This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.
100% strongly recommend
4 reviewsEducation
Medical School
University of Birmingham (United Kingdom)
Residency
West Midlands Hospital (England)
Fellowship
West Midlands Hospital (England)
How Doctor Communicates
doctor available by email
doctor available by email
nurse available by directline
nurse available by directline
not available by personal cell phone
not available by personal cell phone
4 patient reviews
Verified
Verified
2020, Unknown Success
Dr. Eapen was very thorough and kind. I felt that he made time to answer my questions and explain things honestly, but in a sensitive way. He has a gentle demeanor that I found comforting...Dr. Eapen (and the U of Iowa in general) will only transfer one if genetic testing has been done. If genetic testing is not done, they will transfer two...
They [U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care] are organized, clean and timely in responding to questions and emails. Several options are given when it's time to purchase IVF drugs, I would suggest NOT using Avella as they nearly cost me my cycle. Fortunately the pharmacist at the U of I worked with me and saved the day; helping me to find the drugs I needed near me...I think the package we purchased was $13,200; which included local ultrasounds/bloodwork, retrieval and transfer. However, we paid more for PGT-A testing, fertility medications, and initial appointment/tests. I believe the total ended up being closer to $22,000 for a full IVF cycle.
How was your experience with Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
At the U of I I saw whichever doctor was working that day, however saw Dr. Eapen the most frequently. He also performed my egg retrieval. His predictions regarding the number of eggs/fertilization rate/number of normal embryos were a bit lower than what occurred, which was a pleasant surprise. I appreciated his realistic approach, all while being patient and treating me with kindness and answering any questions I had.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
Be prepared with a list of your questions, and know he will provide you with informed answers/opinions, but you can ultimately decide various things yourself. I was on the fence about doing PGT-A testing, and although he felt I should do it, and explained why, he left it up to me and was still very kind. If you want a compassionate, intelligent, RE, I recommend him.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
Dr. Eapen was very thorough and kind. I felt that he made time to answer my questions and explain things honestly, but in a sensitive way. He has a gentle demeanor that I found comforting.
Describe the protocols Abey Eapen used in your cycles at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care and their degree of success.
I have done just 1 IVF cycle thus far. I was put on a flare protocol; and had 5 mature eggs retrieved. 4 fertilized, 1 made it to a day 5 blast; 2 made it to day 6 blasts. One (the day 5 - grade 4AA) was genetically normal. I have not yet transferred as I have uterine polyps that need to be removed, which can't happen until COVID restrictions are lifted, and would like to do another retrieval in an attempt to produce more embryos before transferring my one and only. He felt strongly I should do genetic testing based on my age (42) and the fact I had 3 miscarriages last year. I was on the fence and almost didn't do it, but changed my mind in the end.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
All of the nurses were organized, calm, patient and compassionate. This has not been my experience at other places, so I greatly appreciated this. The anesthesia nurse was particularly lovely. I was so nervous and she put me at ease, and called a couple of days later to check on me. Every single person I encountered was wonderful!
Describe your experience with U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
They are organized, clean and timely in responding to questions and emails. Several options are given when it's time to purchase IVF drugs, I would suggest NOT using Avella as they nearly cost me my cycle. Fortunately the pharmacist at the U of I worked with me and saved the day; helping me to find the drugs I needed near me.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
I think the package we purchased was $13,200; which included local ultrasounds/bloodwork, retrieval and transfer. However, we paid more for PGT-A testing, fertility medications, and initial appointment/tests. I believe the total ended up being closer to $22,000 for a full IVF cycle.
Describe Abey Eapen's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
Dr. Eapen (and the U of Iowa in general) will only transfer one if genetic testing has been done. If genetic testing is not done, they will transfer two. This makes sense to me.
Verified
Verified
This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.
2019 - 2020, Unknown Success
Age 32 - 33
4 IUI
2 IVF
Poor Egg Quality
European
Income $100K - $199K
Nurse or HC Services
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
[Dr. Abey Eapen] was honest and sincere, while still maintaining hope...they were busy, but he took my call (rather than the nurse) to check on how I was and make sure my questions were answered...kept me aware of OHSS risks...poor egg quality and none became viable embryos...diagnosed it as an oocyte problem...had one unsuccessful transfer, but the second one was successful, although we are still early in pregnancy.
The waiting is unavoidable, however, and worth the wait to see this incredible team [U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care]...[nurses] did the majority of the communication and they run like a well oiled machine. They make personal connections and are so helpful...dedicated financial counselor who walked us through our insurance coverage and out of pocket expenses...no surprises when it came to costs.
How was your experience with Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
We loved how straightforward and kind be was. We didn’t always get the best news, but he was honest and sincere, while still maintaining hope. I called in with a question for the nurse after an unsuccessful first cycle. It was a weekend they were busy, but he took my call (rather than the nurse) to check on how I was and make sure my questions were answered. I cannot day enough wonderful things about him.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
Ask all the questions you may be afraid to ask. He is honest and caring. Sometimes vocalizing the scary questions and concerns, even in the worst case scenario, can help. Even when getting difficult news, Dr. Eapen was helpful and I am grateful for his compassion.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
He and his team were compassionate, kind, and straight forward. They gave us honest numbers, while still being optimistic.
Describe the protocols Abey Eapen used in your cycles at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care and their degree of success.
We started with collision for stimulation. I had a lot of eggs stimulate, but they kept me aware of OHSS risks the whole time. We got a lot of eggs with the first cycle. My husband and I elected to only fertilize 10 though. Unfortunately, there was spoor egg quality and none became viable embryos. We did another cycle with leuprolide. They retrieved over 20 eggs but only 3 were embryos. They diagnosed it as an oocyte problem and explained what the meant. We had one unsuccessful transfer, but the second one was successful, although we are still early in pregnancy.
Describe your experience with your nurse at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care. (Assigned nurse: Jenna)
The nurses are the best. They did the majority of the communication and they run like a well oiled machine. They make personal connections and are so helpful.
Describe your experience with U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
The only drawback is clearly the wait. It’s hard to be patient and wait for your time, clinic appointment, the stimulation. The waiting is unavoidable, however, and worth the wait to see this incredible team.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
They have a dedicated financial counselor who walked us through our insurance coverage and out of pocket expenses. I emailed her several times with follow up questions. I had no surprises when it came to costs.
Describe Abey Eapen's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
They recommended single embryo transfer based on my age. After an unsuccessful transfer, we were given the option of doing multiple embryo transfer. The risks were explained to us, as well as their recommendation to do a single transfer. We went with their recommendation.
2018 - 2019, Unsuccessful
Age 34 - 35
2 IVF
Uterine Fibroids
Unexplained
European
Income $50K - $99K
Sales Representative
2nd of 2 Docs
2 IUI With Other Docs
2 IVF With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Unsuccessful
He [Dr. Abey Eapen] truly cared for me and my husband. Asked questions about how I was doing. He shared many of our emotions...I wasn’t just a number. He cared about me and my well being with the process...When he asked how I was doing after a miscarriage. He didn’t want me to say fine. He wanted to know all my emotions. He recommended a therapist and made sure my mental health was being taken care of.
All the nurses [at U of Iowa Center] are very passionate. They always meet with the patients and there when hard conversations happen. There is always a hug!...The U of I usually pushes to only transfer 1 embryo...once you are in cycle, it’s so easy to get the appt times you need/want. They just moved to a new clinic so it’s a lot more convenient for patients!...He [Dr. Abey Eapen] truly cared for me and my husband. Asked questions about how I was doing. He shared many of our emotions...I wasn’t just a number. He cared about me and my well being with the process...When he asked how I was doing after a miscarriage. He didn’t want me to say fine. He wanted to know all my emotions. He recommended a therapist and made sure my mental health was being taken care of.
How was your experience with Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
I wasn’t just a number. He cared about me and my well being with the process. When throngs were devastating, he was there to help me through it and truly cared. When he asked how I was doing after a miscarriage. He didn’t want me to say fine. He wanted to know all my emotions. He recommended a therapist and made sure my mental health was being taken care of.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
He is so genuine and professional. Once he opens up, it’s easy to joke with him.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
He truly cared for me and my husband. Asked questions about how I was doing. He shared many of our emotions.
Describe the protocols Abey Eapen used in your cycles at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care and their degree of success.
He told me about superstitions like eating pineapple, taking baby aspirin, and having lucky socks. The medical protocol was always explained with what it would do and side effects.
Describe your experience with your nurse at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care. (Assigned nurse: Michelle Maifeld)
All the nurses are very passionate. They always meet with the patients and there when hard conversations happen. There is always a hug!
Describe your experience with U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
They have up and down time. Sometimes the down time isn’t ideal. But once you are in cycle, it’s so easy to get the appt times you need/want. They just moved to a new clinic so it’s a lot more convenient for patients!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
We are fortunate to have medical insurance to cover. The costs are very average within the US
Describe Abey Eapen's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
The U of I usually pushes to only transfer 1 embryo. The odds aren’t any higher if there is 1 or 2.
Verified
Verified
This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.
2020, Consult
Age 26
4 Fertility Medications
Anovulation
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Unexplained
Latinx
Income $50K - $99K
Nurse or HC Services
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
Dr. Eapen was very straightforward. We asked a question and he would answer it honestly. He asked us what we wanted to do and made his suggestions. I was very pleased with the testing he ordered to get us some answers....seemed to really care about me as a patient. He actually spent time talking with my husband and I to get to know us. He asked us what we wanted. He asks me to keep in touch every cycle and is very fast with responding to me. He is a very kind person.
The nursing staff [at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care] was very friendly and seemed to do their job proficiently...My insurance doesn't cover any infertility treatments. My initial appointment cost about $400...The clinic is very calming. I was surprised to walk in and see how the waiting area is set up. It's like a private little booth to wait in, it really helped calm my nerves. The exam room also seemed "relaxing" for lack of a better word. The lab staff and ultrasound tech were very friendly as well. It doesn't feel so "clinical"
How was your experience with Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
Dr. Eapen was very straightforward. We asked a question and he would answer it honestly. He asked us what we wanted to do and made his suggestions. I was very pleased with the testing he ordered to get us some answers.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
Be honest about what you want and advocate for yourself. Dr. Eapen seems to be very understanding but he is a straightforward guy.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care?
Dr. Eapen seemed to really care about me as a patient. He actually spent time talking with my husband and I to get to know us. He asked us what we wanted. He asks me to keep in touch every cycle and is very fast with responding to me. He is a very kind person.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
The nursing staff was very friendly and seemed to do their job proficiently.
Describe your experience with U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
The clinic is very calming. I was surprised to walk in and see how the waiting area is set up. It's like a private little booth to wait in, it really helped calm my nerves. The exam room also seemed "relaxing" for lack of a better word. The lab staff and ultrasound tech were very friendly as well. It doesn't feel so "clinical"
Describe the costs associated with your care under Abey Eapen at U of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care.
My insurance doesn't cover any infertility treatments. My initial appointment cost about $400
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