Jan Shifren

Dr Shifren was my RE for 2 years. She was kind and straight forward. She was able to set expectations with each procedure. She completed my first egg retrieval and afterwards she came to my bed side and excitedly told me the number of eggs retrieved. Her reaction showed me she was invested in my outcomes and not just my doctor. My second egg retrieval was on December 24th. Dr Shifren also completed this one as well. Christmas eve is not a day anyone wants to be in the hospital and away from the festivities. Dr. Shifren showed compassion. Appointments with Dr. Shifren after miscarriages she would always give me a hug. She showed empathy not pity during these difficult appointments.

When you are doing blood test monitoring for a round of IVF that could proceed to a fresh transfer, ask for your progesterone levels to be tested.

My first treatment was an IUI. I would be turning 40 during this cycle. We decided we would try an IUI cycle and then move on to IVF if it didn't produce a live birth. I used Gonal F 75 units and a trigger shot. After transfer I did Crinone (progesterone) Had a MC at week 11. My second treatment was IVF. I did a month of birth control and then used Gonal F 300 units, Menopur 75 unit with ultra sounds and blood work. After about 15 days I took a trigger shot and 36 hours later I have a retrieval. I did a fresh transfer. After transfer I took a pregesterone shot nightly until pregnancy test and did an estradiol patch for a week. MC at week 7.5. Third treatment was a frozen transfer. I prepped with Gonal F 150 units and a trigger shot. After transfer used progesterone until pregnancy test. This transfer failed. My fourth treatment was another IVF cycle. Did not use birth control this time. Took Gonal F 300 units and Menopur 75 units nightly for about 15 days before trigger shot. Had ultrasound and blood test monitoring. Had a fresh transfer and took progesterone shot nightly. This transfer failed.

My employer offered insurance had rich fertility benefits when I was with Dr Shifren. I only had copays.

Since I was 40 and 41 during this process, my doctor suggested I transfer 2 at a time. My doctor gave medical reasons for this, and I was ok with this decision.

She was very thorough at intake and checked in after every treatment. She made us feel very comfortable and met with us after each treatment to make sure that we knew what the next steps would be. She explained any and all risks when going through IUI and what the next steps would be if we did not conceive after the third IUI.

She can be a little tough in the beginning, but so very thorough and we felt like she listened to all of our concerns.

Based on my age and how long we had been trying, she recommended that my husband get tested since I had a normal period. His tests came back normal so we decided to go through IUI as it was less Invasive and a good starting point. If after three cycles we did not conceive, we would have moved to IVF. She stressed that she works hard to not have patients become pregnant with multiples as it’s a high risk pregnancy, but we became pregnant with twins. Come to find out we have twins on both sides of the family so that could have been the luck of the draw.

I had great insurance so it was all covered.

Dr. Shifren was great; very warm and friendly but honest. She was encouraging about our chances but realistic that it might be a rough road (which it was). Any time we hit a setback or made progress she personally called me with comfort or congrats. The only downside is that I didn't often see her in my regular (sometimes daily) clinic visits, but I wasn't bothered because I found all the doctors to be great and she was deifnitely reachable if needed.

Be patient....I think that's probably universal in the fertility process though.

Doctor Shiffren is very compassionate and caring, but there is a point in which her demeanor is almost too sensitive that felt like I was a baby myself. I got to see her a lot though, which is comforting.

If you prefer a very gentle and coddling personality, she's definitely for you. If you're more straightforward and "down to business," I recommend another doctor.

Dr. Shiffren and team agreed to giving me one try at IVF with my own eggs due to DOR/poor egg quality. Needed a salpingectomy, then started an aggressive Lupron Flare protocol.

There were monitoring hours but you made an appointment. It was very well run and efficient. The best part was, you were almost always monitored by a doctor who would tell you what was happening while you were there. You would still get a call later from a nurse with instructions, but at the monitoring appointment, you would know how things were progressing. No anxious waiting involved.

dr Shifren was professional and very thorough in explaining everything. i would say she's one of the best in her field. she was thorough but very efficient at the same time. she had great bedside manner as well. when I miscarried she called to say how sorry she was, and when I got pregnant (twice) she called to congratulate me and say how happy she is for me. I loved the nurse that supports her as well. I still frequently send her and dr Shifren photos of my daughters who she helped me bring to this world!

I would say to trust her. she knows what she's doing. she's not overly aggressive with the treatments like some doctors who gets you pregnant but will multiples which is high risk. she helped me get pregnant twice and I ended up with two singletons. Two healthy girls.

She was very kind, knowledgeable, and honest. I was feeling very fragile and disheartened and she found a way to give hope but not false hope. She was non judgemental. She made you feel like she remembers every patient who walks through her door.