Isela Robertshaw

When we first met Dr. Robertshaw we were entering our 5th year of TTC, and Bethesda was our third clinic. We'd been to a huge clinic where I described most of my visits as "cattle calls", and to a smaller clinic where I still felt as though the doctor never really heard or understood me or my questions. Within minutes of meeting Dr. Robertshaw we knew that things would be different -she listened carefully and responded thoughtfully. Throughout treatment (1 cycle IVF) she let us have our way where we felt strongly about things and helped us make decisions when we were unsure. She never *ever* rushed through an appointment, and will always take the extra few minutes to answer every last question or to celebrate with good news.

Sometimes (but not always, maybe 10-20% of the time) you may have to wait a bit. Because she never rushes patients through appointments, things can sometimes go over -since I've certainly been the one prolonging things, I was more than happy to wait patiently for my turn, and she never rushed through my appointments to get "back on track" like other doctors do.

We went through one cycle of IVF. I used GonalF for ovarian stimulation and had regular ultrasounds during the cycle to check progress, then something-that-starts-with-a-C to induce ovulation. Then the egg retrieval -we got something like 20 eggs, which was expected from the estimates with the ultrasounds. 19 were mature. Because of my dude's morphology, we used ICSI to fertilize, and 16 ended up fertilizing. The clinic was clear that typically only half of fertilized eggs make it to blastocyst, and that they only freeze high quality embryos, but we ended up with 14 embryos. They all were frozen because during retrieval Dr. Robertshaw identified an issue that required surgery. Immediately after surgery I started estrogen to begin a frozen embryo transfer procedure, then injectable progesterone. My husband and I insisted on 2 embryos, even though Dr. Robertshaw was very clear about the likelihood of twins. We had a positive blood test, then another to confirm, and we had two teeny heartbeats on ultrasound a couple weeks later. We've been discharged to an ob. So in conclusion, one round of IVF, one pregnancy with twins resulting, 12 embryos remaining in storage.

I've met my insurance out-of-pocket maximum, which is 5500, plus another 3000 or so in medication. This is for a round of IVF with one FET, and includes required diagnostic tests such as the SIS, as well as an MRI with contrast and an outpatient surgery.

Dr. Robertshaw was very clear that a single embryo would probably be successful given my age and no history of failure to implant, and said that she'd recommend one embryo. Nevertheless, she recognized that we were a-ok with the possibility of twins (it's been 5 years... we figured we'd have 2 by now, anyway) and let us go for it.

Dr. Robershaw and Dr. Reynolds are both amazing, each one treated me as a doctor and helped me with the situation I was going threw, they never made me feel like I was stuck in anything and that the choice was ultimately mine.

feel comfortable enough to ask all questions that you have. no question is a dumb one in her eyes, she will take the time and be honest and speak with you about any questions or concerns you may have, and leave the choice ultimately up to you.

Dr. Robershaw pulled me in and let me know how soon I would have to start treatments based off of my situation, from there she was on hand for questions at anytime. Dr. Reynolds did my surgery, and changed my trigger shots and surgery date when it was discovered I was producing eggs and they were growing at a good rate. She really paid attention to my body and what it was doing and made a plan that was suited for me.

this is still pending, with my insurance.

Dr. Robertshaw took her time to explain all our options and set our expectations. I couldn’t be happier with the experience she gave us. Infertility is so emotional and hard and the fact that she was so warm and compassionate meant a lot to me. I’m forever grateful for her.

I can’t remember all the specifics, but my last transfer she did an immune protocol after running a recurrent loss panel and still not finding anything besides testing positive for the MTHFR Gene and I was put on a folate supplement. She wanted to do this protocol in case there was something microscopic being missed. It’s working so far and I’m now 10 weeks pregnant.

She was very kind and understanding. She answered all my questions but when it came down to doing the things she said she was going to do, that just didn't happen. She told me to email her anytime but I never got responses.

Make sure you go into it knowing all the possible outcomes. I didn't know there was something called a guarentee program and I feel like I got screwed. I took out a personal loan to afford 1 round of IVF and now that that didn't work I have to figure out how to come up with a ton more money.

I started with taking birth control. Then had my baseline ultrasound. Things looked good so I started my injectable medications and did that for 9 days. I wasn't growing very many follicles about half way in so she upped my dosage and I started to respond better. I triggered on day 10 and then had my retrieval on day 12. Another doctor completed that procedure as Robertshaw was out of town. I was updated the day after retrieval, day 3 and day 5 as to how everything was progressing. I had a 5 day fresh transfer of 2 embryos. And then found out that none of my other embryos made it to freeze. I did not get pregnant and was left heartbroken and broke.

Each IUI was about $300. And the IVF all together was about $13,000. That's minus the meds for the IUI's and the donor sperm that I was using.

My dr wanted to just do 1 embryo because I was young and healthy but we ended up doing 2. First because it was a different doctor that did my transfer and secondly, because I only had 2 good looking embryos.

Her bedside manner is a big strength of hers but I feel like she didn’t adjust enough after the 1st failed cycle. I feel like the second was rushed. I don’t think my meds were lowered enough. Each cycle I hyperstimulated. I believe the high number of eggs really effected the quality of them.

Make sure you speak up and voice any concerns or confusion. Also make sure you are clear on all instructions before heading into your trigger. Don’t feel bad for calling after hours even if they make it seem like you are a hassle.

First cycle- fresh transfer with ICSI - hyperstimulated with 50+eggs, two day 3 embryos transferred Second cycle- frozen transfer with ICSI, hyperstimulated 50+ eggs, two day 3 transferred

16,000 for once cycle

I pushed for multiple and I’m glad I did even though the outcome was negative. She is really into only transferring one.

She was amazing. I highly suggest seeing her. Polite and professional. She always knew every answer to every question. I would see her again if we decide to do it again. I have already suggested to a friend to go to Bethesda.

Be prepared for anything. Relax she knows what she is doing. Give her all your trust

First was cleaning fallopian tubes. Then ultrasound to see uterine thickness. Started hormones. Did iui per her suggestion. After 3 failed she suggested ivf. Started hormones for that. Did egg retrieval, with a fresh transfer. After positive pregnancy test, did ultrasounds of baby every week until released to ob

I was lucky to have great insurance that helped pay. Otherwise they had payment plans

She gave me the option

Dr Robertshaw is a great listener, seeks to understand any/all symptoms to help discuss treatment options. She takes the time to answer all questions and is candid in her responses and opinions. She took the burden of stressing about infertility off of my shoulders, and I truly trusted that I was in good hands with her recommended treatment.

IUI and IVF procedures, embryo freezing, monitoring ultrasounds, doctor visits, blood work.

She did not want to transfer more than 2 embryos, which is what we ended up doing. If PGS had been used, she prefers to transfer only 1 to minimize risk but is open to patient input.

Dr. Robertshaw was recommended to me by another physician, a friend who I confided in explaining the horrible bedside manner of a fertility doctor from whom I initially sought treatment. My first meeting with Dr. Robertshaw was appropriately lengthy because I had a ton of questions. She explained my suggested treatment protocol at length and the reasons for her suggestions. My journey with Dr. Robertshaw lasted over two years because I paused my treatment a few times to psychologically deal with the arduous fertility process. In that time, Dr. Robertshaw treated me with emotionally intelligent empathy and followed-up or allowed me space appropriately. You can't teach this type of genuine care and empathy. It felt like a blessing and I certainly appreciated it immensely.

I would advise a prospective patient to feel free to ask questions, even the ones that seem stupid. I would also advise prospective patients to disclose their concerns and fears so that Dr. Robertshaw can do her best to address them. Embrace her kindness and stick with it! She knows what she's doing!

Initially, I was diagnosed by another fertility doctor with fallopian tube blockage via a very painful HSG. I wanted a second opinion so Dr. Robertshaw and I decided that rather than having me endure another excrutiating HSG, I should under go a laproscopy. Following the laproscopy we learned that one tube is partially blocked and one tube fully blocked. I was not ready to undergo IVF so we started a brief treatment of Clomid. When that was unsuccessful, I took a break from fertility treatments. A year later, I returned. Dr. Robertshaw was on maternity leave so I saw Dr. Kasey. We began the full IVF protocol starting with birth control, followed by ovary stimulating hormones, I produced only 3-4 eggs so we cancelled the cycle. When I returned for the next try, Dr. Robertshaw had returned from maternity leave so I went back to her for treatment. We started birth control followed by stimulating hormones however I produced too few eggs again so we cancelled the cycle. My understanding is that because I pressed to have this cycle result in a December retrieval, I wasn't given the full stronger protocol. Finally, we started a new cycle with the stronger stimulating hormones and I produced 12 eggs. These resulted in 7 embryos. The embryos had to be frozen because my progesterone levels were too high. We waited one menstrual cycle and I was prescribed progestorone regulating medications for about two weeks when finally my embryo transfer was scheduled. Two embryos were transferred, resulting in my current singleton pregnancy.

In total greater that $20K

Dr. Robertshaw strongly advised against transferring more than two embryos. We transferred two embryos.