Community Reproductive Endocrinology

Dr. Carnovale has extensive knowledge as well as a caring bedside manner. From what I’ve learned so far, he truly cares about the difference he’s making in his patients lives. I’ve been to Drs in the past that made me feel like a number or unimportant simply because I was already able to have two successful pregnancies. It was like my miscarriages didn’t mean anything to them. My experience so far with Dr. Carnovale has been the complete opposite.

I would say to any patient, do your research and find the best care for you. Drs are not a one size fits all, but Dr. Carnovale and his team are great.

We are awaiting our test results from Natera currently to find out if our latest miscarriage was due to chromosome issues. Our next steps are labwork to look for immune reasons for miscarriage, an ultrasound of my uterus to look at the structure and lining, and also my ovarian reserve. We are in the beginning but after 5 miscarriages, even the beginning feels like something significant.

I don’t know specific costs but my insurance will not cover fertility treatments of any kind so unfortunately we are limited with what we are able to do.

Dr. Carnovale may not have the best bedside manner in the business, but he’s the best at what he does. With infertility we preferred our Doctor to be honest with us and not sugar coat everything. And this is Dr. Carnovale’s specialty. He told us exactly what to expect, what could go wrong, etc. He didn’t waste his time consoling is when we had a miscarriage (that’s what his staff is for), he got straight to the point and came up with a new plan of care. He wasn’t a huge fan of us transferring two embryos on our third attempt because of the possibility of multiples, but he understood why we wanted to and agreed to do it. In the end, we had a successful live birth twin pregnancy (boy and girl). We recommend Dr. Carnovale to everyone we speak to about our experience, shall they need fertility treatment themselves.

Don’t go in expecting him to sugar coat everything and be super apathetic. His staff handles that part for him. Don’t go with the expectation of everything working the first time either. There’s a reason you’re there (even if it’s unexplained infertility), and it’s a process to figure out what plan will work the best for you. Be patient and mentally and emotionally ready to deal with bad outcomes.

I don’t remember specific dosages, but I know that Dr.Carnovale adjusted my care plan to my specific needs. After each failure he reevaluated what I needed in order to try something different the next time.

Our insurance covered a lot of the expenses. I know that the procedures are conducted in-house which made everything cheaper.

After two failed attempts with single embryo transfer he was willing to transfer two embryos.

We are 9+ years in our fertility journey but it does seem Dr. Carnovale is very much in favor of IVF. We felt like his stance was more of a "you want to get pregnant, we will make it happen" vs a slow and steady approach we have had in the past with other doctors. I also truly appreciate his honesty with our case. We were told he is fairly particular with the cases he will take on and we loved that idea that if he didn't think he would be successful he would not treat.

While he is not full of personality and may come off a bit akward at times he knows his line of work, truly cares about you, and feels like he genuinely loves what he does.

We started with routine ultrasounds to see where we stood. Dr. Carnovale was my first doctor in 9+ years of treatments to ever suspect Endometriosis as I had no symptoms. We decided to proceed with Laparoscopy and it was confirmed I had minor endo. I was so grateful to finally have a bit of an answer. After surgery we expressed our desire to really try naturally before proceeding with IVF and Dr. gave us a timeline he recommended and really explained all our options and why we should do things when. We are now currently waiting for the next IVF cycle.

Cost seem to be in range for the area. We are currently waiting to pay out of pocket for IVF and looking at around $16000ish with meds.

I love that Dr. Carnovale prefers a single transfer (in most cases). It seems he cares more about a healthy pregnancy that leads to a healthy child vs. just getting me pregnant. He did however state that if we wanted to transfer more than one he would be willing after a great amount of caution and concern being expressed.

During my initial consultation, he did try to address my holistic health. I remember that he did address that this can be a very emotionally exhausting process and ensured I had a good support system. He is always courteous and warm when I see him in the office. As I am only completing oral medications currently in my journey, I have mostly seen the nurses on my quick visits for ultrasounds to follicle checks. However, I know that he is always reviewing these and making any adjustments to my plan. Most of the time, he stops in at the end of my ultrasound appointment and checks in on me and allows for any questions I may have. While I have not had a pregnancy yet, he has taken time to ensure that we are still on the same page in my plan so far and has made it clear that if I decide that I want to change this plan, he is in full support of me.

Regardless of the physician, come to your consultation prepared and at least research basic treatments for whatever your infertility situation is. This helped me know what types of questions I would have ahead of time.

I had previously failed to respond to 3 cycles of clomid and one low dose (unmonitored cycle) of letrozole with my OB/GYN. We started with letrozole at 5 mg on days 5-9 after having a baseline ultrasound. I had to take prometrium to induce a period (anovulatory) first. I then came back for another ultrasound after finishing the 5 days of pills to check for follicles. This continued every month until I found the right dose that I responded to (10 mg). When I started having follicles, I received an injection of Ovidrel once my follicles were large enough and was given instructions on when to have intercourse. I was instructed to take 200 mg progesterone vaginal suppositories for two weeks starting 2 days after ovulation until it was time to take a pregnancy test. If this is negative, I stop the progesterone and get my period. Then I start a new cycle. I have responded to 10 mg and have produced 2-4 follicles each cycle (4 out of 6). My husbands sperm specimen was normal and I had timed intercourse each cycle. This has resulted in no pregnancies.

I pay completely out of pocket due to my insurance. I get a 20% discount for non-covered procedures/tests for being an employee of the network. The ultrasounds range from 170-240 dollars depending on if it’s a baseline vs follow up ultrasound.

Dr. Carnovale seems very competent, but likely not a great fit for someone who likes very warm bedside manner. While there were certain aspects of the appointment where he got into great detail (more so than was needed for me based on my prior research), there were other areas his explanation was less clear. I think most people he speaks to are looking to purse the quickest 'fix' possible. Someone like me, that wants a lot of data and time to think, needed other members of the staff to help with getting into some more of that.

Come with your questions and your ideal course of action/timeline.

At the first appointment, we did a test to see the health of my egg reserves. When that was good, he recommends additional bloodwork to test my eggs and determine how quick he would recommend acting. He also ordered a halo test for my partner. Based on the in-office test and data I provided, IUI was recommended. After the halo test came back, IVF was recommended.

Dr. Carnovale helped me with my Stage 4 endometriois through a laproscopic surgery and also our first attempt at IVF since we had been trying to concieve for 3 years. The surgery resulted in much much less pain. He was very empathetic when discussing the struggle of the disease and also the pain of the infertility journey. While I had a few ovarian cysts, he recommended we hold off on IVF until those cleared up to maximize my chances. With his monitoring and birth control, we were able to start IVF. Although the round was not successful, he was very present and answered all questions throughout our process. He also is very meticulous, and knowledgable about all facets of infertility throughout the process. I recommend him and hope in nour next IVF round, we have more success, given our next consult and review to potentially modify treatment.

Ask questions. He will always ask if you have any, and if he is present, it is best to ask anything on your mind. Listen to his recommendations, as his goal is to maximize the chance of success with IVF.

Prior to treatment, he recommended birth control to minimize the cysts and endometriosis, as well as COQ10 and aspirin (blood flow and egg quality). We had a very thorough class on everything, and then also a folder to take with us with resources. Stim included, Follistim, Menopur, Ganirelix. Blood tests and ultrasounds to continuing monitoring follicles, lining, and hormones. Once I was ready, we did the HCG trigger test. Then came in for retrieval, which was pretty quick and done well, even with my current endometriomas on my ovaries. Then I started progrestrone in oil and continued during the two week wait prior to a blood test.

$12,700 for round 1 IVF treatment, $5,000 for injections and medications

They educated us on the dangers of twins or multiples, but because of my endometriosis and also only having two total embryos for transfer and none left for freezing, he supported my decision to do two to help increase the chance.

I cannot think of any weaknesses. Dr. Carnovale is extremely caring and compassionate. He is extremely intelligent, provides individualized care, and takes time to make sure you understand and are comfortable with the plan. He is the best!

GO TO DR. CARNOVALE!

He used follistim and menopur for stims. I used cetrotide to suppress ovulation. I triggered with HCG. After retrieval, I started on progesterone injections and did a fresh transfer. I became pregnant but unfortunately had a chemical loss. He met with me immediately afterwards and helped make a plan to move forward.

I can't remember exact costs but I do know it was lower than a competitor in which we also had a consult with.

He has a strong preference towards single embryo transfer but is open to listening and possibly transferring two.

He is incredibly thorough and attentive. He knows when to be light hearted and when to be serious. He was great at explaining endometriosis and he expressed sympathy and disdain at the fact that I had not felt cared for or valued at our first fertility clinic. When I came to him with a pregnancy, he was positive and upbeat--but when the ultrasound revealed that the pregnancy might not be viable, he didn't sugar coat. He was clear that I might miscarry (which I did) but he did not rub it in or do so in a manner that was thoughtless. We eventually did have success in conceiving with our second round of IVF and are now seeing him for treatment in trying to conceive baby number 2. Though time has passed and his practice has grown, the attention to detail has not faltered. I still see Dr. Carnovale at EVERY visit, he still takes time to answer EVERY question, and is still as attentive as ever. I've always felt cared for and valued and respected, not talked down to, and my opinion/input/thoughts are always considered and respected.

Take notes. He is incredibly smart and will walk you through everything. But also always come with your questions written down. He'll take the time to answer them, but if you don't have them written down, sometimes he's so thorough that you get caught up in all the info he's giving you and forget the other questions you had. Also--be yourself. I know others that love Dr. Carnovale but find him a bit quiet or reserved. He definitely can be that way, but if you relax and just be yourself, he can actually be really funny!

He suggested and did perform laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis after reviewing and listening to my symptoms as well as seeing evidence on an US. We did conceive naturally after that but miscarried. We started IVF in the fall of 2016. Our first round, I responded poorly to the stimulation medications, so we switched to IUI that cycle, which failed. We then waited a couple months (holiday season) and then did IVF again in January of 2017. This time, with the addition of Omnitrope (human growth hormone). With that medication protocol, we achieved successful egg retrieval, got 9 egs, 8 of which fertilized with ICSI, and 3 of which made it to day 5. Transfered 2, 1 frozen. Successful singleton pregnancy carried to term! We have just started IVF for baby #2, after having another endometriosis excision surgery in August. This time I have DOR as well, so the protocol has changed slightly to include higher doses of stim medications as well as the Omnitrope.

My laparoscopy was robotic, so total cost would have been $64,000(ish) without insurance. It was covered though since it's not considered fertility treatment. If I needed to have a tube repaired, it would have been $2500 . One round of IVF is approx $12,500 with another $2500-$4,000 for meds.

Both Dr. Carnovale and the embryologist discussed with me the risks/rewards of transferring 1-2 embryos. Based on quality, my age, and my history of miscarriage, we mutually decided to transfer 2, which resulted in a singleton pregnancy.

Dr. Carnovale is a nice guy, I wouldn't say he is necessarily a super emotional person but does explain things in detail, answers questions, and takes into consideration your personal and physical limitations. He listened to my background and finally diagnosed me with something instead of what I was used to hearing, which is pain is normal.

Make sure you ask questions and follow up questions and ask for more details.

Dr. Carnovale diagnosed me with endometriosis- I had a surgery to confirm and remove a significant amount of the disease. He had me do an Ovarian Reserve Test/SIS/and ultra sound, he had my husband get a sperm analysis and DNA test. As a right now we are waiting till I heal from surgery to start IVF.

So far it has been about $1,500 in diagnostic tests and surgery. I believe IVF will be around 12-15k and drugs will be over 5k.

Dr. Carnovale indicated that he will transfer a single embryo during IVF.

He took his time to sit down with us after the first visit to look at our history and our options. He explained things well but we found ourselves repeating things we filled out on forms or told the nurse staff. He laid out how hard conception can be and options he has available. IVF was discussed at the first appointment, which at first I didn't like, but later realize he was trying to explain everything. We decided on a treatment plan and moved forward. He makes a point do most things himself, which is nice. There are no ultrasound techs. He performs those and is able to give you feedback at the same time which is great.

Understand this is a doctors office so there will be some level of "coldness" to the whole thing. He's not there to hold you and tell you it's gonna be fine and you'll have a baby. He's there to troubleshoot any issues and work towards your end result. I can respect honesty.

We did a low dose of Clomid, a mid cycle scan followed by a trigger shot.

Luckily insurance covers infertility treatments outside of IVF. Our total treatment costs were around $1000 for copays, ultrasounds, and medications over the course of 8 weeks.

Honestly the only weakness was that it took me 4 months to get into his office. Otherwise he was so wonderful. Once we finished some of my procedures he assured me that he believed I wouldn’t have problems getting pregnant but if I did here were the next steps. Also because of my uterine reconstruction, he spent time explaining how long I needed to heal, ideal years for fertility, and the risk of an incompetent cervix so I could start looking into stitching my cervix during pregnancy. He looked beyond me as his patient and wanted to prepare me for the future.

Ask the questions because he will take the time to answer!

I was placed on loloestrin fe before my uterine reconstruction, and again after I was diagnosed with stage 3 endometriosis. I’m not ready to conceive yet, but I would go to him if I struggle.

Insurance covered all of my procedures except tubal flushing during my labroscopy.

He was knowledgeable with information but seemed to not want to share anything outside of statistics. Seemed irritated about asking questions and offered nothing extra in addition to specific questions asked. Minimally compassionate, even dryly stating “there are tissues here because a lot of women cry.”

I bet his results are good, but if you want any autonomy in the course of treatment, this is not the place for you.

Had unexplained, recommended a clomid cycle and my choice of TI or IUI.

As self pay, ultrasounds ranged from 180-360.

N/a

I feel like he was very knowledgeable but every appointment I felt like I had to tell him my whole history. I just felt like he wasn’t very prepared for my specifics appointments. But, when I went over all my history then he was very knowledgeable and explained why he thought what he thought. I didn’t really feel like I had any say in treatment options. I felt like a laparoscopy and IVF was the only options offered to me. I was very hesitant about going with IVF because of the cost and I feel like when I started discussing that with him; he would get very short with me and his mood seemed to change.

Research treatment options prior to appointments and get familiar with what is standard treatments for specific diagnoses.

The only treatment I received from him was a laparoscopy in which he found endometriosis and excised it.

Most of the testing and my surgery were covered by insurance because of my diagnosis of pelvic pain and endometriosis.

He was very blunt but I appreciated that. He softened up as he got to know us but I appreciated a doctor who wouldn’t shy from the truth and he fought for us from the beginning. He was an answer to prayer after having so many failed attempts and I was about to lose my job and therefore my incredible fertility benefits - he fought to get us on the schedule earlier and didn’t waste our time with additional IUI’s. He was a Godsend to us

He’s blunt but he’s a genius

He changed dosages more then we were expecting but that’s because we had a lead follicle that almost washed the cycle for us. We were devistated, however he worked his magic and everything turned out okay. He was a miracle maker for our miracle baby

We originally wanted multiple just to increase our chances after having so many failed attempts, but he and Dr Bolt discussed why we should try single first and see how it goes. We trusted them both entirely

Nothing bad on my end can be said about Dr. Carnovale. I had some unexpected incidents happen and he was very quick to act and never made me feel like I was crazy when I would tell him something. I saw him every appointment, and he was very informative.

Stay positive

I do not remember the drug names or protocols but we ended up with a child from our frozen 5 day transfer.

Cost is all depending on what needs to be done.

We only did one embryo due to a weakened uterus from endometriosis instead of multiple. There’s also statisticallya better outcome for one embryo being transferred verses multiple.

I didn’t need someone to beat around the bush with me. I wanted answers, I wanted explanations. I wanted to know the why and the how. I am an organized, type-A, person that didn’t understand how I was doing everything right and still didn’t have my baby. Dr Carnovale was direct, to the point, and was able to give me small goals for each visit that made the whole process not seem so daunting. Also, he was present for EVERY visit. He came in to look at my ultrasound, even if he wasn’t doing the ultrasound himself. He came into the office to make sure I understood all my medications and what the next steps were. Even when I left the office without a positive outcome, I left empowered with knowledge and ready for the next step.

Be ready with all your history. They will know all the questions to ask and he will review everything start to finish, but it does make it easier for them if you know your history of cycles, symptoms, medications, etc.