2019 - 2020, Unknown Success
10
10
We are unexplained. So we started with Clomid [with Dr. Shah] because it’s the most powerful/popular choice...we switched to Letrozole. Then we added in trigger shots when the first 2 IUI’s weren’t successful. We started with the plan of 3 IUI’s, and ended at 5 IUI’s after taking a month off. Now we’re waiting to start IVF...Dr. Shah listened to our concerns, answered our questions over and over again, and didn’t just write us off. When I came to her office once in years because of how crazy I felt on Clomid she listened to me and immediately said OK let’s change it up. I don’t have to fight to be heard and I value that.
The staff who answer the phone and takes messages [at U of Iowa Center] could listen clearer. Sometimes I tell them exact things and then once I hear back from the doctor or send a message to the nurses I’m made aware that my full message wasn’t translated. I tend to just send direct messages to the team now....NP Susan has been there for every appointment I’ve had. She’s hopeful and tells me directly what’s going on and what the plan is and next steps based on labs. She’s been fantastic.
How was your experience with Divya Shah at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
Dr.Shah was just who I was scheduled with as the next available REI appointment. And I’m so glad I was. She is kind, upbeat, positive, and explains all the ins and outs of what we’re doing or about to do. I found out my coworker had her as well and had a successful IVF pregnancy so I felt relieved I knew a personal success story as a representation of how hard she’ll work for your and your treatment.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Divya Shah at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
Take notes, she can talk fast and it’s a lot of information that will be getting thrown at you that you may get hung up on stuff and zone out. But she will gladly send it all to you and her nurses will explain everything in detail as many times as you need it.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Divya Shah at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
Dr. Shah listened to our concerns, answered our questions over and over again, and didn’t just write us off. When I came to her office once in years because of how crazy I felt on Clomid she listened to me and immediately said OK let’s change it up. I don’t have to fight to be heard and I value that.
Describe the protocols Divya Shah used in your cycles at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care and their degree of success.
We are unexplained. So we started with Clomid because it’s the most powerful/popular choice. That made me rollercoaster crazy, so we switched to Letrozole. Then we added in trigger shots when the first 2 IUI’s weren’t successful. We started with the plan of 3 IUI’s, and ended at 5 IUI’s after taking a month off. Now we’re waiting to start IVF.
Describe your experience with your nurse at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care. (Assigned nurse: Susan Troncelletti)
NP Susan has been there for every appointment I’ve had. She’s hopeful and tells me directly what’s going on and what the plan is and next steps based on labs. She’s been fantastic.
Describe your experience with U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
The staff who answer the phone and takes messages could listen clearer. Sometimes I tell them exact things and then once I hear back from the doctor or send a message to the nurses I’m made aware that my full message wasn’t translated. I tend to just send direct messages to the team now.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Divya Shah at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
My health insurance fortunately covers up to $10k. Out of pocket costs were $400 for an IUI cycle. Out of pocket cost for IVF is $6-8k not including meds.
Describe Divya Shah's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
We have not yet discussed single or multiple embryo transfers.
What specific things went wrong at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
- Lost appointments
Describe the specific things that went wrong at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
One time I called and asked for my ultrasound and lab appointment to be moved to an earlier time the following day. They canceled the ultrasound completely and rescheduled the labs for later. I noticed it that late afternoon so I called and left a message and got a call back about 10 minutes later from a nurse who fixed everything.