Dr. Selub recommended I take 5 pills of letrozole for 10 days. She said she had a good result with a previous patient who had low AMH and high FSH. During the ultrasounds prior to the egg retrieval there were many follicles that were developing well in one ovary...[she] goes by her "gut" with the treatment plans. She felt I was an excellent candidate for "natural" IVF - this cycle utilized oral medications and a trigger shot. The way she communicates about things is very insensitive
This [First IVF] clinic is the lowest cost. If you are new to IVF it may be a good place to start, you will learn a lot from the process...I think the cost paid to the doctor was $3,250. I paid about another $250 in medications including the cost of the trigger shot...I do suggest to take notes and pay close attention and get a clear treatment plan of what you expect to happen, when you should be taking which medications for example. They say you don't need someone to drive you for when you have the egg retrieval, but I do recommend it...
How was your experience with Minna Selub at First IVF?
I attended a free seminar hosted by FIRST IVF which provided me a free consultation with Dr. Selub. Dr. Selub and her nurse Debbie have a long relationship working together, over 20 years. I feel Dr. Selub goes by her "gut" with the treatment plans. She felt I was an excellent candidate for "natural" IVF - this cycle utilized oral medications and a trigger shot. The way she communicates about things is very insensitive. For example, when going for the egg retrieval, which I was nervous about, she came in saying "now it's the fun part" - really excited. I wasn't expecting to have the entire office present for this procedure. I wasn't expecting not to have my husband present for this procedure. The process was very painful for me. I will never go through that procedure again without anesthesia. When the egg retrieval didn't go as well as we were expecting, Dr. Selub immediately suggesting Donor Eggs, as I am recovering from the egg retrieval or comments trying the natural cycle 3 or 4 times which would be about the cost of a normal full stem cycle. Those comments and the rudimentariness of the clinic really is what changed my opinion and is when I questioned my concern of the provider I decided to go with after interviewing many doctors.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Minna Selub at First IVF?
Take notes when you are told things because the clinic is not organized and doesn't summarize a timeline of when or what you should be taking.
On my first consultation I brought all the supplements I had been taking for Dr. Selub's input. When I started treatment I brought in all of my medications to verify with the nurse. Some recommendations were missed, such as taking Asprin or when to start the steroid prior to the transfer.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Minna Selub at First IVF?
At the first consultation, I was attracted to the fact that it was a small clinic and had a meeting with the DR. I had previously attended a seminar the doctor hosted to obtain the follow up consultation.
When I started treatment, I learned that they group so many patients at a time and keep them all on a similar cycle. So, if there unexpected changes in your treatment plan - such as the time of egg retrieval it may be more difficult to schedule.
It felt a little being herded like cattle. Multiple patients waiting in the waiting room, one comes out next goes in for the next step of the procedure.
Describe the protocols Minna Selub used in your cycles at First IVF and their degree of success.
Dr. Selub recommended I take 5 pills of letrozole for 10 days. She said she had a good result with a previous patient who had low AMH and high FSH.
During the ultrasounds prior to the egg retrieval there were many follicles that were developing well in one ovary. Dr .Selub was optimistic of receiving 2 or 3 eggs. My uterine lining was thin, so Dr. Selub delayed my trigger shot 1 day with hopes of letting my uterine lining thicken.
When I came for the egg retrieval, the majority of the follicles were gone. She retrieved 1 immature egg.
The egg matured and fertilized in the lab. On day 3 it was an 8 cell embryo and was recommended to transfer as the embryo would have a better chance inside me instead of in the lab.
I had previous concerns about the letrozole as this drug is banned in many countries.
After the failed cycle, I questioned Dr. Selub of her recommendations for the next cycle and she suggested donor eggs. This is the second time that it has been suggested by her. She even offers to credit the entire cycle towards the cost of a donor egg cycle. I really was shocked considering that I am 31 years old and this is my first attempt at IVF, my AMH is 1.15 and normal FSH.
During the egg retrieval I was given laughing gas, I was supposed to have a period of oxygen after. The oxygen tank ran out. All the procedures occurred in the same room.
Describe your experience with your nurse at First IVF. (Assigned nurse: Debbie)
Debbie is very friendly, she really runs the show in the place. She has a lot to manage with the scheduling and communicating the medication regimen. I missed some details of when I should have taken some things, I wish it was given to me more as an outline with a clear treatment plan.
Describe your experience with First IVF.
This clinic is the lowest cost. If you are new to IVF it may be a good place to start, you will learn a lot from the process. I do suggest to take notes and pay close attention and get a clear treatment plan of what you expect to happen, when you should be taking which medications for example. They say you don't need someone to drive you for when you have the egg retrieval, but I do recommend it.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Minna Selub at First IVF.
I think the cost paid to the doctor was $3,250. I paid about another $250 in medications including the cost of the trigger shot.
Describe Minna Selub's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at First IVF.
Does not apply.
What specific things went wrong at First IVF?
- Provided conflicting information
- Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at First IVF.
As I was having an ultrasound completed, the doctor said "you taking baby asprin, right?" - no , I wasn't. I wish this was communicated at our first consultation or at a minimum when I started the cycle.
I also had a similar question asked during the transfer regarding a prescription steroid which I had but I didn't receive the instruction on when I should start it.
