Mercedes Gondra

Dr. Gondra has not only Been my gynecologist as I suffer from endometriosis, but she was my surgeon to remove my endometriosis and my IVF doctor. I felt and feel comforted knowing she has been through every step. She takes a genuine interest and concern in your well being and your goal to become a family. I can’t tell you how many times I cried happy or sad tears, but each time she comforted me and gave me the encouragement and strength to keep fighting. She calls you to talk and explain things and makes sure to sympathize with you as well. I’m grateful for all of that during this infertility struggle.

She has an accent so I have learned to understand her better. I also talk fast, so I’m sure she had to learn to understand me.

Our first cycle, I did not respond too well so we expected to not get embryos, but we got two eggs and two embryos, one fresh transfer of which became a baby girl I would carry for 7 weeks before a miscarriage. The baby was genetically tested after my miscarriage, as we have not done genetic testing on any of our embryos. Once it came back that the baby was genetically fine, Dr. Gondra wanted to run tests on me. We then transferred our second embryo from that round and that was a negative. This followed by another round of IVF with additional medications to include a growth hormone that helped produce more eggs and embryos. We did a fresh transfer again - negative, followed by two frozen transfer; both negative. Unfortunately, we moved right after our last transfer so I have two embryos at Dr. Gondras.

The cost at Dr. Gondra is reasonable. She is currently running a holiday special for those who want to start a family, but the costs for fertility can be so astronomical, that they are out of reach.

We decided on our 4th transfer to put in 2 embryos, but both did not take.

Dr. Gondra is direct but kind in her approach. Her attitude is positive even in the face of adversity and she seems to genuinely care about her patients beyond their affect on her success rate. She worked to ensure my treatment was the best for me and never pushed us into any tests or treatment we were uncomfortable with.

Dr. Gondra has a thick accent that some people may not easily understand (I had no issues, but my MIL couldn’t understand her). She is direct in her presentation of facts.

Our goal was as many mature eggs as possible while offsetting risk of OHSS (due to PCOS). I was put on birth control for 2 months to completely “quiet” my ovaries. Then I started on 150 units of menopur and 150 units of Follistim for 8 days. Then Menopur was cut to 75 units and while Follistim remained at 150 units for another 2 days (total of 10 days of stims). I took ganirelix to prevent ovulation for 4 days, and my trigger shot was Lupron (to avoid ohss). I had 60+ follicles, 44 eggs, 22 mature, 16 fertilized, 13 blastocysts.

Total Care with Maria Gondra was roughly 20,000 (including PESA sperm retrieval, IVF all freeze, FET, and all medications)

Considering we had success with one embryn on our first transfer, I’m very glad we only transferred one. I did not want twins, and the risks that come with a multiple pregnancy- and we are pregnant with one healthy little boy.

Although my journey with Dr. Gondra is just starting, I feel like she already is my biggest advocate. She truly is there to help me get the baby my husband and I have always wanted. She is very caring, a great listener, compassionate about what she does, and very understanding because she went through what her patients have gone through. She's personable and a very down-to-earth person. I feel in very good hands with her. I see her every time I come into her office. I can call anytime and she's always there to answer my questions or concerns.

I would tell a prospective patient to just go in ready to learn and listen and also to just relax. You will be in great hands. Make sure you voice your concerns and don't be afraid. She will listen to you. I promise.

My diagnosis is new, but I do have endometriosis and Dr. Gondra's first step in treatment was to give me a choice to start IUI right away or go for a surgery to increase my chances. I did my research and endometriosis can be very aggressive, so I picked surgery. Endometriosis runs in my family, so I want to be prepared that I will need IVF right after surgery. It makes me sad that I might not be able to afford IVF like some of my family members After my surgery in a week, i'll know more of what my options are.

Everything so far has been covered by my insurance. She accepts most insurance in coverage is available under your policy. And they work with you on payments for out of pocket expenses. Very accommodating when it comes to finances.

I trust Dr. Gondra and have referred other people to her (don't know their outcomes). She really seems to care and her approach is candid but compassionate. She speaks quickly and has an accent and it might a little challenging for someone who is new to the infertility process to follow. Fortunately, all of the notes are available in an online portal for review.

Take notes during your visit and review them with her before you leave.

I had unexplained infertility but was over 35. Used Femara for IUI cycles to avoid any further thinning of endometrial lining that Clomid may cause. Next step scheduled to be IVF. The plan is for a mock cycle with ERA testing and frozen embryo transfer once a sufficient lining is obtained.

My insurance covered infertility testing but not treatment. So my lab testing, baseline ultrasound, HSG, and husband's semen analysis were nominal. My IUI's were roughly $800-900 out of pocket and the Femara was around $20.

She is very knowledgeable and in my opinion the best option for treatment if you have endometriosis is Phoenix. She gives everyone individualized care and I truly feels she is invested in your success. Even after I had my she continued to check on our well being. I still see her for endometriosis related issues since she sees people for advanced gyno issues too.

If you need surgery for endometriosis she is your best bet. She focuses on fertility preserving surgery. She removed a 10cm cyst from my ovary. Most docs couldn't do this.

First was surgery to removes stage 4 endometriosis and 10 cm cyst from my ovary. IVF #1 antagonist protocol with no bcp lead in b/c I'm a clot risk and used lovenox. 300 follistim, 150 menopur. 4 of 8 mature, 3 fertilized, 2 day 3 ET of grade A. Chemical pregnancy. Surgery to remove 3 cm from good ovary before ivf #2 IVF #2 reduced menopur to 75iu and increased follistim to 375 and lead in with bcp/lovenox to help me not have lead follicles like ivf #1. This cycle was bad. 10 eggs but only 1 mature. Transfer grade c embryo on day 3. bfn. IVF # lead in w/ bcp/lovenox. Stimmed with 375 iu menopur, .25 hgh and 125 follistim. 8 eggs, 7 mature, 6 fertilized and two made it to day 5. ETed 2 early grade B blast and had a live birth in April 2016. Took a while but we found the protocol that worked for me. Lots and lots of menopur!

10000 for ivf 1000 for iui

Based on my situation 2 was recommended.

She was very honest. She was clear in her treatment and confident. She was very blunt which I like but may be off putting to some. She was pretty involved in the cycles. She was not at every appointment. She did not do all my procedures due to insurance issues. Dr. Troche filled in on the retrieval and transfer. She is no longer at the practice.

Be prepared for her bluntness. She was very compassionate though.

Pre-cycle was 5 weeks of birth control.I was on ganirelix (to prevent ovulation), menopur and follistim. I had low amh so I was on very high doses of follistim and menopur. I was also on baby aspirin, steroids, antibiotics, and a drug to lower my prolactin levels. I was on progesterone suppositories because I had a needle fear and didn't want to do progesterone in oil.

Cycle was around 11k, meds were 4.5k. All ultrasounds were included, retrieval and transfer included, ISCI included. Meds were just the fertility meds. All the steroids, baby aspirin, vitamins, and such were separate at any old pharmacy. Blood work was extra (sent to an outside lab).

We did multiple embryos due to the fact that we did not have many embryos and they might not have made it to freeze.

I was very hopeful about my chances of having a baby after seeing Dr. Gondra. Unfortunately I had two failed IUI. I decided to pursue more natural alternatives before trying more fertility treatments.

If you are ready to pursue medical fertility treatments Dr. Gondra is great. If you want someone to help you get healthy for fertility you should probably start with someone else.

Her prices seemed fair to the area