Dr. Herbert has a very straightforward manner but I don't mind it. I still felt I could joke or cry with him. Anytime I had a question and arranged a phone call I felt he took time to answer my questions.... I did sort of feel just in that initial consult that some added sensitivity around me being there alone as a single person would have been nice. I only felt that way during the first appointment. In my subsequent calls or ultrasound appointments I don't recall feeling that way.
It's a lovely facility [Pacific Fertility Ctr- San Fran]. Clean and responsive. I did go for a weekend ultrasound and wasn't necessarily as impressed with some of the support staff but that might just be because I wasn't with my familiar nurse and medical assistant. I went to 3 injection classes (seriously) and thought Iris was awesome. I also really appreciated that I got one free session with a therapist on staff. Had Laura my clinical coordinator not mentioned that I wouldn't have known.
How was your experience with Carl Herbert (retired) at Pacific Fertility Center?
Dr. Herbert has a very straightforward manner but I don't mind it. I still felt I could joke or cry with him. Anytime I had a question and arranged a phone call I felt he took time to answer my questions. Most notably, the month I was set to begin I was extremely sick and at my baseline ultrasound pretty upset because my follicle count was lower than it had been at my consult ultrasound. He explained my options to me (go for it or wait a month to see if the count would be better). As I became increasingly upset, I think he could see how devastated I was and suggested I wait/get better. It was most definitely a human moment.
There was one instance that stung just a tad, but in the moment I called him on it and I truly believe there was no ill intention. During my consult when discussing options, he assumed and suggested at some point I would pick a sperm donor. I joked and reminded him that finding a future partner was still an option. I did sort of feel just in that initial consult that some added sensitivity around me being there alone as a single person would have been nice. I only felt that way during the first appointment. In my subsequent calls or ultrasound appointments I don't recall feeling that way.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carl Herbert (retired) at Pacific Fertility Center?
It's a piece of advice I plan to use myself which is to understand more what my blood test numbers mean/meant. During my consult, my mid-cycle ultrasound provided a surprising number of follicles as compared to my blood tests. However once I began treatment it seems what I'm seeing is more in line with those test results. I now feel I have more questions and want a better understanding of all my options.
Additionally, I would say if warm and fuzzy is what you're looking for as a patient this may not be the best fit.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carl Herbert (retired) at Pacific Fertility Center?
Dr. Herbert has a very straightforward manner but I don't mind it. I still felt I could joke or cry with him. Anytime I had a question and arranged a phone call I felt he took time to answer my questions. Most notably, the month I was set to begin I was extremely sick and at my baseline ultrasound pretty upset because my follicle count was lower than it had been at my consult ultrasound. He explained my options to me (go for it or wait a month to see if the count would be better). As I became increasingly upset, I think he could see how devastated I was and suggested I wait/get better. It was most definitely a human moment.
Describe the protocols Carl Herbert (retired) used in your cycles at Pacific Fertility Center and their degree of success.
It was suggested I take Vitamin D, a prenatal and Co-Q-10. I had a very bad reaction to Co-Q-10 and after playing with the dosage and timing, we just sort of agreed I was done with it. I was put on 300 Follistim and 150 Menopur. After an injection class, once I realized everyone was on different meds, I did call to inquire how these decisions get made. I would say I was not super clear on the answer and now that I'm in the cycle again wondering if different meds or doses would work better (questions I now plan to ask). It's too soon for me to comment on results.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Pacific Fertility Center. (Assigned nurse: Katherine Porras)
Again, it's early for me .. but I can 100% speak confidently about Katherine Porras (RN) and Christina Johnson (MA). Both of these women have shown me extreme compassion and answered all my questions (I have a lot).
As for Clinical Coordinator, Letty Semana is actually Dr. Herbert's Clinical Coordinator but I'm sorry to say I had a terrible experience with her and switched coordinators after just one phone call. Letty was not only terse with me, I truly felt as though my questions were a complete inconvenience to her. After hanging up the call, I cried. I remember thinking I am about to give them thousands and thousands of dollars, doesn't that give me the right to ask questions. I recall also thinking, perhaps if I went in person, the experience would be different (there are many steps along the way that can happen in person vs. on the phone). It was actually during my payment consult that I gently shared this experience and my disappointment. That's when I found out I could request a different coordinator. I asked who would be the kindest and most sensitive to the fact that I was doing this 100% alone as a single person. Laura Begay was suggested and I switched.
Laura came through for me in some pretty big ways. After a fiasco with ordering meds and prices changing, she got permission to give me a couple of nights of donated meds. When I had to postpone my start because I was sick and was sobbing, she came and talked to me. Other times she helped arrange for me to come in when Dr. Herbert wasn't necessarily available but she helped squeeze me in. I'm glad I made the switch.
Describe your experience with Pacific Fertility Center.
It's a lovely facility. Clean and responsive. I did go for a weekend ultrasound and wasn't necessarily as impressed with some of the support staff but that might just be because I wasn't with my familiar nurse and medical assistant. I went to 3 injection classes (seriously) and thought Iris was awesome. I also really appreciated that I got one free session with a therapist on staff. Had Laura my clinical coordinator not mentioned that I wouldn't have known. I felt good information was provided at each step of the way, but I think I would have preferred or benefited from a thorough overview class too about what was going to happen along the way. I read the binder they give you and highlighted it but still there were some steps along the way I don't think I really understood (like that my follicle count could go down from baseline to next ultrasound).
Describe the costs associated with your care under Carl Herbert (retired) at Pacific Fertility Center.
More than $10,000 when you factor in medication. Between 8-9k not counting medication.
Describe Carl Herbert (retired)'s approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Pacific Fertility Center.
NA
8
Doctor
Carl Herbert (retired)
7
Clinic
Pacific Fertility Center
San Francisco