How was your experience with Millie Behera at Bloom Reproductive Institute?
Millie Behera is the kindest doctor I have ever known to this day. She exudes love and compassion every time we see her, and she is full of hugs. She has a way of sharing information, whether good or bad, that's comforting and supportive. The atmosphere in the building is mirrored after this attitude that she creates. It is apparent that she loves her work and she loves people and wants to do anything in her power to help build families.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Millie Behera at Bloom Reproductive Institute?
My one piece of advice for a future patient of Millie Behera's would be to not be afraid to be honest with her about the emotional challenges in this journey or to cry around her because she is the most loving human being and will support you through it all!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Millie Behera at Bloom Reproductive Institute?
When we first entered Dr. Behera's office, we had already been on a long road finding out my husband had a zero sperm count after cycles of me taking Clomid under a regular OBGYN. We were anxious about getting pregnant and praying simply for some hope that it was possible. Millie listened, validated the emotional struggle we had faced, provided support and answers, and gave us each the warmest hug at the end. We felt refreshed in our journey and ready to pursue our goals! She and her staff were there every step of the way to answer questions and provide emotional support and lots of hugs! We underwent more testing and eventually I underwent three rounds of IUI using a sperm donor, and became pregnant! This pregnancy ended in our daughter passing away after being born prematurely due to an undiagnosed blood clotting disorder I never knew I had. Dr. Behera was extremely supportive when we we told her about this diagnosis, and she encouraged us that there was another option if and when we were ready since I could not carry again - gestational surrogacy. Once we were emotionally ready to take our dreams on again, we met with Dr. Behera who again provided so much love and support in addition to answering our questions and allaying our fears. Dr. Behera and her team worked with us through every single step of gestational surrogacy - from the IVF process to evaluation of surrogates to locating attorneys to the birth. We found a gestational carrier on our own and chose to do everything with their surrogacy coordinator who went above and beyond for us. Each step in the surrogacy journey it's own hurdle to cross and Dr. Behera and her team were with us providing support, encouragement, and answers every step of the way. We now have a beautiful, healthy, almost 2-year-old daughter as a result of the dedication and love they provided to our family for so many years as we tried to build a family. We look forward to adding a sibling to our family by working with Dr. Behera and her team again.
Describe the protocols Millie Behera used in your cycles at Bloom Reproductive Institute and their degree of success.
By the time I came to Dr. Behera's office, we knew that my husband did not have sperm. Therefore, it was decided that the first line of treatment we would try would be IUI with a sperm donor. She explained sperm banks in detail and gave us information on how to decide who we might be comfortable choosing as a donor. She already had established relationships with several reputable sperm banks and was very comfortable relaying her knowledge in this area. During the 3 cycles of IUI, I remember taking Femara for days 3-7 of my cycle, an ovulation injection that was timed with my cycle, and progesterone daily following ovulation until my pregnancy tests. We tried this the first two times with the first donor and chose a different donor the third round, and I became pregnant that round. For the second pregnancy with Dr. Behera's office, I underwent IVF to retrieve eggs. I had to take creams, pills, and injectable medications throughout the cycle to get my body ready for the retrieval. I was able to retrieve several eggs, and after PGS, there were 6 healthy embryos! My gestational carrier had to take several medications, creams, pills and injectables throughout her cycle to get her body ready to support the embryo and to keep it growing until it could grow on it's own without the medication support. We were both given very specific calendars by Dr. Behera and her team to help us to know what to take on which days, and this was invaluable!
Describe your experience with your nurse at Bloom Reproductive Institute. (Assigned nurse: Tamara)
Tamara was present for all of our ultrasounds and nursing visits. She always asked how we were doing and how we were coping, acknowledged the challenge in the infertility journey, and provided hugs and emotional support and encouragement to us. We will never forget her role in either of our pregnancies!
Describe your experience with Bloom Reproductive Institute.
This clinic is the warmest environment to set foot in. From the front office staff, to the nursing team, to the phlebotomists, and to Dr. Behera, everyone is ready and willing to help you, sensitive to the needs of infertility patients, and honoring of what patients decide to do. The front office staff is friendly and always greets upon arrival. The phlebotomists and nursing staff always make conversation and provide support. And there is always an answer to every question. They are all positive, supportive, and loving, and seem to love what they do.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Millie Behera at Bloom Reproductive Institute.
The costs for both IUI and IVF were extremely reasonable compared to other clinics when we price-compared. Dr. Behera also offers a scholarship for one family once a quarter for patients in greatest need.
Describe Millie Behera's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Bloom Reproductive Institute.
Our doctor recommended transferring 1-2 embryos given the quality of the embryos and the use of the gestational carrier. We chose to transfer 2. 1 embryo survived, and for that reason, we are thrilled we did not have to undergo another cycle to try with the 2nd embryo! We also would have been happy with twins, had that happened.