Helen Kim

Dr. Kim is very no nonsense. She's doesn't come off as the most compassionate person, but she knows her stuff. She's very black and white. I appreciate it because I don't need someone to sugar coat things, but other people may not appreciate her abrupt style.

She's going to tell you like it is, whether you want to hear it or not.

I've done 2 IUIs with Dr. Kim. Both were 100 mg of Clomid with monitoring and Ovidrel trigger shot. My insurance doesn't cover fertility treatment, and since I'm older, with unexplained fertility, she advised 2 IUIs before moving on to IVF. I've only had the consult for IVF with her to date.

My insurance doesn't cover anything, so it's all out of pocket. They will bill insurance, but most is not covered. IUIs are $700. The self-pay for IVF is $10,000, which doesn't include meds and PGS testing. They are very upfront on all the costs when you meet with the financial consultant.

In my consult, she's told me about multiple transfer vs. single and has told me the risks and the odds, based on my age.

Dr. Kim has a kind demeanor, and is very straightforward with facts and statistics. She was upfront about the benefits and drawbacks of trying IUI, and answered all of my questions. I felt like she listened to me, and cared about trying to help us get pregnant. I personally appreciate a scientific approach, which she is how she speaks.

Make sure you have thought through your fertility journey ahead of time because she will ask you a lot of questions (i.e. timing, OPKs, tests you've had, history, etc). View Dr. Kim as a problem solver who will analyze your journey and try to help you with next steps.

My husband and I had a complete fertility work-up (HSG, bloodwork, ultrasound, SA, etc) and were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Dr. Kim recommended a few cycles of medicated IUI. She said it could help with some problem they haven't been able to identify. She let us know it had about a 9% success rate per cycle, but on our own we likely only had 3% chance per cycle. I took Clomid (50 mg) for 5 days with monitoring. When I had a follicle large enough (mine was 23 mm) I took an HCG trigger shot, and did an IUI 36 hours later. My husband produced a sample of 11 million post-wash, which is considered great. Unfortunately, my IUI was unsuccessful.

My insurance covers fertility treatments. I had already met my deductible going through my fertility testing. For the IUI I paid approximately $40, labs about $30, Clomid was $10, HCG shot (generic) was $30.

Dr. Kim was honest and candid about our options. She explained the results of our infertility evaluation in detail. When IUI did not work and we decided to go forward with IVF, she spent a large amount of time answering all our questions and reviewing the steps, risks in detail. She was very knowledgeable, drawing from medical literature/data, and transparent about our options and chances. The only thing that made me unsettled (and perhaps this is a reflection of my current stress/anxiety as we are still undergoing fertility treatment) is that I felt that we should have discussed IVF as a more serious option earlier when I had a better chance of success (I.e. was younger). Even though it was a span of a year, I felt that my chances of fertility success declined over that period based on my repeat testing/evaluations and that doing IUI first was a waste of time.

Don't be afraid to voice your concerns and opinions up front.

For my IUIs, we used 100 mg of Clomid for 5 days, triggered with Ovidrel. I did produce 2 follicles each time. For my first IVF cycle, we started with Follistim at 300 mg and Menopur at 75 units for 3 days which is the standard start IVF regimen for the clinic from what I understand. I was then increased to Menopur 150 units along with the same dose of Follistim for 5 days. Despite the increase, my cycle ended up getting converted to IUI because of poor response (only 2 follicles).

I have fertility benefits which covered my IUIs and medications thus far. I do have a copay for labs, US, office visits which have equaled out to about $500-$800 thus far.

We have yet to make it to transfer. But our plan is for PGS testing and transfer of 1 embryo.

Dr. Kim was thorough and kind. She explored all avenues regarding why I might not be getting pregnant, but always kept us moving forward. I felt informed and was a participant in my care. She called me back on the same day whenever I called with a question. She was always willing to collaborate on action plan when I needed more information. She was willing to consult with other doctors, and was supportive of myself and my husband.

It may take awhile to get in because they are a small practice, but it's worth the wait. Remember, one month is only one missed cycle. You will be glad you chose them.

She is analytical and conservative. She looks at all the data before coming up with a plan. She does not take a one size fits all approach.

Monitoring was first come first serve. The longest I ever waited was 30 minutes but that was rare. I generally waited less than 15.

I don't remember.

I did PGS testing and frozen transfers and therefore she only wanted to implant one embyro which I was fine with.

Dr. Kim is willing to sit down with you and have a conversation and review all past results and clearly explain your options. So far, we really like her.

I don't get the feeling she will sugar coat bad news so if you want the information in a very straightforward way then you will get it. If not, be ready for it.

Since Letrazole plus IUI did get my pregnant previously with our first doctor and there was no reason discovered for my miscarriage she thought starting with that again made sense before graduating to IVF. First cycle, we moved forward with Letrazole plus IUI. We did not get pregnant. Second cycle, we did Letrazole plus an IUI. My lining was questionable so we also added Estrace before the IUI. Mid cycle now.

She was very informative, my partner and I had questions and she answered them all with no issues. Overall it was pleasant and she helped to make us feel optimistic. We had travel plans and Dr. Kim also suggested potential risks and how to stay safe due to our attempt at conception

Do your research so you are well informed before starting the process. Knowing what questions to ask made the process better for us.

I recall starting with at home insemination and then moving to medication and in-office iui after a suggested 3 cycles

5,000-7,000 from I recall

I don't think that applied to us yet so it did not come up.

Dr. Kim is very knowledgeable about fertility. She gives you all possible outcomes and a plan of action before leaving her office to make u feel like there is an attainable solution. Dr. Kim is very thorough in reviewing your medical records and making sure all details are included in your chart.

Ask any and all questions you may have

Ultrasounds and procedures to diagnose and treat fertility issues

Because of my insurance plan, i had a very low co pay. i am unsure of the total cost

Dr Kim was nice but felt she didn’t take the time to get to know us on a personal level. She powered through results, never stopping to ask what we thought or felt comfortable with. She pushed IVF and wanted to get treatment started right after the consultation. It felt somewhat pushy and sales-like during a really hard time

Dr Kim knows seems to know her stuff. She did not show compassion and getting to know us as a couple and what treatment plans we felt comfortable with

IVF with ICSI

Very expensive. We were shocked by the consultation fee when we have excellent insurance

Dr. Kim was very matter-of-fact and professional but not especially warm or compassionate.

Do not expect warmth or compassion.

She’s a loving doctor that’s there for your every need I came in not understanding and left feeling like nothing could stop me she explained what I needed to do even if I didn’t have the insurance. She made sure I understood that I wasn’t the only person going thru this and that’s it is possible for me to conceive

She is a going to help you every step of the way

I came thru emergency room sooo a lot of money