I appreciated that when things went wrong [Dr. Gueye] addressed what DID work and what changes we were going to make and why...She always took the time to answer every one of my questions -and I have a LOT - and made it clear I could talk to her at any time. When I was anxious about not seeing her for monitoring appointments, she met with me even though it meant rearranging her schedule
I can message [my RMA of Penn nurse] with any small concern or question and she always takes the time to give a thorough reply...Monitoring hours were well-run but - like any clinic- pretty unpredictable depending on the day. Sometimes you'd be seen immediately. Other days you could wait 30-60 minutes to be seen...The only drawback is that they do not perform egg retrievals or tranfers on site. For that, you'll have to travel to the mothership, RMA-Basking Ridge
How was your experience with Ndeye-Aicha Gueye at RMA of Pennsylvania?
To know Dr. Gueye is to like her instantly. Her smile and humor puts you at ease and her patience and tenacity in the face of failure after failure (which it's been for me) is a comfort. I always felt like she had my best interest at heart, and I appreciated that when things went wrong she addressed what DID work and what changes we were going to make and why.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ndeye-Aicha Gueye at RMA of Pennsylvania?
Don't be afraid to ask LOTS of questions. You are your own best advocate and so it's OK to come to the table with ideas and questions. Some doctors are dismissive but Dr. Gueye is very understanding and quick to explain everything in detail. She has her opinions but will also emphasize that it's YOUR body and your decision.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ndeye-Aicha Gueye at RMA of Pennsylvania?
From the minute I met Dr. Gueye I loved her. She always took the time to answer every one of my questions -and I have a LOT - and made it clear I could talk to her at any time. When I was anxious about not seeing her for monitoring appointments, she met with me even though it meant rearranging her schedule. She has felt like a truly invested partner in my journey to motherhood. We have yet to find success, but instead of writing me off, I know she's doing everything she can to get me there. And it's not just Dr. Gueye but her entire team. My nurse feels like she's become my best friend through this and I am SO grateful to the entire clinic for the patience, support and endless cheerleading.
Describe the protocols Ndeye-Aicha Gueye used in your cycles at RMA of Pennsylvania and their degree of success.
After three failed IUIs and some Clomid cycles we moved onto IVF. All my labs and tests (saline sonogram and HSG) were totally normal so I was 'unexplained.' The only thing she put me on right away was a thyroid med, as it was a little elevated, which put me at a risk for miscarriage. We started with an antagonist protocol, which she said usually worked best for most. My ovaries were slow to bloom and a few days in Dr. G upped my gonal from 300 to 450. In the end, we only got 8 eggs. 4 were able to be ICSI-ed. 3 fertilized. We got 2 blasts. With PGT we learned we had 1 normal embryo. Our FET failed, so we got ready for a second retrieval. Given my poor response to my first protocol, Dr. Gueye wanted to try a microflare lupron protocol next. She said she believed the antagonist suppressed ovulation and follicle development a little TOO much. The microdose of lupron would be gentler for my eggs, which she said she now suspected had a quality issue. She also started me at 450 gonal right away, recommended acupuncture and upped my dose of CoQ10. This time, we got 20 eggs, 15 were able to be ICSI-ed and 7 fertilized. 4 made it to blast. After testing, we (again) had 1 normal embryo. We added a few extra meds for this next transfer. Baby aspirin, a steroid to limit any inflammation, etc. This FET also failed. Third retrieval was the same protocol as the second, since numbers-wise it was successful. 16 were retrieved. 10 were ICSI-ed. 6 fertilized. 3 made it to blast. 2 were abnormal and 1 is mosaic. We're still deciding what comes next.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Pennsylvania. (Assigned nurse: BJ)
There are not enough words in the world to describe how amazing this clinic's entire team is, but especially my nurse BJ. She is an actual angel and feel like I've found a true friend and advocate. Having spoken to other women in other clinics, I am SO grateful that I can message BJ with any small concern or question and she always takes the time to give a thorough reply. But more than that, I feel like BJ and the team are truly invested in the outcome of my journey. they laugh with me, they cry with me. I would be lost without them.
Describe your experience with RMA of Pennsylvania.
I love this clinic! Dr. Gueye and her entire team are amazing. The only drawback is that they do not perform egg retrievals or tranfers on site. For that, you'll have to travel to the mothership, RMA-Basking Ridge. For me, it's only an hour and not a hardship, but it is worth noting for new patients. I was not immediately aware when I started. Daily monitoring hours are 7 a.m.-8:30 a.m., which makes it convenient for those (like me) who work full time.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Pennsylvania.
Monitoring hours were well-run but - like any clinic- pretty unpredictable depending on the day. Sometimes you'd be seen immediately. Other days you could wait 30-60 minutes to be seen.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ndeye-Aicha Gueye at RMA of Pennsylvania.
RMA is not inexpensive, but in my limited experience it's comparable to other clinics of its kind. Retrievals were about $18K and transfers about $6K (without insurance.)
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Clinic
RMA of Pennsylvania
Allentown