when I ask questions or have concerns he [Dr. Robert Hunter] brings it back to me and my body and my experience. I appreciate that he isn't always warm and fuzzy, but rather confident in his medicine. That's not to say he isn't personable, because he is...always takes a personal approach to my case...had to do a long stim to get my eggs mature enough, which meant some of them were kind of overmedicated and very fragile But, we got 6 eggs, did ICSI (which he does for everyone) and ended with two strong embryos.
[Kentucky Fertility Institute is] Very Clean. Well Staffed. I always feel very supported from the moment I walk in. I've never had trouble making appointments available fit into my schedule...no one answers the phone, so you always have to leave a message...I've found email is better when possible...[IVF coordinator] is very organized in her messages and straight forward with her directions. In person, she is compassionate...
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is a very candid doctor, and when it comes to fertility treatment, I want to know up front the possibilities, the risks, the set backs etc.. And, Dr. Hunter is very talented and confident in his recommendations. I like that a lot because I can (and do) a ton of research online, reading about others experiences, but none of them are me... so when I ask questions or have concerns he brings it back to me and my body and my experience. I appreciate that he isn't always warm and fuzzy, but rather confident in his medicine. That's not to say he isn't personable, because he is. But when you're investing tens of thousands of dollars, it's serious stuff, and I appreciate the serious approach he takes to each and every appointment.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I would say be prepared with questions and if you forget to ask them, feel free to follow up with him. He is very willing to answer any questions you have. But also, know that he is treating you for you and your issues, not the issues of everyone you read about on the internet.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter, and the entire staff, always remember my name, ask for updates on non-fertility things we talked about (interests, hobbies, work, etc...) and always takes a personal approach to my case. I've never felt like it's a one size fits all approach, but more specialized to our specific needs and desires.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
We started with 4 unsuccessful IUIs.
We then went to IVF. I had to do a long stim to get my eggs mature enough, which meant some of them were kind of overmedicated and very fragile
But, we got 6 eggs, did ICSI (which he does for everyone) and ended with two strong embryos. One we transferred and it resulted in a chemical pregnancy. We plan to do the next transfer of frozen embryo in late May or early June
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol P)
Carol P is the best IVF coordinator I could imagine. She is very organized in her messages and straight forward with her directions. In person, she is compassionate, it is always like my big sister is there with me cheering me on. She's cried tears of hope with me and that really meant the world. In addition, Candy who helped with the IUIs is the same way. Dr.Hunter really has a good team assembled.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Very Clean. Well Staffed. I always feel very supported from the moment I walk in. I've never had trouble making appointments available fit into my schedule because they really work with you. I've had a lot of emotions during my appointments and they really just go with it and do their best to make me comfortable and feel confident in the treatment plan.
Only negative experience I have had is no one answers the phone, so you always have to leave a message. That process is just frustrating especially if you are able to step away from work for a moment to call and then they call back and you're around coworkers and can't really take the call. It can be a bit of phone tag. I've found email is better when possible.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
IVF with one transfer- $12,500
FET- $4,500
HSG- $550
IUI- $500
plus other diagnostic, labs, ultrasounds, and meds
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Our very first consult with Dr. Hunter he recommended for our specific diagnosis that single embryo transfer would be best. I had a LEEP done a few years ago and risk of miscarriage is higher with that, especially with multiples. I know he is willing to discuss multiple, but we haven't had a need and trust the process right now.
He [Dr. Robert Hunter II] answered any and all questions any time of the day that I had them. He always asked if I had anything on my mind that I wanted to discuss. He did cover things quickly sometimes and I wished that I had someone else with me at appointments to understand things better. He was funny and witty and made me laugh.
This clinic [Kentucky Fertility Institute] has SO many patients. There is only 1 APRN there to help relieve the 1 MD with procedures or anything the clinic needed and they take turns on the weekends. I didn’t see the MD for any 3 of my ultrasounds. Their MD is very responsive overall but I did few overwhelmed with the entire situation. They have a very friendly front office staff that makes you feel comfortable and the staff doing blood draws is very good as well.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
He answered any and all questions any time of the day that I had them. He always asked if I had anything on my mind that I wanted to discuss. He did cover things quickly sometimes and I wished that I had someone else with me at appointments to understand things better. He was funny and witty and made me laugh.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
To be prepared at appointments to ask him questions because he does move quickly
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
He answered the phone at all hours of the day and on weekends and he made me laugh and feel comfortable during all tx meetings
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
75 Menopur and 300 Follistim .… .25 cetrotide after 2nd ultrasound
Taking 1mg folic acid and DHEA to help stimulate ovaries initially
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol)
Difficulty getting medications covered, I did most of the work dealing with insurance vs them helping me. They have a lot of patients with little help
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
This clinic has SO many patients. There is only 1 APRN there to help relieve the 1 MD with procedures or anything the clinic needed and they take turns on the weekends. I didn’t see the MD for any 3 of my ultrasounds. Their MD is very responsive overall but I did few overwhelmed with the entire situation. They have a very friendly front office staff that makes you feel comfortable and the staff doing blood draws is very good as well.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Insurance covered 10k meds and 10k procedures. I paid 4K out of pocket for meds and roughly 6k for IVF procedures
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
We did not make it to the transfer stage :(
What specific things went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
I had SO much trouble getting my meds in on time and I had to spend hours on the phone with insurance companies and pharmacies trying to get it worked out with minimal help. They did give me loaner meds in the meantime until mine came in.
Dr. Hunter is a preeminent expert in his field, but sometimes is a touch too blunt. He has been available and communicative throughout each cycle, and obviously knows his stuff, even though his bedside manner is lacking at times...very flexible and willing to let our preferences and financial constraints dictate our course of treatment. We have had three unsuccessful IUIs and one more pending...
We have been so impressed by the nursing staff at KFI. They are great communicators, compassionate caregivers, and several have experienced infertility issues in the past, which gives a special personal touch to their care...They are consistently available, even outside regular business hours, and offer great insights. The process has been made so clear and easy to understand as a result of their care...
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is a preeminent expert in his field, but sometimes is a touch too blunt. He has been available and communicative throughout each cycle, and obviously knows his stuff, even though his bedside manner is lacking at times.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
He cares about you and your success even if that's not always immediately apparent.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is very straightforward and can sometimes come across as uncaring. His staff, however, is extremely kind and compassionate and made every effort to make us feel welcome to reach out with concerns. The staff, including Dr. Hunter, genuinely care about our success.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
Dr. Hunter was very flexible and willing to let our preferences and financial constraints dictate our course of treatment. We have had three unsuccessful IUIs and one more pending. He scheduled us for an IVF consultation in the event the current cycle is not successful.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Yllena Popovich Novitsky)
We have been so impressed by the nursing staff at KFI. They are great communicators, compassionate caregivers, and several have experienced infertility issues in the past, which gives a special personal touch to their care.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
KFI's strengths include communication and flexibility. They are consistently available, even outside regular business hours, and offer great insights. The process has been made so clear and easy to understand as a result of their care. The only thing I would count against Dr. Hunter occurred early in our treatment. We did genetic carrier testing before attempting to get pregnant, and my wife's results showed she was a carrier of Mosaic Turners Syndrome. Upon learning this news, Dr. Hunter was very quick to say he was uncomfortable assisting us in getting pregnant as a result of the possible side effects of pregnancy that could result from Mosaic Turners. We requested additional testing and learned my wife was merely a carrier of MTS, but does not have it. Had we not independently sought a second opinion, we would have not attempted to become pregnant due to the risks described by Dr. Hunter. However, after the issue was cleared up, we've had no other issues.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter was very responsive to emails and I never felt like I couldn’t ask questions. He explained things very well and in as much detail as I wanted. I wish he was a bit warmer and at times, it felt a bit impersonal. I appreciate his straightforwardness, though, and I would choose honest and blunt information over bedside manner, so the positives definitely outweigh the negatives...
They [Kentucky Fertility Institute] have a very organized system for scheduling appointments, communication, meds, etc during IVF cycle. Very timely and responsive to emails. Very kind and sweet during blood draws and ultrasounds...They shop around for the best prices on meds so you don’t have to. They are very responsive to emails and never make you feel like an inconvenience if you ask a lot of questions...
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter was very responsive to emails and I never felt like I couldn’t ask questions. He explained things very well and in as much detail as I wanted. I wish he was a bit warmer and at times, it felt a bit impersonal. I appreciate his straightforwardness, though, and I would choose honest and blunt information over bedside manner, so the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Ask questions. I felt like if I didn’t ask the questions, he might not have given me all the information I wanted because maybe he doesn’t want to overwhelm people.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
The clinic is very organized with how they lay out and schedule IVF rounds, however, it did feel a little cookie-cutter in that I was just one of many that they were plugging into the system. I also appreciate that Dr. Hunter is straightforward and blunt, but I do wish it would have felt a little more personal.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
I did an egg retrieval with ICSI during the fertilization stage because of my husband’s poor sperm mobility and motility. We did not end up with any fertilized embryos, however, so we didn’t make it to the transfer.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
They have a very organized system for scheduling appointments, communication, meds, etc during IVF cycle. Very timely and responsive to emails. Very kind and sweet during blood draws and ultrasounds.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
They have a well-established and organized system for IVF cycles. They shop around for the best prices on meds so you don’t have to. They are very responsive to emails and never make you feel like an inconvenience if you ask a lot of questions.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
For IVF, you pay for a package upfront that covers retrieval, transfer, ultrasounds, lab work (maybe a couple other things I’m forgetting). That cost us around $10,000 with a slight first responder discount provided to us. After that, you pay separately for meds from the pharmacy and some other things, like anesthesia and embryo testing. They will refund your money if things get cancelled, like for us, we never made it to transfer, so we could be refunded that money. We do not have any fertility benefits with our insurance.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter is not very warm and fuzzy, he gives you the information/numbers. I personally would prefer my RE be knowledgeable and have good success versus someone who is warm and fuzzy, so I am okay with that. Dr. Hunter was amazing and would respond to all e-mails and concerns even if it was after hours or on the weekend...While he does give you a lot of information, I did find there was certainly more information I would have like to know about my options. If I asked the questions, he was always willing to give me answers and information, but I had to make sure to ask a lot of the questions.
I had a hard time with my IVF coordinator [at Kentucky Fertility Institute]...had issues where I send an e-mail with a question and do not get a response or it will take 4-5 days to get a response. I was also told to take the wrong dose of my estrogen for my next transfer...I feel like I have to be on top of things to make sure it gets done on time and make sure I ask questions because I worry things are getting missed.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter has always been great with communication. He will respond to e-mails even if he is off on spring break for the week or on the weekend/after hours. He presents you with the facts and numbers which I appreciate. He is not warm and fuzzy like you would expect someone working in this field to be. For me, that is not a problem because as long as I feel confident in my care I do not need "hand-holding". I do sometimes feel like I am presented with only the information that is felt to be necessary at the time instead of the big picture of information. For example, I wish I was given more information about success rates of IUI versus IVF and given more information to help me decide which option I would like to start with, versus mostly being given information on IUI and told this is where we would start.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Advocate for yourself. Make sure you do your own research and know what you want answered. At the beginning of my journey with Dr. Hunter I tried to just "trust the process" and not ask too many questions because I felt like that was the RE's job and what I was paying all this money for. After the first year of seeing him I took it upon myself to be more involved in my care, do my own research, and ask questions. While he does give you a lot of information, I did find there was certainly more information I would have like to know about my options. If I asked the questions, he was always willing to give me answers and information, but I had to make sure to ask a lot of the questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is not very warm and fuzzy, he gives you the information/numbers. I personally would prefer my RE be knowledgeable and have good success versus someone who is warm and fuzzy, so I am okay with that. Dr. Hunter was amazing and would respond to all e-mails and concerns even if it was after hours or on the weekend. I just wish the rest of Dr. Hunter's support staff was as good with communicating with me.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
My first IUI was non-medicated. I did OPK testing until I hit peak fertility. Once I hit peak fertility I called the office and they scheduled me for a visit 2 days later for IUI. Because we were thought to be male-factory infertility and me having no issues, this was thought to be the best place to start.
I then did 4 medicated IUIs. My first non-medicated ended with an ectopic that required me to receive Methotrexate. Methotrexate unfortunately did not work and I had emergency surgery to have my left fallopian tube removed. Because of this, it was recommended I continue with medicated IUI cycles. It was as this point I wish I was given more information about the success of this since my circumstance had changed. Anyway, I would notify them at the start of my cycle. I would take Letrazole days 3-7 of my cycle. Day 10-11 I would go in for ultrasound to measure follicles. If my follicles were adequate I was then given a time to take a trigger shot (Lupron), usually the following evening. After Lupron, I would have my IUI 2 days later. After IUI I would do progesterone vaginal suppositories nightly until 14 days after transfer. I would then do a home pregnancy test. After failing 4 medicated IUIs we moved to IVF
Egg Retrieval included birth control, Menopur, Gonal-f, Cetrotide. Birth control for 2 weeks after starting cycle. Menopur and Gonal-f every evening for 5 days, then adding Cetrotide for an additional 3 days.
FET start birth control with cycle start for 2 weeks. Then come in for baseline labs including estrogen, progesterone, and FSH as well as transvaginal US. After 2 weeks of birth control stop birth control and start estrogen. Estradiol three times daily for 2 weeks, then another US and lab work to check lining and estrogen level. If that all looks okay transfer scheduled 7 days later with IM progesterone given the 5 days prior to transfer along with doxycycline twice daily and medrol. After transfer continue estrogen and progesterone IM as well as add vaginal suppository progesterone. Blood hCg 10 days later.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol)
I had a hard time with my IVF coordinator. During stimulation and egg retrieval I was constantly stressed about getting medications refilled. I would be told at my visit I would need 1 more day of injections, would call the pharmacy who said they needed prescription sent in, so I would contact my IVF coordinator who sends that in who would half the time not even respond. Medications did not get filled in time so my clinic gave me some of their own supply because of this. I have also had issues where I send an e-mail with a question and do not get a response or it will take 4-5 days to get a response. I was also told to take the wrong dose of my estrogen for my next transfer, which I noticed and asked about it so it was corrected, but does not leave me feeling confident with her. I feel like I have to be on top of things to make sure it gets done on time and make sure I ask questions because I worry things are getting missed.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter is the main reason I have stayed at this clinic for so long. He is great with communication and always takes time to respond to all concerns whether it is on the weekend or after hours. The two nurses there are also very friendly and personable which I appreciate.
I have had a hard time connecting with his nurse practitioner and she does not seem to know as much about my care. She will often come into the room knowing she is doing a transvaginal ultrasound on me, but not know why. For example, I asked a question about ReceptivaDx and she told me I couldn't have that with a transfer, just a mock cycle. My appointment was for baseline ultrasound to start prep for my mock cycle, which left me feeling a little anxious that they didn't know what I was there for. Also when I have asked questions I have been told to e-mail the doctor, meaning I cannot have a face to face conversation with someone about my questions or concerns.
I have also had a hard time getting other people in the office to respond via phone or e-mail to questions or concerns I have, which is why I often just resort to e-mailing Dr. Hunter who always give me a timely response. I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Hunter, but he is also just one person in this equation and you are only seeing him for procedures like FET and egg retrieval, otherwise you are seeing the nurse practitioner. I am a nurse practitioner myself and have no problem with seeing providers other than the doctor, but I need to feel that they are just as involved and knowledgeable about my care and health history, and unfortunately I do not always feel that with this office.
Going through fertility treatment is stressful. I have had added stress due to lack of communication and not feeling confident in all of those involved in my care with this office. However, Dr. Hunter always comes to the rescue with all of the answers and reassurance I am looking for. I have stayed because I trust Dr. Hunter. However, if you want well-rounded care from everyone in the office involved in your care, you may need to look elsewhere. If you do come here though, you will have an amazing RE.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
I have insurance that has a lifetime 10K max. I paid out of pocket for IUI. I used insurance for IVF for what they would cover, the lab was out of network.
I paid about $1,000 for donor sperm vial. $500 day of IUI.
Egg retrieval and IVF meds together cost $2,000.
Egg retrieval cost $8500, and additional $2000 for PGT
Each transfer cost $1300. My insurance does not cover the "lab side" of things, but every on the doctor side.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
My doctor recommended transferring one due to my age (29). I have had 2 FETs that have failed to implant. I am undergoing additional testing to find out why (ERA, Emma/Alice, ReceptivaDx) but if we cannot find any reasoning for failed implantation then we are considering transferring two embryos with the next transfer.
What specific things went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Lost appointments
Failed to call with results
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
During stimulation for egg retrieval I had a hard time getting medications filled in a timely manner. This was due to prescriptions not being sent to my pharmacy. My pharmacy ended up calling the clinic for me because I could not get ahold of anyone and was panicking. They tried to overnight the meds to me, but they still did not get there in time. I had 2-3 days to get the meds delivered, but no one would refill them and I could not get ahold of anyone. I reached out to Dr. Hunter finally who told me I could come to the office and they would provide me with the medication.
After my first FET I had my beta hCg performed. I was told results would be called to me between 1-2:00, so I left work in order to be home at 1:00. By 4:00 I had not heard from anyone and was starting to worry that no one was going to call me before they closed. Over the next hour I called close to 10 times, e-mailed my IVF coordinator, e-mailed the NP, e-mailed Dr. Hunter and couldn't get ahold of anyone. 15 minutes before they closed they called me and said they had caller ID and wanted to know why I had called so many times. I told them I was still waiting for results for my hCg and was then transferred to Dr. Hunter who told me my transfer failed.
My IVF coordinator Carol told me to take the wrong dose of estrogen for my mock transfer. I was sent an e-mail that said to take estrogen twice daily and in all of my other cycles have done three times daily. I figured it was because it was a mock cycle I didn't need as much. I felt weird about it and didn't want to seem like I was questioning them, but because it was different without any explanation as to why I went ahead and asked. I was then just told "yes, go ahead with three times daily". If it was a mistake from the first e-mail I would feel better if they just told me that versus not giving me any explanation. It has made me feel like I have to double check everything because they are not paying close attention.
Dr. Hunter was extremely proactive and ready to help us on our journey...First cycle I have been with Dr. Hunter so far, he has had me on Letrozole to induce ovulation. After finishing the Letrozole I went in for an ultrasound to see if I had any follicles, I had one follicle (15mm). They then had me wait a few days for my follicle to grow and a few days later I administered a trigger shot to release the egg from the follicle. I am currently taking the progesterone suppository and in my 2 week wait...
Yllena [nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute] was extremely friendly and made an awkward situation less scary. Internal ultrasounds are never fun, and she was very compassionate during the ultrasound and told me when I might feel a pinch...After the ultrasound she explained everything to be in great detail and wrote specifics down for me as well...you can call and ask them anything and they will get back with you right away...
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I am a pretty new client of Dr. Hunter, so I have only had a virtual meeting with him so far. During the initial meeting he has helped me more than my previous doctor that I met several times face-to-face. He was ready to get me going on treatments without hesitation, which made my husband and I feel excited that we have a chance of this finally working out.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Ask plenty of questions! I feel as though he explains everything very well, but if you still don’t quite understand everything don’t hesitate to ask.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter was extremely proactive and ready to help us on our journey. I can tell that he wants us to succeed, compared to previous doctors I have seen.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
First cycle I have been with Dr. Hunter so far, he has had me on Letrozole to induce ovulation. After finishing the Letrozole I went in for an ultrasound to see if I had any follicles, I had one follicle (15mm). They then had me wait a few days for my follicle to grow and a few days later I administered a trigger shot to release the egg from the follicle. I am currently taking the progesterone suppository and in my 2 week wait, as I will test tomorrow to see my results.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Yllenda )
Yllena was extremely friendly and made an awkward situation less scary. Internal ultrasounds are never fun, and she was very compassionate during the ultrasound and told me when I might feel a pinch, and even said she was sorry and knows how uncomfortable it is. After the ultrasound she explained everything to be in great detail and wrote specifics down for me as well. She was great!
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Strengths would be how personable they seem to be. I spoke to Candy on the phone, and she told me they only have about 13 employees, so everyone gets to know each other fairly well and it does not seem like you are just another patient to them. I have not seen any weaknesses from them thus far! As a new patient just know that you can call and ask them anything and they will get back with you right away! I had a question about my treatment, left a message, and Candy called me back within 10 minutes. That is incredible especially in the medical field, and it is extremely appreciated!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Fairly reasonable despite the circumstances. I had to put down $50 to hold my place before my consultation. My initial consultation was free since he was my second opinion doctor. They used my $50 towards my $175 ultrasound.
Dr. hunter is very cautious about transferring more than one embryo. He wants to give you the best chance at success and he believes that it is risky to do more than one embryo at a time...[he] took the time to answer all of my questions, no matter how crazy the questions seemed. He is very personable and explains things very thoroughly...
[ the Kentucky Fertility nurses] remember your name and treat you like you are their only patient..They are organized, friendly, committed, compassionate...They are everything you could ever want and need during one of the most difficult times in your life. My only issue with them is that they are so great at their jobs and they are so popular that it is sometimes difficult to get someone to have the time to answer the phone. If you leave a message they do respond quickly though.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is an amazing doctor. He is so knowledgeable about this field. He has been patient while answering all of my silly questions. He is my third fertility doctor. I experienced five years of fertility issues, tons of failed attempts, so much heartbreak.... We moved over to him and on our first attempt at IVF we achieved success. I now have a perfect two year old. She is a sassy firecracker and I have him to thank for it. He made our dream a reality and I can't thank him enough for everything he has done for us.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Listen to his advice. He is the expert. Don't take your past failures with other doctors and just assume that it will be another failure. Trust him!!!!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter took the time to answer all of my questions, no matter how crazy the questions seemed. He is very personable and explains things very thoroughly.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
I have PCOS. I knew that going in to this treatment with Dr. hunter. I gave him my extensive fertility history and told him how frustrated I was with the process. The previous two doctors had stated that we should do IVF in the past and they never explained why that was our best chance. It seemed that they were more interested in making as much money off of us as possible. When Dr. hunter looked over my history and stated that IVF was my best chance, he gave us specific reasons behind his decision. He had me take medication for the retrieval. He walked me through every single but of the process. He was at every single scan. Every single appointment. After the egg retrieval he called me to discuss the egg quality and the processes that would be happening over the next few days. We completed genetic testing because most of my miscarriages were from triploids. We found out that the embryo that looked the best under the microscope was actually a triploid. Had we not had genetic testing that would have been our first FET transfer and it would have ended in a miscarriage.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol)
I cannot say enough good things about this staff. I love each and every one of these people! They are so caring! They remember your name and treat you like you are their only patient. They are so friendly. They cheer with you when you have success and they cry with you when you don't. They are all friends of mine on Facebook now so that they can watch my baby girl grow up. They will never know just how grateful I am to them.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
They are organized, friendly, committed, compassionate... They are everything you could ever want and need during one of the most difficult times in your life.
My only issue with them is that they are so great at their jobs and they are so popular that it is sometimes difficult to get someone to have the time to answer the phone. If you leave a message they do respond quickly though.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The cost was within the state average.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. hunter is very cautious about transferring more than one embryo. He wants to give you the best chance at success and he believes that it is risky to do more than one embryo at a time. I appreciate his honesty because I was ready to transfer a boy and a girl and get it over with and I am thankful I listened to him because I had a successful single pregnancy and my baby girl is very healthy. I had a lot of complications during my pregnancy because of my health issues and two babys could have resulted in losing both of them.
Dr. Hunter is very knowledgeable in infertility. As a patient, I felt cared for and listened to. I pray that the next IVF cycle we do is successful. I hope that he continues his professional yet, comforting presence with my husband and I. I am glad to see a doctor that is still empathetic to the extremely sensitive time in his patient’s lives.
The [Kentucky Fertility Institute] clinic was clean and welcoming. Front desk staff were very nice. I’m sure it is hard because they have so many patients, but I did sometimes feel a little rushed. They were extremely caring, but it was apparent that they had many patients and were extremely busy. Other than that, I was very happy with my experience!
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is very knowledgeable in infertility. As a patient, I felt cared for and listened to. I pray that the next IVF cycle we do is successful. I hope that he continues his professional yet, comforting presence with my husband and I. I am glad to see a doctor that is still empathetic to the extremely sensitive time in his patient’s lives.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Have your questions for him ready when you have your first appointment. Also, do not be afraid to ask what you think are silly questions, because they can be game changers and he knowledgeable enough to answer them.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I did not feel like a number
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
So my husband was born without a vas deferens, so our only option was IVF. We had tried for years before finding this out.
So we had my husbands swimmers removed and frozen. This was a painful procedure for him.
Then my next step was to have bloodwork and ultrasounds to ensure I didn’t have any issues of my own. It seems that I’m okay so far. But the next step for IVF was to get my ready for egg retrieval. I had many different injections and medications that I was on. This was to ensure that I would drop more than one egg for them to retrieve. The night before I had my retrieval, I did a trigger injection to relieve eggs. I had several eggs retrieved and unfortunately only 3 of them were combined with my husband’s swimmers to successfully create usual exercises embryos.
Dr. Hunter then started me on medications to get my body ready for a transfer. Again, I was on many injections and oral medications. After those were done, I had the transfer and unfortunately the embryo did not result in a positive pregnant test.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol )
I felt that Carol was very helpful and easy to communicate with throughout the process. I do think that it was sometimes hard to get ahold of her because of the large patient load. I know she would try her best to het back with me when she could.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The clinic was clean and welcoming. Front desk staff were very nice. I’m sure it is hard because they have so many patients, but I did sometimes feel a little rushed. They were extremely caring, but it was apparent that they had many patients and were extremely busy. Other than that, I was very happy with my experience!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Ultrasounds $792
Egg retrieval $3696
Pelvic ultrasound $2700
Tube check $1700
Embryo transfer $6125
Sperm retrieval $1600
Anesthesia $600
There are more costs, but these are the ones I can gather at the moment
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter was not recommending a multiple embryo transfer because of the risks with a twin pregnancy and birth. I have nothing to comment about it, because I trust my doctor. I don’t have any knowledge on the matter.
Dr. Hunter is a great practice director and doctor, never pushes you into a pathway you aren't 100% comfortable with, and takes the time to answer every question and explain anything...Dr. Hunter recommended only one embryo transfer as our embryos were genetically tested. We felt very comfortable with this recommendation....
Everyone [staff at Kentucky Fertility Institute] is incredibly professional, beyond knowledgeable, and most of all: kind, caring, and empathetic...WHNP-BC Yllena Novitsky is truly the most passionate and compassionate human being we have ever met. She immediately makes you feel comfortable and always takes the time to answer every question at every visit. IVF Coordinator Nurse Carol Powers is an incredible health care professional and truly wonderful human. We could not imagine undergoing any procedure without Carol there. All of the nursing and phlebotomist staff, Candy, Nicole, and Kathy immediately make you feel comfortable and take the time to explain everything...
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
My husband and I will never be able to say enough good things about this clinic and the entire staff. Everyone is incredibly professional, beyond knowledgeable, and most of all: kind, caring, and empathetic. Dr. Hunter is a great practice director and doctor, never pushes you into a pathway you aren't 100% comfortable with, and takes the time to answer every question and explain anything.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
To be patient, the process can feel like it takes forever.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
My husband and I will never be able to say enough good things about this clinic and the entire staff. Everyone is incredibly professional, beyond knowledgeable, and most of all: kind, caring, and empathetic. Dr. Hunter is a great practice director and doctor, never pushes you into a pathway you aren't 100% comfortable with, and takes the time to answer every question and explain anything. WHNP-BC Yllena Novitsky is truly the most passionate and compassionate human being we have ever met. She immediately makes you feel comfortable and always takes the time to answer every question at every visit. IVF Coordinator Nurse Carol Powers is an incredible health care professional and truly wonderful human. We could not imagine undergoing any procedure without Carol there. All of the nursing and phlebotomist staff, Candy, Nicole, and Kathy immediately make you feel comfortable and take the time to explain everything. Dr. Christensen and Paige, the embryologists, blew us away at every turn. Their level of expertise and knowledge is amazing and their ability to explain a very technical process incredible. Additionally, Paige, a strong advocate for women and fertility, is always working to further knowledge of the field. We are forever grateful we did IVF at KFI.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Yllena Popovich Novitsky)
WHNP-BC Yllena Novitsky is truly the most passionate and compassionate human being we have ever met. She immediately makes you feel comfortable and always takes the time to answer every question at every visit. IVF Coordinator Nurse Carol Powers is an incredible health care professional and truly wonderful human. We could not imagine undergoing any procedure without Carol there. All of the nursing and phlebotomist staff, Candy, Nicole, and Kathy immediately make you feel comfortable and take the time to explain everything.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
My husband and I will never be able to say enough good things about this clinic and the entire staff. Everyone is incredibly professional, beyond knowledgeable, and most of all: kind, caring, and empathetic. Dr. Hunter is a great practice director and doctor, never pushes you into a pathway you aren't 100% comfortable with, and takes the time to answer every question and explain anything. WHNP-BC Yllena Novitsky is truly the most passionate and compassionate human being we have ever met. She immediately makes you feel comfortable and always takes the time to answer every question at every visit. IVF Coordinator Nurse Carol Powers is an incredible health care professional and truly wonderful human. We could not imagine undergoing any procedure without Carol there. All of the nursing and phlebotomist staff, Candy, Nicole, and Kathy immediately make you feel comfortable and take the time to explain everything. Dr. Christensen and Paige, the embryologists, blew us away at every turn. Their level of expertise and knowledge is amazing and their ability to explain a very technical process incredible. Additionally, Paige, a strong advocate for women and fertility, is always working to further knowledge of the field. We are forever grateful we did IVF at KFI.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
We went $18,500 for our first round of IVF, and then an additional $5,000 for our freeze all cycle. This did not include medication and embryo testing.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter recommended only one embryo transfer as our embryos were genetically tested. We felt very comfortable with this recommendation.
[Dr. Hunter] very much customized his treatment plan to me and my situation. He stays up-to-date on the latest research/studies and isn't afraid to modify based on the latest research. He is a facts-driven person that he communicates in a way that I found comforting...he was quite confident that I did not need these extra treatments but instead, some of the basic approaches within IVF (that were missing from my initial round of IVF--PIO shots, estradiol supplements, etc.) may get me where I wanted to be. We also did a mock trial before my round of IVF
[KFI] Strengths-relatively new practice with a 1 on 1 approach still front-of-mind. Dr. Hunter is always available for chatting with and will respond to an email within the hour. Staff is very friendly. Facility is nice with easy access and clean. Weaknesses-Short-staffed (as of 2020)...[the nurse] was clearly being spread too thin and I think this can be dangerous as you have to be extremely precise in such a vital role
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter was not afraid to challenge previous notions that I'd gotten from other doctors/sources but at the same time, was amenable to the extent that I felt comfortable. While some reviews had voiced that his delivery was blunt, I didn't mind this because although he is straight-forward in what he says, he presents it in a way that is humanizing/confident. Having come from an office that treated every woman's case in a very cookie-cutter fashion, I was extremely appreciative of Dr. Hunter's approach. He is brilliant and stays up-to-date on the latest studies and adjusts accordingly. I think this was CRITICAL as many doctors seem to get "stuck in their ways" and aren't humble enough/care enough(?) to change things up. He really cares about his patients and I could always see him trying to balance any blunt info with a softened demeanor. I came in thinking I needed a very over-the-top approach (I.e. blood thinners, immunosuppressants, etc.) and he was quite confident that I did not need these extra treatments but instead, some of the basic approaches within IVF (that were missing from my initial round of IVF--PIO shots, estradiol supplements, etc.) may get me where I wanted to be. We also did a mock trial before my round of IVF that allowed us to understand the optimal amount of progesterone needed prior to transferring. He is a very facts-based person and doesn't seem to stray too far from the numbers. While this can at times be discouraging, I appreciated his honesty.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Having come from another clinic that prescribed every woman the exact same treatment, it was extremely refreshing to meet Dr. Hunter. He very much customized his treatment plan to me and my situation. He stays up-to-date on the latest research/studies and isn't afraid to modify based on the latest research. He is a facts-driven person that he communicates in a way that I found comforting.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
Egg stimulation was performed with a slightly higher dosage of antagonist than had been used at a previous retrieval (different clinic). I was monitored every couple of days for progress.
Upon retrieval, we retrieved 11 eggs and ICSI was performed. I was given updates by the embryologist every two days or so until we were able to freeze four embryos.
We then performed a mock trial where we were able to see exactly how many hours of progesterone were needed prior to transfer.
Successful transfer of one AA embryo that has resulted in a healthy pregnancy. I am currently 38.5 weeks pregnant.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol)
At the time of my experience with KFI, unfortunately, they were short-staffed. Carol was clearly being spread too thin and I think this can be dangerous as you have to be extremely precise in such a vital role. For instance, she mis-calculated the numbers of hours required for me to take progesterone prior to my transfer (after having gone through a mock trial) and fortunately I caught it. I have no doubt that she is an amazing nurse with an amazing bedside manner and under normal circumstances, this would not have happened. However, due to being short-staffed she has too many patients at a time and mistakes are bound to happen. While I was laying there about to get taken back for my transfer, I heard her talking to another nurse at an audible level about how she needed a vacation and was at her limit which made me feel nervous before I was put out for the retrieval. For the record, however, most of my dealings with her were wonderful and I felt cared for.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Strengths-relatively new practice with a 1 on 1 approach still front-of-mind. Dr. Hunter is always available for chatting with and will respond to an email within the hour. Staff is very friendly. Facility is nice with easy access and clean.
Weaknesses-Short-staffed (as of 2020).
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
~15k
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter advocates for a single embryo transfer unless there is a strong case for more.
What specific things went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Failed to call with results
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Wrong numbers of hours of progesterone calculated prior to FET.
While [Dr. Hunter] does not have the warmest bedside manner he was very good at explaining everything and making us feel taken care of in the best way. We trusted his expertise from day 1 and he was available for questions via email, phone and in person...We were given the option to have two embryos transferred but opted for 1...
The [KFI] nursing staff was wonderful. They were sometimes hard to reach but always got back to us within usually a business day...Strengths: Wait times are pretty good Nice spacious rooms and clinic environment Friendly staff Always feels like you’re the only one though they’re really busy, never make you feel rushed Very compassionate care Weaknesses Few: just maybe more stringent communication overall
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
The first consultation was a bit awkward in terms of getting to know each other and explaining our needs and expectations given that it is a very personal matter and we didn’t have the most traditional request. From then on, however, it was a smooth journey and we felt like part of their family and vice versa for the duration of our care.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Sometimes one needs to be a bit persistent in getting through to them for some clarifications on the treatment course.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
While he does not have the warmest bedside manner he was very good at explaining everything and making us feel taken care of in the best way. We trusted his expertise from day 1 and he was available for questions via email, phone and in person.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
I do not remember the specifics but it felt very standard throughout the egg retrieval. I had some side effects leaning towards ovarian hyper stimulation and the team promptly responded and started me on Cabergolin which helped a lot. Only one embryo was transferred after normal genetic screening and it took. The preparation for embryo transfer consisted of estrogen and progesterone shots, the shots we only had to complete til 10 weeks after transfer which was nice. Very little side effects from everything.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol )
The nursing staff was wonderful. They were sometimes hard to reach but always got back to us within usually a business day. A couple of inconsistencies with the treatment planned happened due to communication issues which were quickly fixed with no effect on us. The only thing we would have maybe liked would have been a sit down in the beginning with a printed out outlining of the exact schedule but we were also doing a lot remotely due to the pandemic and had two years between egg retrieval and embryo transfer so that is probably one reason it felt a bit less stringent to us.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Strengths:
Wait times are pretty good
Nice spacious rooms and clinic environment
Friendly staff
Always feels like you’re the only one though they’re really busy, never make you feel rushed
Very compassionate care
Weaknesses
Few: just maybe more stringent communication overall
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
I remember the cost of the medications, procedures, ultrasounds, labs, counseling and anesthesia costs. Overall not bad.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
We were given the option to have two embryos transferred but opted for 1.
What specific things went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Only one minor miscommunication: one person stated I needed to continue progesterone through pregnancy week 10, another person said through week 10 after transfer. That matters if you’re not loving the needles. We got it clarified early enough though so that I could stop at the earliest possible time.
Dr. Hunter is fantastic! He knows what he is doing, knows the best course of action for his patients, and always makes them feel comfortable. He always made sure that we were doing what I wanted to do and made sure that all my questions were answered...[we did] another HSG. We did and my tubes were clear. We then started fertility medication and tried conceiving naturally a few cycles on those. When that did not work, we started IUI
Strengths [of Kentucky Fertility Institute] would be their friendly staff, always available for questions, help you when you need it, appointments are quick (you don't wait in the waiting room forever like at other doctors offices), they are seriously always open (I had Saturday and Sunday appointments so they could get me in). No weaknesses, they're amazing!..IUI was about $600 each time and IVF was about $20,000 total
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is fantastic! He knows what he is doing, knows the best course of action for his patients, and always makes them feel comfortable. He always made sure that we were doing what I wanted to do and made sure that all my questions were answered. After 1 round of IVF I am now pregnant and could not be happier! We would 100% recommend Dr. Hunter to anyone!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Ask questions, he will answer them, but don't hesitate! You will love him!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
They were always incredibly nice, always asked how I felt or if I had questions.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
The first thing we did was an HSG to see if my fallopian tubes were open. We could not see anything because I had a uterine fibroid in the way. Dr. Hunter suggested we remove that (he did) then do another HSG. We did and my tubes were clear. We then started fertility medication and tried conceiving naturally a few cycles on those. When that did not work, we started IUI. We did 4 rounds of IUI, each producing a negative pregnancy test. So we started IVF. We did the egg retrieval to freeze the eggs so that they could soon be transferred. 18 eggs were retrieved, 11 were mature enough to fertilize, and 5 made it to the final stage for freezing. Dr. Hunter and his team chose the best looking embryo for the first transfer and it worked! I am currently 9 weeks pregnant!
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Amazing! Candy is always super sweet and treats you like she's your best friend, asking how you're doing and just chatting with you. Carol, the IVF coordinator, was super amazing too, very personable. Both were always there if I ever had any questions. Those were the 2 I saw the most but the whole team was always fantastic!
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Strengths would be their friendly staff, always available for questions, help you when you need it, appointments are quick (you don't wait in the waiting room forever like at other doctors offices), they are seriously always open (I had Saturday and Sunday appointments so they could get me in).
No weaknesses, they're amazing!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
IUI was about $600 each time and IVF was about $20,000 total (this includes the cost to KFI, to the embryology lab, the medications, egg retrieval, transfer, bloodwork, ultrasound monitoring)
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
I like that Dr. Hunter does a single embryo transfer. I don't want to have the chance of having multiples and if they failed, I would hate to lose 2 embryos at once.
Dr. Hunter is very professional, straightforward, and does not sugarcoat things. I am of advanced age, have been through years of treatment, and have an issue with my pituitary gland that makes conceiving without medication impossible. ... Dr. Hunter's bedside manner is very direct, intelligent, calm and collected. He does not seem to be set in his ways, he is willing to adapt your treatment to what is right for your specific situation.
The IVF Nurse Coordinator [at is kind, informative, knowledgeable and efficient. His billing specialist sat with us for a long meeting and carefully reviewed the costs and payment options up front. ... They give you a lot of informative reading material and keep you updated. They get you in for your appointment promptly. ... It is a beautiful, inviting, and very professional office setting. The rooms are comfortable and spotless. The nurses and staff greet you with a smile.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is very professional, straightforward, and does not sugarcoat things. I am of advanced age, have been through years of treatment, and have an issue with my pituitary gland that makes conceiving without medication impossible. My previous reproductive endocrinologist happened to be moving out of the state right before we started our first IVF cycle, and she highly recommended Dr Hunter. He read my chart carefully and had his own ideas and suggestions for treatment and we immediately felt we were in very capable hands to start our first IVF cycle. Our cycle was underway and had to be postponed due to COVID-19. He kept in touch and sent detailed information about his ability to begin treatment for patients whose care should not be delayed. With careful precautions in place, we are fortunate to have the chance to begin treatment. Dr. Hunter's bedside manner is very direct, intelligent, calm and collected. He does not seem to be set in his ways, he is willing to adapt your treatment to what is right for your specific situation.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
He does not have an overly warm bedside manner, but is very professional and will clearly and intelligently explain the treatment options.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
At our first appointment, I could tell that he had reviewed my entire chart from previous doctors and thoughtfully went over his recommendations for treatment with me in a clear, straightforward way.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
We will be using an agonist protocol, Gonal-F, Menopur, and Ovidrel. We will do ICSI, and pre-implantation genetic testing (due to my previous losses), a single embryo transfer, and progesterone treatment, which we have done for all of my previous cycles.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol Powers)
The IVF Nurse Coordinator is kind, informative, knowledgeable and efficient. His billing specialist sat with us for a long meeting and carefully reviewed the costs and payment options up front.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
It is a beautiful, inviting, and very professional office setting. The rooms are comfortable and spotless. The nurses and staff greet you with a smile. They give you a lot of informative reading material and keep you updated. They get you in for your appointment promptly.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Medications - $4,750
Anesthesia - $650
Retrieval and transfer - $1,060
Laboratory - $6,870
Pre-implantation genetic testing - $7,500
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter does both single embryo transfer and multiple embryo transfer, but recommended a single transfer for my specific situation. I like that he will adapt based on the specific circumstances of the patient.
Dr. Hunter recommends only transferring one embryo...I could support a multiple embryo transfer when I asked and he would ultimately let us make the decision...[he] took the time to promptly respond to all of our questions either by phone or email within 24 hours. His answers were clearly tailored to our situation and he was always very open to our thoughts and concerns if we wanted to try something different. We felt very well taken care of and appreciated his very detailed responses to questions and concerns.
All of the support staff at KFI are supportive, patient and kind. They take their time to answer questions- do not hurry any appointments and are very knowledgeable...IUI cycles with oral medications averaged $800 -$1000. IVF cycle with frozen transfer was around $20,000 including medications...All services are provided in house except that we were referred out for male factor infertility further work-up but the male fertility doctor works very closely with Dr. Hunter so it was no problem.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is very straightforward with his treatment and care. He is direct and to-the-point and shows a lot of confidence in his recommendations which he backs up with research. He took the time to even send links to sites for us to explore different options ourselves so we would feel more comfortable and knowledgeable regarding our course of treatment. This meant that he included us in the decision making process and welcomed our own thoughts and choices even if we didn't pick his first suggestion- he was willing to try whatever we felt most comfortable with and did not push us to do one treatment over another. I have a background in healthcare and appreciated that he referenced appropriate guidelines and up-to-date information to support his recommendations.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Expect to be a part of the decision making process. Be open and vocal about your own thoughts and concerns. Do not be afraid to make requests or ask a million questions- Dr. Hunter will do his absolute best to follow what you want to do and answer all questions very patiently.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter took the time to promptly respond to all of our questions either by phone or email within 24 hours. His answers were clearly tailored to our situation and he was always very open to our thoughts and concerns if we wanted to try something different. We felt very well taken care of and appreciated his very detailed responses to questions and concerns.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
We began with oral medications and IUI when we started with Dr. Hunter. We did one cycle with Clomid and two additional cycles with Letrozole all of which ended in negative pregnancy tests. We then proceeded with IVF and transferred one of our frozen embryos which resulted in a successful singleton live birth.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
All of the support staff at KFI are supportive, patient and kind. They take their time to answer questions- do not hurry any appointments and are very knowledgeable.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The clinic is very clean and updated. All services are provided in house except that we were referred out for male factor infertility further work-up but the male fertility doctor works very closely with Dr. Hunter so it was no problem. One of the rooms does have a patient TV monitor so you can watch the ultrasounds which we really liked.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
IUI cycles with oral medications averaged $800 -$1000. IVF cycle with frozen transfer was around $20,000 including medications.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter recommends only transferring one embryo due to a lot of data supporting better health for mother and baby. He did mention that, due to my health and age, I could support a multiple embryo transfer when I asked and he would ultimately let us make the decision but my husband and I agreed with him that a single embryo transfer was the better option for us.
As a plus size, advanced maternal age patient - I was terrified of beginning this journey...I was always treated with respect and compassion. My clinical issues were addressed, and I never felt an ounce of shame or judgment while seeking care. Dr. Hunter is a very professional, knowledgeable...[he] is pretty dry, but don’t mistake that as poor or rude bedside manner.
This clinics strengths are that they facilitate to all walks of life with no judgment. They are all kind and professional. The only weakness I can think of is that getting a new patient appointment can take several months...[the KY Fertility Institute nurse] was always very kind, and very compassionate when I experienced a chemical pregnancy.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
As a plus size, advanced maternal age patient - I was terrified of beginning this journey. I’ve heard horror stories from many people of similar situations that were treated like live stock and denied treatment. At Ky Fertility, I was always treated with respect and compassion. My clinical issues were addressed, and I never felt an ounce of shame or judgment while seeking care.
Dr. Hunter is a very professional, knowledgeable Dr. I trusted his opinion and treatment plan from the very start. He is very clinical in his approach and communication, but never rushed and always willing to answer questions. He’s not incredibly warm, but I value clear and respectful communication over warmth.
I would, and have, referred friends and family to seek out care from Dr. Hunter.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is pretty dry, but don’t mistake that as poor or rude bedside manner.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr Hunter and his staff were always very warm, and happy to address any questions or concerns that I had. My calls were always answered or returned very quickly, and I never felt like I was a patient of a team that didn’t have time for me.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
I used letrozole at the beginning of my cycles. I was later seen for an ultrasound to measure and count my egg production. Timing was then established for me to use a trigger shot (ovidrel), and plan for timed intercourse. At the ultrasound a date was given to take a pregnancy test, and I was informed to call the office to report my findings.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Candy)
All of the staff at Ky Fertility were wonderful, but particularly Candy sticks out in my memory. She was always very kind, and very compassionate when I experienced a chemical pregnancy.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
This clinics strengths are that they facilitate to all walks of life with no judgment. They are all kind and professional. The only weakness I can think of is that getting a new patient appointment can take several months.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
I had a consultation fee for my appointment with Dr Hunter, ultrasound fees and lab fees.
Dr. Hunter was very thorough and informative while still having a good bedside manner and being very personable...It was his medical opinion I should transfer 1 but he was respectful of the fact that we wanted to transfer 2...While everything we chose to do was our decision, I felt very well informed of our best course of action..
It took about 3 months to get into the [Kentucky Fertility Institute] office for my initial consultation. After that, everything moved very quickly. Everyone was very professional and kind and I never had a long wait time in the office. I had a couple of billing questions and the billing department was very helpful and quickly answered my questions...She [assigned nurse] always responded to me quickly and answered any questions I had
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter was very thorough and informative while still having a good bedside manner and being very personable. We moved over to his practice because we were seeking a little more guidance on treatment plans. While everything we chose to do was our decision, I felt very well informed of our best course of action. After leaving the office I would often think of questions and Dr. Hunter was always very fast to respond to my e-mails. He works almost everyday of the year which confirmed that every step of our treatment was done at the exact right time for my cycle- as opposed to when it was convenient for the office.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Try to stay optimistic through each process.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter along with every member of his team always took the time to answer any questions I had. They were always very quick to respond to my e-mails as well, no matter the day or time. During my IVF treatment I was in the office very frequently and everyone knew me by name and seemed to care very much about the success of my treatment.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
Dr. Hunter listened to my experiences and results from our previous fertility specialist and first suggested an HCG procedure and more blood work. He informed me that sometimes HCG procedures can be helpful with rounds of IUI. It’s not medically proven, but they’ve found that women sometimes have better luck after the HCG procedure. We took his advice and I started Letrozole, did the HCG procedure (there were no blockages) and one round of IUI. The round was not successful, it was my first with Dr. Hunter but my 4th all together. Dr. Hunter explained we could move forward with IVF or try a few more rounds of IUI. We chose to move forward with IVF.
I ended up using the IVF medications for an extra day because there were a few eggs that were just about ready to be removed. They retrieved 28 eggs and 20 took the sperm. We had it injected in the eggs because their motility was low that day. We ended up with 9 embryos and froze them for a month to prevent hyper stimulation of my ovaries. My husband and I chose to transfer two embryos about a month later and both implanted!
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol)
My primary nurse coordinator, Carol communicated with me through e-mail. She always responded to me quickly and answered any questions I had.
I actually had more interaction in the office with a nurse named Candy, whom I could not say enough kind things about. She was so incredibly kind, personable and helpful.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
It took about 3 months to get into the office for my initial consultation. After that, everything moved very quickly. Everyone was very professional and kind and I never had a long wait time in the office. I had a couple of billing questions and the billing department was very helpful and quickly answered my questions. I always felt very comfortable in the office, it’s very well run.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
I have very good insurance and infertility coverage. We paid for IVF out of pocket but only about $7000. My medicines were about $2500 with my insurance helping out. I was billed from the lab work after the fact but only for about $200. We ended up spending a lot less than expected.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter was very clear about the face that I would have a very high chance of multiples. He very clearly explained the risks of multiples. It was his medical opinion I should transfer 1 but he was respectful of the fact that we wanted to transfer 2. He just made sure to fully explain the chance and risk of multiples.
Dr. Hunter gives guidance for treatment in a meaningful way. He allowed us to have a voice in the direction we wanted to move and clearly expressed his thoughts. He shared all treatment options without pressuring us to go a specific direction. Dr. Hunter has a gentle demeanor and knows how to talk on his patients’ level...He encourages us to ask questions and makes himself available to us.
The clinic [Kentucky Fertility Institute] is modern and very clean. It does not appear to be a fertility clinic on the outside. The staff are caring and helpful and work hard to help patients. I have found that the billing side of things can be difficult to navigate...Each IUI cost approximately $1200. That includes medications and we had the added cost of storing donor sperm and thawing.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter gives guidance for treatment in a meaningful way. He allowed us to have a voice in the direction we wanted to move and clearly expressed his thoughts. He shared all treatment options without pressuring us to go a specific direction. Dr. Hunter has a gentle demeanor and knows how to talk on his patients’ level.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter appears to be very serious. It took two or three interactions with him to see that he is laid back and not all business.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter gives clear explanations and guidance throughout treatment. He encourages us to ask questions and makes himself available to us.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
We were diagnosed with male factor infertility due to non-obstructive azoospermia. We opted to use donor sperm instead of pursuing more invasive treatments with lower chances. When we first visited Dr. Hunter he was extremely understanding of our situation and the reasons we wanted to use donor sperm with IUI. He shared treatment options, but supported us in our final decision. We have had three unsuccessful medicated IUIs. The same protocol was used for the first two then Dr. Hunter changed the third protocol to see if it would help. Due to Covid-19 our treatment was put on hold. However, when we resume treatment Dr. Hunter has explained that he’d like to look at additional testing and attempt another IUI.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The staff at KFI are warm and welcoming. When I have called to share the results after a negative pregnancy test, the nurses have been compassionate and empathetic. They stay positive and are very helpful when questions are asked. They go above and beyond to seek out answers or find clarification.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The clinic is modern and very clean. It does not appear to be a fertility clinic on the outside. The staff are caring and helpful and work hard to help patients.
I have found that the billing side of things can be difficult to navigate. The office staff is extremely willing to work with payments, but when we overpaid for something it took weeks to get that refunded. It is not the fault of the staff as they explained that they use corporate billing. It can be difficult to get clear answers because you can’t simply call the office. You have to go through another company who manages KFI’s billing.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Each IUI cost approximately $1200. That includes medications and we had the added cost of storing donor sperm and thawing.
We had nothing but a positive experience with Dr. Hunter. He made us feel confident in our course of care but never over confident. We appreciated his occasional bluntness and straight forward explanations. We trusted him and felt he knew what was best for us and our process. ... When it came to treatment and our options, Dr. Hunter was always very straight forward and all business. However, he would also ask us about our jobs and what we were doing in daily life, and would remember from appointment to appointment and ask about things we had discussed at previous appointments. This made us feel like he really did see us as people and cared about us, not JUST the treatment plan. We never felt rushed when meeting with him or like he was trying to get us finished so he could go on to the next.
The clinic [Kentucky Fertility Institute] is small and at the time, Dr.Hunter was the only doctor. This made getting our initial appointment difficult as they were booked out further than we anticipated or hoped. However, once we got in for our first appointment, it was very easy to get appointments and even change them when something came up that did not allow us to make our scheduled appointment. They were very flexible and accommodating to our schedule.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
We had nothing but a positive experience with Dr. Hunter. He made us feel confident in our course of care but never over confident. We appreciated his occasional bluntness and straight forward explanations. We trusted him and felt he knew what was best for us and our process.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr.Hunter is not a warm and fuzzy gives-you-hugs kind of guy, so if you’re looking for a doctor who will hug and cry with you, do not go to him. I typically want my doctors to be warm and fuzzy, but because the IVF process is so scientific and numbers based, I appreciated that Dr. Hunter was very numbers and science focused. I did not need him to be warm and fuzzy, I needed him to be all about the science and know what to do to help us get pregnant and he did!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
When it came to treatment and our options, Dr. Hunter was always very straight forward and all business. However, he would also ask us about our jobs and what we were doing in daily life, and would remember from appointment to appointment and ask about things we had discussed at previous appointments. This made us feel like he really did see us as people and cared about us, not JUST the treatment plan. We never felt rushed when meeting with him or like he was trying to get us finished so he could go on to the next.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
We did and IVF freeze-all cycle. My egg count was lower than expected for my age as we were doing the injections for egg stimulation, so Dr.Hunter adjusted my medication plan to stimulate more eggs. I believe it helped some. We then did pre genetic screening on our embryos before embryo transfer so when we did embryo transfer it was with a frozen embryo.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol)
The nursing staff were all very kind and helpful, understanding of the emotions that come with IVF, and very communicative. A few times I sent emails at odd hours or on the weekend with questions or concerns and Carol was very quick to respond which I felt was above and beyond what I expect from a doctors office. It meant a lot to me.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The clinic is small and at the time, Dr.Hunter was the only doctor. This made getting our initial appointment difficult as they were booked out further than we anticipated or hoped. However, once we got in for our first appointment, it was very easy to get appointments and even change them when something came up that did not allow us to make our scheduled appointment. They were very flexible and accommodating to our schedule.
Dr. Hunter took plenty of time during appointments and consultations to go over risks and next steps. I am someone who always has a lot of questions and I never got the sense that he was rushing along or that I was asking too many questions...Dr. Hunter would strongly prefer single embryo transfer...also prefers frozen embryo transfer to reduce risk of OHSS...I received timely responses to phone calls and emails....
This clinic [Kentucky Fertility Institute] has very knowledgeable and kind staff. I always felt that I was treated with specific care and attention...New patients may want to know that there is not a separate waiting room for patients/visitors who bring children. I've heard that some clinics have that, but new patients may want to know that there could be children in the waiting room... PGT-A and PGT-M testing which was $7,500....
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter took plenty of time during appointments and consultations to go over risks and next steps. I am someone who always has a lot of questions and I never got the sense that he was rushing along or that I was asking too many questions.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I wouldn't hesitate to ask any questions. I did a lot of research before starting treatment and didn't realize how much I still didn't know until we started with our consultation and treatment. Dr. Hunter was patient and answered all of my questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I never felt like I was rushed during my appointments. I received timely responses to phone calls and emails.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
I started with birth control suppression for about a month. Once the IVF cycle started, I took 150 of Gonal and 75 IU of Menopur for 10 days. I started Cetrotide on Day 7 of stims. The triggers used was Leuprolide Acetate. My protocol was chosen because I have a relatively high AMH (6.6ng) and AFC (24) so it was thought that I would be a good responder. We used Lupron trigger to minimize risk of OHSS. We retrieved 24 eggs. Of those, 12 were mature and 9 fertilized normally with ICSI. We ended up with 7 high quality (morphologically) embryos. We are currently waiting on results from PGT-A and PGT-M testing.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol Powers)
The nursing staff are wonderful. As with the doctor, they took time to answer all questions and were very patient and kind.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
This clinic has very knowledgeable and kind staff. I always felt that I was treated with specific care and attention. I'm not familiar with typical staffing size of clinics, but the clinic does seem to have a small number of staff. That said, they do operate efficiently with the staff they have and all of the staff seem passionate about the work and your success.
New patients may want to know that there is not a separate waiting room for patients/visitors who bring children. I've heard that some clinics have that, but new patients may want to know that there could be children in the waiting room.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
I had insurance coverage so the out-of-pocket costs are different for me. That said, the IVF cycle (monitoring, egg retrieval, transfer) package is $13,500 not including medications. I believe of that amount that the transfer is $4,500. I had some insurance coverage for medications and paid about $1,000 out-of-pocket. We also paid for PGT-A and PGT-M testing which was $7,500.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
My understanding is that Dr. Hunter would strongly prefer single embryo transfer rather than multiple embryo transfer, at least in my case. Given my age and family history, the risk of a high-order pregnancy would be too great with a multiple embryo transfer. Dr. Hunter also prefers frozen embryo transfer to reduce risk of OHSS.
I don’t think Dr. Hunter is best suited for the emotionally challenging field of reproductive endocrinology. He did not show adequate empathy, he reminded me frequently of how old I was in an callous way, he didn’t communicate treatment plans well, and when things were clearly not working he didn’t change the protocol or consider how the treatments would affect me cumulatively.
The clinic [Kentucky Fertility Institute] itself is clean and organized and relatively well managed. The prices are high, however, and whoever answers the billing phone is not helpful or nice. Also, it’s almost impossible to get anyone on the phone. All my communication was through voicemail or email. Dr Hunter is very responsive on email, luckily. ... They are impossible to get on the phone, and I often had to call multiple times and leave multiple messages before I got the information I needed. Again, email was better.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I don’t think Dr. Hunter is best suited for the emotionally challenging field of reproductive endocrinology. He did not show adequate empathy, he reminded me frequently of how old I was in an callous way, he didn’t communicate treatment plans well, and when things were clearly not working he didn’t change the protocol or consider how the treatments would affect me cumulatively. The biggest problem was that he left most of the decision making up to me - a patient with zero medical training. We tried for 9 months with letrozole, gonal f, timed intercourse and IUI, without any positive results. Ultimately, I switched to IRH in Cincinnati and was told that for someone with my anatomical issues, IUI and natural pregnancy is highly unlikely to work and would more likely result in ectopic pregnancy than live birth. On top of that, my right ovary is so overstimulated from months of hormones that I’ll need to be on birth control for a while before we can even start the IVF process. The only time I had to ask questions during our visits was the five minutes right after the follicle scan when I was uncomfortable and not wearing pants or underwear, so that didn’t help the communication issues. Also - and this is more of a personal issue - but Dr Hunter has a vanity plate on his car that says “Eggman.” I get the Beatles reference, but it still seems distasteful and a little misogynist for a male fertility doctor.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Get a second opinion if it doesn’t feel right, and don’t wait as long as I did to take that step.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr Hunter is very clinical and dry. I think he cares about his patients, but there was no warmth in his interactions. Also he spent very little time consulting with us after the initial meeting. I usually left the office confused and with more questions than answers.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
ultrasound monitoring for follicle growth, about 4-5 cycles of letrozole, ovidrel and timed intercourse, 6 or so cycles of letrozole, gonal f, ovidrel and IUI or timed intercourse depending on scan results.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Usually Candy)
Candy was super warm, caring and thorough. She was a great communicator and I often got more comprehensible answers from her than from Dr. Hunter.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The clinic itself is clean and organized and relatively well managed. The prices are high, however, and whoever answers the billing phone is not helpful or nice. Also, it’s almost impossible to get anyone on the phone. All my communication was through voicemail or email. Dr Hunter is very responsive on email, luckily.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
175-225 for an ultrasound, 500 for IUI, medication was 300-600 most months. All self-pay and upfront.
What specific things went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Failed to send your chart to another clinic
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
They are impossible to get on the phone, and I often had to call multiple times and leave multiple messages before I got the information I needed. Again, email was better.
Dr Hunter is direct, and to the point. But he does balance this with compassion and caring. He does not complicate issues and doesn't overwhelm you with too much info. But any question you do ask, he completes his response with, "what else can i answer for you." So, if you do like a lot of information you can ask as many questions as you want. I tend to want to know the basics but too much information/ alternate options can stress me out. So I do appreciate his balance of information without speculation. There is so much comfort in knowing everything, every part of your procedure, is kept under his roof and his eye.
Carol Powers [at Kentucky Fertility Institute] is a smart RN with a heart full of compassion for her patients. She is so knowledgeable and brings so much warmth and care...$20,000 for a full round of IVF and one FET transfer. This included all labs and $4,000 for genetic testing...You receive clear concise information with caring understanding. It was the first place I went that I felt like they knew my name without looking at my file. And they are not a small operation.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr Hunter is direct, and to the point. But he does balance this with compassion and caring. He does not complicate issues and doesn't overwhelm you with too much info. But any question you do ask, he completes his response with, "what else can i answer for you." So, if you do like a lot of information you can ask as many questions as you want. I tend to want to know the basics but too much information/ alternate options can stress me out. So I do appreciate his balance of information without speculation. There is so much comfort in knowing everything, every part of your procedure, is kept under his roof and his eye.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I would say just know he is extremely intelligent & intellectual Doctor. He is very professional and measured when he speaks. He is confident in himself and his practice. If you trust him like I do, release the process to him. Don't get too bogged down in the details. Let him and his team handle that.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
They know my name at KFI. I would say they are a staff of about 10 people, so they really get to know you. They continuously ask if i have more questions & if they can help with anything. When I say I do not have any more questions they always tell me to call or shoot a quick email if some come up. I love how much they make sure I do not have any more questions or concerns. It is comprehensive & all inclusive. The head nurse you meet on day one is the nurse holding your hand during your egg retrieval and transfer. The operating room is just down the hall.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
Because I had spend years with another fertility doctor doing 6 rounds of IUI, Laparoscopic surgery for Endo, and every drug combo you can image, I came to Dr Hunter knowing IVF was where we were heading. He told me he understood if I was done with those treatments and wanted to do IVF. He asked me if that was what I was wanting, and I explained I wanted a second opinion. I also wanted someone who could do everything in house. He said for my age and diagnosis IVF was the best course of action, and he would be happy to do everything in house. Even the egg retrieval.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol Powers)
Carol Powers is a smart RN with a heart full of compassion for her patients. She is so knowledgeable and brings so much warmth and care. She checks my home injection sites to make sure I am not bruising too much, makes sure I do not have any further questions, and tells me to remember the mood swings are not my fault! She reminds me that its all her fault, because she is the one giving me the drugs! She works tirelessly and hard for her patients. She will hold your hand when you need it, and instill strength in you when you are feeling week. You couldn't ask for a better nurse.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
I feel like this clinic strikes a good balance between not being too large (10-15 employees?) and impersonal but large enough to do everything in house. As a quieter person I feel like I could get lost in a large clinic. But, I have also had the experience of a smaller clinic outsourcing. If you need to do IVF, I feel like you will have the best experience in town. I never imagined my egg retrieval and FET would be in a private operating room. What a great experience. Especially because my last doctor was going to have to send me to a hospital in a different city for my egg retrieval.
They are a young practice, I believe under 5 years, so I know they are growing and expanding their practice. But, I honestly don't see or feel growing pains. It has really been a nice experience.
You receive clear concise information with caring understanding. It was the first place I went that I felt like they knew my name without looking at my file. And they are not a small operation.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
$20,000 for a full round of IVF and one FET transfer. This included all labs and $4,000 for genetic testing. Each additional transfer is $4,000.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
For my age (under 35) and relative health (Endometriosis / diagnosed) he recommended one egg. He feels it would have a better chance of developing. He said in the end its my choice. The day before my FET I received a call from the nurse confirming which embryo I wanted and if I wanted to stick with one egg. I appreciated the call and confirmation.
Dr Hunter always takes the most time to answer all my questions. I never feel rushed in my appointments. He also does not give false hope. I would rather someone give me the real numbers rather than getting my hopes up if my chances are not great.... I have been trying to conceive for over 10 years with no answers. Dr Hunter took over my care after his partner left the practice. We did decide to do IvF after many failed IUI’s. He never forced this on me but felt is was my best option. We did one transfer one embryo that ended in a chemical pregnancy.
I don’t really have anything bad to say about the clinic [Kentucky Fertility Institute]. They are on time clean and professional. The only thing is I would like to know more head of time the cost of procedures sometimes I am a little shocked about paying up front for things.... Carol is the IVF nurse she is available pretty much 24/7. I can email her directly. She helps with medication questions to that last minute freak out on the weekend I don’t know what to do questions.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I have been trying to conceive for over 10 years with no answers. Dr Hunter took over my care after his partner left the practice. We did decide to do IvF after many failed IUI’s. He never forced this on me but felt is was my best option. We did one transfer one embryo that ended in a chemical pregnancy. We were getting ready for another transfer and something showed up on my ultrasound that made him suspicious. We did and HSG and found my tubes were blocked. I then had surgery and had to remove both my tubes and also found endometriosis. I’m thankful for Dr Hunter for finding answers I felt in the past I was blown off when I expressed I could have endometriosis. I fully trust him and think he is really here to help families conceive their dreams.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
He is very smart. He is not the type to hold your hand but he is honest about all things and that is something I totally appreciate. He takes time with you? Never rushes and answers every question fully. You never leave there feeling like darn I should have asked that question!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr Hunter always takes the most time to answer all my questions. I never feel rushed in my appointments. He also does not give false hope. I would rather someone give me the real numbers rather than getting my hopes up if my chances are not great. He is always respectful and really wants to help achieve your dreams
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
I had a egg retrieval, one embryo transfer which resulted in a chemical pregnancy. Then a HSG which I also had a few years prior to Dr Hunter and surgery to remove endometriosis and hydrosalpinx
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol)
Carol is the IVF nurse she is available pretty much 24/7. I can email her directly. She helps with medication questions to that last minute freak out on the weekend I don’t know what to do questions. She also is very compassionate she helped lift my spirit after my chemical pregnancy. Held my hand during transfer and would even sit and pray with you. I’m so thankful for her!
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
I don’t really have anything bad to say about the clinic. They are on time clean and professional. The only thing is I would like to know more head of time the cost of procedures sometimes I am a little shocked about paying up front for things.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
My cost of IVF was 13,500. I had to pay extra for a saline ultrasound and HSG after my first round was completed. This did not include medicine.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr hunter is focused on a safe pregnancy and delivery. He recommends one embryo transfer for me due to my age and I appreciate his honest opinion and getting a healthy baby to a healthy mommy.
What specific things went wrong at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
He [Dr. Hunter] looked us in the eye when he spoke, he asked if we had any questions and went over every possible thing he could as a first consult. ... He also is sending my husband to a genetics counselor due to his karotype being slightly abnormal. ... He also did a full blood work panel on me that day as well. He started with this course of action because he wanted to see if there is anything missed on other ultrasounds that another doctor may not have seen.
The clinics [Kentucky Fertility Institute] strengths are that the office is so homey. Their chairs and couches are really comfy, the office is always clean, they offer coffee and drinks on hand in a fridge ready in the lobby. ... The nursing office from the front door to the back office were all completely compassionate. You could tell these women all have a passion for what they do. They are not just there for a paycheck, they genuinely care for every patient.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Robert Hunter was a kind, firm, direct, straight to the point physician. We saw a nurse first in order to have my vitals taken, then we saw Dr.Hunter directly in his office away from everyone else to give us complete privacy. He looked us in the eye when he spoke, he asked if we had any questions and went over every possible thing he could as a first consult.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I give them the advice of just go into the appt with an open mind and heart. I would say to definitely not be nervous about anything, he is a very laid back but direct doctor and he knows his stuff.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I felt like a human because he treated us with respect and talked to us about very facet of our fertility that he could. He discussed with my husband his possible course of action and mine as well and he spoke to us in terms that we could understand.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
So far we have not done any treatments. He has started me on medication to induce a period and ten days after that he will do an ultrasound to look at my uterine lining. He also did a full blood work panel on me that day as well. He started with this course of action because he wanted to see if there is anything missed on other ultrasounds that another doctor may not have seen. He also is sending my husband to a genetics counselor due to his karotype being slightly abnormal.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The nursing office from the front door to the back office were all completely compassionate. You could tell these women all have a passion for what they do. They are not just there for a paycheck, they genuinely care for every patient.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The clinics strengths are that the office is so homey. Their chairs and couches are really comfy, the office is always clean, they offer coffee and drinks on hand in a fridge ready in the lobby. The only weakness is that they are so far away from where my husband and I live. Otherwise I love everything about this clinic.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The costs for us are out of pocket due to the fact that we have insurance that they cover.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
He [Dr. Robert Hunter II] takes a personal and flexible approach to treatment and went outside of the box for us, which is so much better than getting a one size/schedule fits all IVF round like we experienced with our prior fertility doctor...gave us hope after two years of failed fertility treatments, without overpromising anything...responded - in depth, late at night, and almost always the same day if not within a couple hours - directly to me by phone and email to answer any questions and assuage concerns. It was such a relief to have that option during such a stressful and emotional time.
It did take us a while to get in for our initial patient consultation [at Kentucky Fertility Institute] - I want to say 10 weeks, which is actually why we saw another fertility doctor first...Carol, the IVF coordinator and nurse, is absolutely incredible. She is so compassionate, knowledgeable, helpful, experienced, professional, understanding...It was between $25000-$30000 for a full IVF round, including all medications and PGS testing, and likely between $10000- $15000 for a banking round.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
Dr. Hunter is very knowledgeable, candid, straightforward and understanding. What we appreciated most was being treated like an individual case - not just a one-size fits all treatment plan that did not work for us on several prior years of treatment. Dr. Hunter gave us hope after two years of failed fertility treatments, without overpromising anything, and was willing to think outside the box when we did not respond "normally" to "traditional" IVF protocol and ended up making our trickiest IVF round the most successful in terms of the number of eupoloid embryos. The other great thing about Dr. Hunter is how accessible he is. I'd never before had a doctor who I could not only email directly, but who also responded - in depth, late at night, and almost always the same day if not within a couple hours - directly to me by phone and email to answer any questions and assuage concerns. It was such a relief to have that option during such a stressful and emotional time.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
It did take us a while to get in for our initial patient consultation - I want to say 10 weeks, which is actually why we saw another fertility doctor first so I would say if you are considering using him, call to request the appointment sooner rather than later. However, once we were patients, we never had trouble getting an appointment or with scheduling, and in many ways this practice is way more flexible than others - they are open on Saturdays for appointments and have come in on Sundays for both appointments and procedures depending on when you/your body/baby needs it. I'd also say don't be afraid to email questions or concerns anytime. Their office is great about getting back to you quickly and thoughtfully, and this made a huge difference this made in my mental state while undergoing treatment.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
We initially saw Dr. Hunter for a second opinion after 2 IVF rounds, and have been very happy with switching to his practice. He takes a personal and flexible approach to treatment and went outside of the box for us, which is so much better than getting a one size/schedule fits all IVF round like we experienced with our prior fertility doctor. Dr. Hunter and his team are also great communicators - responding promptly to emails (same day, late night even, from Dr. Hunter himself!) and calls, which goes a long way when undergoing something as stressful as fertility treatments
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
Unlike other fertility clinics I've been to which hold patients to a strict or limited number of stimulation days and medicines, Dr. Hunter will work with you and change course based on your needs. For example, for our first two IVF rounds with another clinic, we did 12 days of stimulation and the retrieval on the 13th day (starting on a Sunday and a retrieval the following Friday), regardless of the fact that many of my eggs were not yet mature or were responding poorly. On our first round with Dr. Hunter (3rd overall), we did 15 days of stimulation and the retrieval on the 17th day (a Sunday!!), and on the second round with Dr. Hunter (4th overall), we did 16 days of stimulation and the retrieval on the 18th day, giving my body extra time to respond appropriately to the medicines. He takes this "we will go when you're body is ready" approach with all his patients, regardless of whether it's on a business day between 8-4.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Carol)
Carol, the IVF coordinator and nurse, is absolutely incredible. She is so compassionate, knowledgeable, helpful, experienced, professional, understanding, wats and caring. You can tell she just really cares about her patients.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
It did take a long time to get an initial appointment but once you’re a patient it is much easier to get appointments. Also don’t be afraid to email questions as often as you need! It was such a relief to be able to reach out and get answers when things were stressful or I was concerned about something.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
It was between $25000-$30000 for a full IVF round, including all medications and PGS testing, and likely between $10000- $15000 for a banking round. It was cheaper than the same treatment at our first fertility clinic, and the pharmacy recommended by this office was the cheapest fertility pharmacy (and I called at least 7)
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
Dr. Hunter's preference was to do a single transfer here instead of multiple due to my age (30) and the fact that we'd had one successful eSET with another fertility doctor (miscarried). I did not get the sense he would have objected to transferring two, but we agreed with his recommendation.
Dr Hunter used aspirin and progesterone during my attempts to get pregnant...That was for an IUI...truly cares about his patients and wants the best for them. He remains extremely busy, so there are times when the wait to see him may take a bit. After being his patient, I realize that wait is worth it, because he listens, he makes sure all questions are answered, and he wants you to leave satisfied. He holds few doubts in his ability to assist you to your goal. Dr Hunter is great at what he does and I’m lucky I found him.
She [nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute] made sure I always had the answer I needed and guided me every step of the way...IUI was about $800 (including medicines, injection, and procedure)...The strengths of this clinic are there promptness for appointments, willingness to work weekend hours, flexibility with patient hours, and availability to speak with me. The weakness is the wait could be a bit lengthy at times (not always), but the wait is worth it. Dr Hunter takes very good care of his patients and I have little negative to say about him or his practice.
How was your experience with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
As a patient of Dr Robert Hunter’s, I came to him scared, worried, and upset. He calmed me immediately and reassured me that I would be successfully pregnant soon enough. He ran tests and bloodwork and gave very prompt responses. He answered all of my questions with positivity and was very informative. I felt safe being advised by him versus an OB. His clinical advice calmed my nerves and I wound up having a successful pregnancy after four miscarriages. After child #1, I had more issues with fertility and chose to see him again. He did several procedures, pursued more aggressive approaches that I chose, and eventually, got to where I am currently...15 weeks pregnant. I am so fortunate to have found Dr Hunter. There is not a more bittersweet moment than graduating his practice at Kentucky Fertility Institute. Good thing he holds a reunion, so he can meet the babies he assists in getting here. I highly recommend seeing Dr Hunter for any fertility issues or concerns you may have.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I would advise a prospective patient to bring a list of questions and any medical history to the table. He will take care of the rest and will listen to you. After the first appointment, he will guide you completely. Although, he is very respectful to your wishes and ultimately, all decisions will be yours. He will provide your options, his recommendations, and all the knowledge you may need! He’s fantastic and so is the environment of the office.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute?
I feel that Dr Hunter truly cares about his patients and wants the best for them. He remains extremely busy, so there are times when the wait to see him may take a bit. After being his patient, I realize that wait is worth it, because he listens, he makes sure all questions are answered, and he wants you to leave satisfied. He holds few doubts in his ability to assist you to your goal. Dr Hunter is great at what he does and I’m lucky I found him.
Describe the protocols Robert Hunter II used in your cycles at Kentucky Fertility Institute and their degree of success.
Dr Hunter used aspirin and progesterone during my attempts to get pregnant. If I was successful, I would start progesterone when told until I was 10-12 weeks pregnant. I stopped aspirin at that point as well. I also used a couple of fertility medicines prior to injections, but can’t recall which ones. That was for an IUI.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Kentucky Fertility Institute. (Assigned nurse: Candy)
Dr Hunter’s nurse, Candy, was extremely busy just like Dr Hunter. But when she was available, she would always return my call to advise me, comfort me, and listen to me. She made sure I always had the answer I needed and guided me every step of the way.
Describe your experience with Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The strengths of this clinic are there promptness for appointments, willingness to work weekend hours, flexibility with patient hours, and availability to speak with me. The weakness is the wait could be a bit lengthy at times (not always), but the wait is worth it. Dr Hunter takes very good care of his patients and I have little negative to say about him or his practice.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Robert Hunter II at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
The costs were not too overpriced for the circumstances. Insurance covered some at the beginning and when it wasn’t covered, an IUI was about $800 (including medicines, injection, and procedure). Visits varied on pricing depending on what we were doing. And lab work was very reasonable.
Describe Robert Hunter II's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Kentucky Fertility Institute.
