[Dr. Gavrilova-Jordan] She uses visuals (pictures, graphs, etc) to describe certain aspects of treatments and procedures...She was honest from the beginning about what steps I needed to take before trying to conceive (lost weight, work with my psychiatrist to change medicines to safer choices) but wasn’t unkind in conveying them...My wife and I were unsure what to expect seeking treatment as a same sex couple. Dr. Jordan was nothing but respectful and encouraging in our attempts to build a family.
The clinic [Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates] was clean, welcoming, and provided confidentiality. The staff was friendly, respectful, and professional. It was easy to find and the lab they used was directly behind their office, making it easy and convenient...No one answers the phones- it is set up to go to different voicemails depending on the reason for your call...Most messages that I left were not returned until the following day. Once, this almost resulted in me missing the start of my ovulation stimulation medicine.
How was your experience with Larisa Gavrilova-Jordan at Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates?
Dr. Jordan is a brilliant doctor and is able to convey her knowledge in a way that patients can understand. She uses visuals (pictures, graphs, etc) to describe certain aspects of treatments and procedures. She usually has medical students with her, and takes the time to explain to them what needs to happen to make sure I am comfortable before proceeding. She also explains to us each step of the process. My wife and I were unsure what to expect seeking treatment as a same sex couple. Dr. Jordan was nothing but respectful and encouraging in our attempts to build a family. She was honest from the beginning about what steps I needed to take before trying to conceive (lost weight, work with my psychiatrist to change medicines to safer choices) but wasn’t unkind in conveying them.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Larisa Gavrilova-Jordan at Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates?
Call way in advance- as their practice is very busy and it takes months to be seen.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Larisa Gavrilova-Jordan at Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates?
Dr. Jordan and her staff treated my wife and I like we were humans. They understand the sensitive nature of our treatments and expressed empathy at every step of the process. We never felt rushed during consults, appointments, or even during a follow-up phone call with the nurse. Dr. Jordan, her medical students, the nurse, and the staff made sure to explain what was happening, what to expect, and what future steps would be taken in a way that we could understand but wasn’t condescending.
Describe the protocols Larisa Gavrilova-Jordan used in your cycles at Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates and their degree of success.
For our first rounds of IUI, Dr. Jordan performed a transvaginal ultrasound to determine if I had any follicles. Then she performed a Saline Infused Sonogram (SIS) to ensure my tubes were open. On my next cycle, she prescribed Letrazole to stimulate ovulation, did transvaginal ultrasounds you monitor the size of my follicles, and after a positive home ovulation prediction kit, performed an IUI using donor sperm. This resulted in a positive pregnancy test and ultimately the birth of our first son. 2.5 years later we are in the process of giving him a sibling. During our first follow-up consult, she ordered an HSG (hysterosalpingogram) to examine my tubes and uterus (she wanted to ensure tubes were open and there was no obvious reason for our son being born premature (i.e. scar tissue, lingering infection). She and the radiologist did see a small image they were concerned about, so the following cycle she performed a saline infused sonogram to further investigate. She determined that it was probably a small amount of scar tissue but was not concerned enough to do surgery. She actually was able to flush it out using the saline. We then attempted the same course of treatment as our first time, using letrazole and donor sperm for IUI. On the first round I also did a trigger shot to stimulate ovulation since home my ovulation prediction kit never turned positive. We have repeated these steps (minus the trigger shot) for two additional rounds, resulting in three negative pregnancy tests. Our next steps were to either attempt a fourth IUI or discuss IVF. Unfortunately, our last IUI was performed the week before the American Society for Reproductive Medicine urged fertility treatments and procedures be put on hold. When her office opens back up, we will meet with Dr. Jordan to determine our next course of treatment.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates.
The nursing staff was professional and respectful. They communicated Dr. Jordan’s treatment plan for us in a way that was easy to understand. They were willing to answer any questions I had and were patient as I wrote down all the information they shared. One nurse did schedule me for the wrong procedure (SIS instead of HSG) but when I called to confirm my appointment and she realized her mistake, she adjusted Dr. Jordan’s schedule to accommodate my procedure so that I didn’t have to wait for my next cycle. My complaints are that when they would call to tell us the times for our IUI, each one instructed my husband to come to the lab to provide a sample. It wasn’t upsetting, but I did think they should have looked at my charts to know I’m married to a woman and would be using donor sperm.
Describe your experience with Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates.
The clinic was clean, welcoming, and provided confidentiality. The staff was friendly, respectful, and professional. It was easy to find and the lab they used was directly behind their office, making it easy and convenient. The clinic has an on-call nurse for weekends and holidays that was relatively easy to get in touch with.
My biggest, and really only, complaint is that it is really difficult to get in touch with anyone at the clinic, even during regular office hours. No one answers the phones- it is set up to go to different voicemails depending on the reason for your call (new client, to schedule a procedure, billing) and you have to leave a voicemail. As fertility treatments are time sensitive and emotionally charged, it was incredibly frustrating not being able to contact the office when questions around. Most messages that I left were not returned until the following day. Once, this almost resulted in me missing the start of my ovulation stimulation medicine. Had I not called the on-call weekend nurse after I hadn’t received a call back in over 24 hours, I wouldn’t have started the medicine in time and thus would have had to wait another cycle for our IUI.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Larisa Gavrilova-Jordan at Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates.
Insurance covered procedures related to diagnosing infertility (saline infused sonogram and HSG) but not anything else. As an estimate, each round of IUI (ultrasound, labs, sperm washing, IUI) cost roughly $1,000.
Describe Larisa Gavrilova-Jordan's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates.
No embryo transfer occurred for us, so I can not speak to this.
What specific things went wrong at Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates?
- Scheduled the wrong procedure
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Doctor
Larisa Gavrilova-Jordan
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Clinic
Augusta University Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates
Augusta