How was your experience with Dan Griffin at Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital?
Strengths: He is extremely knowledgeable and positive. He has had great success. When a procedure is suggested or a next course is planned he gives you all the details. He is great at communicating things and answering all questions, he has a wonderful bedside manner and always wants you to feel comfortable. He doesn't sugarcoat information, but he is not rude about things either. He looks at all aspects of a case. When a failed cycle occurs he always meets with you and insists on making changes to either help improve your odds or just to try something different since he doesn't like to use the same things and possibly get the same results.
Weaknesses: He doesn't give you all the details when things do not go according to plan. You have to be your own advocate and have done some research before hand. I had a cancelled IVF cycle because I had ovulated prematurely. In the appointment prior to starting the cycle I specifically asked about birth control so that we could be on a good schedule for both of us. He didn't listen, said I didn't need it since I had irregular cycles anyway, and we did a random start date. This mistake ended up costing me over $1,000 in having to replace meds I had already used, when the next cycle we did use birth control.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Dan Griffin at Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital?
Be your own advocate and do your research before hand. Make sure you know the details and take notes.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Dan Griffin at Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital?
The office staff knew my name, Dr. Griffin was able to recall details about me that weren't just about my case, and everyone was friendly while working with your schedule.
Describe the protocols Dan Griffin used in your cycles at Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital and their degree of success.
IUIs: We did 3 failed IUIs, mostly due to low sperm count on my husband's side, with Femara. My reaction varied from 1-3 follicles each time. We triggered with HCG all three times. However, once we used Ovidrel and that saved me some money, but had the same outcome.
IVF: We used an antagonist protocol. I was on 225IU of Gonal-F, 75 of Menopur, and then .25 Cetrotide when the time came. I triggered with Ovidrel. Dr. Griffin said this was his middle of the road protocol since I had responded well with Femara. I ended up with 11 eggs, 9 of which were mature. All 9 were fertilized with ICSI, we transferred 2, a grade 5BB and 3AB, neither implanted. Of the rest left 5 arrested, and 2 were discarded due to low grades, 5CC. I got an e-mail about them being discarded after it had already happened and had to call the embryologist myself to figure out what happened. I was not happy about this, although I knew they could do something like this, I was originally informed it was if they had grades of D's not C's. During my last appointment he mentioned it seemed to be more of a MFI issue, however he would change my protocol the next round and use a Lupron flare protocol. Once I got a second opinion I was informed that all the embryos weren't of the best quality but this was never mentioned to me, even during my follow up appointment.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital.
The nursing staff was amazing!! The phlebotomist, Jennifer, is amazing! She listens and does her best all the time. The Ultrasound Tech, Missy, was my favorite. I was never afraid to ask her anything. They had multiple nurses, and some training, all of which were great. Marcy at the front test is wonderful and always helpful and polite. The nurses who work in the surgical area, Jessica specifically, are amazing. I never had an issue with a nurse.
Describe your experience with Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital.
The clinic is great. Pricey but great. I did not have success there and sought a 2nd opinion due to money being an issue, and multiple failed cycles. If I could afford to stay there, I would, I also would go back.
I had some issues there that make me sour, but none of them had to do with nurses, coordinators or anything of the like. I had some issues with communication and feeling like everything possible was done when I was paying out of pocket.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Dan Griffin at Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital.
IUI: Monitored cycle cost $1300. Non-monitored cost $300. Injectable cycle was around $1750, all costs don't include medication.
IVF: Base cost $8500, ICSI is $1000, Freezing embryos is $1000. They do offer plans where you can pay $20,000 for 2 cycles including FET and ICSI. Or a discount program $1000 off every Fresh IVF cycle after the first.
FET: $6000
Ultrasound: about $300
Describe Dan Griffin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital.
Dr. Griffin would transfer 1 or 2 embryos and he let you decide which you wanted to do. He explained all the risks for multiples and would not transfer more than 2.
What specific things went wrong at Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital?
- Failed to call with results
- Provided conflicting information
- Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Boston IVF at The Women's Hospital.
I had a cancelled IVF cycle due to the physician's decision on a start date for meds. I had discarded embryos that I received and e-mail about, as the only means of communication. I also received conflicting information about what embryos were kept and which were discarded.