Dr Robles is a thoughtful and knowledgable doctor. He goes above and beyond for this patients and ensured he was there for all my appointments, for ultrasounds to my IUI procedure. He took the time to thoroughly explain information in a way that's understandable and was always happy to answer all our questions. He is easy to talk to, gentle and kind...From the start Dr Robles helped us feel very comfortable. He was incredibly kind and treated us with care, while informing us of our options and results in an honest and truthful way...
Both the nurse and care coordinator [at Columbia University] were prompt with emails and helpful relaying questions to the team...they're organized and have an efficient system in place for when you come in for an appointment; most appointments are quick...they organize the day into chunks according to your status as a patient and it can be difficult to get an appointment at a time that is convenient for you...
How was your experience with Alex Robles at Columbia University?
Dr Robles is a thoughtful and knowledgable doctor. He goes above and beyond for this patients and ensured he was there for all my appointments, for ultrasounds to my IUI procedure. He took the time to thoroughly explain information in a way that's understandable and was always happy to answer all our questions. He is easy to talk to, gentle and kind. A true gem in the field of fertility!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Alex Robles at Columbia University?
You can feel comfortable asking lots of questions and should! I found this to be helpful
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Alex Robles at Columbia University?
From the start Dr Robles helped us feel very comfortable. He was incredibly kind and treated us with care, while informing us of our options and results in an honest and truthful way.
Describe the protocols Alex Robles used in your cycles at Columbia University and their degree of success.
One cycle of IUI - 5 days on clomid, no injection (my choice), IUI insemination + unprotected sex around the time of insemination = successful pregnancy
Describe your experience with your nurse at Columbia University. (Assigned nurse: Haley Roche and Sophie Clark)
Both the nurse and care coordinator were prompt with emails and helpful relaying questions to the team. However, I didn't get to develop a close relationship with them like I did with my doctor, and actually never met my nurse in person.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
Strengths: they're organized and have an efficient system in place for when you come in for an appointment; most appointments are quick; the clinic is quiet, clean and has calming decor in the lobby
Weaknesses: they organize the day into chunks according to your status as a patient and it can be difficult to get an appointment at a time that is convenient for you. For example if you are coming in for bloodwork and an ultrasound for monitoring, you're able to come in early in the morning up to 10 am. Once you're pregnant and need to return for bloodwork and an ultrasound, you are no longer able to come first thing in the morning - your only options are mid-day, excluding lunch time, during weekdays (weekends are no longer an option). This was quite challenging with my work schedule.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Alex Robles at Columbia University.
fully covered under my fertility benefits through my partner's job
Describe Alex Robles's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Columbia University.
He [Dr. Robles] was always available to answer any questions that I had and also had a generally supportive, gentle and kind demeanor throughout. He was always optimistic although he never overset my expectations, and never gave me any sales pitches or pressured me into any making any decisions...he was consistently available to provide information and support throughout my journey, while encouraging me to make my own choices...
I was assigned both a care coordinator and a nurse [at Columbia University]! Both were always on top of the appointments and treatment...The nursing staff works closely together as a team during my actual physical visits, so I was always monitored very carefully...I also appreciated the collaborative aspect of the staff, and Dr. Robles' willingness to leverage the different skills of his colleagues to optimize my treatment. I also worked with Dr. Briana Rudick and briefly met the embryologist, both of whom were also very positive, reassuring and skilled...
How was your experience with Alex Robles at Columbia University?
Dr. Robles was excellent to work with and had excellent bedside manners. For example, he consulted me about the dosage level to ensure that I understood and was on board with his process. At all times, I was confident that he was familiar with the most up to date protocols. Dr. Robles is meticulous and knowledgeable. And I had full confidence that he treated me with the full institutional knowledge and protocols of the Columbia University Fertility Center at his disposal. Once or twice, he informed me that he consulted with his medical colleagues on certain issues, to double check his protocols. His openness and receptiveness, and willingness to consult his colleagues, made me confident in his abilities.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Alex Robles at Columbia University?
Dr. Robles is very agreeable and is willing to answer questions. Patients should feel encouraged to reach out to the doctor with any questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Alex Robles at Columbia University?
Dr. Robles remembered details about my medical history from previous treatments at another clinic, even though he had not treated me throughout the entire infertility process. He was always available to answer any questions that I had and also had a generally supportive, gentle and kind demeanor throughout. He was always optimistic although he never overset my expectations, and never gave me any sales pitches or pressured me into any making any decisions. In fact, he was consistently available to provide information and support throughout my journey, while encouraging me to make my own choices. When I told Dr. Robles that I wanted to attempt a transfer during an upcoming cycle, he and the Columbia staff operated under a short timeline to ensure that they could satisfy my request. When I made a special medical request, Dr. Robles abided with courtesy and deference. In another instance, I emailed him on a Sunday morning, concerned about bleeding, and he responded immediately with reassurance, and put me at ease. I always felt that he was available to answer any questions and he was great to have on my team.
Describe the protocols Alex Robles used in your cycles at Columbia University and their degree of success.
My FET cycle consisted of 2 mg tablets of Estrace twice daily, along with 1 ml progesterone in oil injected once per day preceding the FET (the latter started about 6 days before the FET procedure). I will continue this until the 10th week of pregnancy. This has resulted in an ongoing pregnancy - I am between the 8th and 9th weeks of my pregnancy.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Columbia University. (Assigned nurse: Haley Roche/Sophie Clark)
I was assigned both a care coordinator and a nurse! Both were always on top of the appointments and treatment. Nurse Haley Roche provided detailed instructions and answered my questions. My contact with Nurse Roche was limited to email correspondence but she provided detailed and deliberate instructions and information throughout my treatment. The nursing staff works closely together as a team during my actual physical visits, so I was always monitored very carefully.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
The clinic operates very efficiently, and the entire process was very streamlined. Except for my visits with the doctors, there was not an over emphasis on face to face personal contact with the staff. But for me, I was more interested in the success of my treatment, whether I was being properly monitored and tracked, and whether the staff was complying with best practices. For me, it appeared that all of these boxes were checked, and that was what mattered to me at the end of the day. I also appreciated the collaborative aspect of the staff, and Dr. Robles' willingness to leverage the different skills of his colleagues to optimize my treatment. I also worked with Dr. Briana Rudick and briefly met the embryologist, both of whom were also very positive, reassuring and skilled. For those who are new to the fertility process, some questions may remain unanswered through the process. I would not hesitate to reach out to the staff to get those questions answered.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Alex Robles at Columbia University.
My treatment was insured.
Describe Alex Robles's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Columbia University.
I believe that this clinic leans towards single embryo transfers, under normal circumstances, although it is best to check with the clinic and doctor.
He [Dr. Robles] always listened to me and not rush to the next patient and made sure that I asked all my questions. I was very nervous when I started the process but every time when I saw him I alway felt calm and had confidence in him and that the cycle would go well...he would always tried to meet with me even though he did not need to when I had to come in for things such as morning monitoring or egg retrieval...
the coordinator and financial specialist [at Columbia University] are very responsive...all the nurses are very friendly and considerate...it is very clean inside it might be crowded sometimes so I needed to wait for 5-15 minutes when I was doing egg monitoring in the morning because everyone come to this place for their good reputation Not all doctors are as nice as dr. Robles, all the doctors are very busy. There was one doctor, which I only saw once and he rushed to the next patient so I did not even get the chance to ask questions...
How was your experience with Alex Robles at Columbia University?
Dr. Robles is the best doctor that I have met. Dr. Robles is an amazing, wonderful doctor because he cares about his patients. He is very professional. He always listened to me and not rush to the next patient and made sure that I asked all my questions. I was very nervous when I started the process but every time when I saw him I alway felt calm and had confidence in him and that the cycle would go well.
Back then he was not certified, but he would always tried to meet with me even though he did not need to when I had to come in for things such as morning monitoring or egg retrieval.
I picked a day that he was in the office to do embroyer transfer. I felt awesome after the transfer and I knew it would be a success.
I think trust between patient and doctor is extremely important because it really affects your mood. Positive emotions and attitudes greatly affect the transfer success rate.
I highly recommend Dr. Robles to everyone, and I am 100% sure that I will come back to him for my second baby.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Alex Robles at Columbia University?
trust your doctor
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Alex Robles at Columbia University?
He always listened to me and did not rush to the next patient and made sure that I asked all my questions. I was very nervous when I started the process but every time when I saw him I always felt calm and had confidence in him and that the cycle would go well.
Describe the protocols Alex Robles used in your cycles at Columbia University and their degree of success.
Egg retrieval -- I took pills and injections daily for about a week. I came in to do morning monitoring every other day. When the eggs matured, we did the egg retrieval. We had 26 eggs. With donor sperm, we fertilized 11 eggs. After five days, only four embryos were frozen. We also did the PSG test.
IVF (frozen cycle) -- Due to hormone issues, we did not perform a fresh cycle. After the egg retrieval cycle, I was ready for IVF. We did more progesterone injections. After the IVF procedure, we did about 30 more progesterone injections. At about day 10 after IVF, we had a positive pregnancy test at the clinic.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
Organize: the coordinator and financial specialist are very responsive
Friendly: all the nurses are very friendly and considerate
Clean: it is very clean inside
it might be crowded sometimes so I needed to wait for 5-15 minutes when I was doing egg monitoring in the morning because everyone come to this place for their good reputation
Not all doctors are as nice as dr. Robles, all the doctors are very busy. There was one doctor, which I only saw once and he rushed to the next patient so I did not even get the chance to ask questions.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Columbia University.
I came in for morning and it was very easy, although sometimes it might be crowded and i needed to wait for some time
Describe the costs associated with your care under Alex Robles at Columbia University.
I can get discounts for my medications, and it was much cheaper than what I expected. I spent about 2000-3000 on the medication
Dr. Robles was very kind and informative throughout the whole process with great demeanor and bedside manner. I felt very well taken care of and was surprised he did some of my ultrasounds himself as well as made sure to attend my procedures...was very sensitive to the issue of my decreased egg count as well as my age I think. He was very helpful throughout the process and his optimism was refreshing...
everyone [at Columbia University] was very detail oriented in their communications and patient with me in person...there was a general time window where you could schedule appointments, i was late or early numerous times because of work but the staff was extremely accommodating...The one thing i would like to change is more information at the beginning as to specific prices of meds and ordering of medications. I live in New jersey and specifically with the trigger shot (since you had to pick it up close to the procedure) i had trouble traveling to or waiting in the city for it to be ordered and even knowing when i would need it felt very last minute...
How was your experience with Alex Robles at Columbia University?
Dr. Robles was very kind and informative throughout the whole process with great demeanor and bedside manner. I felt very well taken care of and was surprised he did some of my ultrasounds himself as well as made sure to attend my procedures.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Alex Robles at Columbia University?
Alex Robles was very sensitive to the issue of my decreased egg count as well as my age I think. He was very helpful throughout the process and his optimism was refreshing.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Columbia University. (Assigned nurse: Haley Roche)
everyone was very detail oriented in their communications and patient with me in person.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
The one thing i would like to change is more information at the beginning as to specific prices of meds and ordering of medications. I live in New jersey and specifically with the trigger shot (since you had to pick it up close to the procedure) i had trouble traveling to or waiting in the city for it to be ordered and even knowing when i would need it felt very last minute.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Columbia University.
there was a general time window where you could schedule appointments, i was late or early numerous times because of work but the staff was extremely accommodating
Describe the costs associated with your care under Alex Robles at Columbia University.
i did my program through livestrong. With medications it cost approximately 10,000 per cycle
What specific things went wrong at Columbia University?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Columbia University.
On my second cycle the trigger shot was mistakingly not prescribed, I assume because most of my medications for my second cycle were ordered during my first.