so we can try it again.
The entire staff [at Fertility Institute of NO-Baton Rouge] is pretty great. They have always been very compassionate with me & seems genuinely invested in my success. The sonographers are so great & gentle; any one that's had a rough scan at the fertility office should appreciate this! If I had to pick one weakness for the clinic as a whole, I would say that it's punctuality. What office doesn't have issues with that, though? I think many of the delays are due to Dr. Dunaway &/or his staff spending extra time with patients. They get backed up. I would rather wait extra time for my appointment than be rushed through like I didn't matter, though.
How was your experience with Heber Dunaway at Fertility Institute of New Orleans?
I think that Dr. Dunaway is pretty unique as a fertility doctor. In my experience, it's very common for doctors to look at a diagnosis & have a pretty rigid "plan of attack." Dr. Dunaway has shown extreme flexibility & a willingness to try an unconventional approach to my treatment. I fully believe this will lead to my eventual success. My current treatment plan is absolutely NOT typical for a woman with my set of diagnoses, but it's getting me very close to success. He is incredible warm with his patients & has never once made me feel rushed through an appointment. He patiently answers the million questions I have and, maybe more importantly, when I ask something he doesn't have the answer to, he does the appropriate research and gets an answer. I honestly can't say much about any weaknesses he has as a clinician, he's by and far the best doctor I've ever had.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Heber Dunaway at Fertility Institute of New Orleans?
Ask lots of questions! He will take as much time as is needed to make you feel comfortable about what your plan is. If you think of a question after you leave, call them! You will always get an answer.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Heber Dunaway at Fertility Institute of New Orleans?
I have always been treated with respect by Dr. Dunaway and his staff. They consistently listen to my treatment ideas and are always willing to have an open, honest, realistic conversation with me about my treatments & prognosis. Dr. Dunaway does not treat each patient the same, which I have seen in the past; we are all treated as individuals with our own set of obstacles.
Describe the protocols Heber Dunaway used in your cycles at Fertility Institute of New Orleans and their degree of success.
My case is complicated and our strategies have changed a few times. After analyzing a previous canceled IVF cycle (with another doctor), he decided to try a micro-flare protocol with me. I don't remember all of the specifics of that cycle. The end result was, I got canceled again because my ovaries love to grow cysts. After that cycle, we discussed and agreed to go back to what worked in the past. We switched back to 25 mg of Clomid & IUI, adding in IVIg infusions. The clomid + IUI by itself had previously gotten me 2 viable pregnancies that were lost in 2nd trimester due to an incompetent cervix. That combination has been successful since then, but has ended in chemical pregnancies and an 8 week miscarriage. We're waiting on a cyst to resolve so we can try it again.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Fertility Institute of New Orleans. (Assigned nurse: Jackie)
Jackie knows her patients. She knows that I need a little (ok, a lot) of extra hand holding. She knows that I'm always armed with way too many questions. She is always patient with me, she explains things multiple times, & never makes me feel like a burden. I know that I'm not an easy patient, but she has never made me feel that way.
Describe your experience with Fertility Institute of New Orleans.
The entire staff is pretty great. They have always been very compassionate with me & seems genuinely invested in my success. The sonographers are so great & gentle; any one that's had a rough scan at the fertility office should appreciate this!
If I had to pick one weakness for the clinic as a whole, I would say that it's punctuality. What office doesn't have issues with that, though? I think many of the delays are due to Dr. Dunaway &/or his staff spending extra time with patients. They get backed up. I would rather wait extra time for my appointment than be rushed through like I didn't matter, though.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Heber Dunaway at Fertility Institute of New Orleans.
I do not remember specifics about the costs of any of my procedures.
Describe Heber Dunaway's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Fertility Institute of New Orleans.
Dr. Dunaway almost exclusively does SETs. Regardless of his stance, I did not have the option for transfer of multiple embryos due to my loss history.