David Kulak

We were under the direct care of Dr Kulak for nearly a year. In this time we we underwent several rounds each of clomid and injectable IUIs and a few rounds of IVF, all unsuccessful attempts. We had carefully chosen Genesis primary for the following reasons: they were in-network and they were less than a mile from our house. Our cousins had gone through IVF at another clinic and had mentioned the daunting treks they went through every morning and how their doctors had poor bedside manners. We hoped for the best and were pleasantly surprised when we found that not only was Dr Kulak tremendously patient and kind, he was also very supportive throughout the process. One IVF cycle had to be cancelled and he moved mountains to clear a room so we could convert it into an IUI same day. Another time he went out of his way for us was around the point of 6 failed attempts. My husband had trouble making a sample and it caused a huge fight between us since as everyone who goes through this process knows everything is timed exactly to the minute. When we hadn't shown up for our IUI due to my husband, the doctor called to mediate (yes, no joke) and help us find another solution. Dr Kulak is young, approachable, and generally very warm. After a year at this clinic we decided to leave to get a second opinion as he didn't haven't much experience with patients with unexplained infertility but we still have positive feelings toward the clinic.

He comes across as spaced out because his nature is to be very calm and relaxed. Don't fret, he's a genius. And don't be afraid to ask questions- he will even send you research and statistics if you request it.

We started at Genesis after 3 months of letrozole with timed intercourse and 12 months of unprotected relations. Gensis did extensive bloodwork on both me and my husband in the beginning, as well as a sonogram and a hysterosalpingogram. We went straight to 3 injectable IUI's using Follistim and Ovidrel. The first IUI cycle was stimmed for approximately 8 days using Follistim. Our dosage decreased overtime from 75, to 50, to 62.50 every other day. We triggered with Ovidrel 250 units on cycle day 12. The IUI was performed was on 8/17/17 using a fresh sample and we had 3 follicles, 19, 13, and 10.5. We then used 50mg progesterone bullet suppositories. Our second IUI was stimmed for 7 days using Follistim 75 units then triggered with Ovidrel 250 units on cycle day 12. The IUI was performed was performed on 9/13/17 using a fresh sample and we had one follicle at 17. We then used 50mg progesterone bullet suppositories. For our third IUI, the doctor tried adjusting our dosage, again using Follistim. Our dosages were 75, 87.5, and then 100. We triggered with 250 units of Ovidrel. The IUI was performed on 10/11/17 with a fresh sample and we had two follicles, one at 15.5 and one at 14. We then used 50mg progesterone bullet suppositories. The following month while prepping for IVF we leveraged Clomid (50 units) and practiced time intercourse. We got 4 follicles, 18, 13, 9.5, and 10.5. Our first round of Fresh Cycle IVF began on 11/15.The cycle started with 200 Follistim and consistent 75 units of Menopur. Our Follistim dosage increased every other day by 50 units of until we ended at 350. This cycle was cancelled due to generating only about just one follicle at 16 with several 10 or under. Needless to day, we converted to IUI. After approximately 12 days of Follistim, Menopur, and Citrotide, we triggered. Our dosage for Follistim began at 350ui, menopur 150 units. Almost every other day the doctor requested us to change our dosage. For example, 12/22 we started at 350 Follistim, on 12/24 we went down to 275, and then on 12/25 we jumped back to 300. We came in for blood work 3 times in the first week of stims and daily the week leading up to trigger. At the final scan, we generated 19 follicles, with 4 of them mature (18-21.5 size). Our retrieval produced 18 eggs and 11 fertilized. We did a 5 day freeze transfer and found out that they performed ICSI on 8 of the embryos. We put in two embryos (5AA and 5BA) and chose to froze the remaining which were 4AB, 4BA, 3BB, 3BB, and 2BB according to their grading system. Afterwards we used progesterone suppositories 200mg and took green estradiol until our blood test.

Monitoring appointments are mornings 7-8 AM and are literally a scene of herded cattle. Genesis does not have enough seating room for their patients which leads several patients to sit on the floor in the hallway until their name is called. Patients are called on a first-come basis.

Since fertility treatments are covered (somewhat) by my insurance, we luckily did not have to pay an-arm-and-a-leg. We did however get large bills of 500-1,000 dollars at a time. Genesis has a rule in place that prevents any patient from going into the clinic (for even monitoring) unless their full balance is paid.

Our doctor did not consult us prior to the day of the transfer regarding the number of embryos we would transfer. When the day came around we told them we'd like to put in 2 and he strongly advised against it due to potential complications. The clinic in general only allows 1 embryo transfer at a time as they are a proponent of singleton pregnancies, which I guess is where their greatest success comes from.

Warm and friendly from the moment we met. Always available to us, whether in person, via phone or email. Checked in with me to see how I was doing. Was warm and supportive and sensitive when I was going through a D&C for a miscarriage after my first IVF cycle. Shared our joy when I finally became pregnant with the baby that is now my healthy, thriving son.

Be open, share your concerns, ask questions.

Started with 3 IUIs with clomid and ovidrel trigger. None successful. Moved right onto IVF - first cycle gave us 8 eggs retrieved, only 2 viable embryos -- two transferred, resulted in a pregnancy in which we lost the heartbeat by the 8 week sono. Went right into the next IVF cycle after D&C, adjusted protocol a bit - used Lupron, menopur, gonal f and then triggered. This ended up being a freeze all cycle since we retrieved 21 eggs and we were being cautious of overstimulation. The doc felt that my body wouldn't be ready for a fresh cycle and if I got pregnant, it could worsen symptoms of overstimulation. We froze 5 day 5 blastocysts. Went into our frozen cycle a month or two after retrieval and transferred two blasts. This resulted in a negative. Went right into our next frozen cycle and transferred two more blasts. This resulted in my healthy singleton pregnancy.

You have to get there early. Monitoring starts very early, at 6:45 am, and it's first come, first served. This was never a problem for me though as I'd get there very early since I had to go to work afterwards. These monitoring hours worked well with my work schedule.

My insurance covered quite a bit, so we were lucky. We did have some out of pocket expenses with procedures that were done, co pays, medications etc. Our total out of pocket for all of our treatment in total was under $15,000.

We transferred two embryos each time which worked well for us.

Very compassionate, patient, knowledgable, gets back to you right away. Helps find embryos, asks if procedure hurts, emotionally appropriate, reassuring. I felt like his only patient, though I wasn't!

Do your own research first, and come with questions. Also, be persistent if you have a concern-- he does not mind considering all options.

FET with 2 day 5 embryos.

Procedure was $3800, but other things extra, saline soon $600, counselling $250, etc

First decided one embryo then two. Happy, as one was better than another.

Dr kulak is wondeful and knowledgeable. Is hands in and contact you with details and info as needed. He knows his info and is extremely compassionate and kind. Follows up often when you contact him or email him no matter the time.

He is wonderful

Gonal 350 and ovidrel for trigger

Other then my deductible mostly covered so no issues.