Dr. Ressler is very kind and very soft spoken. It always felt like she was trying to be compassionate. I just never felt like a true connection formed. I’m also not sure that the protocols she selected were the right path for us...for the next 3 cycles no changes were made. And I had 3 more unsuccessful cycles...It’s important to find a doctor you trust and connect with. Not all doctors personalities are a match.
The [RMA of Connecticut] clinic presents itself really well. It is well run, everyone is friendly, kind and compassionate. They have so many great resources available and lots of awesome social media content...such a big practice you feel like you're lost in the mix of everyone. Everyone is referring you to someone else and there is no follow up or follow through. So many times I've had to follow up on emails I sent that went unanswered.
How was your experience with Ilana Ressler at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Ressler is very kind and very soft spoken. It always felt like she was trying to be compassionate. I just never felt like a true connection formed. I’m also not sure that the protocols she selected were the right path for us.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ilana Ressler at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
It’s important to find a doctor you trust and connect with. Not all doctors personalities are a match.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ilana Ressler at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
RMA is a very large practice. I see multiple doctors, tons of different nurses, and went to three different locations.
Describe the protocols Ilana Ressler used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
When doing IUI's we started with Clomid for the first cycle and my lining wasn't as thick as she wanted it to be, so when that cycle didn't work we switched to Letrozole. After that for the next 3 cycles no changes were made. And I had 3 more unsuccessful cycles.
When doing IVF, I had a pretty successful retrieval, starting with 23 eggs. For our first transfer we did the standard protocol. Which was unsuccessful. Before the second transfer we were told I should do an ERA test which showed that my first shot of progesterone should be 12 hour earlier. I also had a procedure to dilate my Cervix due to a curve in my uterus that was difficult to navigate during transfers. With all of this, my cycle was still unsuccessful.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Cathie)
Cathie was great as my primary nurse. The problem I had was that, while Cathie was my main point of contact, I saw so many different nurses and also heard from many different nurses in Cathie's absence.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
The clinic presents itself really well. It is well run, everyone is friendly, kind and compassionate. They have so many great resources available and lots of awesome social media content. The issue is that because it's such a big practice you feel like you're lost in the mix of everyone. Everyone is referring you to someone else and there is no follow up or follow through. So many times I've had to follow up on emails I sent that went unanswered. This was not from my nurse, but from the other support staff (patient navigator and financial team)
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Monitoring was fine. Again, just felt like I saw someone different every time
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ilana Ressler at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Most was covered by insurance, but some things weren't. Overall we've probably paid close to $10k even though so much was covered.
Describe Ilana Ressler's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
We were told only 1 embryo would ever be transferred given my age.
Ilana [Ressler] was very thorough and explained all options. I received a follow up email after every appointment summarizing what was discussed. I felt confident in Dr. Ressler's recommendations, though felt that personality wise, she was not super warm... The one thing that went wrong was that they never prescribed my trigger injection and only realized the day before I was supposed to take it.
When I was there [at New York Fertility Services] I felt that there was a lot of turnover. At one point, a nurse drawing my blood said it was her first time doing so, and after a try or 2 she went to get the PA to draw my blood. I felt that the nurse who explained how to do the injections could have been clearer. Overall, they were nice and compassionate.
How was your experience with Ilana Ressler at New York Fertility Services?
Ilana was very thorough and explained all options. I received a follow up email after every appointment summarizing what was discussed. I felt confident in Dr. Ressler's recommendations, though felt that personality wise, she was not super warm.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ilana Ressler at New York Fertility Services?
Ask all your questions!
Describe the protocols Ilana Ressler used in your cycles at New York Fertility Services and their degree of success.
I had been to a doctor previously who felt that symptoms should be treated, so I was on meds to regulate blood-sugar, even though the levels weren't tested. Ilana Ressler immediately told me to stop the treatment until we determined what the issues were. Once I was tested, she explained that the levels were fine and the meds were unnecessary. Dr ressler prescribed Menopur and then timed intercourse after taking an injection to trigger ovulation. I was monitored daily/every other day while taking Menopur (injections) and she increased amounts based on hormone levels. Thankfully, the cycle was successful and I have a beautiful daughter :)
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at New York Fertility Services.
When I was there I felt that there was a lot of turnover. At one point, a nurse drawing my blood said it was her first time doing so, and after a try or 2 she went to get the PA to draw my blood.
I felt that the nurse who explained how to do the injections could have been clearer.
Overall., they were nice and compassionate.
Describe your experience with New York Fertility Services.
Nice, clean environment with a smiling face greeting you at the desk. Never long wait time.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ilana Ressler at New York Fertility Services.
They took insurance, so I was only billed copays.
What specific things went wrong at New York Fertility Services?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Failed to order appropriate test
Describe the specific things that went wrong at New York Fertility Services.
The one thing that went wrong was that they never prescribed my trigger injection and only realized the day before I was supposed to take it. They were able to work it out with supplies they had at the clinic, but until that worked out was a bit stressful!
Dr. Ressler was very welcoming...She asked relevant questions but also asked other conversational questions as well. She was thorough in explaining potential causes of infertility and didn't question our belief that IVF was the appropriate course of treatment for us. She respected our comments and was very personable and friendly yet still completely professional...was very clear and concise in explaining next steps for us, including what diagnostic testing we should do as well as explaining the process of the various treatments, IUI, IVF etc.
A full IVF cycle [at RMA of Connecticut] was quoted to us for $15,900, and additional diagnostics testing on top of that...Beautiful lobby, friendly front desk staff, relaxing atmosphere, spacious and well decorated. Everyone we encountered was friendly and welcoming. The clinic, including the bathroom were all clean, well organized and warm...[nurse] was friendly, informative and answered all our many questions about the diagnostics testing and treatment procedures. She wasn't rushed and seemed to care about helping us feel comfortable and not stressed about the next steps.
How was your experience with Ilana Ressler at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
Dr. Ressler was very welcoming and out us at ease. She asked relevant questions but also asked other conversational questions as well. She was thorough in explaining potential causes of infertility and didn't question our belief that IVF was the appropriate course of treatment for us. She respected our comments and was very personable and friendly yet still completely professional.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ilana Ressler at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
I had a really great experience with Dr. Ressler, and basically I would just advise someone to relax, tell her anything that may be relevant and definitely ask questions if something doesn't make sense to you (for any doctor really).
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ilana Ressler at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut)?
She was kind, informative, and efficient but not rushed. It felt as though she really cared and was quick to answer any of our questions.
Describe the protocols Ilana Ressler used in your cycles at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut) and their degree of success.
I have currently only had the initial consultation. Dr. Ressler was very clear and concise in explaining next steps for us, including what diagnostic testing we should do as well as explaining the process of the various treatments, IUI, IVF etc.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut). (Assigned nurse: Judit Ordogh, RN)
Judit was friendly, informative and answered all our many questions about the diagnostics testing and treatment procedures. She wasn't rushed and seemed to care about helping us feel comfortable and not stressed about the next steps.
Describe your experience with Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
Beautiful lobby, friendly front desk staff, relaxing atmosphere, spacious and well decorated. Everyone we encountered was friendly and welcoming. The clinic, including the bathroom were all clean, well organized and warm.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ilana Ressler at Illume Fertility (formerly RMA of Connecticut).
I have only completed the consultation so far, which after going through insurance will most likely be around $350. A full IVF cycle was quoted to us for $15,900, and additional diagnostics testing on top of that.