Emory University Reproductive Center

Dr. Kawwass is one of the best doctors I've ever seen. She is able to combine compassion and genuine care with statistics and factual information to help assist in decision making. Throughout IVF, there are SO many decisions that you have to make (freeze all or fresh transfer, PGT testing or not, etc). I am someone who needs all of the facts to make a decision. She would provide paragraph answers with all of the statistics and all of the possibilities so that you can make a decision. She was never like hard and fast "you should do this." She lets you advocate for your own health. She feeds off of whatever you give her so if you need more information she is very happy to provide it. She called me multiple times to help me go through it and basically talk me off a cliff. Cannot recommend her enough! Well worth the 5+ hour drive.

She feeds off of what you need. If you are someone who needs all of the information and all of the details, she will absolutely give that with extreme care and detail. If you just want to go with whatever her flow is and what she suggests, I would absolutely trust what she thinks the best plan would be.

We started IVF with a middle strength protocol. After the baseline appointment and I only had 11 follicles vs the 18 on my AFC, she upped the protocol to the highest strength medicine to get the most out of those follicles. We ended up collecting 18 eggs but only the 11 were mature which was exactly what she predicted would happen and warned me to expect. We did a fresh transfer because I do not have PCOS and was not expected to have OHSS. Because of that, we did not PGT test our embryos. I went back and forth on the PGT testing, but Dr. Kawwass provided a VERY detailed explanation about statistics and the efficacy of PGT testing for my age group and my diagnosis.

My insurance covered the costs up to $30k. Because of that, we got the "In-network" pricing. So in total the 1 full round of IVF was about $8k but my out of pocket max was $6k. The no insurance cost self-pay was about $15k if I remember correctly.

Dr. Kawwass' general approach is to implant 1 embryo unless you are older or have had multiple failed transfers. If you need the statistics on why, she is happy to provide the information that shows that you're not more likely to have a successful transfer just by implanting 2 tested embryos.

Dr. Schirmer has shown compassion throughout our entire fertility treatment journey. He has informed us of our odds, the clinic's success rates, and our personal success rates and he has gone above and beyond to make sure that we are comfortable with every step we have taken. He has been transparent about every procedure, cycle, step, and possible outcome and he has diligently worked to develop a treatment plan specific to our needs.

Don't be afraid to ask questions! Dr. Schirmer is very open to answering every single question you have. I went into our IVF orientation with a LONG list of questions and he gladly took all the time needed to answer each and every question I had. I have never felt "rushed out of the door" or like he is "too busy to see us" because Dr. Schirmer goes out of his way to make sure we are fully informed and feel comfortable with each step.

Dr. Schirmer, like most Reproductive Endocrinologists, started with "conservative" treatments due to my age (26 years) and the length of time my husband and I had been trying to conceive at the time (1 year). During our initial consultation he reviewed possible treatment plans for us but ultimately let us decide what we wanted to do. As a team, we chose to do Timed Intercourse with Injectables which we did for several complete cycles before we decided to move to IVF. After every failed cycle, Dr. Schirmer met with us to discuss our next steps and what our desired treatment plan would be going forward. He never pressured us to move to a more aggressive (expensive) plan but laid out the facts and statistics of every fertility treatment (timed intercourse, IUI, IVF, etc.) and ultimately allowed us to have an open and honest conversation with us about our specific plan. When a treatment cycle seemed to not be going as planned, he met with us to "regroup" and figure out whether we wanted to continue with the current treatment plan or move to a more aggressive approach. We have felt valued and heard throughout this entire process.

Before each treatment plan was initiated, Dr. Schirmer and an Emory Reproductive Center Financial Counselor sat down with us to review the costs associated with our care. They reviewed different payment methods, options, and third-party companies for financial packages (particularly for IVF) that were available to us. They provided us with a full itemized break-down of all of the costs that we would be responsible for in that chosen treatment plan and worked with us to make sure we could get the desired fertility treatment.

Dr. Schirmer prefers an elective single embryo transfer but ultimately let me make the final decision. He laid out all of the facts and statistics and informed us of the increased risks to me and the babies, should we get pregnant with multiples. However, it was a discussion that we were able to talk through and voice our opinion and Dr. Schirmer let us make the ultimate decision about the number of embryos to transfer. Our clinic grades each embryo and transfers the best quality embryo first to increase the chance of a viable pregnancy. Due to conversation we had, the recommendation of Dr. Schirmer, and the results of my own research, we have chosen to transfer only one embryo and we are so happy that Dr. Schrimer heard our concerns and talked them through with us.

Dr. Hipp has been working with us for many years as we prepared to start our IVF cycle. Each visit she sat with us for as long as it took for us to ask any and all questions in order to leave reassured. She and her team are very quick to respond to portal messages or concerns. Dr. Hipp made it very clear throughout the process that she was invested in obtaining the best possible results for us.

I would advise any patient for any doctor to write down questions as they arise so they do not forget them when they are at appointments.

During stimulation, I was on Menopur in the morning (150iu) and Gonal-F in the evening (300iu) everyday for 10 days. Days 5-10 I added Ganirelix (250mcg) midday. I had monitoring about 4 times during stimulation. On the 10th day I took the first of my two-part trigger shot, at 10pm and again at 10am. I triggered with Lupron to try and avoid OHSS. I was higher risk for OHSS due to a high AMH. I also took Cabergoline after retrieval to avoid OHSS as well as an antibiotic for about a week to avoid infection. I was unable to do a fresh embryo transfer so that my body could rest after stimulation. About a week later, I started Lupron (20 units) daily for about a month to suppress my ovaries. About 2.5 weeks after starting Lupron, I started Estradiol patches. Started with 1 patch every other day and progressively moved up to 4 patches every other day. About 2 weeks after starting patches, I started progesterone in oil (PIO) intramuscular shots in the evening and then also progesterone vaginal pills 3x daily. Six days after starting progesterone, I had my frozen embryo transfer. I am currently 7 weeks and 3 days. I am still on the PIO shots daily, progesterone vaginal pills 3x a day, and 4 Estradiol patches every other day. I will begin tapering off of my medications starting week 8 until week 12.

We financed treatment for $14,500 without monitoring or medication. The cost for monitoring and medication brought the cost to well over $20,000.

Due to my age and health, my doctor recommended transferring only one embryo to avoid multiples which can be hard on my health and potentially dangerous to the babies.

Dr. Kawwass was compassionate and understanding. Our situation was very odd being that I am only 27 and have been diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve. When the blood work came back and was shockingly disappointing Dr. Kawwass called me personally after hours to talk. She answered every question with sincere thoughtfulness. Even with the odds against us we were able to get pregnant through IVF with her care. Unfortunately our son was diagnosed with Down syndrome while in utero and was stillborn at 36 weeks. This tragic outcome was no way in relation to anything done through Dr. Kawwass. When she found out our son had died she contacted us personally to send her condolences. Her professionalism and compassion sets her far above any doctor I’ve ever seen.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions because she won’t rush you or make you feel silly. Nothing is too big or too insignificant to ask and she will be 100% honest with you.

We used a low dose of antagonists because of my low egg count. I took menopour, gonal-f or ganirelix, estrogen patches and clomid although I can’t remember in which order. After egg retrieval I was on progesterone injections for 10 weeks because the egg implanted and it helps to maintain the pregnancy. At the retrieval she got 3 eggs. I had 4 mature follicles so 4 was the maximum we expected so getting 3 was a positive for us. They were transferred at the cleavage stage - day 2/3 - and like I mentioned above, one took.

Our cost was roughly between $20,000-$25,000 with retrieval, transfer and medication.

Dr. Kawwass was incredible. She always took so much time to sit down with me and discuss all my treatment options, the evidence-base around these options, and took the time to make sure I had time to ask any questions at all. I never felt like she was rushed and needed to move on. She also really took the time to get to know myself and my husband as individuals, not just as her patient, which I appreciated. One thing I really valued about her was that she really knows the medical literature and studies really well, and for someone like me that really likes that evidence, she was an amazing doctor.

Write down your questions in advance - she will go through each one of them with you and it was always really helpful to have handy during my visits with her.

Dr. Kawwass had a lot of great recommendations for me, and while many of them were minor "tweaks" in my care, it resulted in a positive outcome. After 2 clinical miscarriages (<10 weeks) and 3 chemical pregnancies (<6 weeks) I was at a loss of what to do. Dr. Kawwass ordered necessary tests and helped to explain to me my diagnoses of premature ovarian failure at age 35, as well as all the potential reasons for my miscarriages and what I could do. As a marathon runner, she cautioned me to run less (which seems obvious, but I had 4 different OBGYNs tell me that if I was running before pregnancy, I could continue to do so during pregnancy). She helped with treating subclinical hypothyroidism to get it under control, and she put me on progesterone at 3 DPO, which I think may have made a big difference for me. She also suggested trying Clomid prior to IVF with PGS testing first, as a less invasive method that may work to get pregnant. She also had recommendations for just two supplements that had shown some effectiveness (many others she said were a waste of money and did not work), so I took these two to help improve egg quality prior to the clomid cycle. The clomid worked in the first cycle! I am 12 weeks pregnant now. Dr. Kawwass was so amazing helping to calm my nerves, as I was able to come in for almost weekly ultrasounds when I was nervous about spotting or other concerns about having another miscarriage. Overall, all of these changes to my treatment have resulted in a pregnancy that I hope to carry to term.

My insurance covered the majority of my treatment.

Dr. Kawwass is against multiple embryo transfer because of the severe complications and health risks that multiple embryos can cause both mother and babies. I agree with this policy after she explained it to me. Though having twins sounded amazing at first after struggling with fertility, given all the current worries I have just at 12 weeks and knowing how much MORE I would worry about all the health risks of multiples, I completely understand this viewpoint as it is founded in evidence-based and scientific research.

I could not have asked for a better doctor than Dr. Kawwass. After coming from another clinic where the doctors were unavailable, did not explain the process, and I was left in the dark, Dr. Kawwass was a light at the end of a dark tunnel. She was caring, supportive, explained the process in detail, and was very prompt to respond to any questions or concerns I had. The infertility journey is a stressful one, and knowing Dr. Kawwass was advocating for me and on my team made the journey a lot less stressful. She is the absolutely best doctor and human!

You want her to be your physician!

All rounds I used varying amounts of Clomid, Follistem, Menopur, Ganirelix, Pregnyl, and Gonal. In the 4 and 5th round I also added Omnitrope. The 5th round where I did low dose and added Omnitrope was my successful round and I am 9 weeks and 4 days pregnant with a fresh transfer embryo. I believe the omnitrope made a difference. All rounds, except for one round were low dose protocols. The one high dose round I went to my retrieval and had no eggs in my follicles.

I was referred to Dr. Kawwass by a nurse who had worked in the local fertility community for 20+ years. Dr. Kawwass got me in for a consult very quickly! I explained my journey - diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure and Diminished Ovarian Reserve at 28 Years Old; 4 retrievals, 2 transfers, 2 misscarriages, 1 failed transfer, and more heartbreak than I could ever imagine - She helped me make the difficult decision to turn to egg donation rather than continuing to try to retrieve my own eggs. When we decided that my younger sister would be my donor, she went above and beyond to help us find an out of state doctor (her friend from med school) who monitored my sisters retrieval until it was time for her to travel from Virginia to Atlanta for her egg retrieval. We were fortunate enough to retrieve many eggs and got 8 embryos! My first transfer resulted in a healthy, happy little boy! My second transfer, just under two years later, resulted in a perfect little brother! We could not be more overjoyed!! Dr. Kawwass is truly a gift to our family and the fertility community. She changed my life and I am eternally grateful!!

Egg Retrieval ~$6,000 Embryo Transfer ~$4,000 Embryo Storage ~$500/year Medication Additional

Since we used an egg donor and the embryos were most likely very healthy, Dr. Kawwass felt very strongly that we transfer only one embryo.

I can't say enough positive things about Dr. Kawwass to do her justice. I trust her opinion, value her honesty, and recommend her to anyone that is looking for assistance. When we first met with Dr. Kawwass she let us know that she had seen a variety of outcomes for people in our situation and answered all of our questions to help us decide what course of action was best for our family. She supported us in our decisions and celebrated (and mourned) with us along the way. Even though we have not needed to use the eggs we retrieved, I am positive that doing the retrievals was the best decision for our family, and attribute our successful outcomes to her consultation/honesty with us and recommendation to take action to begin our family naturally as soon as we were ready. I most appreciate how genuine Dr. Kawwass is when talking with us and her ability to break down complicated topics in ways that we understand. I still have a photo of a sketch she drew to help explain our situation and potential outcomes to us and have shared it with with friends on multiple occasions.

Go see her now. Don't wait. Be honest and open with her so that she can provide you the best guidance for your situation. Dr. Kawwass can not control your outcome, but she will do everything she can to provide you with the information you need to make decisions to best support your goals.

We used the same protocol for all three of my retrieval cycles and I kept my Mirena IUD in place during all cycles as I was not yet ready to begin a family. Because I have diminished ovarian reserve we did not anticipate that we would be able to mature a large number of eggs, so we used the Estrogen Patches Clomid Antagonist IVF Protocol. We started with estrogen patches 9 days after ovulation (i think we actually only used them for the first two retrievals), once my period began I was monitored, and then instructed when to start taking 100 mg of Clomid. On day 5, I began 150 IU of Follistim Gonal-f and 75 IU of Menopur, I was monitored and then instructed to give the trigger shot (10,000 IU of HCG). On the second retrieval cycle I threw up the morning after the trigger shot. The length of my stimulation varied each cycle. I know that we did 13 days for the second cycle.

I was able to use my insurance so that was incredibly helpful. Using my insurance, I believe the retrieval and all appointments were around $8-$10k per cycle and the medications were around $5-$7k per cycle.

n/a

I really couldn't ask for a better provider than Dr. Kawwass. She knows what she's doing, explains things clearly, and shows interest in the role that this IVF treatment is playing in our family and lives as a whole.

Just keep in mind that each provider doesn't necessarily perform the procedure that might need on the day that you need it, so you should be ready to get to know and work with other providers in the practice occasionally. Dr. Kawwass, though, regularly communicates with her colleagues. and she won't "forget" about you even if you have a procedure done with another provider.

Because we had "unexplained infertility," Dr. Kawwass first recommended that we try IUIs. She suggested doing 3 before turning to IVF. Because we couldn't make an IVF cycle happen for a few months after the third unsuccessul IUI, we did two more until we could start an egg retrieval cycle in the summer. After the egg retrieval, which was very successful given that I was 38 years old, she recommended that we test the embryos both with PGS and PGD testing. We did the former on account of our being a little older (I was 38 and my husband 41) and we did the latter to screen for a genetic condition that both of us are carriers for. We then transferred a frozen embryo and thankfully got a healthy baby boy from this first transfer. She recommended transferring only one embryo, since they had undergone the genetic testing and thus stood a better chance of implanting an developing to term. After our little boy turned two, we decided to try another transfer using one o our remaining 5 embryos. This second transfer resulted in a biochemical pregnancy that did not advance beyond the second blood test. We wanted to try again a few months later and managed to find one more funding to source to make it happen. Originally scheduled for October, Dr. Kawwass suggested that we call off the transfer about a week in advance because the lining in my uterus was not as thick as they hoped and there was some fluid between the layers. She reasoned that, since I wasn't going to be undertaking another egg retrieval cycle, we probably should be conservative in transferring the embryos. We postponed this transfer to a couple months later. That transfer at first resulted in a pregnancy. However, at the 7 week ultrasound, the fetus's heartrate was a little low and size a little small. By the ultrasound the next week, the fetus did not have a heartbeat at all. During this transfer cycle, Dr. Kawwass herself was out on medical leave, so another doctor, Dr. Marsidi performed this transfer. We met with Dr. Schirmer after the second ultrasound. They both provided excellent care and counsel. Dr. Schirmer explained that, even though we had put the embryos through PGS testing, the embryo is so small at that stage that there is much the testing cannot detect. As soon as she returned from medical leave, Dr. Kawwass reached out to me to express her concern and make herself available for any support or consultation. I have been working her on trying to resolve the bleeding that still continues from the miscarriage, about 8 weeks later. I will be going in soon for a hysteroscopy to clear the remaining tissue. We hope that we can muster the funds to try once more this summer to transfer an embryo. Since the two recent transfers have not resulted in a viable pregnancy, we have discussed whether she would be willing/would recommend transferring both of our remaining embryos. She said she would be willing in this case, though she has counseled about the significant risks o bearing twins. We still have not decided when and how many embryos to transfer.

Out of pocket $10,238 (we had grant support for the retrieval and first transfer, some grant support for the second and third transfers) $659 per IUI (x5) = 3,295 $4292 per FET (x3) = 12,876 $12,127 for retrieval (1) + hormones, parking, testing TOTAL for 5 IUIs, 1 retrieval, and 3 transfers = $28,982.66 full itemized list below Fertility costs Date Item Place Amount 2017-9 testing ERC $158.46 2017-10 hormones and other supplies Walgreens/ERC $836.70 2017-11 IUI ERC $667.04 2017-12 IUI ERC $659.00 2017-12 parking Emory Midtown $25.00 2017-7 testing ERC $272.29 2017-8 IUI hormones Walgreens Community $104.50 2018-1 IUI ERC $659.00 2018-3 IUI ERC $659.00 2018-3 IUI ERC $931.98 2018-4 parking Emory Midtown $15.00 2018-5 IUI fees ERC $265.34 2018-6 parking Emory Midtown $48.00 2018-6 retrieval ERC $12,127.00 2018-6 retrieval hormones Walgreens Community $3,350.00 2018-6 retrieval hormones Walgreens $464.48 2018-9 transfer ERC $3,750.00 2021-10 transfer hormones Walgreens Community $132.18 2021-11 parking Emory Midtown $32.00 2021-12 transfer hormones Walgreens Community $835.08 2021-5 embryo storage ERC $252.00 2021-5 FET 2 ERC $1,333.28 2021-5 transfer hormones Walgreens Community $895.01 2021-6 transfer hormones + JAX monitoring Walgreens Community $506.35 2021-9 transfer hormones Walgreens Community $664.61 2022-1 transfer hormones Walgreens Community $334.52 $28,982.66

Dr. Spencer did well with all of our interactions. She was good with explaining protocols, and setting reasonable expectations. When I had failed attempts, she was very empathetic. There were times when I had questions that my nurse couldn't answer and it sometimes took several days for Dr. Spencer to respond. I know she's busy but that can add stress to an already stressful process.

When given the opportunity to meet directly with Dr. Spencer, be sure to ask lots of questions. She is very responsive and makes it a point to answer all of your questions during your appointment. I never felt rushed during the process.

I had 3 failed IUI attempts with Dr. Spencer. The first was an unmedicated cycle. The others were medicated cycles with Clomid and HCG triggers. I'm now in the middle of my first IVF cycle. We used an antagonist protocol which resulted in 29+ mature follicles. I used a Lupron trigger but unfortunately ovulated the morning of my egg retrieval. She was able to retrieve 11 eggs, which resulted in 1 embryo. I'm currently in the middle of preparation for my FET.

IUIs were covered by my insurance, so just my copay. One round of IVF is costing about $15k. My IVF meds cost about $13k.

Dr. Spencer had a strong preference for eSET and only performs multiple embryo transfer in very rare circumstances.

The coordination of our sperm bank went very well. We had no issues getting our sperm delivered and they did a good job of letting us know when things arrived.

I would say that she was very knowledgeable in helping me in my infertility journey. She diagnosed me with unexplained infertility which bothered me at first. It wasn’t on her behalf but because I just needed a reason to believe why it wasn’t happening for me. I suggested certain tests just because of other stories I heard of or other situations I saw and she was very reassuring in what tests I needed. After trying IUI and taking clomid with timed intercourse she was very hopeful for me because she said I was younger and assured me that she would help get me pregnant. We started with the IVF orientation process. I had a SIS done and had to have a polyp removed. After that , another doctor performed my egg retrieval but she made sure to message me through out the whole process. She was so happy for me that I had 29 eggs . I ended up with only 2 frozen embryos over time and she even messaged me to give me that news and sympathize with my husband and I. Once it was time for the transfer I mentioned having more than one put in and she informed me the chances of that being multiples was really high and quickly talked me out of that idea . Looking back on that, I think 🤔 most doctors probably would have just did it and I’m glad for her explaining that to me. When I received my positive pregnancy test everyone was so happy for me at the office and I felt it . My last time talking to her was for her to release me to my OBGYN and she was just so happy for me and my husband. I’m grateful for her and her knowledge. I would refer her to anyone.

Please have patience, ask as many questions and try to relax and trust the process.

With timed intercourse we were instructed to use ovulations calculators and the same when it came to IUI . I don’t really remember to the extent but I called in when there was a smiley face through ovulation. With IVF , there was alot more pressure with timing and everything. One of the nurses created a calendar and we went from there. I know there was like pills and injections for stimulation . After my egg retrieval we didn’t transfer because of overstimulation and I still had to have a polyp removed so all of this happened in December of 2019 and I had my polyp removal done in January 2020. My transfer was done in I believe July or August of 2020. My baby was born in Feb 2021 but she was due in April. She is healthy and I’m grateful for everything I went through to see, touch and hold her.

We had insurance so the cost was different but I remember having an issue with getting the wrong estimate of the total. I think there was miscommunication with adding something called the ICSI. My husband and I came into the office to explain that process to us . I ended speaking to the lady who was the head of the financial department and my issue was resolved . I paid directly with her . I don’t really remember what happened but I was very upset and even considered changing clinics with out them even knowing but issue never escalated and was handled.

I’m not sure 🤔 what this means but I do know that it was a thought that crossed my mind that I would like to have twins and it was probably because I felt like we went through so much but because my doctor was so sure of me conceiving which I did. I really think that was safe. She explained the risks of multiples and I truly trusted her judgment from that point.

Dr. Toner takes a science/evidence-based approach and always had data and statistics at hand when discussing treatment options. This did not come at the expense of bedside manner, as he was very kind and patient. His demeanor was a great fit for my husband and I who value science and data-driven decision making.

Come prepared with questions, and be open-minded.

For the cycle we tried with my own eggs I was on a antagonist protocol, with Ganirelix, Menopur, and Follistim. I was on high doses but I still stimmed for 16 days as it took my body longer to respond. It resulted in 9 eggs, 8 mature, 6 fertilized, 1 blastocyst. We did a fresh transfer of the 1 blast but it was not successful. Poor egg quality was suspected.

The IUI procedures were ~$2,500. The first IVF procedure with my own eggs cost approximately $30,000, but $11,000 of that was for meds. Since I was on high doses for a long time that's probably $5K more than normal. Our second IVF procedure with donor eggs was ~$15K (not including the cost of the donor eggs).

Dr. Toner established upfront that transferring single embryos is strongly recommended.

I went in having done a tremendous amount of research ahead of time but my husband had not. I asked a lot of questions to confirm what I had researched and to get my husband up to speed, and Dr. Schirmer was so patient and informative. We had 3 failed IUI’s which I do think was a waste of money, but Dr. Schirmer changed treatment plans and after switching to IVF we retrieved 18 eggs. Using ICSI we got 2 blastocyst embryos after our first retrieval. After a frozen transfer, we had a healthy baby! Dr Schurmer was great along the way and performed my transfer. We then tried a second retrieval which resulted in 28 eggs. Despite undergoing an emergency ICSI procedure after only 1 egg was fertilized naturally, no embryos made it paste day 3 growth. Another doctor in the practice performed this retrieval but she was great too. It was devastating to spend so much money out of pocket to not get any embryos in the end. Dr. Schirmer was very considerate and sympathetic when presenting our options and future treatment plans. We are in the process of planning next steps.

Ask questions if you have them. Make sure you are upfront and honest about what you want and what concerns you have so he can provide answers and you can be on the same page. I was concerned over a resident who performed one of my exams because the person smelled like smoke (which I was incredibly sensitive to) and Dr Schirmer was sensitive to my frustration and I didn’t encounter the situation again and he assured me that is not something that would occur again.

I already shared a good bit about this in my other response. 3-rounds of failed IUI. 1 retrieval that resulted in 2 embryos. 1 frozen transfer resulted in a live birth. 1 retrieval that resulted in no embryos. Lots of hormone medicine... so many shots and patches.

~$15k for IVF retrieval & transfer, plus $7k for medication (out of pocket)

I was told that Emory had a policy about not doing multiple embryo transfer for the first transfer for healthy women. We only transferred one embryo and got a single live birth. There are apparently some other considerations for transferring multiple embryos like older women or those with many failed transfers.

Dr.Kawwass listened to all of our concerns at our first appointment. I advised her of the negative experience I had with my previous doctor's office and staff. She made me feel very comfortable and assured me that I would not be dealing with anything like that. She explained her plan for me in detail and answered all of our questions and wasted no time in getting started. She did not rush us and was very generous with her time.

Don't hesitate to ask questions. She was great at answering all of our questions and addressing our concerns.

Antagonist IVF treatment. BCP on 1st day of Menses. Baseline. labs and ultrasounds. Start Stims after period starts again. Egg retrieval. Fresh Transfer

Our insurance covered IVF. We did have to pay out of pocket for ICSI ,our out of pocket amounts and the patient amount for the medications

Single Embryo transfer was recommended as I was 29 yrs old at the time with no health issues.

he was super approachable and took a lot of time to explain our options and how each option would work. He was also incredibly skilled based on our positive results. I would go to him again if given the option and we plan to use him again to transfer remaining embryos from our retrieval. We are very thankful for his excellent skill that resulted in our wonderful daughter

Be sure to ask lots of questions- he was excellent at reviewing our questions and giving advice without being prescriptive

I had 3 unsuccessful rounds of clomid assisted IUIs. Then shifted to IVF. I used estrogen patches for a few days before starting stimulation. I used menopur and gonal f. I had to be stimulated for 14 days then did the trigger prior to my retrieval. They pulled out 14 eggs, 12 fertilized and 5 remained after 5 days. I did genetic testing and 3 were genetically normal. I did a frozen transfer of 1 embryo resulting in a successful pregnancy and birth.

I was able to use insurance for some costs but all costs were discussed up front with a financial person. We had to pay a certain amount prior to starting the cycle for IVF

He recommended single embryo as I was young (34). I agree with this approach.

Jennifer Kawwass is very kind and has good bedside manner. I felt like she genuinely cared if we were successful or not. Even when we switched doctors she wanted us to come back and see her when we started our family. What I didn’t like was that the continuity for care for me and my husband was always different. I never felt like outside of her office people really knew who I was. And it wa s always someone different responding to emails on the portal or providing the actual care.

Be prepared that she is available only for the consults and an occasional call. She isn’t available to do the procedures.

I only did IUIs. But my regimen was clomid and then 1 day of injection of Gonadotropins And then the trigger shot (Ovidril). This is the regimen that we used 2x and that resulted in the pregnancy. But they key was banking sperm ahead of time. Which they didn’t tell us was an option until we were getting ready for the 3rd IUI. It was very frustrating. And I asked about it because I had read online it was a possibility.

It was minimal since it was just IUI and I has good insurance. I did have to follow-up repeatedly to get cost info for IVF and it only happened when we went back and had our final consultation with Dr.Kawwass - so she had set it up. The point person never responded to my personal emails or voicemails, but I know she had some family issues at that time. So I understood to some extent, but someone should have been responding on her behalf.

NA this hasn’t happened yet and is with another doctor.

Dr. Kawwass was an amazing practitioner - she was a great communicator, empathetic, and a great scientist / up to date on the latest literature. I appreciate how she combined scientific rigor with her empathetic approach to treatment. Even though I didn’t see her at every visit I trusted her team and knew she was consulted on the decisions around my care.

We started with letrozole only cycles to stimulate ovulation with timed intercourse. At the time both my husband and I were traveling for work so it was difficult for timing intercourse so we eventually moved to stimulation plus IUI. When that didn’t work for a few months I started an IVF cycle with injectables but I wasn’t producing enough eggs so we switched to an IUI. I got pregnant with my daughter on that cycle. When I went back to the clinic 2 years later to start trying again we did a clomid+menopur cycle and IUI and I got pregnant in that first cycle.

Costs were covered by insurance so only paid $40 co pay on some visits

N/a - did not do IVf

Dr. Kawwass did not perform any of our procedures, but we were aware she was consulted throughout. Our meetings with her were thorough and encouraging. When we were worried, she would always appear just to comfort us.

Know that as medical director she may not be available for the day to day, but she knows her stuff and is a great team leader to help you find the best course of treatment and hopefully positive results.

IUI 1-3: Letrozole - Ovidrel trigger Then HSG test. IUI 4 added Menopur for thin lining. IVF: reciprocal with wife's eggs. Me: gestational parent: Birth Control for 4 weeks, daily Lupron shots, estrogen patches. 2CC Progesterone injections daily from retrieval through 9 weeks. Prometrium suppositories 3x day through 12 weeks. We didn't ask why this protocol, but I had very few side effects and we were willing to try anything.

Because there were two people invovled, and we have seperate insurance, my IVF protocol was covered outside my $1500 copay. My wife's insurance did not have fertility coverage but she was given a discount. All in for 6 IUI and 1 IVF we spent just over $20,000 including donor sperm.

We only had 2 make it to Day 5, only one was transferred.

Dr. Hipp was my personal choice having met with her for the various procedures that began my treatment. We immediately built a report. She is always willing to support our choices - as long as there are still options on the table. I have never felt left out of the conversation or the decisions we have made in my treatment and surgical plans. While still in the burgeoning years of her career, Dr. Hipp is knowledgeable, confident, and compassionate.

Dr. Hipp is willing to advocate for your care to fit you and your needs - all while competently addressing the issues at hand. She is willing to look under all the rocks for possible adjustments or procedures and is willing to allow your body to work hard in its own unique time.

We have worked hard for years combating unexplained scar tissue - pills, injections, tests, surgeries, balloon catheters - together we've thrown out the rule books and have made tremendous progress. We've had varying levels of hormones serve as roadblocks along the way and through Dr. Hipp's guidance, have corrected and been able to keep moving forward. And we haven't stopped yet - we finally got the last surgical procedure aligned with the right combination of injections, acupuncture, a proper cath... - and low and behold, my cycles even came back unassisted for the first time in years! Dr. Hipp's recommendations have been strategic and considerate of my unique circumstances. We will likely move forward with IVF in the coming weeks and I know that I am in good hands as we attempt this next phase.

My insurance covers a great deal of the costs. My deductible is $2700. In 2018, my IUI medications cost me $5300 out of pocket in addition to meeting my individual deductible.

My surgical procedure was successful but the after care was not as aggressive as it could have been. Other procedures included hormones and other precautions to avoid the condition returning. Her communication style is very direct, which I appreciate, but we did not connect on any other level which made it difficult to hear one another. Later experiences improved but I always have the sense that I'm viewed as that crazy patient that didn't follow orders - even when there was no possibility of that happening financially at the time.

If you're the type of person that just wants to be told what to do - she's incredible.

Pills to bring on cycle Ultrasounds HSG and SHG Surgery to address unexplained adhesion Did not order hormone regimen or balloon cath Suggested 2 immediate rounds of IUI followed by IVF within 4 months post op

Dr. Hipp is amazing and so educated. She made sure to explain everything so we could understand it. If there were any set backs she made sure to call in addition to the nurses. She is just wonderful and I will definitely work with her again.

Ask as many questions as you need. Even if you feel like you are bothering them.

Our infertility was due to low AMH and male factor. We did one cycle where we started with estrogen patches when ovulation occurred. When I got my period we did the baseline and started Gonal-f and Menupur at max doses. About 7 days in we did the Cetrotide to prevent ovulation. We did the trigger shot on day 11 if I recall and the retrieval 2 days later. We got 9 eggs, 6 were mature. In the end we had 2 make it. We did a fresh transfer with a 4AA blast which ended in a chemical. We still have one frozen that we will transfer in July.

Cost was about 15K for transfer and retrieval without meds.

No

Dr. Kawwass is compassionate and enthusiastic. She makes the process seem routine and takes the scary out of it. She explains her diagnoses and treatments so that it can be easily understood and makes herself readily available to answer questions in a timely manner.

Bring your positive attitude!

All of the diagnostics for infertility were covered in full by my insurance. I was then fortunately notified by Dr. Kawwass the my IVF would be newly covered by my insurance if I could wait 3 months until the next calendar year when benefits were expanded to include IVF. With insurance coverage I paid a $1500 copay and then out of pocket for assisted hatching ($1700) for a total of $3200. My stimulation cycle medications cost an additional $500.

Dr. Kawwass is a firm believer in eSET for first timers without obvious fertility issues identified.

In 2017 I did three cycles of IVF. One fresh and two frozen. After none resulted in a pregnancy, I knew I needed a break. Two years came and went and when I returned to the clinic she remembered everything about me and my husband.

Dr Kawwass will do anything in her power to help you get the baby you have always wanted.

Egg retrieval from only one ovary because I lost on to a dermoid cyst. Three cycles, one fresh with one embryo because I was young and healthy. Two frozen cycles with two embryos because I requested. This most recent cycle we re did all of the bloodwork and diagnostic tests. My HSG showed blocked tube resulting in a diagnosis of hydrosalpinx. This was removed and we will start a frozen cycle in one month

The costs included the monitoring-bloodwork and ultrasounds, all the medications. The frozen transfers included only the transfers

Dr Kawwass is against multiple embryos at one time but placed two when asked.

Dr. Kawwass was a part of the end of our journey, as our journey began a few years prior to landing in her care after transferring clinics and our original doctor leaving the practice. At first we were disappointed our doctor was leaving at such a pivotal point in our care (transfer to gestational carrier); however, after meeting Dr. Kawwass we were smitten! She was so kind, professional, empathetic and informative. She really listened to our history and provided insight into our whole picture - my care, as well as our GC. I am proud to say she will continue to be our doctor throughout our fertility journey, should/when we decide to pursue another transfer in the future.

I encourage anyone seeking fertility treatment to take an active part in their journey. Ask the questions that come to mind, and digest the information given to you fully. You have a say, and can decide what treatments you do and do not wish to take part in. The doctors, especially Kawwass, will guide you in whatever direction they feel is best based on the facts presented to them, but this is a partnership, so don't be shy to speak up if you want to explore other treatment options (fresh vs. frozen, IUI vs IVF, etc.

Again, the majority of my journey was at another clinic, with Emory reviewing records and redoing a few tests they felt needed to be updated; therefore, I cannot provide a whole picture of Emory, as I came to them with frozen embryos. I originally saw a doctor which has since left Emory. That original doctor is who did my transfer, with Kawwass picking things up once we moved onto a gestational carrier. Our experience with Kawwass was magnificent. She treated our whole picture - not only our GC treatment. Dr. Kawwass took the time to review what the next moves for me as a patient would be, as well as placing our sweet embryo ever so perfectly to give us our sweet baby girl who we strived for over a 5 year journey. Obviously, the positive outcome helped, but aside from our wonderful outcome, we found Dr. Kawwass to be thorough with incredible bedside manner. She is highly intelligent and it shows in her treatment.

Luckily, I had insurance that had infertility coverage; therefore, my out of pocket costs were somewhat low - thousands, rather than tens of thousands. Now, with a gestational carrier, you must pay out of pocket, which also was only thousands rather than tens of thousands when it came to the reproductive piece given we already had frozen embryos which were transferred from another clinic.

During our care, Emory transferred two embryos for our first attempt with them (third overall) and 1 embryo when transferring to our GC.

Dr. Hipp was a compassionate, smart, kind, and generous provider. She went above and beyond when it came to communication and relationship building. She gave us data so that we could make informed decisions, but didn’t treat us like data ourselves. She offered guidance, support, and treated me like a sister. When I needed a surgery that was outside the scope of her practice, she tracked down the best surgeon in the city and consulted with him. I always felt like I had the best of the best on my team, led by Dr. Hipp.

Be honest with her about your questions and fears. No question is stupid, and no fear unwarranted.

IUIs were about $1k with medication. Egg retrieval and embryo with icsi was about $15k. Embryo transfers were about $5k

I had a strong preference for a single embryo transfer. She supported that 100%.