How was your experience with Lori Arnold at California Center for Reproductive Medicine?
The woman is a miracle maker in my opinion. She has a ton of experience and knows what she is doing. She also is very upfront and will not give you any false expectations. She takes on hard cases and is a very hands on physician, which I absolutely love. She has high expectations of her staff and they are all great. Her office is a well oiled machine. Most encouraging of all, she gives you hope.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Lori Arnold at California Center for Reproductive Medicine?
If there is any chance in this world you can get pregnant with your own eggs, she will make it happen. She is willing to go to extremes to help you have a baby.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Lori Arnold at California Center for Reproductive Medicine?
Dr. Arnolds office is the type of place where when you walk in for your appt. The staff look up and say, "Oh hello (your name here)." You are not a patient to them, you are family. They know your family members, where you work, your history, etc. They are so quick to respond to any questions you have and whenever I call anyone in the office all I have to say is, "This is (my name)" and they automatically know who you are.
Describe the protocols Lori Arnold used in your cycles at California Center for Reproductive Medicine and their degree of success.
I did two egg collections with Dr. Arnold. The first one, unfortunately all of our four embryos were genetically abnormal and could not possibly be transferred. Of course my husband and I were devastated, but Dr. Arnold really encouraged us to do it one more time. She pointed out several facts about my hormone levels and the number of eggs I had and she said I had a very good chance to be successful the second time around. We ended up getting 1 normal embryo and 1 mosaic. I was given the injections and took them for ten days. During that time I had my labs drawn and ultrasounds done. About halfway through taking the medication Dr. Arnold would review the ultrasounds and my lab levels and make adjustments to my medications if necessary. First time halfway through she cut the dose in half. Second time she kept the same dose.
Describe your experience with your nurse at California Center for Reproductive Medicine. (Assigned nurse: Amy Molinari)
She is not only and IVF Coordinator, but she became a good friend. Any questions I had (and I had a lot) she would answer quickly. I never was out of the loop regarding what was expected of me. When our first round of embryos were all abnormal, Amy called to offer her condolences and check up on me to make sure I was okay.
Describe your experience with California Center for Reproductive Medicine.
It's a small, tight knit group. They know each other and their patients well. When you walk in for your appt. they know you by name. The right hand is definitely talking with the left hand. Everyone in the office is so responsive and helps you with whatever you need.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Lori Arnold at California Center for Reproductive Medicine.
Egg collection $10,000 both times, Genetic testing $6000 1st time, $2000 2nd time, Medications $5000 1st time, $3000 2nd time.
Describe Lori Arnold's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at California Center for Reproductive Medicine.
We never talked about it, but I think she will do whatever she feels best for the patient.
What specific things went wrong at California Center for Reproductive Medicine?
- Failed to order appropriate test
Describe the specific things that went wrong at California Center for Reproductive Medicine.
Just once the IVF coordinator forgot to put the order in for labs. I called her later that day and she had it fixed within minutes. That only happened once.