I never met her [Dr. Carolyn Kubik] in person, only on a video chat. I definitely felt like I was more of a number. It was hard and still is to be going through infertility, so compassion is always wanted and appreciated. I was always messaging her asking questions, but getting replies from the nurses instead. You can't call either, it's all message.
[Reproductive Health Specialists] Strengths are the nurses and the care you get from the PA when you are there. They sit and answer your questions, and don't rush you. They are organized with the ultrasounds and are able to get you in early when you need it. Weaknesses are you have to ask a lot of questions, Google things and advocate for yourself.
How was your experience with Carolyn Kubik (retired) at Reproductive Health Specialists?
I never met her in person, only on a video chat. I definitely felt like I was more of a number. It was hard and still is to be going through infertility, so compassion is always wanted and appreciated. I was always messaging her asking questions, but getting replies from the nurses instead. You can't call either, it's all message.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carolyn Kubik (retired) at Reproductive Health Specialists?
Be prepared to advocate for yourself and find out what testing you should be having before you go. I had to ask for a few of my test because she didn't think I needed them.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carolyn Kubik (retired) at Reproductive Health Specialists?
It was impossible to call the office. You have to send a message on your portal, and a nurse gets back to you. If you have a question for the doctor, it could be weeks before you hear from them specifically, IF you do. I didn't think my concerns were very important to her either. I only met her on video, never in person. It was always a PA.
Describe the protocols Carolyn Kubik (retired) used in your cycles at Reproductive Health Specialists and their degree of success.
I was placed on Clomid for timed cycles, which did not work. We tried this for close to a year, when I feel that we should have tried IUI much sooner. For my 1st IUI, we did an injection shot, Clomid and ultrasounds before the sperm injection. This attempt failed.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Reproductive Health Specialists.
The nurses are the ones I spoke to 95% of the time through messages. They were usually pretty prompt getting back to me on questions. However, there were some times it took a few days, and I would have to message again. They were empathetic in message when I had my miscarriage.
Describe your experience with Reproductive Health Specialists.
Strengths are the nurses and the care you get from the PA when you are there. They sit and answer your questions, and don't rush you. They are organized with the ultrasounds and are able to get you in early when you need it.
Weaknesses are you have to ask a lot of questions, Google things and advocate for yourself. I have been trying for 4 years for our second child, and the time would probably be cut in half if I would have just known what to ask for earlier. I feel that a lot of time was wasted on repeat testing or testing later in the stages that should have been done way earlier.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Carolyn Kubik (retired) at Reproductive Health Specialists.
Previous healthcare covered most of it. I have switched insurance carriers now, so not sure.
Describe Carolyn Kubik (retired)'s approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Reproductive Health Specialists.
n/a
What specific things went wrong at Reproductive Health Specialists?
- Lost paperwork
- Failed to call with results
- Failed to order appropriate test
- Lost results
- Provided conflicting information
- Failed to convey critical information
- Lost or damaged samples
- Scheduled the wrong procedure
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Reproductive Health Specialists.
My doctor was switched right before my 2nd IUI cycle because Dr. Kubik retired or left the practice. I was told this via messages. The new doctor, Dr. Beverly, was very respectful and took the time to talk on our video appointments with me. She also wanted to get all the testing done that I needed to instead of spacing it out so much like Dr. Kubik did. However, on my 2nd IUI things went astray. I had a silent miscarriage. I was told to bring my tissue samples (the baby) into the lab for testing and they would check for chromosome distorters and see if they could find the cause of death basically. After almost 3 months of waiting, I never heard anything about my results.I messaged and called, with no response. After finally receiving a response, I was told it was taking longer than expected. I did not get a call, but did see that my results finally came though my online chart about another month later. After discussing my results with the doctor last month, she told me something happened and "they dropped the ball." The full testing was not performed on my sample, so they did not have an answer. You can not repeat these test because the tissue is now gone. Sad and mad, I messaged the doctor for more explanation since I was still in shock when she told me over the video chat. She messaged me back once, but now it's been over a week and I still haven't received a reply from my response which included another question. I am beginning to feel very much like a number here again. I switched facilities and will be starting IVF soon with a new doctor. I will be driving over 4 hours to get to them, but I heard their bedside manner is good and maybe I will feel less like a number and more like a mother trying her hardest to conceive.
2
Doctor
Carolyn Kubik (retired)
3
Clinic
Reproductive Health Specialists
Pittsburgh