She [Dr. Yolanda Smith] always presented the facts, but always takes mine & my husbands input when we discuss the road to treatment. She has never forced us to do a treatment, and is always very patient and willing to answer questions to help us make decisions...She is very frank and blunt with diagnosis, and tells it like it is, but is definitely empathetic and is willing to come up with solutions to each and every case she has, she truly has our best interest, getting us pregnant at the forefront of her practice. She has never withheld information or facts, so every drug or procedure we've tried we've understood 110% exactly what has happening.
The nursing staff [at University of Michigan Center for RM] is amazing - I have seen many of the same nurses when I go in, and they make it a point to remember me, and they are so caring, positive, and upbeat...The clinic itself is great - and the administrative staff are very easy to work with and communicate well. They have a financial team, along with other assistants to help with any non-medical questions that may come up. The financial tam was very helpful when we visited the IUI/IVF options, and helped us figure out our coverage with our insurance company.
How was your experience with Yolanda R. Smith at University of Michigan Center for Reproductive Medicine?
She is very frank and blunt with diagnosis, and tells it like it is, but is definitely empathetic and is willing to come up with solutions to each and every case she has, she truly has our best interest, getting us pregnant at the forefront of her practice. She has never withheld information or facts, so every drug or procedure we've tried we've understood 110% exactly what has happening.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Yolanda R. Smith at University of Michigan Center for Reproductive Medicine?
She can be blunt, but she truly does want to help and is ver empathetic when discussing her ideas for treatment. You just have to get past the bluntness. And I've seen other reviews about her, complaining about not seeing her, or having other doctors around. Please remember U of M is a teaching hospital, and Dr. Smith is not only a doctor there, but is also faculty. There will very often be residents and fellows around to assist her, or meet with you before you see Dr. Smith. It is not because she doesn't have time to see you or talk to you, that's what they do at teaching hospitals.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Yolanda R. Smith at University of Michigan Center for Reproductive Medicine?
She always presented the facts, but always takes mine & my husbands input when we discuss the road to treatment. She has never forced us to do a treatment, and is always very patient and willing to answer questions to help us make decisions.
Describe the protocols Yolanda R. Smith used in your cycles at University of Michigan Center for Reproductive Medicine and their degree of success.
I have diminished ovarian reserve, but no concerns on egg quality, and borderline MFI that has improved, so we've been lumped into the "unexplained" category as well.
We tried for cycles of 100 mg clomid, with ovidrel trigger and timed intercourse - the strategy being to "increase targets" because of the borderline male factor. None of those cycles were successful. I responded well to the medications however. We took a break for a little while after that.
We are now attempting IUI, 150 mg clomid, ovidrel trigger and IUI. Again, the thought to help increase targets, and assist with the slight MFI. Dr. Smith feels that is what is holding us back.
We discussed IVF with ICSI, but there were some other concerns my husband & I had about side effects, cost, risks that at this time it is not an option we are comfortable with. And Dr. Smith is OK with that. It is on the table though if we ever want to revisit it.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at University of Michigan Center for Reproductive Medicine.
The nursing staff is amazing - I have seen many of the same nurses when I go in, and they make it a point to remember me, and they are so caring, positive, and upbeat. I wish these nurses could come with me to other doctor's offices. They are amazing.
Describe your experience with University of Michigan Center for Reproductive Medicine.
The clinic itself is great - and the administrative staff are very easy to work with and communicate well. They have a financial team, along with other assistants to help with any non-medical questions that may come up. The financial tam was very helpful when we visited the IUI/IVF options, and helped us figure out our coverage with our insurance company.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Yolanda R. Smith at University of Michigan Center for Reproductive Medicine.
We are lucky to have some infertility coverage on our insurance, and only pay a co-pay for office visits with Dr. Smith. All testing and procedures are covered up to 90% so we do not pay much out of pocket. Without insurance, or clomid cycles, would have been around $400-$500 including clomid, ovidrel, and hospital fees for the monitoring ultrasound. The IUI, when all said and done would have cost about $1,000 out of pocket.
Describe Yolanda R. Smith's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at University of Michigan Center for Reproductive Medicine.
N/A
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Clinic
University of Michigan Center for Reproductive Medicine
Ann Arbor