How was your experience with Michael Mersol-Barg at Michigan Reproductive Medicine?
Dr. Mersol-Barg was extremely compassionate and, as a patient, I really felt like he wanted the best for me. I was a single person and felt absolutely no judgement from him. The only thing I questioned was when it was time to transfer an embryo, I was told there was only one surviving embryo, and I wondered what had happened to the others since I was told they had been growing ok at the previous discussion. So, I would have liked a little better explanation of their growth arrest.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Mersol-Barg at Michigan Reproductive Medicine?
His services are a bit expensive and aren't given as a lump sum, so it's hard to gauge the total cost at onset of treatment. While he is a wonderful doctor and I got pregnant with my first IVF attempt, there are definitely clinics that are more affordable.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Mersol-Barg at Michigan Reproductive Medicine?
The clinic staff were very supportive and understanding. They made sure to answer my questions. I always received a call back from the nurse in a timely manner. They were all very excited when I became pregnant.
Describe the protocols Michael Mersol-Barg used in your cycles at Michigan Reproductive Medicine and their degree of success.
The doctor performed a test to check the patency and structure of my Fallopian tubes and uterus. He performed a procedure where he "scratched" the surface of my uterus prior to embryo transfer in order to facilitate implantation. I was also prescribed oral estrogen and vaginal progesterone. The medications were not covered by insurance and were very costly, but the office was able to obtain some samples for me as well as a manufacturers coupon, which helped with cost.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Michigan Reproductive Medicine. (Assigned nurse: Pam)
The staff was great. The only issues I had with the clinic were 1. I would have preferred a total cost of services at the beginning of treatment. Instead, they gave me a bunch of individual costs for services which made it difficult to figure out what the bottom line would be. 2. I had to pay up front before being able to view egg donors and was concerned I would spend the money and not find one that I liked. Fortunately, I did. I did mention that it would be a nice option to be able to have a picture to keep of the egg donor (this isn't an option), so that my child would have this. I also told the nurse that many clinics now offer the option for donors and donor children to share information once they are 18 years old. I think this is important for donor children and purposely chose a sperm donor with this option. However, this is not an option with the egg bank that Dr. Mersol-Barg uses. I was told the donors do this out of the "goodness of their heart" when I mentioned this, which I believe most do. However, I don't see how that makes any difference in what I had asked for. Children of donors will inevitably have questions about their biological roots, and I believe they should be given the option to know the donors once they reach adulthood, if both parties agree.
Describe your experience with Michigan Reproductive Medicine.
It's conveniently located, private, and the appointments are very timely.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Mersol-Barg at Michigan Reproductive Medicine.
I think it was around $25,000 when it was all said and done, but the costs were assessed as I went and it made it difficult to know total cost.
Describe Michael Mersol-Barg's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Michigan Reproductive Medicine.
I think Dr. Mersin-Barg is willing to individualize treatments based on patient's needs. I was a single woman with limited income and was concerned about having multiples. Thus, he recommended only transferring one embryo. I decided on my own (the doctor offered it as an option) to do chromosomal testing of the embryos prior to transfer, which I believe improved my chances of successful healthy pregnancy because one of the two embryos tested had a chromosomal abnormality that isn't compatible with life. Had I not done the testing and they opted to transfer the other embryo, I would have either not become pregnant or would have miscarried.