Dr. Schultz has never talked to me about my partner or our goals as a lesbian couple...I would have liked if [she] asked me and my wife...what we would have preferred and made us feel apart of the decisions for our IVF Cycle. Instead, we were told what we will be doing and when...the only time I have talked to [her] is my initial and follow up consultations...she explained everything very well and I ended the call with very optimistic feelings
The clinic [at Chicago IVF] is great! Very organized and updated with their information and coordination...Coordination between sperm bank and the clinic was phenomenal...Dr. Schultz has never talked to me about my partner or our goals as a lesbian couple. Also, every time I go in the front desk staff or nurses just assume I have a husband...Nurses communicate very quickly and effectively...the only time I have talked to Dr. Schultz is my initial and follow up consultations
How was your experience with Natalie Schultz at Chicago IVF?
Natalie Schultz is an older woman who seems very knowledgeable. At my initial consultation she explained everything very well and I ended the call with very optimistic feelings. However, I would have liked if she asked me and my wife what our goals or expectations were during the consultation and maybe what we would have preferred and made us feel apart of the decisions for our IVF Cycle. Instead, we were told what we will be doing and when. We were somewhat okay with this since she is the doctor and we just assume she knows what’s best but it have been nice to ask for our input to see if it was doable.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Natalie Schultz at Chicago IVF?
Some advice I would give is to ask as many questions as you need to while you are in the room or on video with her because you probably won’t be able to talk to her directly or see her again until a procedure or next consultation.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Natalie Schultz at Chicago IVF?
In person at appointments all the staff are friendly and welcoming. However, the treatment as a whole has felt like I am just a number. For example my transfer has been pushed back an entire month because there’s too many patients and I don’t fit in the schedule. Also the only time I have talked to Dr. Schultz is my initial and follow up consultations.
Describe the protocols Natalie Schultz used in your cycles at Chicago IVF and their degree of success.
Overall all strategy was to move directly to IVF since my HSG was abnormal due to tubal blockage and I have never been pregnant in the 9 years of TTC on my own. IVF strategy was for an initially low protocol because of my age (29) and to avoid OHSS. After the first few days of stims levels were getting high so protocol changed to lower dosage. We ended up getting to retrieval after 8 days of stimming. 13 eggs retrieved, 11 mature, 10 fertilizer, ZERO blasts. Wasn’t given an explanation besides “they just filled out”. Will be beginning 2nd cycle soon.
How competent was Natalie Schultz at LGBTQ care?
Dr. Schultz has never talked to me about my partner or our goals as a lesbian couple. Also, every time I go in the front desk staff or nurses just assume I have a husband.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Chicago IVF. (Assigned nurse: Mary Rodriguez )
Amazing! Nurses communicate very quickly and effectively! I had a lot of concerns and questions and sent messages through the portal and always received a phone call shortly after to get my questions throughly answered.
Describe your experience with Chicago IVF.
The clinic is great! Very organized and updated with their information and coordination. However, at the orland office there was one time where I was told I had a balance and it was for a different patient. Not on the clinic but just that one coordinator but it was a bit embarrassing to be told I had an outstanding balance that was not true. Also I was going to pay the balance has I not looked at the invoice and saw procedures that I did not have.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Natalie Schultz at Chicago IVF.
Pre-testing, Downers grove and Orland Park offices are separate so the procedures done at downers grove I had to pay a $225 surgery fee each time (SHSG, HSG, egg retrieval, and transfer), medications.
Describe Natalie Schultz's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Chicago IVF.
Haven’t gotten to a transfer but my clinic definitely has policies on eSET.
How competent was Chicago IVF at LGBTQ care?
Definitely respectful but not so sure about knowledgeable.
Describe your experience using 3rd party reproduction (donor eggs, donor sperm, or gestational carrier) at Chicago IVF.
Coordination between sperm bank and the clinic was phenomenal, I didn’t have to do a thing.
8
Clinic
Chicago IVF
Orland Park