Doctor Stegmann was always pleasant and kind, just not informative with the procedures and process...rarely saw her on my visits, usually it was [nurse] who performed the IUI and did all of the ultrasounds and called with results...viewed me as "just another patient"...sounded like the protocol was standard with all IUI patients within my age range. After the first failed cycle I was told we were going to repeat the process.
[Nurse at Aspire Fertility] wasn't rude, but abrasive. She did not like when you would ask her questions. Her response during one of my visits was "I always tell patients don't Google, just let me do my job"...I think the communication is poor all around. I thought it was unorganized from the pricing all the way to the treatment protocol...I can say looking back I was treated like "just another patient"
How was your experience with Barbara Stegmann at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute?
During the consultation, she listened to what what I was looking for and what situation I was currently in. This was the longest that I spoke to her throughout my treatments with her clinic.
Dr. Stegmann was nice and polite. I rarely saw her on my visits, usually it was Kat, her nurse who performed the IUI and did all of the ultrasounds and called with results. Looking back, I would say she viewed me as "just another patient". I believe treatments should be individualized to the patient. I didn't get that feeling nor did I feel like each cycle was assessed and a change in protocol or treatment was discussed between the doctor and nurse.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Barbara Stegmann at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute?
Ask questions and be an advocate for yourself. This is a draining process as well as an emotional one. Find a doctor that sees you as an individual and not just someone else who is trying to have a baby.
I know every doctor sees multiple patients day in and day out. However, invest the time in educating yourself because Dr. Stegmann didn't educate me in my fertility and with my treatments. It makes me sad when I look back and realize how fragile us women are while seeking fertility treatments.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Barbara Stegmann at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute?
I have never actively tried having a baby. During my treatment, I was trying to get pregnant as a SMBC (Single Mom by Choice). I am a teacher and these treatments are not covered by my insurance. With that being said, I expected to be told every step of the process, my hormone profiles during each cycle, follicle counts on each visit, etc. I am now educated in the process and I can say looking back I was treated like "just another patient". Doctor Stegmann was always pleasant and kind, just not informative with the procedures and process.
EX: I had a Sonohysterogram in office. During the procedure Doctor Stegmann said I can tell your left tube is open and I'm pretty sure that your right is open, I 'm just not able to see it. At the time, I didn't know any better in what to ask and question.
When moving on to another fertility doctor, I understood the importance of making SURE that your tubes were open or not.
Describe the protocols Barbara Stegmann used in your cycles at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
My protocol for both cycles were exactly the same:
Day 3 - Ultrasound and follicle count
Days 5-7 - Letrozole (cannot recall actual dosage, but it was on the lower end)
Day 12 - Mid-Cycle appointment & trigger shot
Day 13 - Insemination
14 days later - Blood draw
It sounded like the protocol was standard with all IUI patients within my age range. After the first failed cycle I was told we were going to repeat the process.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Kat)
Kat wasn't rude, but abrasive. She did not like when you would ask her questions. Her response during one of my visits was "I always tell patients don't Google, just let me do my job".
When she would call after my blood work came back, she would just say, "You're ready." She never gave me full details about my E2, Progestrone, etc. (I learned all of this with my second fertility doctor, which I'm really grateful for).
Describe your experience with Aspire Houston Fertility Institute.
I think the communication is poor all around. I thought it was unorganized from the pricing all the way to the treatment protocol. I think that if you are educated in fertility treatments, Dr. Stegmann probably would be just fine. However, if you're new and know nothing about your fertility, I would respectfully recommend going elsewhere.
One strength I would say is that Dr. Stegmann sounds like she is knowledgeable in the field and is very pleasant as a person. She seems easy-going and was always smiling when I saw her.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Barbara Stegmann at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute.
IUI - $1,400
Blood work - $70 per visit
Medication - $300.00 (Letrozole & Trigger Shot)
Donor Sperm (Seattle Sperm Bank) - $1,760.00 (2 vials + shipping)
Describe Barbara Stegmann's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute.
I did not do IVF, only IUI. I am now moving to my first IVF cycle when my new clinic re-opens after 5 failed IUIs.
I did 2 medicated IUI cycles with insemination (donor sperm) with Dr. Stegmann. I am currently looking to be a SMBC (Single Mom by Choice)
What specific things went wrong at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute?
- Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
- Lost results
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute.
During one cycle with ultrasound, the nurse wrote my follicle count down on a sheet of paper verses using the machine to document the actual count and size.
Also, I went to pick up my prescription for Letrozole from my pharmacy and they could not locate it. After lots of searching, the pharmacy realized they couldn't locate it because the nurse sent it over with the wrong birth date.
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Clinic
Aspire Houston Fertility Institute
Main Street