Reproductive Specialists of the Carolinas (Innovation Fertility Network clinic)

Dr. Ghidei explains steps in the process as they are happening, and was present enough to perform our IUI and Egg Retrieval for IVF. She takes the time to thoroughly answer our questions when we see her, and doesn't make us feel silly for asking them. She was not in the clinic for any of the lead in ultrasounds or bloodwork, which is not necessarily a problem except that we were not told she was away during those lead up weeks. We were surprised to have different doctors every visit, none of whom were our doctor. While there at key points in the process, Dr. Ghidei was not necessarily available to respond to questions during the rest of the UVF process. This was a bit frustrating as her patient. Overall, we feel safe and heard with Dr. Ghidei. We feel like she has given us the proper course of treatment for our situation and would recommend her to others.

Come prepared with questions about the process and potential courses of action related to your situation.

We used Antagonist protocol including Omnitrope. This was pursued after a failed first IVF round where no embryos made it to the blastocyst stage (antagonist protocol without Omnitrope). In the second IVF cycle, Gonal F was used in a higher dosage + a low-dose HCG. These were supplemented with HGH (Omnitrope). Results were (IVF Cycle #1 vs IVF Cycle #2): Eggs Retrieved: 15 vs 24 Mature Eggs: 9 vs 19 Fertilized Eggs: 7 vs 15 Developed Blastocysts: 0 vs 6

$3,000 for IUI $21,500 for 1 IVF cycle covering from your baseline ultrasound through a frozen embryo transfer. This does not include "Lead-In" ultrasounds and bloodwork which were another $2,000. - ICSI for more than 10 eggs was an additional $1,200 - PGT-A testing was $200 per embryo - Any transfers required after the first frozen embryo transfer are an additional $6,000 - Cost of protocol medications was ~$4,000 additional

The doctor's preference and standard protocol is transferring a single embryo.

We have been patients of Dr. Matrika Johnson intermittently for over a decade, starting from when she was still at REACH. We did not care for how that establishment ran at all, so were thrilled to learn that Dr. Johnson was starting her own practice. We transferred our case to her immediately. In fact, I think my patient number is like 00008 lol. We loved her approach and the plan she'd developed for us from before, and it was especially gratifying to more directly support a fellow woman of color. I live in England now, so after our first IVF attempt resulted in an early miscarriage, I immediately flew back to Charlotte to try again. You can read about this part of our journey in Essence Magazine (https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/traveling-for-ivf). Happily, our second attempt was successful and I gave birth to our second daughter and first biological baby late last year! We owe Dr. Johnson and her incredible staff and team of doctors, including Dr. Ghidei, our entire worlds. The professionalism, elucidation, transparency, and care that everyone exhibited from start to finish was exemplary. If you're looking for an exceedingly competent, intelligent, and compassionate provider, look no further. And be sure to check out Dr. Johnson's own motherhood story. I promise you, she has been in your shoes. I do hope this has been helpful. Suffice it to say, I believe your search is over. But, don't take my word for it. Go check out the beautiful space for yourself and request a consultation. While I am extremely pleased with our experiences and outcome, I'd like to note that I would have left the same review if we weren't successful this time around. Fortunately, everything worked out pretty well for this obese, Black, 41-year-old! Maybe I'll see you in the lobby when we're back early next year to try for a little boy. Best of luck to you, friend.

Download the portal app so you get notifications of communications. Also, Dr. Johnson is very straightforward, which may come across wrong if you don't know her. She is uberprofessional, but cares very deeply about her patients, and has stood where you stand. She won't be bubbly with you, but she will be honest and direct and lay out exactly what's going on and how best to achieve your goals.

For my IVF cycles, you do most things in clinic, which is very convenient.

Very efficient. Even when there was a full lobby, things went quickly and smoothly.

My insurance covered everything.

I really wanted a multiple embryo transfer, but after Dr. Johnson thoroughly reviewed my case and explained her reasoning, I completely understood why it wasn't the safest option for me. Also, why it's rarely ever safe to transfer more than one, really. I truly appreciate the care she showed in sorta bursting my bubble, but arming me with great information.

Dr. Ghidei was a wonderful doctor. She set my expectations accurately and explained everything in great detail when I had questions. When I wanted to consider incorporating an additional medication, she was open to hearing my idea and weighed the pros and cons, and scientific efficacy before deciding my protocol.

While you don’t need to do extensive research before a discussion because she explains infertility matters so well in laymen’s terms, if you want to be able to dive deeper into the topic and advocate for yourself, she welcomes your interest in the subject and can speak even more in depth.

After a failed first retrieval at a different clinic (15 eggs, 9 mature, 7 fertilized, 0 blast), I switched clinics and to Dr. Ghidei. She was surprised, as was I, at our results and came prepared for my next stims protocol. She brought up incorporating Omnitrope, which I was interested in after reading about increased egg maturity and embryo development anecdotally through online forums. She gave me the full picture that it hasn’t been proven to work for everyone, there is some evidence that in can help, so she was happy to add it to my protocol. I also appreciated that she was mindful of noting its addition to my protocol because of the cost. Under her care, my 2nd retrieval proved much more fruitful with 24 eggs, 19 mature, 15 fertilized, and 6 blasts. We did a happy dance after she gave me my numbers.

Efficient monitoring, early AM. Everyone has an appointment time, you’re usually out with 15 minutes.

We paid out of pocket. Our preliminary consult and testing was about $1000. IUI was about $2700, IVF + ICSI + FET was about $24,000. Medication not included.

RSC as a whole does single transfers only.

Answers given for her specifically in previous question. Rarely saw her, she never had a genuine or caring demeanor about her, and she appeared either rushed, impatient, or/and uninterested to the point I was afraid to bother her with questions.

If you're sensitive about the upcoming journey, do not expect this to be a warm and welcoming atmosphere, they are just there to get the job done. Most visits will be with others outside Dr. Johnson herself, and communication with nurses is often delayed via the patient portal.

Metformin, Vitamin D & birth control for 6 weeks prior to starting the subcutaneous hormones shots. 10ish days of hormones then egg retrieval. One month of no meds after retrieval, then started estrogen (oral) and 2 weeks later progesterone-in-oil intramuscular. Carried on with Estro/Progesterone for 10 weeks into pregnancy

Still working through that. As a Progyny patient, I was being told one thing from Progyny and another from the billing specialist, Amy, at RSC.

No complaints/ thoughts

I felt that this persona she advertises on social media (“I’m a fertility patient too so I understand the struggle”) was completely fabricated. Someone experiencing infertility should be compassionate to others going through the same struggle instead of being cold and impersonal. She did not making me feel like a human being - I was just a number. I wouldn’t recommend her to my worst enemy.

Don’t do it. Research all of the clinics in the area and their SART statistics. Speak to other women. There is a reason everyone chooses other popular clinics in the area.

She’s the absolute best! We love her she’s very knowledgeable, empathetic, caring just all around great person. She shows compassion and kindness. It’s important for doctors to be this way and she is the best at it. Always made us feel comfortable and always open to explain

Your in great hands

Well I can’t remember everything but. I do know she did some adjustments for my upcoming transfer

Very welcoming, very nice. Treated us with respect!

In the mornings before 10 am

Cost can get expensive with no insurance

They communicate well

We recently made the switch upon moving from another state. Dr. Ghidei is very welcoming and takes the time to answer all your questions as well as listen to every aspect of your journey. We’ve had a long road 8+iuis and 3 miscarriages and she was intent on listening to everything we had to say.

Have your records ready, made things a lot easier.

We haven’t done a cycle with Dr. Ghidei yet, hopefully soon!

We’ve only had a consultation and bloodwork so far which we’re all covered by insurance.

Dr. Johnson is an amazing physician. She inherited me as a patient after mine left the practice. When I thought I miscarried she called me back in 5 minutes...she’s been available when I need her, regardless of the time. She’s energetic, human, brilliant and is so attentive to detail...I feel confident she will help me become a mother.

Expect a fantastic physician!

Monitoring is a well oiled machine. I had to go to an out of state clinic while traveling for work and a simple monitoring ultrasound and bloodwork appointment took 2+ hours! At my clinic, I’m in and out in 30 minutes tops!

She is always communicating! Gave us good information and served with compassion and empathy always. She has been very hopeful of the process. We are looking forward to continuing the journey with her and are hopeful we will get better outcomes

None

I don’t remember the details