[Dr. Broughton is] a straight shooter, but manages to communicate sometimes difficult information/news with compassion. I never felt like she sugar coats things--she always backs up her recommendations with statistics/science...she's a skilled surgeon and is the only doctor out of 3 who was actually able to remove a persistent fibroid and scar tissue...Sadly, two FETs failed, and Dr. Broughton was 100% willing to change protocol for both my ERA cycle and the following transfer
PNWF has an incredible lab and very qualified doctors and nursing staff. Overall I'd say they are pretty conservative in their approach...You'll have a primary doctor, but you'll see most of the doctors in the practice depending on your cycle's timing. My doctor didn't do my egg retrieval, my ERA biopsy, or my third FET. However, they are all great... They are VERY efficient and I never have to wait long when I have an appointment
How was your experience with Darcy Broughton at Pacific NW Fertility?
Dr. Broughton makes is really great during exams and make you feel comfortable. She's a straight shooter, but manages to communicate sometimes difficult information/news with compassion. I never felt like she sugar coats things--she always backs up her recommendations with statistics/science, which I appreciate. When my egg retrieval netted one abnormal embryo and we were devastated, she laid out alternatives for us along with chances of success. We ended up going with the donor route. The clinic requires medicated cycles--I wasn't happy about that, but rolled with it. Sadly, two FETs failed, and Dr. Broughton was 100% willing to change protocol for both my ERA cycle and the following transfer. That mean a great deal and provided some hope. Separately, she's a skilled surgeon and is the only doctor out of 3 who was actually able to remove a persistent fibroid and scar tissue.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Darcy Broughton at Pacific NW Fertility?
All the doctors are busy at Pacific NW Fertility. Come prepared with questions and Dr. Broughton will make sure she answers them.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Darcy Broughton at Pacific NW Fertility?
Dr. Broughton has been handling surgeries and treatment for me for a few years now, and is always super warm, friendly, and understanding. She remembers me and my story, and it's clear that she's totally on our team. She knows I like a lot of information and is very willing to answer questions that come up during exams and consult meetings.
Describe the protocols Darcy Broughton used in your cycles at Pacific NW Fertility and their degree of success.
For my first egg retrieval, I did an antagonist protocol and I had two follicles that were too far out front and the rest didn't catch up. We did a late cancel and tried an IUI instead. This was unsuccessful. Knowing that I start recruiting follicles quickly, Dr. Broughton shifted my next cycle to a luteal start, which lead to more even growth. I got 10 eggs, 6 mature, 4 fertilized, 0 normal. After meeting with Dr. Broughton, we understood if we cycled again, we'd have about a 20% chance of a normal embryo. We went the donor route, and the clinic requires that donor FET cycles are medicated vs. natural. I cycle regularly, so I was really disappointed to learn this. The first FET failed, and we added baby aspirin for the second, which was a "roll in," meaning I didn't have to do birth control and Lupron before starting estrace patches, and could just start with estrogen. This FET also failed, so Dr. Broughton recommended an ERA and another hysteroscopic surgery to make sure my uterus was OK. It turned out at had a few adhesions, and I was 12 hours pre-receptive, so the testing was worth it. We also looked at endometritis and did ReceptivaDX for endometriosis to cover all the bases--both of those text were negative. I can go into my third transfer with more confidence.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Pacific NW Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Erin K.)
I worked with two different nursing teams because there are IVF and donor nursing teams--both were excellent. My donor nurse contact is fantastic--she'll spend a long time on the phone with me explaining results and answering questions, and is very kind and compassionate.
Describe your experience with Pacific NW Fertility.
PNWF has an incredible lab and very qualified doctors and nursing staff. Overall I'd say they are pretty conservative in their approach--none of the newer treatments available at some other clinics in the US and abroad are offered here. This can be frustrating if you aren't finding success and have limited options for things to try. They are VERY efficient and I never have to wait long when I have an appointment (covid aside), even when they have to double book. You'll have a primary doctor, but you'll see most of the doctors in the practice depending on your cycle's timing. My doctor didn't do my egg retrieval, my ERA biopsy, or my third FET. However, they are all great so as long as you are good at rolling with that, it's not an issue. I 100% prefer being seen by Dr. B. because I know her the best and vice versa, but that's what makes them so nimble and accommodate your personal timing.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Darcy Broughton at Pacific NW Fertility.
We initially qualified for the multi-cycle plan, but ended up shifting to donor program after our failed IVF cycle. We paid out of pocket, and I think we put down about $27,000 for the initial plan. Transfers at the clinic are $4500-5600. It's not cheap, but that's no surprise.
Describe Darcy Broughton's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Pacific NW Fertility.
My doctor/clinic will only do single embryo transfers.
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Clinic
Pacific NW Fertility
Seattle