How was your experience with Cynthia Sites at Baystate Reproductive Medicine?
Dr. Sites was pleasant and knowledgeable. She reviewed all of our previous tests results with us and explained why she was ordering more or re-doing some. She was understanding and gave me a few moments to compose myself after I had been told IVF was the best option (I had gone in thinking IUI). My only complaint is that I felt like she wasn’t the best communicator, specifically towards the end of appointments. It seemed like my husband and I were always left hanging a bit only being given a “call the nurses this day.” But we never really knew what was coming next. It felt a bit awkward because it seemed like that was her way of saying goodbye. Other than that, my experience with her was fine. I felt very lucky that she was the one to do my egg retrieval and embryo transfer, although it really seems to be up to chance there.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Cynthia Sites at Baystate Reproductive Medicine?
When telling patients to call the IVF nurses on a certain day, explain to them what to expect from the conversation. Ex: Call the nurses this day, tell them it’s this cycle day and they will set up your calendar and send you an information packet. (Because I had no clue when I’d be getting medication information and instructions and I like to be prepared.)
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Cynthia Sites at Baystate Reproductive Medicine?
My husband and I met with Dr Sites 3 times between late January and early February. After the first appointment she greeted us both by name and remembered small details about us. Due to Covid, our IVF cycle was postponed from March until late June. Although I had not seen her since February, she remembered me and chatted with me on my way into the office one June morning.
Describe the protocols Cynthia Sites used in your cycles at Baystate Reproductive Medicine and their degree of success.
I was put on the microdose lupron flare protocol, as I was expected to be a poor responder due to DOR. I started with 10 units of microdose lupron twice per day for two days. Then added 225 units of gonal-f twice per day while continuing the lupron. I was on gonal-f for 10 days (lupron for 12) before triggering with ovidrel. 11 eggs were retrieved, 6 fertilized, 1 perfect embryo was transferred on day 5 and 1 embryo was frozen on day 6. I was put on vaginal progesterone 3x daily and estrogen patches from the day after retrieval to 6w3d (first scan-saw the heartbeat).
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Baystate Reproductive Medicine.
Well I’m not sure if we were assigned a specific nurse, I did speak primarily with one in the beginning but upon returning to the clinic after the Covid shut down I spoke to a few. I’m not sure what is normal for the clinic. That being said, every nurse I spoke to was wonderful! Each one was super helpful. I never felt like I was calling too much or asking too many questions. They seemed to communicate well with each other and I never had to re-explain something to the next person I spoke with. I normally called in the morning and they would get back to be my early afternoon. A couple of times I called in the afternoon and was actually transferred straight to a nurse which was a pleasant surprise. There was always a nurse in with me for the ultrasound explaining everything and letting me know that it was normal or on target for where I was in the cycle. They were great!
Describe your experience with Baystate Reproductive Medicine.
The clinic was great. Responsive and communicative. The office is clean, comfortable and quiet. New patients should know about ultrasound appointments. During normal times, monitoring ultrasounds are on a first come first serve basis from 7 am to 9 am. I was told this can be a little hectic and to plan on coming earlier than later. Since I didn’t have an ultrasounds until after the Covid shut down, all of mine were at scheduled times to allow for the staggering patients and social distancing. I’m not sure when or if they will return to the old way, but beware.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Cynthia Sites at Baystate Reproductive Medicine.
My IVF cycle was covered by insurance so I only had to pay my deductible. The medications were also covered so I only had to pay a co-pay on each. However, the binder I was given did list the out-of-pocket price as $9,000 for monitoring, egg retrieval, and transfer. ICSI, genetic testing, and embryo freezing and storage were all additional fees.
Describe Cynthia Sites's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Baystate Reproductive Medicine.
My insurance only covered single embryo transfers, so that’s what we went for. That being said, Dr. Sites said she also recommended a single transfer for us given my age (27) and history (no previous pregnancies, no losses).