Kathleen Brennan

Dr. Brennan is clearly up to date on the latest scientific advancements in the fertility field. She is also very easy to talk to and never made me feel like I asked any "dumb" questions. I am someone who likes to fully understand all the details of my treatment, and she always took the time, whether in person or via email, to answer all of my questions thoroughly and completely. I always felt well taken care of and like we were doing everything possible to give us the best shot at success. We saw Dr. Brennan at every weekday visit, and did see the other doctors in the practice when we had weekend appointments for monitoring. I can honestly say I fully trusted all of the other doctors as well. Great communication amongst all providers (doctors, residents/fellows, and nurses) in regards to our treatment plan. Even when we saw another doctor on weekends, Dr. Brennan was always contacted to make decisions about any adjustments to our treatment. I felt like everyone was on the same page at all times, which was comforting.

Smart, thorough, and easy to talk to. She is very direct and to the point, which we appreciated. Makes you feel like you are being well taken care of and taking every possible approach to achieve success.

We tried two IUI's at first, which resulted in negative pregnancy tests. We could've opted to do a third IUI, but instead chose to dive right into IVF. Our protocol consisted of Menopur, Follistim, growth hormone (for egg quality), and dexamethasone. After two cycles/egg retrievals, we ended up with 5 frozen embryos, 2 of which were PGS tested as normal. This was right in line with what Dr. Brennan predicted based on my age at the time of retrieval (37/38). Dr. Brennan performed both of our egg retrievals, and also our (single) frozen embryo transfer (which was a success on the first try!).

Initial workup (including HSG) and all fertility-related lab monitoring (bloodwork) was covered by insurance. We paid out of pocket for both IUI's, for all ultrasound monitoring (they offer "packages" to pay upfront for this when you start a new IVF cycle so you're not paying at every visit), all medications ($$$), and for all lab fees related to egg retrieval and embryo transfer. They use an outside lab (not part of UCLA) for egg retrieval/storage and embryo transfer, which was state of the art and which we were very pleased with. Once we got pregnant, all ultrasounds were covered by insurance.

Based on my age and the fact that our embryos had been PGS-tested, Dr. Brennan pretty strictly recommended that we transfer only a single embryo at a time, which we felt was appropriate based on our own research as well.

I initially sought Dr. Brennan because I had experienced a miscarriage in late 2015 and had not conceived again since. I wanted to be sure the pregnancy wasn't a rare occurrence and could happen again. She ordered all the necessary tests and told me I shouldn't have a problem getting pregnant (or maintaining a pregnancy). However, it had been over a year since my pregnancy and she wanted to move forward. We decided to perform our first natural cycle IUI and conceived on the first try. Dr. Brennan monitored the pregnancy and performed an ultrasound each appointment. Unfortunately, that pregnancy ended in miscarriage as well. But, Dr. Brennan continued to encourage treatment to get pregnant again. I did two more IUI's (with clomid) afterwards, but did not conceive. I conceived my last pregnancy naturally (no IUI), and Dr. Brennan monitored the pregnancy and performed an ultrasound each appointment again. She monitored me until my 12 week appointment, where I chose to continue the pregnancy with a regular. Unfortunately, the fetus was later diagnosed (via CVS) with Turner's Syndrome and I miscarried that pregnancy as well. I recently spoke with Dr. Brennan again and we now both agree that IVF treatment is my best option (with PGS testing). Treatment will begin in 2019 (G-d willing). I am very happy with Dr. Brennan and her care.

At first, it may feel like you are just another patient. However, Dr. Brennan will take care of you. She will mourn with you if you experience a loss, but as a Doctor she is ready to move on faster than you are. She genuinely wants her patients to be happy - which means getting her patients pregnant with a healthy child, as quickly as humanely possible. She will explain things to you - but if you are not clear, ask. She is happy to explain - but needs to know you be clear.

When we decided to perform our first natural cycle IUI, I was told to take ovulation tests to be accurate regarding my ovulation day. Once I had a positive ovulation test result, I would notify Dr. Brennan's office and schedule the appointment for insemination. My husband would go first in the morning and provide his sperm sample. 90 Minutes later, once the sperm is washed, I would go in for the IUI. After the procedure, she told me to continue laying down for another 10-20 minutes before I got up. Also, advised me that chances of conception increased if my husband and I engaged in intercourse that night and following night. Dr. Brennan monitored the pregnancy and performed an ultrasound each appointment. Unfortunately, that pregnancy ended in miscarriage. But, Dr. Brennan continued to encourage treatment to get pregnant again. She wanted to have me conceive again, but this time with clomid so that ovulation timing was more precise (due to the trigger shot). The first Clomid cycle I think was with 50 mg (a low dose?), since she did not want to risk me conceiving multiples (she believed a singleton pregnancy was best, as twins are a higher risk pregnant. However, if I did happen to conceive twins she would take the opportunity to observe if once develops normally and one does not). I took the 5 tablets of Clomid (1 each day for 5 days, I believe) and then performed the trigger shot on myself, the day before the IUI procedure. The day of the procedure was the same as above (natural cycle IUI). After the procedure, she told me to continue laying down for another 10-20 minutes before I got up. Also, advised me that chances of conception increased if my husband and I engaged in intercourse that night and following night. I did not conceive. The second IUI cycle was with 75 mg of Clomid. Dr. Brennan still believed that I was at low risk for conceiving multiples - but was also not completely averse to it either. The higher dosage of Clomid was to increase the size of the follicles before the trigger shot was administered. The remaining steps were identical to the first Clomid IUI cycle. I did not conceive. I conceived my last pregnancy naturally (no IUI) - 4-5 months after my last IUI cycle with Clomid. Dr. Brennan monitored the pregnancy (confirmed it via blood test first) and performed an ultrasound each appointment again. She monitored me until my 12 week appointment, where I chose to continue the pregnancy with a regular OBGYN. Unfortunately, the fetus was later diagnosed (via CVS) with Turner's Syndrome and I miscarried that pregnancy as well (natural miscarriage). I spoke with Dr. Brennan about two weeks ago and we now both agree that IVF treatment is my best option (with PGS testing). She and I cannot figure out why my last 3 pregnancies have all ended in miscarriage. We both agree that by doing IVF we can then test all embryo's produced before implantation - therefore significantly reducing the chances of miscarriage. Have not started treatment as of yet due to lack of funding - but there is a plan in place.

All 3 IUI's were paid out of pocket - my health insurance didn't cover the costs. The IUI procedure was discounted since we paid the entire amount up front, but was only done for the first IUI. The first IUI cycle cost me about $300 in total - since it was only the procedure, and no medications were required. The IUI cycles I did with Clomid (2) cost about $500 - $600 each with medications. All prenatal care was covered by my health insurance and only required a co-pay. IVF is also not covered by my health insurance and I will have to pay completely out of pocket. The IVF in it's entirety (for 1 egg retrieval cycle) and including PGS testing will cost an estimated $25,000.

Dr. Brennan and I agreed that eSET is the best option. She believes that multiples in a pregnancy pose a higher risk. For my particular case, only one embryo will be transferred at a time per cycle. Considering that during egg retrieval - it is estimated they will retrieve enough eggs after one retrieval. After the eggs are fertilized and tested via PGS, we expect to have a comfortable number of embryo's to transfer.

I feel very supported throughout this process by Dr. Brennan. I feel like she is knowledgeable and smart about her approaches and also very encouraging. I feel well looked-after and I also feel like she comes to me as a patient from a clinical perspective, which is what I do not have at all, and that's exactly what I need with problem-solving in TTC. I love that she has a board up of all her families and babies!! She also has a very youthful spirit, and positive energy.

Try to be the very best patient you can be.

This is something I can't quite comment on yet because we are still in the middle of things, but at the moment we will be using injectibles.

Right now I'm looking at around 15k just for the egg retrieval. Will be more for the actual IVF but hoping insurance will help cover that part of it somewhat.

I am considered AMA, so I think eventually I will be encouraged to do multiple embryo transfer. I am ok with this as it increases chances of birth, and any multiple I would receive with joy :)

Dr. Brennan was amazing. I loved that she was somewhat blunt but still explained everything and was compassionate. She told us how it was so then we were always prepared. She was always thourough in her testing and made sure we understood. I had a million questions and she always listened and answered them which was amazing.

If you want someone who will sugar coat everything she’s not the one for you. She tells you how it is and what the plan should be it he doesn’t do it in a mean way. She is just very efficient and knows her job.

When we first met with Dr. B she thought we’d be able to get pregnant via IUI as all my tests were good but my husbands sleep wasn’t great. Unfortunately my husbands sperm never seemed to get better and his numbers were never super great. All of our IUIs resulted in negative pregnancy. We did 2 natural cycles of IUI then 3 medicated with clomid. After the 5th failed IUI we asked to move on to IVF and she was completely for it. She wanted us to try IUI first because originally my husbands sperm was okay. I totally understood her rationale.

Monitoring appointments were a little tedious because we live in the valley so traffic is crazy in the morning but I was happy to do them especially for the reason we needed to do them.

The costs were expensive we spent well over $20,000.

At first we wanted to put in 2 embryos for a greater chance but dr. Brennan explained all the risks that multiples can bring and I am fairly petite so we decided to go with her recommendation of just 1 embryo at a time.

Dr. Brennan was always kind and had a wonderful bedside manner. She was compassionate towards me and my husband, I am a cancer survivor. Dr. Brennan made sure to have a full understanding of my health history. She looked over my “bible” of health history, before even seeing me a second time in her office. She would even bring in a seasoned physician if she wanted a further opinion. I never had doubt, or felt uncomfortable. Dr.Brennan is truly passionate of seeing her patients dreams come true.

Dr. Brennan put me quickly through a ringer of blood tests and ultra sounds. She even had me see a high risk OB/GYN before we started treatment to make sure I was able to safely deliver. She went above and beyond for me, making sure I was totally comfortable every step of the way.

I unfortunately cannot remember the injection protocol. I know that with what she had me on and with my cancer history, that involved radiation therapy next to one of my ovaries, I was able to have plenty of egg follicles when my cycle was done. It was amazing!

I am trying to remember, my health insurance paid for a certain portion. I remember paying around $8k for a cycle, and that would be freezing at retrieval.

I remember this conversation with Dr.Brennan. She was very compassionate on what my husband and I were hoping for. She went over the risks and benefits on how many to transfer. She explained it all into detail with us, and helped us make the right decision.

Dr. Brennan did exactly what was outlined when we first met, went over things in technical detail, and answered my many questions. It did feel like we were quick to jump to injections and manipulating things chemically, but I am not sure what other choices really exist if you are doctor following standard practice.

Ask about things other than use of pills, injections, etc you can be doing to increase the chances of conceiving.

A few months of pills to increase and control egg production, then movement to pills and injectables for IUIs. Also did a dye-test to check fallopian tubes, and a sperm test on husband. No problems were ever found with either of us. Rational on strategies was just the standard way to control cycles and increase the chances of fertilization when you don't know why you aren't getting pregnant.

I think we got up to $6-8K, before we stopped and decided to see (again) what would happen naturally. We knew the next step of AI would be $10-$15Kish.

Dr. Brennan is very knowledgeable about fertility treatments. She will tell you exactly what is happening throughout the process. Dr. Brennan is also honest about the process of fertility treatments, she does not try to sell you on what is not necessary.

One piece of advice I would provide is to listen to what she has to recommend.

Since we were diagnosed with male factor infertility, Dr. Brennan recommended us to a urologist to get low sperm count treated. Then that was combined with IUI cycle treatments. Since the sperm count was too low in each IUI cycle, the results were unsuccessful. The rationale with using IUI was to do the non-invasive treatment first.

I had to pay for one one the ultrasound costs since the department referral did not go in on time.

Kind and thorough Ordered tests when I requested them Answered all my questions patiently Responds to questions over email via UCLA within 1 day Supervised her residents and took over if they needed help

Sometimes there’s a short wait

Spent 18 months getting diagnosed with PCOS, starting metformin and getting ovulation to work. Then got pregnant naturally first try. She sees me every week from 5-8 weeks.

If you are young and your infertility is just an easy or typical one, yes. She is a great doctor and nice person, but if you are an older woman who have hard time to conceive, no, I would not recommend, because her skills was so so and able to make better decisions for her patient was lacking of. When there were 6 or 7 IUI involved, she should have stopped treatment and asked us to look around for IVFs and compare prices on our own, because IUI does not work for most older patients, and it was money wasted and time wasted. IUI also only result one pregnancy if you do successful, if you are older than 40 you do not have time for a second round of fertility treatment. Dr. Brennan should not ask me what to do next and whether I wanted to continue IUIs, because I was not a doctor or even know anything about fertility. If you failed 3 IUIs, move on to go for IVFs. There are many private clinic cost you less than $10,000 compare to UCLA wanted to charge you at least $22,000.

If you failed 3 -6 tries, move on, find a different fertility doctor and clinic. The private clinic is much cheaper and they are not a training institution for interns, but you will not stressed out financially as much. You do not need 10 IUIs to prove that you need to move on. 3 is enough.

Colimd 100mg/day for 5 days and Folistem 300iu/day

For the IUIs with my insurance was $1000 for medications, and when my insurance stopped paying after IUIs it was $2000 a cycle