We saw Dr. Strawn over the course of four years. While we didn't achieve pregnancy, I would still recommend him as a physician...The only time I came away questioning treatment is when our 5th embryo transfer didn't work, we were told to move to donor eggs without any real discussion if there were other medications or procedures we could try first. Maybe there weren't any, but that conversation wasn't had. We wanted to fully understand what was happening and we got a blanket answer.
Wait times were short and the doctors were mostly on time [at Froedtert & Medical College]. I forgave any times they we're running behind because I appreciated that they were taking time to be with other patients just like me. The facility was clean and most if not all procedures could be done right in the office including retrievals and transfers...I could see any of the doctors on staff. They all had different personalities which was refreshing. The nursing staff was outstanding. If I ever had questions, the doctors and nurses would take the time to explain processes, medications, and test results to me in way I could understand.
How was your experience with Estil Strawn at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin?
Dr. Strawn is smart, very smart, and it shows. He is straight forward but has good bedside manner. We saw Dr. Strawn over the course of four years. While we didn't achieve pregnancy, I would still recommend him as a physician. My diagnosis and not being able to get pregnant was no fault of his. The only time I came away questioning treatment is when our 5th embryo transfer didn't work, we were told to move to donor eggs without any real discussion if there were other medications or procedures we could try first. Maybe there weren't any, but that conversation wasn't had. We wanted to fully understand what was happening and we got a blanket answer.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Estil Strawn at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin?
Have patience and realize that the road ahead may not go the way you think it will - good or bad.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Estil Strawn at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin?
At this clinic, I was Dr. Strawn's patient but I could see any of the doctors on staff. They all had different personalities which was refreshing. The nursing staff was outstanding. If I ever had questions, the doctors and nurses would take the time to explain processes, medications, and test results to me in way I could understand.
Describe the protocols Estil Strawn used in your cycles at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin and their degree of success.
After my initial blood panel, we were told this was unexplained infertility. All of our blood work, semen analysis, and diagnostic tests came back perfect. There was no reason two people at our age and in good health shouldn't be able to get pregnant. Our hopes were up! First step was IUI. I said no to clomid I was on letrozol. First round didn't work. We missed ovulation on the second, tried again the following month and a third time after that. All resulted in negative pregnancy tests. No adjustments to medications. From there we were urged to move to IVF. No other option. More blood tests, everything looked good with the exception of my vitamin D level which was a little low. I started taking over the counter supplements. We agreed to try IVF. This process proved to be very, very expensive for us. The medication doses continuously had to be increased. The first egg retrieval only got 4 eggs, 3 turned into embryos, 1 was discarded. We used one for a fresh transfer and one for a frozen transfer. The first tested negative, the second was positive but turned out to be a chemical pregnancy. I "miscarried" 2 days later. Dr. Strawn and his office said that was hopeful. I could in fact get pregnant. A year or so later we decided to do a second egg retrieval. This time my blood work showed a decrease in my AMH levels so they started me on high doses of injectables. This proved to be even more expensive but we we're hopeful! This time we got more eggs - 10! We got 7 embryos, 3 were discarded, 1 was transferred fresh, 3 were frozen. We followed up with another single frozen transfer and our last transfer was two embryos. All tested negative. All of our embryos were graded A or B. After this heartbreak we couldn't afford to do IVF any longer. Dr. Strawn said we could move on to donor eggs but we just couldn't afford it.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin. (Assigned nurse: Andrea S)
Andrea was amazing during both of my embryo transfers. If she saw me in the office after a negative cycle she would stop and say she was sorry. If I called with questions she knew who I was and what my treatment plan was.
Describe your experience with Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin.
The clinic is beautiful. The reception staff can be busy so have patience. When they help you, they're wonderful. Wait times were short and the doctors were mostly on time. I forgave any times they we're running behind because I appreciated that they were taking time to be with other patients just like me. The facility was clean and most if not all procedures could be done right in the office including retrievals and transfers.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Estil Strawn at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin.
Blood panel after insurance: $502.39
IUI was $1300 per cycle
HSG: $1500
For IVF we we're part of the AttainIVF program which gave us a package of retrievals and transfers with guaranteed money back if we were not successful. That package was $27200.
The cash price was $12000 without medications.
Letrozole was $10 per prescription
Crinone progesterone gel: $201.20 for 18 doses, $515.20 for 40.5 doses
Gonal-F: $444 for 450units
Menopur: $760 for 75 units
Leuprolide: $145 qty 1
Chorionic Gonadotropin: $90 qty 1
Describe Estil Strawn's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin.
Dr. Strawn was adamant that we should only do one embryo at a time. It wasn't until we has several unsuccessful transfers that he agreed, semi-reluctantly, to allow us a transfer with 2 embryos.
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Clinic
Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin
Appleton