How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac gave a very good impression at our initial consultation. He was nice, and explained things in a patient, but not condescending, way. We did not mind traveling 2.5 hours each way for our appointment, because we knew that at each appointment, we would be taken care of.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
The one piece of advice I would have a prospective patient would simply be, to be patient. The process is long and tedious, but Dr. Uzelac helped us by explaining everything and being patient with us.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac always remembered details about us, like how we were traveling from far away to the clinic, and seemed to take into into consideration when planning future treatments and appointments.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
We began our treatment by doing an ultrasound. By doing this, and by going over our medical/fertility history, Dr. Uzelac saw I was a good candidate for InvoCell, which is the reason we went to him in the first place. The first thing that was done, was I was put on birth control for a month. We were told this would keep me from ovulating, in order to create a "stock pile" of eggs for the retrieval. After a month of birth control, I was put on medication like Gonal F and Menopur for a week. After a week, I was given the trigger shot, then we went in for the egg retrieval. After this, the InvoCell was placed in me for a few days, then we returned for it to be removed. Once this was done, I was put on estradiol for 2 weeks. After this, vaginal progesterone was added. After about another week of this, we went in for our transfer. The FET was done, and although I did get a positive pregnancy test, I ended up miscarrying a few weeks later. After this, Dr. Uzelac was patient and compassionate with us, and we waited to try again. When we went in about a month later to try a second cycle, we found that I had some tissue in my uterus that needed to be removed before we would try again. I had that done with my primary OBGYN, then when we went in for a third time to get a cycle done. Dr. Uzelac gave us the green light to try another cycle, and this time he adjusted my medication to include intramuscular injections of progesterone, along with the vaginal progesterone and estradiol. We had our second cycle, and got a positive pregnancy test. At our first appointment after the positive test result, Dr. Uzelac performed an ultrasound and we got to hear the heartbeat. WIth this, we "graduated" from the clinic and we then began seeing my regular OBGYN.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Lia)
Everyone at the clinic was very nice, patient and compassionate. Getting my blood drawn, getting the results, returning phone calls and emails; everyone we worked with was always gentle both physically (with the blood draws) and verbally, with delivering information.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
No weaknesses come to mind in regards to this clinic. Their strengths are that they were organized, used the latest technology, and were compassionate in everything they did. They were all very personable and friendly with us.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
The invoCell package was around 12 thousand. With our second transfer, because it wasn't the full package, it was around $3,500. The post-transfer ultrasounds were not part of the package, and were $360. We also had to pay around $420 for each saline infusion sonogram, of which we had two done.
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
We initially wanted to transfer 3 embryos, because after so many failed IUI's, we were afraid of another failed treatment. Dr. Uzelac explained that due to my age, transferring in 3 embryos would be very risky, given the chances of having multiples. He suggested transferring 2 would be better, although the chance of multiples is still there, but not as high. Based on this, we agreed on two.