Sanaz Ghazal

From the moment I sent the email to her for a consultation she made me feel so comfortable. I was going through my second miscarriage at that time, and my previous doctor made me feel like a number. There was no sympathy or compassion. I contacted her before my miscarriage was even complete because I knew I was not going back to my previous doctor. She quickly responded to my email with condolences and empathy toward my situation. She set up a consultation just to hear my story and decide on the next steps, which I found very comforting. The fact that she was interested in hearing my story meant so much to me. The day I went in for my consultation, she immediately gave me a hug and told me how sorry she was for what I was going through. She listened to my story, and didn't interrupt me. After that we set up a follow up consult (so my husband could attend) to discuss the next steps and future plans. During our conversation she was so honest and informative about everything, but also gentle with how she delivered it. She said that she was personally handling all the ultrasounds, test results, and transfers. I LOVED this because it ensured that I would receive all the information and receive it truthfully. She showed me all of my test results and explained everything in great detail, and how each of those tests help determine our next steps. Things that my previous doctor never did. She showed me that I had a fibroid on my uterus and a cyst on an ovary that I was not informed of from my previous doctor. Thankfully she told me that she wasn't concerned about them, but we would keep an eye on them. It was just nice to know about those 1) because it's regarding my body and health which is important to know about in general, and 2) I can have all the facts about my situation to better understand what my next steps need to be. After she thoroughly answered all of my questions she explained that she wanted to do some additional tests since I had recurring miscarriages. We also needed to transfer all medical records and my last embryo to her office. This was an easy and hassle-free transition as her office did most of the work behind the scenes. We discussed our options and made a decision which unfortunately has been put on hold due to this virus. The entire process from initial consult to where we are now has been so easy and comfortable. We have spent so much on this process already, which unfortunately I feel was wasted with my previous doctor. I like to call this ivf process our "journey" because it's like any journey you take. There are up's and down's, hills and mountains to climb, rough roads to take, deep waters to swim through, but it's better to go through those with someone you can rely on to help you through them. I am confident that in the end my journey will have been worth every penny while working with Dr. Ghazal. I look forward to continuing my journey with her and her team! God bless her and OC Fertility!

Don't be afraid to ask her as many questions as you need. She is there to answer them and to help you through this time. She will make sure you feel comfortable and well informed before you even leave her office.

At this time we are at the beginning of my cycle, so I can not answer this just yet. I can say that she assured me that we will make sure that the treatment plan that we use is working well, and if not adjust it accordingly. She explained that my treatment will be determined by my test results and how my body responds to medications so we can have the best possible outcome.

I was given different options based on my situation, so I would say it would depend on your cycle and everything that needs to be done. My IVF cycle total was around $15,000. This does not include medications or any other tests outside of the cycle. Medications can range anywhere from $2,000+ depending on which treatment plan you are on. The positive about these prices (in my opinion) is that it is significantly less than my previous clinic and I feel that I am getting better care here at OC Fertility.

She is very informative about all the risks and possibilities. She will give you her medical opinion, but knows that it is ultimately your decision and will do her best to give you a positive outcome regardless of your choice.

Dr. Ghazal was peaches and cream sweet during my first appointment, but due to the nature of our infertility and embryo adoption, my husband and I had questions and needed clarification so we scheduled a second appointment. I've never been treated so rudely nor have I been so personally attacked by a doctor. I left the office in tears and my husband was furious. I received word about 2 weeks later that she was no longer employed by HRC and that our file was being transferred to Dr. Frederick in the Newport Beach office, who performed our transfer as schedule, unfortunately not resulting in a pregnancy.

Don't be her patient. Run away. Run far, far away.

Starting with a week of Birth Control, then Lupron injections combined with alternating Estradiol and PIO injections, accompanied by Baby Aspirin daily. 5 days before transfer I started a prednisone pack.

For transferring embryos to the clinic, medications, and one FET cycle, the cost was about $7,000.

Dr. Ghazal did not perform our transfer; however, we had discussed transferring two embryos due to the quality of the embryos and my age (which we ultimately did).

Strengths: Dr. Ghazal is highly trained and has a lot of great experience in the field and she has the highest fertility rates in the clinic. When you ask her a question, she is straightforward, authentic, and detailed. When she shared information that I considered bad news for me, she was compassionate and did it in such a way that made me feel that there was hope for my situation. The only downside is that I did not get much contact with her and everything is communicated through her nurses and coordinators. Yet, when she did meet with you over the phone or in-person, she made you feel as though she was present with you and not trying to rush off to the next patient.

If you want a doctor who will be available by phone or text or more available, Dr. Ghazal is not the one.

Because I am an older person, with great eggs but with numerous complications with my uterus, the goal was to try to go slightly more aggressive with my medications, so that I can produce a lot more eggs for my egg retrieval, in the hopes that when the eggs are fertilized, I can get the most genetically normal embryos possible. Then I would freeze these embryos, fix the problems with my uterus, and then do a frozen embryo transfer. The goal is to be successful in maintaining a pregnancy and reducing the chances of miscarriage. I believe the drug protocol is similar for most IVF cycles, just the dosage may be different. The overall goal is to have one successful IVF cycle with great outcomes in regard to have a number of genetically normal embryos.

For one cycle of IVF, including genetic screening of any embryos, and freezing embryos, I was looking at a bill around $21,000 out of pocket. This estimate also includes the price of fertility medications for the one cycle. You can also tack on an additional $2000 to 3000 for diagnostic procedures conducted prior to treatment planning. These are all out of pocket costs.

My doctor had a strong preference for single embryo transfer, primarily because there is a higher success rate for a single embryo transfer. Also, she explained that if you place more than one embryo into the uterus, you never know whether one of those embryos will split and produce twins and triplets. So she wants to reduce the chance of multiple unexpected growing babies.

Dr. Ghazal was knowledgable, friendly and helpful. I fully trusted her during all my treatments and believe she was always looking out for me and my future family. She explained everything to me and my husband and answered all our questions and concerns. We did our own research and would come to appointments asking her opinion. We always felt Dr. Ghazal gave honest feedback backed with the appropriate research for her opinion. She gave us time to process and recommendations as she saw fit.

Be direct and open to your expectations and wants. Ask questions.

For my egg retrivals: I began birth control once my period started then I was given my schedule and ordered my meds. I had lupron in the am and then eventually menopur and gonal f in the evenings. I was also taking vitamin d, metformin, dha, folic acid, co-enzyme q10 and a prenatal. I had 4 ultrasound/lab appointments. My first retrieval yielded 29 eggs, 13 fertilized, 9 embryos on day 5, 5 normal embryos. For my fresh transfer I took progesterone vaginally and estradiol shots. My fresh transfer of 1 embryo resulted in a negative pregnancy test hcg= 0. My second retrieval yielded 25 eggs, 20 fertilized, 10 embryos on day 5, and 5 normal embryos. For my frozen transfers, I took lupron and baby aspirin as well as progesterone in oil shots and estradiol shots. I was taking a prenatal, metformin, vitamin d and dha vitamins. My first frozen transfer of 2 embryos resulted in a chemical pregnancy. My second frozen transfer of 2 embryos resulted in a twin pregnancy and I delivered twin boys in 2018.

Egg retrieval with a fresh transfer and my specific meds: about $22,000. Frozen transfer with my specific meds: about $5,000.

I liked the fact that it was my choice and Dr. Ghazal shared her opinion based on my ultrasounds and labs.

I've just started my journey at HRC but so far Dr. Ghazal has been warm, welcoming, and very thorough with her plan to handle our specific case. She understands the problems we are currently facing with our MFI, and currently undergoing the process to find out what if any diagnosis I have for my fertility.

Be honest and open throughout the process.

Since my husband has severe MFI, he would have to undergo a TESE or mTESE to extract sperm so that they can then be frozen and injected directly into my eggs via ICSI. This would also help our fertilization rates as an embryologist does this task skillfully. We do not yet know my current course of action as I have not completed all necessary testing.

Right now we do not know the total cost for a single round of IVF as we will be discussing these details in our upcoming appointment.

She believes that if you want one baby, you transfer one embryo. If you want two babies, you transfer two. No need to transfer two embryos if you just want a single child.

Dr. Ghazal is wonderful with patients. She explains thoroughly the process, always discusses the risks as well as the success rates. She does not sugar coat things. If she feels something is not going to give the best result she shared that with her patients. She is the best doctor I've ever had.

Be honest with her. Tell her your goals and fears so she can address them and discuss them with you.

I used a microdose lupron protocol for my first IVF cycle. For me Idid ok with an end result of two embryos. I did not get to transfer because they did not pass pgs testing. The next month I did my first IUI with Dr. Ghazal but had a NP do the procedure. It was an awful experience with the nurse and all I wanted was my doctor. Now I am at a new clinic where Dr. Ghazal has moved and am starting a new IUI.

My insurance covered 80%of my treatment so it was very doable for us cost wise.

She openly shares what she thinks is best which is eSET but allows the patient to decide ultimately. However she will never do something that could be unhealthy or dangerous to the patient.

Dr. Ghazal is a highly knowledgeable individual. She is on top of the current research and statistics. She is straight forward and doesn't sugar coat the possibilities or outcomes. As well as, supportive and compassionate. This process in itself is very stressful, Dr. Ghazal is always very calming and caring. She was always easy to talk to and ask questions. She never mad me fell like I was bothering her or asking dumb questions. My relationship with Dr. Ghazal was very open because she's very personable.

Stay on top of the office staff.

Metformin and Levothyroxine leading up to cycles and continued throughout. Injectable stimulation lupin, menapour, and 1 other. Two egg retival cycle, with PGS testing. Transferred 1 chromosomal healthy embryo. Currently pregnant, but may be loosing. :(

Hystroscopes were $500 each partial insurance coverage. 24,000 for two cycle retrieval, pgs testing, and transfer. There were other expenses along the way. Medications were separate. Ultrasounds once pregnant are $270

Didn't have a choice. Only 1 embryo resulted in healthy.

Dr.Ghazal is very professional and knowledgeable.She always answered all our questions and explained our procedure in details. We worked with her for a whole year, unfortunately, it did not work due to poor egg quality.

Do your best not to work with Dr. Ghazal's coordinator Natalija and request for another one from the beginning

Gonal F, Menopur, Centrotide Metformin and Omnitrope

Our IVF and medication were partially covered by health insurance

Only had one normal embryo in three IVF's

She has been our biggest cheerleader.. our daughter was born with a genetic defect despite PGS testing and passed away at 7 weeks. She has taken good care of us, treated us gently and helped us explore all options when it comes to growing our family after our loss.

Do your home work.. she’s extremely intelligent, and I’ve found that it’s easier to communicate when you have done your research.

I haven’t had much success with my IUI treatments. Being a pharmacist I’m hyper aware of the side effects of the drugs I’m on. I hear a lot of stories where patients only see nurses or PAs. I appreciate that Dr. Ghazal is the one only treating me (obviously I don’t see her on blood draw days)

Listen, be prepared for some realistic expectations

The truth is based on my labs and my husband’s SA and my age. The truth was IVF was ideal. But we also believe that diet and nutrition plays a vital part in our health and fertility health so we wanted to try IUI first, now we realize that we will probably have to go one step further and do IVF

I would say approximately $2500 total per IUI (one cycle was cancelled to too many follicles)

My doctor believes in eSET since the goal is healthy baby and healthy mom and multiples have too many risk associated with it, along with risks with my “advanced maternal age”

Dr. Ghazal made a very foreign and scary process manageable. She was personally available for every question and answered with thorough compassionate answers. I couldn’t imagine going through the process with anyone else.

Don’t hesitate to pick Dr Ghazal, she’s amazing.

My insurance covered all costs besides my deductible.

We chose not to test our embryos (because of age, low risk and it was our first cycle) and transferred 2 fresh embryos.