2020, Successful
I greatly appreciated was how knowledgeable she [Dr. Collins] was about all of the current studies and information on every question I had. I loved her optimism and enthusiasm, as well as her honestly when things were not going as expected. I had a failed transfer and a miscarriage before I finally got pregnant. We did something different each time until we found the answer. Dr. Collins was very respectful and considerate of me and my husband's religious and moral preferences and she made every attempt to accommodate
All of the nursing staff [at Wisconsin Fertility Institute] was AMAZING! They were always there to ask me how I was doing and to just be there for me...We paid the initial $14,000 which included the egg retrieval, all monitoring US, blood draws, 2 separate embryo transfers, 2 BETA draws, failed transfer consultation. $400 for 1 year of embryo freezing. $400 for 1 year of sperm storage. $1500 for Hysteroscopy. $1200 ERA. $250 US...
How was your experience with Gretchen Collins at Wisconsin Fertility Institute?
Dr. Collins was the first fertility doctor I had ever seen. I was very nervous in not knowing what this journey would entail. After my first phone consultation with her, she made me believe that this was going to work. I always had so many questions to ask her. One of the things I greatly appreciated was how knowledgeable she was about all of the current studies and information on every question I had. I loved her optimism and enthusiasm, as well as her honestly when things were not going as expected. I had a failed transfer and a miscarriage before I finally got pregnant. We did something different each time until we found the answer. Dr. Collins was very respectful and considerate of me and my husband's religious and moral preferences and she made every attempt to accommodate. She also was very considerate with the pricing of each procedure/medication she recommended. I am now 21 weeks pregnant and I so wish Dr. Collins could be the one to deliver my baby. We will ABSOUTELY be using her again for our next baby!!! I cannot recommend her more highly.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Gretchen Collins at Wisconsin Fertility Institute?
I would advise any future patient to be prepared with questions and she will be more than willing to answer them. Fertility doctors are not miracle workers. It may not work the first time (as it did with me), but rest assured Dr. Collins will do absolutely do whatever it takes.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Gretchen Collins at Wisconsin Fertility Institute?
Dr. Collins was always happy to see me and seemed personally invested in me and our infertility struggles. She never made me feel like any question was ridiculous. She was there to encourage, grieve, and celebrate with me. I can't imagine going through this without her.
Describe the protocols Gretchen Collins used in your cycles at Wisconsin Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
Due to my low AMH levels, I was given a very large dose of medication to make allot of eggs. I ended up making 33 eggs which was way more than she expected. 23 embryos fertilized and 7 made it to freeze. We opted out of genetic testing due to personal preference. I took estrogen, progesterone, prednisone, and doxycycline for my first transfer. Transfer #1 of 1 embryo resulted in a chemical pregnancy. The next month I had a hysteroscopy to see if I had any fibroids or polyps that could have resulted in my miscarriage. Everything looked fine. Transfer #2 of I had the same medication protocol but added in more prednisone and lovenox to prevent any blood clotting. We transferred 2 embryos and I did not get pregnant. I then had an ERA uterine biopsy to see if I was getting enough progesterone. This test came back normal. I then took 2 months of Lupron Depot and Letrozole. This was done to shut my reproductive system down in hopes to "reset" my body. For transfer #3 of 1 embryo I had the same medication protocol but added in more Lovenox and Doxycycline. This transfer was successful and I am currently 21 weeks pregnant with a perfect little girl!!
Describe your experience with your nurse at Wisconsin Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Beth, RN)
All of the nursing staff was AMAZING! They were always there to ask me how I was doing and to just be there for me. I came to know and love all of them.
Describe your experience with Wisconsin Fertility Institute.
WIFI clinic was great at contacting me about things and were always very welcoming. I started my treatment in the middle of COVID shut down and I received personalized and prompt care due to being one of the very few patients there. Towards the end of my time there, it got much busier and was allot harder to get a hold of someone over the phone and I had much longer wait times for my apts and procedures.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Gretchen Collins at Wisconsin Fertility Institute.
We paid the initial $14,000 which included the egg retrieval, all monitoring US, blood draws, 2 separate embryo transfers, 2 BETA draws, failed transfer consultation. $400 for 1 year of embryo freezing. $400 for 1 year of sperm storage. $1500 for Hysteroscopy. $1200 ERA. $250 US. Medications were not included.
Describe Gretchen Collins's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Wisconsin Fertility Institute.
Dr. Collins was absolutely fine with whatever my husband decided. Two was the most she would transfer.