Deanna Brasile

Dr. Brasile is intense, straightforward, blunt, and quick with her answers and information. This can be off-putting to some. I would not say she’s for you if you prefer to be coddled and shielded from hard truths. I’m fairly sensitive, but I found her demeanor to be 100% the best thing for me in this very specific endeavor. I needed to be told “this is the problem, these are our options, this is our plan..let’s go!” And while she was not at many of my appointments, she was available via phone and left me in the hands of the best care team ever.

Ask all of your questions, and take notes. She doesn’t know what you understand and what you don’t. It’s a LOT of information and having it come at you all at once, kind of quickly, with IVF language and all that’s involved, it’s easy to walk out of a consultation overwhelmed and with even more questions. She never rushed me out of an appointment..she answered any and all of my questions no matter how long I took.

Dr. Brasile mentioned that they often start with Clomid, but in my case, dealing with male factor infertility, we’d skip that as it did not seem necessary. She had my hormones and thyroid checked, and I did in fact need thyroid medication to give it a boost. Dr. Brasile did 2 different hysteroscopies to check for polyps or other uterine issues to ensure my uterus was healthy and free of anything that could cause problems with my eggs/retrieval/transfer. We did one round of hormone injections and egg retrieval, only to come back with one little embryo. She suggested another round of hormones and egg retrieval, which we did, and were able to add two more viable embryos to our bank. We chose to freeze and do genetic testing with our 3, and came back with the news of one healthy embryo to transfer. My regret was not getting more information on what exactly was off about my other two embryos. Fortunately Dr. Brasile’s protocols are what gave me one very healthy, happy baby boy.

I did ask at one of my appointments with the care team, if I was able to transfer more than one embryo. They said that they do not normally do or recommend that, which I was disappointed about. But it was also something that I could discuss with Dr. Brasile. At the end of the day, I only had one embryo to transfer, so it didn’t affect me. But if I had two, I would have pushed for both to be transferred.

Dr Brasile started treating my husband and I over a year ago. We have done medical treatment x3 , IUI x3, IVF x2, and FET x5. Throughout our process she has always been honest but more importantly she was compassionate and kind. Throughout our struggles there have been lots of ups and downs. We appreciated all she has done for us and couldn't have chosen a better doctor.

You're in great hands!

1. First cycle I was on clomid. Ovulated 3 eggs. Was told when I was ovulating via ultrasound and bloodwoork. Took Crinone until negative pregnancy test. 2. Second cycle took clomid and letrozole. Ovulated 2 eggs. Negative postcoital test. Did IUI based on ovulation monitored by bloodwork and ultrasound. Took Crinone. Negative pregnancy test. 3. This cycle took clomid and letrozole. Ovulated 1 egg based on blood work and ultrasound monitoring. Took Crinone until negative pregnancy test. 4. Fourth cycle took injections. Clomid, Gonal f, cetrotide, and trigger shot. Ovulated approximately 5 eggs. Did IUI based on ultrasound and blood work. Took Crinone until negative pregnancy test. 5. Took 1 month off 6. This month just took Letrozole in anticipation of possibility of IVF the following month. Monitoring of ultrasound and blood work. Ovulated 1egg. Took Crinone until negative pregnancy test. 7. September 2017 we did IVF. Was on Gonal F, cetrotide, and low dose Hcg. We had 40 eggs retrieved, 19 fertilized, and 11 made it to blastocyst stage on day 5 for all freeze. Dr Brasile recommended all freeze so that my body could recover. I did not have OHS. 8. October 2017 we did FET. Was started on Estrace 2 mg/three times per day and baby aspirin. Monitored via ultrasound & bloodwork. When lining was greater than 8cm - FET was scheduled. 5 days before transfer I was placed on medrol dose pack, PIO shots, Crinone, estrace, and baby asprin. Transferred 1 blastocyst and went on 24 hour bed rest. After transfer continued on medications until negative pregnancy test. 9. November 2017 same protocol. Only change was 1 10 mg Valium prior to FET. December got BFP after 2 week wait. Continued on PIO and Crinone. Ultrasound and bloodwork weekly. At week 7 no heartbeat. Diagnosed blighted ovum. 10. Did rush PGS testing in March prior to our 3rd transfer. Transferred on PGS normal embryo with same med protocol as our prior FET. BFN after 2 week wait. No remaining embryos from 1st retrieval. 11. In June did a second IVF retrieval. Was on Gonal F, cetrotide, and low dose Hcg. Retrieved 22 eggs, 9 fertilized, 4 ended up making it to blast stage and being frozen after PGS biopsy done. PGS testing revealed 2 normal, 2 abnormal. 12. In July we did FET. Was started on Estrace 2 mg/three times per day and baby aspirin. Monitored via ultrasound & bloodwork. When lining was greater than 8cm - FET was scheduled. 5 days before transfer I was placed on medrol dose pack, PIO shots, Crinone, estrace, and baby asprin. Transferred 1 blastocyst and went on 24 hour bed rest. Added Lovenox to medication regimen every night. Continued on medications until negative pregnancy test. 13. Did an ERA cycle based on Dr. Brasile's recommendations that revealed that I was 24 hours pre-receptive. 14. In September we did the same preparation for a FET. The only change was I took 24 hours more medication prior to transfer to correct for my ERA. Took Lovenox after transfer every evening until negative pregnancy test.

Various costs associated with meds ranging from $15-$2,000 per cycle. IVF $8,200 plus the cost of medications. FET $3500 plus the cost of medications. PGS testing approximately $3500.

Agreed with her recommendation on single embryo transfer.

Dr Brasile has been very transparent, and informative. She explains everything in detail and always answers any questions we may have. She explains things in an easy to understand manner, and makes sure we understand. She has been supportive throughout the entire process.

She is very direct, which I appreciate.

We originally started with just taking clomid, then added letrozole. These drugs were to help produce more/better "follicles". I was having trouble with one of my tubes (blockage), so it was recommended I pause treatment and have it removed (which I did). We are now back on track with meds, and have since done 2 IUI procedures.

the diagnostics associated with my case have been covered by insurance, with the exception of a co-pay for each visit. IUI is not covered by my insurance and is around $500. IVF is also not covered, but they do offer discounted rates to participant in clinical trials (about half off of the treatment cost).

Dr. Brasile is very knowledgeable and compassionate. She is has a confident plan of what she thinks is the best treatment which is helpful to when this is all overwhelming. But she also is willing to talk through questions or other treatments and if there is something you would prefer she is willing to change course as long as it is safe.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. She can seem decisive in what her plan is, but she will talk through every option and the pros and cons.

I started with letrozole with the plan to shorten my cycle for timed intercourse because of a travel plan. It actually lengthened my cycle and didn’t work. Then I did a cycle of clomid with timed intercourse and possible IUI. I was seen by a PA for my post cloital and she said we didn’t need the IUI. Dr. Brasile later said she probably would have done the IUI that cycle. Then I did high dose clomid with IUI and had a chemical. Then high dose clomid with IUI and BFN. Now on hold from COVID

My treatments to this point have been mostly covered by insurance.

Dr. Brasile was very aggressive with my treatments. We went straight to IUI based on tests from my previous clinic. I was able to see her at every visit and she made time to talk with us whenever needed.

She is direct, which I appreciated.

The IVF process went very quick. It felt like a total of two weeks and then we were doing our transfer. I gave myself shots 2x a day, plus progesterone every other day.

I always had a morning appointment and I was in and out quickly. I don’t remember any specific days that there was a backup.

We had to pay out of pocket for everything but medicine, but we had a first responders discount.

The office recommends only one embryo transfer for a person my age. I didn’t have a preference either way. We ended up with only one embryo, so that’s what we went with.

We felt very confident with her at first, but after time I felt like just a number. I saw her less and less. I felt like I wasn’t given much attention because I wasn’t at a point to pay for IVF yet. Neither Dr. Brazile not anyone from the practice followed up with me after I underwent IUI.

I would suggest seeking a second opinion if you feel something isn’t right. After just one consultation with a second doctor, we figured out two major things that Dr. Brasile failed to do.

I am healthy and ovulate on my own, so we went right to Clomid and Letrizole to increase my follicle production each month (4 months). However, she would only guess as to when we should have sex. I was never given injections to initiate ovulation.

My insurance covered everything but IUI, IVF, and genetic testing. It was just a specialist co-pay.

Dr. Brasile created my IVF protocol with all of my test results in mind. Sometimes, clinics just have a standard protocol that is used for everyone, but she made sure to customize the protocol based on my body's response to previous cycles and tests. She is always positive and makes you feel so hopeful, but is also straightforward with facts and explanations.

Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you want to make sure you understand what your treatment plan is and you feel comfortable and confident that you're receiving the best care possible for you and your partner.

First round of IVF- antagonist protocol. I ended up ovulating an hour before my retrieval and Dr. Brasile was only able to retrieve one mature egg. Since my body ovulated even with the use of cetrotide, we used Lupron for the next cycle. The egg from this round became a day 6 embryo and was frozen for PGS testing. Second round of IVF- Flare protocol. This resulted in 10 mature eggs. Of the 10, 8 fertilized, 4 made it to day 5 embryos. The embryo from the first round plus three from the second were sent for PGS testing and one was transferred on day 5. All four that were sent for testing came back abnormal. The one that was transferred resulted in a pregnancy. I'm currently 8 months pregnant with a baby boy!

IUI procedure- out of pocket cost = ~$600 IVF- my insurance covers up to 4 egg retrievals as long as you have no embryos already frozen. I think the out of pocket cost for an IVF cycle is ~$25,000, but many clinical trial opportunities are offered and can help pay for treatment if you qualify.

She is a very “no nonsense”? Get straight down to business personality. I believe she is very knowledgeable, but she never asked me how many children we would like to have. We just went straight to IUI, the 1st try failed and I am in the TWW for my 2nd IUI now.

She’s not the right doctor for a timid patient. She will not ask you if you have questions. I suppose she just assumes you already know what she’s talking about.

100 mg Clomid for 5 days for my 1st IUI cycle with monitoring and timed IUI. I have no idea why she chose this course. 2nd IUI I did 150 mg Clomid for 2 or 3 days then 100 mg for the remaining days (5 days of Clomid total) with a trigger shot (7500 Novarel) for IUI because my fiancé went out of town. Booster of 2500 Novarel a week after initial shot to potential improve success. I am in the TWW now.

My iuis have been covered by insurance so I’ve only had to pay for meds so far. I purchased the trigger shot Novarel for $140 at my clinic. I also have to pay $40 copay every time I walk in the door, even for bloodwork.

We have not done ivf at this time.

I am a person who needs a plan. Dr Brasile met with me after each visit to discuss the plan for the next few weeks. After my first IUI, we made a plan for the next 2 months - just in case it didn't work. I felt very comfortable knowing that we had backup plans in place and I knew what would be next. She is organized, respectful, and very good communicator.

To ask questions. I think you need to ask all your doctors questions in this type of process. There are so many unknowns that it is helpful to get the answers from the expert and not a blog.

Unfortunately, our first clinic misdiagnosed my husband's sperm results. We did 2 IUIs with negative results. After the 2nd IUI, Dr Brasile ordered a re-testing of his results because I had had a lot of concerns about my first clinic. Turns out, I was right! The first clinic didn't tell us that his sperm results weren't fully normal. Based on the new results, Dr Brasile immediately changed treatment to IVF.

They seemed very reasonably priced. It certainly depends on your insurance coverage but they were 1/10 the cost of UPenn Fertility for IUI.

Dr. Brasille is a very knowledgeable doctor. I was taken care of very well under her care. She’s friendly, outgoing and very personable. I love that in a doctor. The only concern I had with her had to do with my retroverted uterus. And sometimes after my IUI’s I was in pain. She is a fully competent doctor and I have no doubts in her ability to create a healthy baby for couples!

Make sure to get your questions in. Dr. Brasille is super friendly and sometimes you get talking so much and I would forget to ask what I needed to ask.

With Dr. Brasille I did 9 IUI’s. We were saving for IVF and she was patient with us trying IUI so many times. For each IUI we did a combination of clomid and/or letrozole. She referred my husband to a urologist to work on sperm counts. Unfortunately, none of those IUI’s resulted in pregnancy.

IUI’s - covered by insurance Medication - only covered Co-pays for IUI medication.

No transfers done with Dr. Brasille

Dr.B is friendly and kind. She’s warm and funny. My only concern has been that wait times can be long, the clinic can be very busy and she can seem rushed. This sometimes makes me feel pushed along, and often think of questions after the fact.

Think of questions ahead of time and be ready to ask away. Bring a good book, wait times can be long.

I came to Dr.B after a second early miscarriage (around 4-5 weeks), at the time I had been ttc for ) months. I have a 4 year old son, who I had no issues conceiving. I had presumed low progesterone, so I did 2 cycles of natural ovulation with progesterone supplements. No pregnancy. Then we tried 3 cycles of high dose letrozole to try to make me superovulate. I responded well (1-2 follicles) but All negative. Then 3 cycles of clomid and letrozole and still no pregnancy. Then I was told the next step would be injectables or ivf. I took the summer off. Still not pregnant and I am now back getting worked up for an ivf trial. While getting worked up I am trying another clomid/ letrozole cycle

Each visit has a $50 co/pay. Special procedures- tube flushing- have additional costs. Labs were expensive. Meds can be expensive. But this is not due to MLF, it’s due to my insurance

Dr.Brasile has made me feel good during this difficult journey. She treats me with respect and I never feel judged. If I have questions she answers them thoroughly and spends time with me during my visit. I would and have recommended this office and her specifically to others I know who are struggling.

Remain hopeful. This process is a long haul and just know you are in good hands with this dr.

I did a natural cycle first to see where I was and how things went for my naturally. I had a test done, sorry forget the name, to make sure my tubes were not blocked. Thankfully they are not but that was very painful procedure. I then had my first iui which resulted in a chemical pregnancy. I had my second iui and got a negative pregnancy. With covid going on I am now doing a natural cycle.

I think the price for an IUI is high $480 is a lot seeing that it is out of pocket. I have had fees for medications as well.

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Dr. Brasile is compassionate and diligent with her work. I love the fact that she remembers little details about my case which unfortunately I haven’t experienced with other doctors. She always take my point into consideration. We haven’t reached the stage where I could say my treatment was successful but I trust my doctor and will remain hopeful.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions! She makes you feel really comfortable. Take your time and be transparent with her

I did my first transfer with her it wasn’t successful but I like the fact that she covered all corners for me. I am young girl with DOR diagnosis, multiple failed IVF rounds and only few embryos to try with. I really like that she proposed me to do extra blood work (like ANA anaysis), and diagnostic screening (ERA test and hysteroscopy) to make sure we are taking all the right steps in the right direction.

So, when I moved to this clinic my insurance was exhausted! So finances have been tough

she is pretty flexible