Steven Brenner

I feel that Dr. Brenner is a true professional. His experience, knowledge and desire to help those of us who are unable to conceive on their own is a true blessing and gift. During our visit he discussed the clinical results and offered us his professional opinion of our current situation and what we should do if we wanted to continue with treatment. We needed a doctor who was going to be straight forward, making sure all options were explored and explained so we could make a decision on what our next steps should be and/or to be comfortable with the possibility of an "only option".

Trust Dr. Brenner and have faith.

It was explained by Dr. Brenner that donor egg was our only option at this point. When treatment began we did all the necessary blood screenings, physical evaluation and testing, we where evaluated by a psychologist and assigned a RN who monitored our treatment and find us a donor if we could not find one on our own. A year after treatment began, a donor was found whom we were comfortable with and preparation for transfer began. Blood screening was continued, when my last menstrual cycleI began I was put in a protocol of estogen and baby asprin. Eventually I was put on progesterone and oil and had to take Medrol and Doxycycline for 5 days which started pre transfer and ended the after transfer. My husband produce seman specimen to be frozen, just in case the day of he was able to. We had 7 eggs, my husband was able to produce a fresh specimen on the day the eggs were to be thawed and ICSI was used to fertilize the eggs. Only 5 eggs fertilized and on day 3, post fertilization, 2 embryos were transferred. We were told 3 days later that the 3 remaining eggs did not make it to day 5. My medication protocol continued with estrogen, baby asprin and progesterone and oil. Day 10 post transfer we had a positive pregnancy test. The same medication protocol continued and blood screenings to evaluate levels. I was told by Dr. Brenner on my second HcG blood test that the levels were normal but on the low end, but that didn't mean I couldn'thave a normal pregnancy. The same continued on the following HcG test. The first sonogram showed a small embryo, Dr. Brenner said they like to see it bigger, but they would continue monitoring. The next sono was with Dr. Kreiner an associate, he stated the same and added that he could not determine if there was a sack or not. 6+ weeks post transfer sonogram with another associate Dr. Zinger showed no development in the fetus. Dr. Zinger and the RN were very consoling as the devastating news was delivered. Dr. Zinger discusses the options of letting a miscarriage happen on it's own or have a DNC. I said I would like to discuss that with Dr. Brenner, he understood. Dr. Brenner called that evening, offering his condolences, at that point my husband and I had already decided on the DNC because I couldn't put myself through expecting a miscarriage, that would have been to much for me to bare. The DNC was scheduled 2 days later and Dr. Brenner preformed the surgery. The tissue was taking to have genetic testing done. Dr. Brenner had me continue taking the estogen for 2 weeks post surgery, stating it would help build up the lining of my uterus. Now I am waiting for my menstrual cycle to begin. Dr. Brenner stated I could take medicine for it to come, I declined the medication, I rather it happen on own. Genetic testing is in process.

Our medical insurance does not cover IVF treatment, it will only cover treatment prior to treatment and post treatment if pregnancy occurs.

Due to my age, they ( the facility, doctors) only allow up to 2 embryos to be transferred at a single time.

We found Dr. Brenner responsive and easy to talk with.

We had co-payments, but costs were generally manageable. This may be because we only had IUIs and not IVF.

Dr Brenner is very kind and upfront. He has a warm effect when you speak with him and is very diligent to explain all procedures and processes. He is honest and let’s yiu know what your facing as does his best to help you understand IVF and how it will work. Every procedure he did with me he was gentle kind and always concerned with my well being. Excellent bedside manner and you really feel he wants to help you achieve the ultimate goal of being a mother

Freeze your eggs as early as possible!

I do not remember

Dr Brenner doesn't have great bedside manner. He can appear cold or awkward. He was very blunt when he told me I was having a miscarriage during what Inthought was a routine sonogram. However, he called me numerous times to check on me over the next few days. He never rushed me out of his office. Blunt but caring.

Be prepared for bluntness

Dr Brenner immediately acquiesced to my request for fertility drugs (Clomid) even without any failed attempts at IUI. He had a plan for further tests and treatments if IUI failed 3 times. He was open to more aggressive treatment when I inquired about it but did not encourage it.

The only cost I had to pay was for donor sperm. Everything else was covered by insurance and Dr Brenner staff took care of all the paperwork