How was your experience with Adrienne Gentry at Carilion Clinic?
My wife and I (same-sex couple) started seeing Dr. Gentry in January of 2019 to consult about IUI with donor sperm. We were referred to this clinic by another LGBTQ+ couple in the area and feel like we were so lucky to have found Dr. Gentry on our journey to becoming parents. Dr. Gentry has been respectful, welcoming, very informative, and has always made us feel 100% comfortable throughout out treatment - at every appointment. When we first started, we were a bit naive to just how long our journey could possibly end up taking - we thought, okay, we just need to come to this clinic to have them perform the IUI with donor sperm for us and that's that. At our consultation, Dr. Gentry asked me to lose a certain amount of weight before my first treatment cycle and said that we could continue with our pre-treatment labs and work-ups in the mean time. I successfully did this and we continued on. After my first baseline, we realized I needed surgery to remove a benign but problematic cyst that was blocking access to my uterus. Dr. Gentry performed the surgery herself and truly eased my nervousness about having my first surgery ever - I was so thankful to know I had a brilliant, compassionate doctor to get me through this.
Since then, we have completed 3 medicated IUI cycles (using Letrozole and Ovidrel), an HSG "tube test", and we are continuing treatment as I have not yet become pregnant. Although I have no gotten pregnant yet, and we have had setbacks (solely because of naturally occuring circumstances/PCOS/etc) - I am still so grateful to have Dr. Gentry doing everything she can to get us the results we all want.
It is always important to my wife and I to find doctors that are welcoming and affirming to the LGBTQ+ Community - and naturally, we were nervous going into our first appointment with Dr. Gentry; however, once we were in the door we quickly realized we were in good, safe, company. Dr. Gentry has never treated us differently or as "others"; she has never made us feel discriminated against or judged by any means. Dr. Gentry, from the beginning and throughout, has thoroughly explained each step of the processes we are doing, why we are doing each step, and has made sure we understand everything before and during treatment...and she is always checking in during your appointments/procedures to make sure you are comfortable. Don't be afraid to ask questions; better yet - ask ALL the questions! No question is silly or too small - even if they are basic reproductive questions, Dr. Gentry is happy to make sure you are not in the dark for any part of your treatment. We never feel like we are being rushed out of the room or that we don't have time to address all of our needs and questions. Aside from Dr. Gentry's professional knowledge and and skills - she is also a great "people person"... she will always be direct and truthful, as that is always important to your medical care, but she always deliver information/results/etc with compassion and will almost certainly make you laugh in the process.
10/10 would recommend Dr. Gentry - she is an amazing doctor and person.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Adrienne Gentry at Carilion Clinic?
Come prepared with questions, an open mind, and relax! Dr. Gentry will walk you through everything each step of the way.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Adrienne Gentry at Carilion Clinic?
Dr. Gentry has always made my wife and I feel completely comfortable, informed, and respected while in her care. Dr. Gentry always takes the time to thoroughly explain what we're doing, why we're doing it, and why we're doing it THIS way. We are encouraged to ask as many questions as we need and she always takes the time to answer them in a way we can easily understand - hand drawn pictures included! :) We never feel rushed or overlooked by Dr. Gentry or her nurses/staff.
Describe the protocols Adrienne Gentry used in your cycles at Carilion Clinic and their degree of success.
For each medicated cycle, once my period started - that counts as Cycle Day 1. On CD1, I call the clinic and schedule an appointment to have my Baseline ultrasound done - this is the ultrasound to take a look at my uterus lining, check to see if there are any problematic cysts, and generally to see if I am ready to begin fertility drugs (in my case, letrozole). If all is well at my baseline then I start Letrozole for 5 days to encourage growth of follicles before ovulating. Around day 14 of my cycle I will go back into the clinic for my Midcycle scan which is the ultrasound to see if I have any follicles, how many, and to measure them. The number of follicles that I have and their size will determine how soon after that I will administer my trigger shot (ovidrel) at home. (If there are too many follicles, typically more than 3 - then the cycle will be cancelled to prevent a possibility of high order pregnancy) After my trigger shot, I will go in to the clinic for my IUI typically between 30-36 hours later. The IUI is performed by Dr. Gentry's fertility nurse (who is wonderful!). After IUI, you enter the "2 week wait" - proceed as if you are pregnant (no drinking, smoking, no tylenol, etc - a do/don't list is given to you). At the end of your 2 week wait, if you have no gotten your period yet, take a pregnancy test - if it is positive, call the clinic to schedule a blood test; if it is negative - you will be directed to call the clinic once your period starts to schedule your next baseline, assuming you are proceeding with treatment.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Carilion Clinic. (Assigned nurse: Ashley Byrd)
Dr. Gentry's nursing staff has been equally informative, compassionate, and respectful. I have always felt equally comfortable in their care. Ashely Byrd, who has performed my 3 IUIs has always been wonderful and ensures my comfort and understanding throughout each procedure.
Describe your experience with Carilion Clinic.
Carillon Clinic RMF has been everything we could've hoped for in our fertility journey. Celia who checks us in and out, schedules our appointments, etc is so kind and welcoming and always knows me by name when I come in; all of the nursing staff has been wonderful, and the other doctor at the clinic, Dr. Evans-Hoeker has been great during the visits I have seen her when Dr. Gentry has been in surgery. The check in process is always quick and efficient, wait times are typically very short - there is a TV in the waiting area, coffee station, magazines. The clinic itself is always very clean and well-lit - bathroom, exam rooms, waiting area, etc.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Adrienne Gentry at Carilion Clinic.
Baseline ultrasound - $163, Letrozole - no cost with my insurance; otherwise, I believe it's under $20, "trigger shot" (ovidrel) about $100, Midcycle scan $163, Insemination $260