Paula Amato
Oregon Health Sciences University
Available Lines of Communication
Doctor email
Nurse email
Nurse email
Direct line to nurse
Not available by personal cell phone
Medical SchoolU. of Toronto
ResidencyU. of Toronto
FellowshipUCSD
Portland
3303 S.W. Bond Avenue
Portland, OR 97239
503 418-4500
6 assessments
8
Age
33 - 34
Treated
2017 - 2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
4 IUI, 2 IVF
Diagnosis
Endometriosis, Male Factor
8
Dr. Amato is a very practical doctor. She is clearly very smart and analytical, and that worked really well for me. She did a great job responding to questions. I also always felt like I knew that plan and that she was taking my concerns into account. She was realistic in her expectations, but also encouraging and hopefully with us for the end result....Dr. Amato will be attentive and will absolutely provide information when requested, but she will not be a hand holder.
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Age
33 - 34
Treated
2017 - 2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Accountant
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
4 IUI, 2 IVF
Diagnosis
Endometriosis, Male Factor
8
How was your experience with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
Dr. Amato is a very practical doctor. She is clearly very smart and analytical, and that worked really well for me. She did a great job responding to questions. I also always felt like I knew that plan and that she was taking my concerns into account. She was realistic in her expectations, but also encouraging and hopefully with us for the end result.
Her approach is friendly, but not as warm as other doctors. In addition, while she was great at responding to lots of questions, she didn't volunteer information as generously as other doctors might. This worked out ok for us since I always came in well-informed with lots of questions, but if you need your doctor to be more of a impetus for that, Dr. Amato might not be as good of a fit.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
It's important to know that fertility doctors have a lot of patients and their main role is to develop a plan to get you pregnant. Dr. Amato will be attentive and will absolutely provide information when requested, but she will not be a hand holder. Luckily, her nurse Rachel does a great job doing some of the more logistical helping and answering the inevitable endless questions that come up during the process. Rachel works very closely with Dr. Amato.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
Dr. Amato always made us feel comfortable and we never felt rushed getting our questions answered. She was very realistic and down to earth about everything. She isn't the most 'touchy feely' doctor, but that worked well for us. We wanted the information straight up with adequate time to address our concerns, and we got that with Dr. Amato.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Oregon Health Sciences University. (Assigned nurse: Rachel)
Rachel did an excellent job. She was always very patient with questions and fast in responding to emails. She offered up best practices and tactics to get through the process and was always incredibly organized with the paperwork that was necessary. Rachel showed a lot of compassion and understood how emotional the infertility process could be. We were very grateful to have her as our primary contact as we went through IVF.
Describe your experience with Oregon Health Sciences University.
OHSU does a really great job of coordinating care. The steps I needed to take throughout the process was crystal clear and the clinic was very organized. The facilities were wonderful and they have an amazing view of the Willamette river.
OHSU is organized in such a way that you have one doctor as your primary point of contact, but most of your procedures will rotate between the four doctors. All four of the doctors were really wonderful and they have excellent coordination with each other. The only procedures I had that were not performed by a doctor were early cycle ultrasounds.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University.
- Meeting with the doctor for a consult was $250.
- Pre-Cycle diagnostic expenses cost about $2,000 in total.
- IUI cost about $500, then another $325 if we did an ultrasound first.
- My IVF stimulation medications were about $3,500 from the OHSU pharmacy.
- OHSU has IVF package options. We chose a non-refund package for two IVF cycles at $21,000.
- PGS testing was $3,800. Of this $1,800 was paid to OHSU for biopsy and the rest was paid to the testing lab for up to 8 embryos.
Describe Paula Amato's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Oregon Health Sciences University.
Dr. Amato had a strong preference for me to transfer only one embryo since we were doing PGS testing and I was 33 at the time. That was fine with me, so we didn't have any further discussions on the topic.
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3
Age
32
Treated
2017
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
1 IVF
Diagnosis
Tubal Blockage, Uterine Fibroids, Other
3
More clinical than personable, which was OK with me. Follow up was my biggest frustration-- She [Dr. Amato] and the rest of the OHSU team never finalized protocols until I was mid cycle (i.e. had been on BC for a week or two) which meant I was in the dark and I was always scrambling to get medication in time. Conversations after failed pregnancies weren't very sympathetic, after the third chemical pregnancy she suggested I go to another doctor.
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Age
32
Treated
2017
Success with this Doc
No
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Lawyer
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
1 IVF
Diagnosis
Tubal Blockage, Uterine Fibroids, Other
3
How was your experience with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
More clinical than personable, which was OK with me. Follow up was my biggest frustration-- She and the rest of the OHSU team never finalized protocols until I was mid cycle (i.e. had been on BC for a week or two) which meant I was in the dark and I was always scrambling to get medication in time. Conversations after failed pregnancies weren't very sympathetic, after the third chemical pregnancy she suggested I go to another doctor.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
If you're fine with "going with the flow" than Dr. Amato is good for you. If you like to be in control and plan a lot of ahead of time I would have reservations.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
Always remembered my information but conversations felt rote, received a few "I don't know, that's a drag" in response to chemical pregnancies.
Describe the protocols Paula Amato used in your cycles at Oregon Health Sciences University and their degree of success.
Long lupron protocol, 1 menopur & 150 gonal f, stimmed for 11 days.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Oregon Health Sciences University. (Assigned nurse: Hannah)
Hannah was wonderful. She was compassionate and always willing to have a long explanatory conversation when she it was something she could explain. When it wasn't, she was great at finding the answer and getting back to me in a reasonable amount of time.
Describe your experience with Oregon Health Sciences University.
Overall I like the clinic. The biggest frustration is with the late setting of protocols and lack of communication that sometime comes with this. Some cycles were better than others, and others I was having to get medication last minute (and pay a premium to do so) because it took so long. Similarly, when someone was on vacation or the schedule is out of the norm the communication sometimes broke down (i.e., not getting my transfer instructions at all because they occurred after a holiday. I took the wrong medication as a result).
What specific things went wrong at Oregon Health Sciences University?
- Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
- Failed to order appropriate test
- Provided conflicting information
- Failed to convey critical information
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10
Age
44
Treated
2014
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
2 IUI, IVF, Donor Eggs
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
10
Dr. Amato is passionate about her work, as evidenced by the fact that she is/was on the ethics committee for SART. I get the impression she lives and breathes her work and is very invested in the success of her patients...Dr. Amato was candid but always present and ready to answer questions either online or while on call. I felt she was very interested in our success, not just for her numbers but because she believes in her work...
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Age
44
Treated
2014
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Consultant
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 2 Docs
Treatment
2 IUI, IVF, Donor Eggs
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
10
How was your experience with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
Dr. Amato is passionate about her work, as evidenced by the fact that she is/was on the ethics committee for SART. I get the impression she lives and breathes her work and is very invested in the success of her patients.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
Pick her even if you have to wait longer for the appointment. Hard as it may be, try to keep your emotions in check and listen objectively to the facts, otherwise feelings cloud your judgment and you forget to ask the important questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
Dr. Amato was candid but always present and ready to answer questions either online or while on call. I felt she was very interested in our success, not just for her numbers but because she believes in her work.
Describe the protocols Paula Amato used in your cycles at Oregon Health Sciences University and their degree of success.
We did IUI twice, at our insistence, and both failed. We quickly moved to egg donor (fresh cycle). I used estradiol for a while (no memory of the dose or duration; tablets) followed by 12 long weeks of progesterone in oil shots (2 ml I think, but its a blur). I didn't really mind the estradiol like some people except it gave me headaches. The POI was awful for the first few weeks, but I got used to it.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Oregon Health Sciences University.
God I wish I could recall her name. She was an absolute sweetheart. She endured the most trivial of questions and always got back to me quickly if she needed to consult the RE.
Describe your experience with Oregon Health Sciences University.
Very professional, private, elegant space in a new building. The egg donor pool was limited in number and limited to in-house only. I don't know if they allow outside donors but I don't think so.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University.
I think the bottom line was about $25K. Nothing was covered by insurance
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5
Age
38
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
—
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
5
Dr. Amato was very honest with us but cancelled egg retrieval during our first cycle of treatment due to not enough eggs being produced... She was honest with us but a bit pessimistic about our chances. A bit more optimism would have been nice. She prescribed Menopur but cancelled egg retrieval during our first cycle of treatment. We spent a lot of money on the Menopur, so we were quite disappointed that this did not lead to any success.
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Age
38
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
No
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
3rd of 3 Docs
Treatment
—
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
5
How was your experience with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
She was honest with us but a bit pessimistic about our chances. A bit more optimism would have been nice. She prescribed Menopur but cancelled egg retrieval during our first cycle of treatment. We spent a lot of money on the Menopur, so we were quite disappointed that this did not lead to any success.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
Be aware that if you're not a very good candidate for using your own eggs in an in vitro fertilization attempt, she'll likely stop your cycle and try to push you towards donor egg IVT.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
Dr. Amato was very honest with us but cancelled egg retrieval during our first cycle of treatment due to not enough eggs being produced
Describe the protocols Paula Amato used in your cycles at Oregon Health Sciences University and their degree of success.
225 units of Menopur daily, starting on day 3 after start of period
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
We thought the nurses were very good, well trained, and professional
Describe your experience with Oregon Health Sciences University.
Strengths: pharmacy in same building, easy to get to, free parking, comfortable, new facilities.
Weaknesses: did not strive to get insurance to cover some of treatment. Not everything needs to be specifically filed as infertility, forcing the patient to pay 100%.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University.
Intrauterine insemination endocrine management $475
Follicular scans $1300
Blood draws $130
Intrauterine insemination $283
Sperm prep $180
Estradiol $320
Progesterone $85
HCG $60
Menopur $1226
Progesterone suppositories $136
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2
Age
30
Treated
2015
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
3 IUI, 2 IVF
Diagnosis
—
2
She [Dr. Amato] seemed to write me off because of my age and initial test results: all at the low end of normal. Didn't feel like she cared that we were struggling and that we were being impatient.... I just never felt like I connected with this doctor. She kept telling me we were fine, and then things would get worse (results wise). Even when we did procedures, I don't remember being asked how we were feeling, or any considerations to the challenges of being an infertility couple. Like IUIs were wasting her time.
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Age
30
Treated
2015
Success with this Doc
No
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Nurse or HC Services
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1st of 3 Docs
Treatment
3 IUI, 2 IVF
Diagnosis
—
2
How was your experience with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
I just never felt like I connected with this doctor. She kept telling me we were fine, and then things would get worse (results wise). Even when we did procedures, I don't remember being asked how we were feeling, or any considerations to the challenges of being an infertility couple. Like IUIs were wasting her time.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
I hope she has some brilliant technical skills that we just never got to see; her coldness was too much for us to deal with.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
She seemed to write me off because of my age and initial test results: all at the low end of normal. Didn't feel like she cared that we were struggling and that we were being impatient.
Describe the protocols Paula Amato used in your cycles at Oregon Health Sciences University and their degree of success.
She wanted us to keep trying on our own and reluctantly started us on Clomid + IUI. She thought we would just need one cycle, then two, then...we went to someone else.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
I never had the same nurse from one day to the next. No relationships developed.
Describe your experience with Oregon Health Sciences University.
For a large facility, I had higher expectations. But between the coolness of the doctor and the lack of connection with the staff, its hard to say if they had any real strengths. The view from the windows was nice.
What specific things went wrong at Oregon Health Sciences University?
- Lost paperwork
- Provided conflicting information
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8
Age
25 - 36
Treated
2007 - 2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
3 IUI, 2 IVF
Diagnosis
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Male Factor, PCOS
8
She [Dr. Amato] paid attention, listened, and gave me her best efforts.... I appreciated her thoughtful care. I felt like a person, not a number. She gave me her best advice even when I didn’t want to hear it. She is very skilled and knowledgeable and readily shared her knowledge with us. We genuinely believed she cared about us and wanted to help us.... During our twins heartbeat ultrasound, the doctor cried with us. When we came back for a FET after ten years, they all remembered us.
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Age
25 - 36
Treated
2007 - 2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European, Native American
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Accountant
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 2 Docs
Treatment
3 IUI, 2 IVF
Diagnosis
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Male Factor, PCOS
8
How was your experience with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
I appreciated her thoughtful care. I felt like a person, not a number. She gave me her best advice even when I didn’t want to hear it. She is very skilled and knowledgeable and readily shared her knowledge with us. We genuinely believed she cared about us and wanted to help us.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
She can be direct which I appreciate.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University?
She paid attention, listened, and gave me her best efforts.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
Very responsive and kind.
Describe your experience with Oregon Health Sciences University.
Great location, easy scheduling, straightforward billing. It feels like a team that’s on your side. During our twins heartbeat ultrasound, the doctor cried with us. When we came back for a FET after ten years, they all remembered us. The lab director did our transfer even though he no longer practices, just supervises. It’s like a family.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Paula Amato at Oregon Health Sciences University.
Straightforward fees. Very inexpensive FETs ($1600)
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