How was your experience with Jason Parker at Utah Fertility Center?
Dr. Parker was very professional, direct, candid, and confident in his knowledge of fertility treatment. I only met with Dr. Parker once, for the initial consultation. My husband I were going into this appointment hoping for the recommendation of an IUI, as suggested by my primary care OBGYN who had done everything he could on his end. When meeting with Dr. Parker I was expecting a more drawn out evaluation of digging and diving into every single success and failure we had experienced the last 3 years with our infertility struggle. He did not waste any time. He sat us down, asked specific questions regarding past fertility consultation and medical treatment my husband and I had received, and then suggested an IUI. He then spent the majority of the visit explaining our prognosis as very bright and hopeful with the help of an IUI (that was my favorite part of the visit, and my turning point for Dr. Parker). He performed the ultrasound for me at that visit and explained in depth what was shown on the screen. He identified issues with my ovaries I hadn't been told in the past. He was very thorough and instilled confidence in me of his ability. He didn't focus on getting to know me or my husband or making the appointment very personable, which at first bothered me a little bit, but then I realized he a specialist who is dedicated in helping me achieve pregnancy, not long term care so then I felt okay with his mannerisms.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jason Parker at Utah Fertility Center?
His bedside manner may seem a little off at first but just know he cares about your goal in achieving a family and he will provide you with the information, support, and confidence you need in doing so. He is a wonderful specialist.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jason Parker at Utah Fertility Center?
With Dr. Parker at first I was taken back by his bed side manner. He was direct and to the point. He didn't waste time, and he even cut me off a time or two as I started explaining symptoms I thought were relevant for him to know. I say it took me back, because I had just come from seeing a doctor who was very personable and would listen to all of my concerns. With this being said, I was expecting that from Dr. Parker so at first I felt like I was being treated like a number. But as Dr. Parker took action quick, determined what I needed, made me feel validated by offering an IUI, and was very thorough at explaining the procedure and the outcomes I realized he wasn't treating me as a number but expressing his confidence in modern medicine and in my prognosis. He gave me a lot of hope which made me feel more human than I had felt in a long with my infertility process.
Describe the protocols Jason Parker used in your cycles at Utah Fertility Center and their degree of success.
At my first appointment, Dr. Parker performed a standard vaginal ultrasound to rule out any major issues he could see from the ultrasound. I was then given a lab slip of several blood tests to be performed (estrogen levels, etc..). When that came back clear my IUI appointments were scheduled. I received a baseline ultrasound monitoring the thickness of the lining of my uterus on the 4th day of my cycle. I was then given a RX for Femara to take for 5 days. During that time I also received a saline water ultrasound to ensure there was anything wrong with the lining of my uterus to make sure implantation was possible. After the Femara, I received a follicle ultrasound. Once it was determined I had a mature follicle, I administered a trigger shot to myself that night and received the IUI two days later.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Utah Fertility Center. (Assigned nurse: Michelle McFarland, PA )
I received the majority of my care from the PA, Michelle McFarlane and the nurse on staff, Tammy. Their bedside manner was wonderful! I was especially grateful for the care I received from Tammy. She was always the one to greet me when I would arrive, explain the procedure of the day to me, and would ask me questions about myself. Michelle was also very nice, and great at explaining each step to me. I'm pretty sure she could see my "deer in the headlight" look every time and she would be sure to explain things in a way I could understand them. After my first IUI didn't work, we started to begin another round, but ran into issues with a cyst and my estrogen levels being too high. I was extremely disappointed when she called me that night telling me rather than picking up my Femara RX I would need to go pick up a birth control RX to try to calm my ovaries down. I was super sad and extremely emotional (but to be fair, my estrogen levels were two times what they were supposed to be ;) ). There was a conflict with my birth control rx at the pharmacy and it was 7:00 pm at night. I was supposed to start it that night and they were having difficulty locating the rx she had called over for me. She was so kind to respond to my calls even so late in the evening, and even texted me back and forth until she made sure I had my prescription. I was very impressed with her kindness during a time I was very emotional and upset.
Describe your experience with Utah Fertility Center.
At Utah Fertility Center they know their stuff. I spent several hours before deciding to go to them on their website reading reviews, and watching their informational videos on common questions regarding infertility. Honestly it was these videos that put me at ease in taking my step to reaching out to them and scheduling an appointment. They seem to be very organized with the resources they give to patients, calendars, and the patient portal that is available for patients to access at home. The main frustration we've experienced is the disconnect from their main clinic in Pleasant Grove. We are at the small clinic in St. George that is a good 4 hours away. This is one reason I really only saw Dr. Parker that one time. I feel my husband and I didn't receive the information regarding financial resources and payment options we would have received if were at their main clinic. The only thing I was told, was to call a number to pay my bill. I understood the disconnect, as they are striving to expand more and that takes time. I think they do the best with what they have, and I'm glad they have services in St. George, even if their not as developed as their Pleasant Grove office quite yet. One thing I did find strange though was after I went to a lab to get my HCG blood test at a lab following my IUI, some random girl from the main office in Pleasant Grove was the one to deliver my news over the phone of a negative pregnancy test. She tried to be sympathetic but it felt awkward as I had never talked to this person or interacted with their staff there, besides to pay my bills over the phone. I think it would have been better if one of the staff members from the St. George office, who I had been associating with, had called me with the news, but all in all it really wasn't a big deal. :)
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jason Parker at Utah Fertility Center.
The total cost that was not billable to my insurance was $895 for the cost of my IUI and $230 for my initial evaluation with Dr. Parker. The trigger shot and progesterone suppositories were also not covered by my insurance and was about $200. Besides that I received lab tests and the water ultrasound, billable to my insurance, but is still estimating to be close to $800. The Femara was only $5 dollars, as it was covered under my insurance, so that was nice.
What specific things went wrong at Utah Fertility Center?