He [Dr. Carnovale] took the time to really listen to me and my husband before ever doing a physical examination. Even though he had thoroughly reviewed our medical history, he asked ME questions and listened to MY answers. He asked what our desires were, what our desired outcome was and how quickly we wanted to get there.... He suggested and did perform laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis after reviewing and listening to my symptoms as well as seeing evidence on an US. We did conceive naturally after that but miscarried.
Since I first began seeing Dr. Carnovale, they [Community Repro Endocrinology] have moved to a brand new office in the same building. It is very nice, clean, and private. The great part is that now the lab and embryologist are all part of the same suite as the medical staff. In fact, they can now do retrievals and transfers in their suite as well, where previously you had to go to the OR at the adjoining hospital. Usually you are one of the only patients in the office. You may see one or two other patients.
How was your experience with David Carnovale at Community Reproductive Endocrinology?
He is incredibly thorough and attentive. He knows when to be light hearted and when to be serious. He was great at explaining endometriosis and he expressed sympathy and disdain at the fact that I had not felt cared for or valued at our first fertility clinic. When I came to him with a pregnancy, he was positive and upbeat--but when the ultrasound revealed that the pregnancy might not be viable, he didn't sugar coat. He was clear that I might miscarry (which I did) but he did not rub it in or do so in a manner that was thoughtless.
We eventually did have success in conceiving with our second round of IVF and are now seeing him for treatment in trying to conceive baby number 2. Though time has passed and his practice has grown, the attention to detail has not faltered. I still see Dr. Carnovale at EVERY visit, he still takes time to answer EVERY question, and is still as attentive as ever.
I've always felt cared for and valued and respected, not talked down to, and my opinion/input/thoughts are always considered and respected.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of David Carnovale at Community Reproductive Endocrinology?
Take notes. He is incredibly smart and will walk you through everything. But also always come with your questions written down. He'll take the time to answer them, but if you don't have them written down, sometimes he's so thorough that you get caught up in all the info he's giving you and forget the other questions you had. Also--be yourself. I know others that love Dr. Carnovale but find him a bit quiet or reserved. He definitely can be that way, but if you relax and just be yourself, he can actually be really funny!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with David Carnovale at Community Reproductive Endocrinology?
He took the time to really listen to me and my husband before ever doing a physical examination. Even though he had thoroughly reviewed our medical history, he asked ME questions and listened to MY answers. He asked what our desires were, what our desired outcome was and how quickly we wanted to get there. He cared about what we had to say and took all the time needed to answer questions.
As we progressed through treatment, our first attempt at IVF resulted in a cancellation and change to IUI due to poor response to stimulation medications. It was hard news to take, and he was caring and considerate and understanding. Furthermore, when we came back to start our next round of IVF, he remembered how i had struggled and asked how I was feeling. He asks questions about us as a family, and remembers details of our lives. We are not just a medical record number.
Describe the protocols David Carnovale used in your cycles at Community Reproductive Endocrinology and their degree of success.
He suggested and did perform laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis after reviewing and listening to my symptoms as well as seeing evidence on an US. We did conceive naturally after that but miscarried.
We started IVF in the fall of 2016. Our first round, I responded poorly to the stimulation medications, so we switched to IUI that cycle, which failed. We then waited a couple months (holiday season) and then did IVF again in January of 2017. This time, with the addition of Omnitrope (human growth hormone). With that medication protocol, we achieved successful egg retrieval, got 9 egs, 8 of which fertilized with ICSI, and 3 of which made it to day 5. Transfered 2, 1 frozen. Successful singleton pregnancy carried to term!
We have just started IVF for baby #2, after having another endometriosis excision surgery in August. This time I have DOR as well, so the protocol has changed slightly to include higher doses of stim medications as well as the Omnitrope.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Community Reproductive Endocrinology. (Assigned nurse: Katie)
They are ALL so so supportive. I know at least 2 of the nurses were former infertility patients themselves, so the level of empathy is off the charts. Every member of the staff takes the time to answer my questions no matter how stupid or annoying. They clearly communicate well internally, because the transition between staff members--if necessary--is always seamless. They work together very well as a team, and that results in stellar patient care.
Describe your experience with Community Reproductive Endocrinology.
Since I first began seeing Dr. Carnovale, they have moved to a brand new office in the same building. It is very nice, clean, and private. The great part is that now the lab and embryologist are all part of the same suite as the medical staff. In fact, they can now do retrievals and transfers in their suite as well, where previously you had to go to the OR at the adjoining hospital.
Usually you are one of the only patients in the office. You may see one or two other patients. But they don't try and cram tons of patients in at once, which results in you having plenty of unrushed time with the staff. In addition, they are usually very prompt--if your appointment is at a given time, expect to be seen at that time. No waiting for an hour! All around it's just a peaceful, non-stressful place to visit with caring staff and they respect your time.
Describe the costs associated with your care under David Carnovale at Community Reproductive Endocrinology.
My laparoscopy was robotic, so total cost would have been $64,000(ish) without insurance. It was covered though since it's not considered fertility treatment. If I needed to have a tube repaired, it would have been $2500 . One round of IVF is approx $12,500 with another $2500-$4,000 for meds.
Describe David Carnovale's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Community Reproductive Endocrinology.
Both Dr. Carnovale and the embryologist discussed with me the risks/rewards of transferring 1-2 embryos. Based on quality, my age, and my history of miscarriage, we mutually decided to transfer 2, which resulted in a singleton pregnancy.
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Clinic
Community Reproductive Endocrinology
Indianapolis