Dr. Givens took the time to hear me out, answer all of my questions, and help me understand the complexities of all that I had going on...always made herself available to me, meeting me continually with genuine concern...Knowing that I have DOR with a very small piece of one ovary left...Despite the odds, 7 eggs were able to be retrieved, which was practically a miracle in my case.
Pacific Fertility Center is a wonderful clinic with many great doctors...In my experience, you may see other doctors during your process. If this is something you do not want, then be sure to check with your doctor on how you can go about seeing them specifically...do their very best to accommodate you on this and will advise you if your doctor is scheduled to be out of the office...
How was your experience with Carolyn Givens at Pacific Fertility Center?
Dr. Givens was the first Reproductive Endocrinologist that we met with nearly 10 years ago. After being told by many doctors that my case was too complicated and highly unlikely that I would ever get pregnant, Dr. Givens was forthcoming and honest, yet hopeful and willing to try to help us. She has never promised the impossible, always staying honest and upfront. Despite our odds, she still offered us hope and optimism, finding a way through where there has been one.
Our case has certainly had it's ups and downs, yet Dr. Givens has helped us feel like valuable humans, and not just another patient. We started our journey at PFC with 4 IUI's, prior to moving on to an IVF cycle. She has always presented our options honestly, helping us make the best call, all while being conscious of our financial means. These procedures were very tricky for us, as I only have a tiny piece of one ovary left. Additionally, I have severe endometriosis, one tube left, a history of PCOS, and a complicated multiple abdominal surgical history. Our journey has been an uphill battle.
After moving out of the Bay Area, we sought care at a different clinic due to living hours away from PFC. We attempted another IVF, but it was a bust after no eggs were retrieved during that cycle. We were devastated. Though the RE at the other clinic was nice, it was such a different experience. There, we felt like the doctor/patient connection was just lacking. Gratefully, the opportunity to return to Dr. Givens presented itself and we jumped on it! Being back under her care reminds us that we don't have to feel like we are just a number. This time moving on to FET with donor embryos, we now travel 3 hours away to see her, because she is worth it! In an amazing, yet heartbreaking development, she was able to do what felt like the impossible. After 12 years of infertility, she helped us get pregnant through the gift of embryo donation! Unfortunately, we lost our baby girl a day shy of 14 weeks due to a developmental abnormality. This loss was purely a rare phenomenon, having nothing to do with fertility treatments, genetics, etc. Through our heartbreak and pain, Dr. Givens personally called me to check in, and has provided support like we could not have expected. This kindness from her during our time of grief has only grown our appreciation for the amazing woman that she is. She truly has a heart of gold!
It feels like Dr. Givens truly wants us to have a baby just as much as we do, and she is alongside us in this complicated journey. Always professional, and still she has come to feel like family, and that is rare in my experience with other doctors. Our journey is yet to be finished, as we are in the process of another FET with our donor embryos. Regardless of where this journey takes us, we wouldn't want any other doctor by our side, directing and advising us. Dr. Givens will always hold a special place in our hearts! Her care is irreplaceable!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carolyn Givens at Pacific Fertility Center?
Come prepared with questions, and be open and willing to listen. As a patient, I like to be informed and have always been prepared with my list of questions. Dr. Givens is very intelligent and also willing to explain when you need it. If you are a patient that advocates for yourself, Dr. Givens seems to value that.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carolyn Givens at Pacific Fertility Center?
From my very first appointment, Dr. Givens took the time to hear me out, answer all of my questions, and help me understand the complexities of all that I had going on. She has always made herself available to me, meeting me continually with genuine concern and care for what is best for me. While other doctors have told me that I likely wouldn't have a chance, she has proven them wrong. Dr. Givens has a huge heart and has always gone above and beyond to help make our dreams of building our family come true.
Describe the protocols Carolyn Givens used in your cycles at Pacific Fertility Center and their degree of success.
Our first course of action years ago began with IUI's. At the time, financially, IVF was out of the question, so opted to try IUI's before moving on to the more expensive options. As time went on, I had a few more surgeries for my severe endometriosis. This likely being the reason for the unsuccessful IUI's, we had to move on. Our first IVF cycle, we learned that my body took longer to respond to the medications that the average patient. Knowing that I have DOR with a very small piece of one ovary left, Dr. Givens stayed the course. Despite the odds, 7 eggs were able to be retrieved, which was practically a miracle in my case. This IVF resulted in a chemical pregnancy.
Since moving on to FET with donor embryos, Dr. Givens chose to do a controlled cycle, working with the fact that I have not been having regular cycles these days. Our first FET was a success using this controlled cycle. Though we are now on to our second FET due to a second trimester miscarriage (unrelated to this fertility process), Dr. Givens has us sticking with the controlled cycle again since it worked for us the last time.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Pacific Fertility Center. (Assigned nurse: Nurse - Jennise, Coordinator - Jenelle)
All members of Dr. Givens "care team" have been phenomenal. Especially Jennise, Dr. Givens' Team Nurse. She was one of our nurses from the very beginning and again now since our return. Jennise genuinely cares, remembers us, and goes above and beyond to stay on top of everything. Additionally, she helps me with the many, many questions I have had throughout, never making me feel silly even when my questions may seem that way.
Jenelle, our care coordinator has been wonderful as well. She is thorough in her communication and always goes above and beyond.
Describe your experience with Pacific Fertility Center.
Pacific Fertility Center is a wonderful clinic with many great doctors. Throughout my time there, I have seen most of the doctors there and they have all been great. These doctors are very busy, doing their best to juggle what seems like very full schedules. In my experience, you may see other doctors during your process. If this is something you do not want, then be sure to check with your doctor on how you can go about seeing them specifically. Being conscious of this since we travel from hours away, I schedule in a way where I can see Dr. Givens specifically since she is so familiar with our case. If this is important to you, simply communicate this to your doctor and care coordinator. In my experience, they do their very best to accommodate you on this and will advise you if your doctor is scheduled to be out of the office during your time of treatment. PFC has worked with me on this better than other clinics I have been to.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Carolyn Givens at Pacific Fertility Center.
Dr. Givens has always been very helpful and conscious of our financial means over the years. She lays out all of our options and has been honest when things are necessary and also unnecessary.
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Clinic
Pacific Fertility Center
San Francisco