She [Dr. Rossi] gives me realistic hope...When she isn't sure, she tells my why she wasn't sure about something and walks me through her decision-making process. When she is sure, she would explain the medical research behind it. She injects humor when needed, acknowledges my feelings and fears even before I did, has called me personally a number of times for consolation and advice, and has shared recent research she had done on my behalf. The day I was supposed to stop ovarian stimulation meds and do my trigger shot for my first retrieval, I freaked out over how low my estrogen was and calle
I had good experiences with the nursing staff [at Ohio Reproductive Medicine]. My calls were always returned same day (if I called in the morning) or next day (if I called later on). They would upload critical test results same day into my online portal. Recently, they've had turnover in the IVF nurse department and the new ones are more disorganized and lack knowledge (they have to constantly go ask questions). I've had to call more and get more clarification than I did before.
Clinic Errors
How was your experience with Brooke Rossi at Ohio Reproductive Medicine?
Dr. Rossi has been utterly fantastic. She never gives me false hope but helps me feel optimistic at the same time. When she isn't sure, she tells my why she wasn't sure about something and walks me through her decision-making process. When she is sure, she would explain the medical research behind it. She injects humor when needed, acknowledges my feelings and fears even before I did, has called me personally a number of times for consolation and advice, and has shared recent research she had done on my behalf. The day I was supposed to stop ovarian stimulation meds and do my trigger shot for my first retrieval, I freaked out over how low my estrogen was and called the after-hours line. She took the call, listened to my concerns, let me cry, and then actually tweaked my protocol and had me do one more round of shots-which I really think did make a difference for my number of eggs ready! When I had my miscarriage from that cycle, she was so empathetic and professional and really handled it better than I could have imagined. We have had issues with my poor response since then, and she has really collaborated with me every step of the way. I really believe that she will help me get there! Go see her!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Brooke Rossi at Ohio Reproductive Medicine?
Be honest and open about what you want and need-she will listen to you. Trust her judgment but also trust yourself.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Brooke Rossi at Ohio Reproductive Medicine?
She called me personally when I had a chemical pregnancy my first cycle with her, to answer my many questions, to calm my fears the day before my egg retrieval. She really listened to me when I had questions about my cycle, my meds, when I wanted to try something new, and honestly considers my preferences for treatment. She gives her medical opinion in a way that is respectful and knowledgeable without being dismissive. She has talked to me numerous times on the phone and never rushes me. I feel like she genuinely cared about my results. When I got pregnant from my first IVF cycle and transfer, she was really happy for me. When I was diagnosed with an anembryonic pregnancy, she expressed intense (yet professional) empathy for my situation. She also moved her schedule around so she could personally do my D&C the next day. I couldn't imagine a doctor who treats someone more like a human and an equal in this process. She gives me realistic hope.
Describe the protocols Brooke Rossi used in your cycles at Ohio Reproductive Medicine and their degree of success.
When I came to her, I had done two rounds of Clomid with my OBGYN. I was ovulating on my own but had borderline progesterone levels and a shorter luteal phase. Dr. Rossi recommended we do one more round and an HSG. She also did not like my prolactin levels, sent me for an MRI (that my regular endocrinologist had told me was unnecessary), found a prolactinoma, and started cabergoline to treat it. I had a chemical pregnancy that cycle. Because of that, we decided to do a few more medicated rounds and see if the lower prolactin levels would help me get pregnant. I asked to do letrozole out of concern the Clomid was thinning my lining. Dr. Rossi did not have that concern but was happy to oblige. Three rounds did not work. We did a round of letrozole with IUI-no pregnancy. I asked to do a round of injectibles and IUI-Dr. Rossi agreed-no pregnancy. Did a round of letrozole again (I was out of town and couldn't come in for monitoring for the injectibles) and IUI-no pregnancy. Moved straight to IVF. Did three weeks of birth control to calm my ovaries (I was ovulating really early) and then did a microdose lupron protocol with high doses of gonal-f. We upped the gonal f a little after a couple ultrasounds to see follicle growth, and then did egg retrieval. Due to only having 5 mature follicles via ultrasound, Dr. Rossi wanted to plan for a day three transfer. When we got four embryos on Day 1 from my 5 retrieved eggs, she decided that things were looking better than she expected and we should go for a day 5 transfer instead. We did a fresh transfer due to her research that they're more successful in poor responders like myself. One embryo was a grade 1 blast, so we transferred that (one more made it day 6 to freeze), and I got pregnant. At mt 7-week ultrasound, we discovered it was an anembryonic pregnancy and did a D&C the next day. I got my period 4 weeks later, and that cycle we did a saline sonogram to ensure that there was no scarring after the D&C. We did a natural start cycle with microdose lupron and high dose gonal f again. I only developed 2 follicles, so we converted to IUI (no pregnancy). We decided to start oral estrogen priming after IUI to prep for another stim cycle, but I had either 2 giant follicles or 2 cysts at baseline, so we decided to cancel. I asked to try birth control again since it worked the last time, so we did 3 weeks of a low-dose birth control then gonal f and menopur. I only got 3 follicles that time and we decided to convert to IUI again (Dr. Rossi is convinced I can produce better and we shouldn't waste the retrieval from my insurance). That was a bfn. We decided to try an estrogen patch/antagonist priming protocol, and that baseline was good so we moved forward. My cycle just got cancelled due to COVID-19 clinic shut downs, so I'm currently waiting to start back up. I'll come back and update when I start again.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Ohio Reproductive Medicine.
I had good experiences with the nursing staff. My calls were always returned same day (if I called in the morning) or next day (if I called later on). They would upload critical test results same day into my online portal. Recently, they've had turnover in the IVF nurse department and the new ones are more disorganized and lack knowledge (they have to constantly go ask questions). I've had to call more and get more clarification than I did before.
Describe your experience with Ohio Reproductive Medicine.
I was able to get in quickly for an eval-I think it was less than a two week wait (but my doctor was also new to the clinic so she was taking new patients). The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and communicative (in my experience). However, I did have a friend who went to the same clinic who sometimes did not get called back same day, even when she had uncertain test results she needed a nurse to review with her. The doctors do rotate for IUI and IVF transfers, so my doctor did not do my IUIs or my transfer. She did do my egg retrieval and most of my monitoring. When I really wanted her to do my scan when I was worried we'd have to decide to cancel a retrieval for poor response, she saw me personally even though she wasn't on rotation.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Ohio Reproductive Medicine.
The clinic tells people to come starting at 7:30 but people can get in as soon as 7 most days. Bloodwork is first come, first serve and they have 1-2 people doing bloodwork from 7am-12:30pm. Ultrasound monitoring is then done once you have your bloodwork done, though if bloodwork is backed up, they will take people for ultrasound first. I would get there between 7-7:30, and I would never wait longer than 15-20 minutes before being seen. However, most of the time, by the time you get blood drawn, do the US, and see the IVF nurse, you're there for 45-60 min. It was run very efficiently.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Brooke Rossi at Ohio Reproductive Medicine.
I had insurance coverage, so I met my out of pocket expenses and then didn't pay for the rest. So I don't have accurate numbers.
Describe Brooke Rossi's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Ohio Reproductive Medicine.
strong preference for transferring only one embryo, especially at my age (32). She said she would not consider transferring more than one, no matter the results of the retrieval. For my friend at the same clinic at age 38 in January 2020, Dr. Rossi transferred one good-quality blast and one poor-quality blast in a fresh cycle (the poor was unlikely to make it to freeze). My friend got pregnant with a single baby.
What specific things went wrong at Ohio Reproductive Medicine?
- Failed to call with results
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Ohio Reproductive Medicine.
I had a friend who had a low beta after her IVF transfer, and the clinic uploaded the results and did not call her. She called them that same day-no response. She called the next day and they claimed they called, but she never got a message from them. The doctor was very apologetic though.
I haven't had a serious issue with the clinic personally. But I also am not afraid to keep calling until someone calls me back :)
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Clinic
Ohio Reproductive Medicine
Columbus