How was your experience with Randall Craig at Fertility Treatment Center?
Dr. Craig is very very smart. While you're talking to him it's like you can see the gears in his head turning to process everything and come up with the best possible plan. In our previous experience with doctors we have felt like we weren't welcome to ask questions or voice concerns, but with Dr. Craig we feel we can express our wishes, and he works with us to figure out a plan. The only thing I would say can be difficult is that he talks very fast. And during our first embryo transfer he mumbled too quietly for me to fully catch everything he was saying. However, the nurses are aware of this, and they fill you in and help you feel prepared and informed so that you aren't lost or worried.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Randall Craig at Fertility Treatment Center?
Take notes. He talks quickly and gives a lot of information in your consultations. If you feel like he is talking to fast or like you don't understand, don't be afraid to ask him questions. He is very receptive and will explain again so you can understand. He's very smart, and is willing to change things up if you don't feel like things are working.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Randall Craig at Fertility Treatment Center?
The organization of the entire office has been such a breath of fresh air! We have felt so cared for working with Dr. Craig as well as our coordinator and nurses. Everyone is friendly and it just works as such a well-oiled machine and it feels like a family team.
Describe the protocols Randall Craig used in your cycles at Fertility Treatment Center and their degree of success.
IVF prep protocol included 4 weeks of birth control pills (Norethindrone 5mg). after those 4 weeks, I started with Lupron injections (20 units) once daily. After 5 days, I stopped the birth control. On cycle day 4 I went in for a baseline ultrasound and labs. The next day I started my stimming protocol. Follistim (100 IU), Lupron (10 units), and Neupogen (10 units) once every 3 days. Two days later I started Menopur (37.5 IU). The next day Follistim went down to 50 IU, and the following day I had another ultrasound and labs to monitor. Doses of Follistim and Menopur were adjusted based on US and hormone levels, I continued for 2 more days on 50 IU Follistim, and 75 IU Menopur. The 10 unites of Lupron continued daily. I went in for daily ultrasounds after that, and then was given instructions to trigger (Ovidrel) for retrieval. Along with Foltanx, CoQ10, and pre-natal vitamins.
For Transfer Prep: I have done one full transfer, which resulted in a negative pregnancy test. We transferred two embryos.
3 weeks of birth control pills. Prep Protocol included: Lupron (10units) until cycle day 10, Neupogen (10units every 3 days), Estradiol pills (1mg am/pm) then up to 2mg 3x daily on cycle day 10-14, then back to am/pm for remainder of cycle. Estrace cream (2gm bedtime), Progesterone injection (100mg am), Progesterone cream (1gm am/pm), Prednisone (10mg am/pm cycle days 18-23, then 5mg once daily until told to stop). Lovenox injection (40mg) and 81mg Aspirin begin day after FET and continue until told to stop. CoQ10, Foltanx, and prenatals continue.
We are currently in the process of our second transfer prep, for transfer at the end of this month. After our first unsuccessful transfer, Dr. Craig modified my medication plan slightly. Birth Control for 3 weeks, and then prep protocol has included Estradiol tablets (2mg am/pm), Estrace cream (2gm pm), L-Argenine (500mg am/pm), Mouthwash 2x daily, Neupogen (10unites ever 3 days), progestrerone injection (100mg am), Progesterone cream (1gm am/pm), Prednisone (10mg am/pm, then down to 5mg once daily). Lovenox injection (40mg), and 81mg Aspirin beginning the day after FET and continuing on until told to stop. CoQ10, Foltanx, and prenatals continue.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Fertility Treatment Center. (Assigned nurse: Daina)
We have loved having an assigned IVF coordinator through this process. She has been so great and communicative, and is always very very quick to respond to emails and phone calls. This being our 4th doctor, and having gone through several years of treatments, we have a lot of questions and she is always so thorough and helpful.
Describe your experience with Fertility Treatment Center.
The greatest strength of this clinic is how well it functions. Their business model and the way they communicate and care for patients is next level, and we have been very impressed. I definitely feel important and cared for, and I feel like regardless of the time of day (or night) there is someone to answer my questions. The only thing I can see as a potential weakness is that someone coming from another clinic may find Dr. Craig's communication to be very particular. He is brilliant, and talks very fast, and if you're not prepared for that, it might catch you off guard. However, I've mentioned in previous explanations that he is very willing to repeat and answer questions. Don't hesitate to make sure you've gotten your questions and concerns addressed.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Randall Craig at Fertility Treatment Center.
Because of our situation with needing PGS testing, our total so far through working with Fertility Treatment Center has come out to just over $25,500. We were given an estimated $13-15,000 for our entire IVF cycle, and the PGS ended up costing around $10,000.
Describe Randall Craig's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Fertility Treatment Center.
Dr. Craig was very helpful in guiding us through all of our options with embryo transfer. Because of our unique situation with a Balanced Translocation, we had a lot of big decisions to make regarding our embryo quality and PGS results. Dr. Craig has worked with us to explain possible outcomes, and has been very respectful of our wishes and understanding of our desire to have babies after years of trying. He has informed us of the possible outcomes regarding transferring higher quality embryos combined with lower quality embryos (for example, doing one of each), and the possibilities of multiples.