UNC Fertility

Dr. Peavey takes her time with you. She explains everything thoroughly, often drawing diagrams and writing down key terms. Sometimes I wished she had given me more information. For example, when I asked if there was anything I could do to improve the number of eggs she could retrieve during IVF, she said there was nothing I could do. After our visit, I read It Starts With the Egg, and it sounds like there are plenty of things I could try--reducing the intensity of my exercise for a few months before retrieval, taking various vitamins, acupuncture, etc. I'm not sure why she didn't discuss these things, perhaps she doesn't agree with the advice given in that book (although the author cites a lot of scientific studies), or maybe she doesn't want to overwhelm people with information because it could increase stress, I'm not sure. But for me, I like to have as much information as possible, and it felt good to find something to act on--like taking vitamins or getting more sleep or switching my exercise routine from running intervals to low intensity walking--because so much feels outside my control right now. I wish she had acknowledged that some sources recommend these things, and explained what she thought, rather than saying there's nothing I can do.

Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions--she doesn't mind, and she's also good about quickly responding to questions you submit via mychart.

I haven't gotten to this stage.

I haven't begun my treatment yet because it is so expensive, I have to save money for it. It will cost about $27,000 for three IVF cycles, plus the cost of medicine and the cost of genetic testing. I would like to bank embryos if possible, so I am estimating it will cost at least $50,000.

None

I was unaware of the treatment protocols for IUI. Dr. Mersereau prescribed me clomid for all my IUIs, but she never gave me a trigger shot. I just used ovulation predictor kits which are not always very accurate. I felt like it was just a guessing game and I wish we had been more aggressive with the specifics of the treatments. As a doctor, she was very kind, compassionate, and thorough when diagnosing me. I just did not agree with the treatments.

Advocate for yourself and for your treatment plan.

Dr. Mersereau prescribed Clomid and an ovulation predictor kit (without going over how to use the OPK). Then we did IUI.

Our insurance did not cover any costs of treatment (just lab work), so we paid out of pocket for everything. We never met with a financial team.

We did not get to embryo retrieval or transfers

In the course of at least 5 ultrasounds she and the other doctors who performed them missed a mature teratoma/dermoid on my left ovary. They even missed it two different times when they knew to look for it because it had been seen on a CT scan when I had a kidney stone. I went to a gynecologist who found it easily and did not understand how it was missed and suggested I go to a new fertility clinic. The new doctor discovered that I also have an elevated CA125 marker which means the mass has to come out along with my ovary. I think it is outrageous that this was missed numerous times due to the health risk and the money wasted on fertility treatments. The other office also found fibroids that were missed or that I was never told about. Luckily, the fibroids are small and not in an area that affects fertility. I still feel like I should have been told about them...if they even found them in the first place. The other issue is that I am over 40 and Dr. Steiner went into my care with an expectation of failure despite the fact that my AMH number is good for my age. I had to request this test myself, by the way. I now have guidance from a gynecologist who found that although my thyroid is within normal range it could be better for fertility. This was never even discussed at UNC. News flash: more and more women are having babies in their 40s. Although more difficult, it is not impossible.

Find another doctor.

I was put on Clomid to increase my chances due to my age. I took an Ovidrel trigger two cycles. I ovulate regularly but an OPK missed it one month so it was decided this was a good way to go. I had 3 IUIs.

My insurance covered 3 IUIs, but the clinic hits you with additional costs that are not covered. Examples of some of these costs is a $100 administrative fee and a sperm thawing fee. I was not told about either of these beforehand which I don't feel is too much to ask. Just let me know about all the out-of-pocket costs upfront. I do feel the administrative fee is just a way for them to get around the contracted insurance rate, however.

Met with him 3 times. He was very cold, lacked the ability to listen. His immediate and then persistent insistence that I use my sisters eggs gave me the impression the clinic is overly concerned with their success numbers. I was informed of my infertility in one breath, and pushed toward my estranged sister's eggs in the next... I suppose that was a natural transition for him, but not for us. He also had a constant sniffle and struggled to look us in the eye, constantly staring at his computer. I was also pushed toward surgery, and then could not get him or his office to follow up as I tried to schedule it.

Be mentally prepared to feel treated as just another patient in a factory of infertility. Science and numbers are his strength, not compassion.

My routine physical revealed the presence of uterine fibroids, which after a few other steps, led me to this clinic. He ordered the blood work, which ultimately sealed my fate... Nearly nondetectable AMH. He ordered the X-ray test to determine the patency of my tubes, which were determined to be fully open. At which point, he recommended surgery to remove the fibroids as a first step toward the possibility of conceiving. Our discussion left off with me needing to check into work and insurance, at which point I would call to schedule. I did all this as planned, but could not get through to get it on the books. I gave up after several phone calls, one I was able to get with another clinic.

It's been a while, and I have a terrible memory... But, I believe the charges were around $400 to sit and speak with the Doctor- to get results and recommendations.

She was kind but we didn't have much contact with her apart from during consultations. All procedures were performed by technicians or other doctors and all communication was through her nurse. At times it seemed that she was unfamiliar with the details of our case and needed to be reminded.

Request that she explain all options at your meeting because she did not offer to speak on the phone or through mychart, she always requested that we come in for a consult, which for us cost a 60 dollar copay.

We had 12 vials of frozen sperm from my husband because he is undergoing chemotherapy right now. We chose to use 3-6 vials for IUI and save the rest for possible IVF. We tried two IUI and both were unsuccessful. We are currently deciding whether to stay with Dr. Steiner or try a different clinic for IVF.

750 per IUI, IVF apparently 22,000.

She is excellent and professional. She listened and gave good feedback. She gave realistic expectations and was compassionate when I had a miscarriage. I am not sure she was aware of the miscommunication that was going on in the clinic between patients and staff.

Maybe if I made follow up visits with her I wouldn't have had so many miscommunications with the staff.

IUI with clomid, monitored at home with UPT (clearblue) x 3. one resulted in miscarriage at 6w.

my insurance covered some of it, but they made me pay before all my services in full and i felt like thats all they cared about.

She was attentive and knowledgeable and was informed on our reason for seeking treatment. While we appreciated that in Dr. Peavey, there was a lack of communication regarding our care and I often wondered if the doctors that actually did the ultrasounds and other checkups communicated clearly to Dr. Peavey.

Ask lots of questions regarding who will be doing a lot of the follow-up care. I went to the clinic about 5 times and only saw her once.

This was the most frustrating part of going to this clinic. We were told that a financial person would contact us and 3 months later we still hadn't heard from them. The costs of our treatment was unclear.

He explained things well but I am in the medical profession. My husband left without understanding much, which is okay. However when it came down to testing at the end of a procedure I told him we hadn’t decided yet and he told me that he wouldn’t have done the procedure if he knew that. Okay I should have communicated better but he didn’t phrase this particular step as an option

He is blunt and straightforward

My insurance covered nothing so the cost of IVF was 35K

They only transfer one at a time always

I experienced two early missed miscarriages while being treated under Dr. Crawford. I was still very new to infertility treatments and she was compassionate during both losses. She explained my options clearly, and understood that I needed time and space to make decisions for moving forward. She also performed my D&C for the first.

You don't have to fear being naive or emotional with her; she gets it.

Four IUIs with Clomid.

My treatments (excluding labs) were out of pocket for three of my four cycles. For my fourth, I'd changed insurance and the IUI was covered at 75%.

He was outgoing, knowledgeable very friendly and energetic. He took our opinions into consideration. It was more discussion than him just saying what we will do. I didn’t like that we didn’t see him for the iui’s

Be prepared for expensive treatment

He recommended in vitro or iui because of low sperm motility. We chose iui for cost. Wife took femara and clomid.

Over $2000 foot consult and iui

Dr. Mesen used what he described as the "standard" treatment for my diagnosis. When it didn't work, and when I had concerns about the timing (which proved to be valid) he dismissed them and declared I was too fat to get pregnant and needed bariatric surgery. Not only did he defeat my dreams of childbearing, he put a substantial dent in my self-esteem.

Listen to your gut when you know something doesn't feel right. Advocate for yourself no matter what.