[Dr. Jenna Friedenthal] has been wonderful since our originally consultation...is kind, brings the best energy and is extremely knowledgable in the field...My partner and I were treated with respect and kindness...Dr. F was welcoming and excited for us from day 1 which allowed us to start the process in a positive manner.
[At RMA of New York] We were treated the same as any couple - which I think embodies respect...they are organized, good at what they do and everyone we saw was compassionate. Some monitoring days were busier than others...has someone working the clinic after-hours, if you panic and have a question regarding your medication plan that night, etc... calling them is always an option.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. F has been wonderful since our originally consultation one year ago. My partner and I both underwent egg retrievals, and I proceeded with an embryo transfer. She is kind, brings the best energy and is extremely knowledgable in the field. Though I am grateful... I genuinely feel sad I have recently "graduated" from RMA, and will continue with a standard OB practice for the remainder of my pregnancy.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
My advice would be to relax! I was very anxious prior to my experience with Dr. F and RMA, but now I could not recommend more.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
I was initially very nervous to undergo fertility treatments. I expressed my fear/concerns upon our original consultation and Dr. F was extremely understanding and empathetic. Over the past year she has been communicative and reassuring with each stage. I felt safe and heard every step of the way.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I do not remember specifically, but my treatment plan felt fairly standard as I was not experiencing any bumps in the road.
How competent was Jenna Friedenthal at LGBTQ+ care?
My partner and I were treated with respect and kindness. It can be challenging to go through fertility as an LGBTQ+ person, due to the obvious non-traditional nature of it. Dr. F was welcoming and excited for us from day 1 which allowed us to start the process in a positive manner.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Chloe Schreiber)
Chloe Schreiber joined Dr. F's team sometime during the last year (about halfway through my time at RMA). She was great! Very communicative and helpful. Eventually Dr. F took over the communication as we got closer to the transfer.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
We love RMA - they are organized, good at what they do and everyone we saw was compassionate. Some monitoring days were busier than others (longest wait-time for a scheduled apt. was about 35 minutes). I recommend scheduling a super early appointment because there is usually never a wait time. RMA has someone working the clinic after-hours, if you panic and have a question regarding your medication plan that night, etc... calling them is always an option.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
Retrievals (x2), medication for retrievals (x2), monitor appointments (multiple), transfer, medication for transfer, follow-up ultrasounds.
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
N/A
How competent was RMA of New York at LGBTQ+ care?
We were treated the same as any couple - which I think embodies respect.
Describe your experience using 3rd party reproduction (donor eggs, donor sperm, or gestational carrier) at RMA of New York.
We shipped our Donor Sperm from Seattle Sperm Bank and it seemingly went off without a hitch.
Dr. Friedenthal is very intelligent and empathetic. She took the time to hear our goals and explained options in a thoughtful manner. When our initial plan didn't go as expected, she talked us through our other options. When we left the country for a few weeks, she made sure her and her practice checked in on us. Throughout the process, we felt well supported by Dr. Friedenthal...She is very empathetic and takes the time to answer questions.
[RMA of New York] Strengths - excellent network of providers, kind staff, clean and inviting facility. Weaknesses - the logistics are difficult to navigate. Each patient is assigned an IVF coordinator, who is helpful in determining next steps. However, given the high volume of patients, there are many points of contacts throughout treatment. For most correspondence, you have to call in to the clinic's main line and wait for a nurse or staff member to call back, which sometimes takes too long for time-sensitive concerns. It does seem like everyone cares about the mission and the patients, but the stress of navigating these logistics made the treatment more cumbersome. It would be helpful to have an online portal for patients to ask questions to their team of providers/staff.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal is very intelligent and empathetic. She took the time to hear our goals and explained options in a thoughtful manner. When our initial plan didn't go as expected, she talked us through our other options. When we left the country for a few weeks, she made sure her and her practice checked in on us. Throughout the process, we felt well supported by Dr. Friedenthal.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal's care was incredible. She is very empathetic and takes the time to answer questions. However, given the large number of patients seen by the facility, most of the monitoring appointments and correspondence are conducted by varying members of their team. Their bedside manner varies and the fragmented care unfortunately made the process seem confusing, especially in the beginning.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I underwent 3 rounds of IVF to freeze embryos for the future (given my diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve). The first resulted in the retrieval of 6 eggs and 1 mosaic embryo. After consulting with our doctor, we tried another round of IVF with a more aggressive medication plan. In this round, Menopur was replaced with an alternate due to supply shortages. The cycle did not result in a retrieval. A third round with Menopur also did not result in a retrieval. We then proceeded to IUI - the first round did not result in a pregnancy but the second round did.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
I spoke with several nurses during the monitoring appointments. All were informative. However, their bedside manner varied and since I did not have a primary nurse, they were often not able to answer questions specific to my protocol if it deviated from the norm.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Strengths - excellent network of providers, kind staff, clean and inviting facility.
Weaknesses - the logistics are difficult to navigate. Each patient is assigned an IVF coordinator, who is helpful in determining next steps. However, given the high volume of patients, there are many points of contacts throughout treatment. For most correspondence, you have to call in to the clinic's main line and wait for a nurse or staff member to call back, which sometimes takes too long for time-sensitive concerns. It does seem like everyone cares about the mission and the patients, but the stress of navigating these logistics made the treatment more cumbersome. It would be helpful to have an online portal for patients to ask questions to their team of providers/staff.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
I was appreciate of there being monitoring hours before my 9am work schedule. If I went in early (7:30am), the wait for the blood draw and ultrasound was not bad at all.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
The costs were fairly standard for an IVF cycle in NYC ($30,000 per cycle I believe). IUI was significantly less expensive. My insurance plan covered most of these costs aside from some co-payments, anesthesia for the retrieval and PGT testing of the embryos.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Failed to inform you of changes in protocol
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
In particular, it would be helpful if RMA was in close contact with the pharmacy to keep abreast of supply shortages. In fulfilling a time-sensitive request with the pharmacy, I learned one of the key medications was not available only after the remaining medications had been sent. I had to scramble to work with the clinic to order a replacement medication in time.
Dr. Friedenthal made us aware of the risks of trying to conceive naturally...demonstrated compassion, understanding, and encouragement...donor eggs...discussed changes to be made in our next transfer cycle that could help us succeed...Her energy, thoughtfulness, and knowledge are invaluable
RMA is definitely more of a factory vibe...was scheduled for my routine blood work at an office location different than my preference...demeanor of the reception staff and billing staff were off-putting at times...have to manage everyone outside of the doctor - which can be stressful given you want your only focus to be on your health
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
We started our fertility journey in January of 2023. Given my age (43 at the time), Dr. Friedenthal made us aware of the risks of trying to conceive naturally. Although I had frozen my eggs years ago, she suggested we keep those in reserve and try to retrieve "fresh" eggs if possible. We went through 2 rounds of egg retrievals with no success. While we were heartbroken, we were prepared for this outcome given Dr. Friedenthal's clear explanation and education towards us. We then moved on to using my frozen egg reserves, which again, did not result in success. After each round of sad news, Dr. Friedenthal demonstrated compassion, understanding, and encouragement that we should not give up if having a family was still a goal of ours. We took time off from our fertility journey, and then revisited options with Dr. Friedenthal. After deciding to use donor eggs, and started on our new fertility journey, Dr. Friedenthal was with us at each step, always encouraging, and always willing to answer any and every question we had. After our first embryo transfer was unsuccessful, Dr. Friedenthal discussed changes to be made in our next transfer cycle that could help us succeed. Additionally, as we went through one sad result after another, she never made us feel it was "our fault" and provided various clinical reasons which was encouraging to both my husband and I. Our second embryo transfer was a success, and we "graduated" from RMA. Sadly, that meant we no longer had Dr. Friedenthal on our journey, but if we had a choice, we would have loved for her to be our OB and help deliver our baby - seeing our journey all the way through!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
The many pros of Dr. Friedenthal outweigh the cons of the clinic itself (see clinic and nurse review). Her energy, thoughtfulness, and knowledge are invaluable throughout a process that can be stressful, scary, and sad at times.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal was patient, warm, and encouraging throughout our fertility journey. Whenever we had an appointment, and she was the attending doctor that day, she never made us feel rushed and always checked in on both my husband and I as to how we were doing by physically and mentally.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York.
Care Coordinator: I had two over the course of my 2 year journey, and I found both were inaccessible (hard to reach by phone, barely answered emails only upon my threat of reaching out to my doctor), and that I had to overly manage them and chase them for information and prescriptions. Additionally, legal forms were sent last minute multiple times before my procedures, which demonstrated their disorganization. RMA touts that a benefit to the clinic is that you have a personal care coordinator - this is in name only.
Nursing staff: there were certain nurses that drew blood that needed better training. Additionally, I had to chase on certain occasions for what my next day protocol would be. I will say that when we had an emergency over the weekend during off hours, they were timely in getting back to me (I would hope so given the emergency).
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
RMA is definitely more of a factory vibe, than a family fertility clinic. On multiple occasions I was scheduled for my routine blood work at an office location different than my preference. This was after I told the clinic multiple times of my location preference. The demeanor of the reception staff and billing staff were off-putting at times, where they appeared the couldn't be bothered with questions. Overall, you have to manage everyone outside of the doctor - which can be stressful given you want your only focus to be on your health.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Dr Friedenthal is very nice and has good side manner. I appreciated her candor and kindness in the two interactions I had with her. She was transparent with her fertility journey which helped build trust and she wasn’t pushy at all...Dr friedenthal is great. I more had an issue with her staff and the way this clinic is run.
Weaknesses [of RMA of New York]...they treat you like a vessel to give them successes. Some of the worst bedside manner I have ever experienced...had to beg to speak to a genetic counselor and was mocked for asking...Succcesses- some of the physicians and staff were absolutely lovely
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr Friedenthal is very nice and has good side manner. I appreciated her candor and kindness in the two interactions I had with her. She was transparent with her fertility journey which helped build trust and she wasn’t pushy at all.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Advocate for yourself in this practice
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr friedenthal is great. I more had an issue with her staff and the way this clinic is run. They are absolutely a factory.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Sarah)
I have never been treated like this before. I was gaslit at every step of the way. I had to beg to speak to a genetic counselor and was mocked for asking. (Despite that a consultation with a genetic counselor is advertised as a benefit to every rma patient). When I called with pain post retrieval (couldn’t get out of bed for three days pain) I was told of course I should expect pain after a procedure and what does she want me to do? I myself am a physician and often get calls from patients in pain after surgery - it’s part of the job and it’s difficult! If I heard one of the nurses in my office spoke to a patient of mine in pain like, and discredited their symptoms and refused to troubleshoot, I frankly would fire them on the spot.
Besides these two specific interactions, it was like pulling teeth asking questions during stim monitoring. They were always in such a rush. I never felt like I knew what was going on at any step.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Weaknesses - they treat you like a vessel to give them successes. Some of the worst bedside manner I have ever experienced. I have never in my life been treated like this as a patient.
Succcesses- some of the physicians and staff were absolutely lovely. We had a very successful cycle with a comfortable number of frozen embryos. Overall, it was a success but I would not go to this clinic again knowing what I know now about how they treat their patients.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
Fortunately I had everything covered by my employer. Out of cost was about 5k for anesthesia and PGTA
Dr. Friedenthal was very helpful from the first time I met with her, explaining every step of the egg freezing process and what to expect. She answered all my questions honestly and in a way I could understand. She always had a smile on her face and was very pleasant to work with on such a personal matter...ncredibly sweet, caring, understanding, and knowledgable. I felt very comfortable in her care
RMA ran like a well-oiled machine, and I was very comfortable with my care there. Everyone was very helpful and friendly...My only minor feedback would be that a couple times there may have been a lack of communication on their end because I would get 2 phone calls from 2 different people about the same topic (for ex: scheduling a follow-up appt). However, over-communication is a good problem to have...Monitoring appts were very efficient, with wait times between about 5-25 minutes.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal was very helpful from the first time I met with her, explaining every step of the egg freezing process and what to expect. She answered all my questions honestly and in a way I could understand. She always had a smile on her face and was very pleasant to work with on such a personal matter.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Don't be afraid to ask questions, she is very good at answering them.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal is incredibly sweet, caring, understanding, and knowledgable. I felt very comfortable in her care.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
Dr. Friedenthal's team was great - easy to communicate with over email or phone, and for the most part, was very quick to respond. When I couldn't start my egg freezing cycle on the day we had planned due to me being in the wrong part of my cycle, she adjusted my treatment accordingly and quickly. She made the whole process very easy for me.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Vivyan Lin)
I don't believe I ever met Vivyan in person so I would have liked to do that at some point. But she was very helpful over email, always answering my questions and reiterating that that's what she was there for.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
RMA ran like a well-oiled machine, and I was very comfortable with my care there. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. There was one day when I became dizzy after getting bloodwork done, and the nurses took very good care of me in the moment and made sure that at every visit afterward I was drinking lots of fluids. My only minor feedback would be that a couple times there may have been a lack of communication on their end because I would get 2 phone calls from 2 different people about the same topic (for ex: scheduling a follow-up appt). However, over-communication is a good problem to have!
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Monitoring appts were very efficient, with wait times between about 5-25 minutes. They always had plenty of staff doing bloodwork and ultrasounds. It was also helpful to have a board at the front desk that would state which doctor(s) were monitoring each morning.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
The total cost of egg freezing including 1 year of storage was about $10,000. Injection medications were about $3,000. Anesthesia for the procedure was about $950. Every 6 months of storage after the first year is about $700.
Dr. F was incredibly patient with me through the embryo freezing process. As a single mom by choice, this was an intense experience. And the whole thing was especially hard b/c of my low reserve at a young(ish) age. I had no idea the challenge ahead of me with, and Dr. F was the best doctor and support I could have asked for...I'm really grateful for Dr. F - she's a wonderful physician and understands the depth of how fertility struggles can impact all parts of the patient.
RMA is a well-oiled, high-volume clinic. I appreciate the processes in place, and that someone was always available to answer Qs. I appreciate how the doctors do the morning scans - they don't rush you out. I love the whole physician staff...Dr. F was wonderful to work with start to finish. From the first consultation to the final results, she was clear in her communication and sensitive when the results weren't perfect ... It took a long time - several IVF cycles -- to get 2 viable embryos. And as challenging as this was, Dr. F brought me hope and comfort. I'm really grateful for Dr. F - she's a wonderful physician and understands the depth of how fertility struggles can impact all parts of the patient.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. F was wonderful to work with start to finish. From the first consultation to the final results, she was clear in her communication and sensitive when the results weren't perfect ... It took a long time - several IVF cycles -- to get 2 viable embryos. And as challenging as this was, Dr. F brought me hope and comfort. I'm really grateful for Dr. F - she's a wonderful physician and understands the depth of how fertility struggles can impact all parts of the patient.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
The doctor-patient relationship here is somewhat in control of the patient. You can go through the IVF process with/without engaging deeply with a doctor. But, if you want to build a relationship with your doctor, definitely reach out and Dr. F will be there to foster it.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. F was incredibly patient with me through the embryo freezing process. As a single mom by choice, this was an intense experience. And the whole thing was especially hard b/c of my low reserve at a young(ish) age. I had no idea the challenge ahead of me with, and Dr. F was the best doctor and support I could have asked for. I had no idea a doctor was Dr. F existed! It was the best experience working with her.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
High dose injectibles and clomid
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
RMA is a well-oiled, high-volume clinic. I appreciate the processes in place, and that someone was always available to answer Qs. I appreciate how the doctors do the morning scans - they don't rush you out. I love the whole physician staff.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Super efficient!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
~18k/cycle
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
Dr Friedenthal was always very supportive of the plan my wife and I had to have children. She was caring and guided me through our first IUI which ended in a chemical pregnancy. Then eventually our second IUI resulting in a, so far, healthy pregnancy. I have always felt Ike Dr. Friedenthal always has our best interest in mind...Overall, we had a great experience with Dr. Friedenthal. She was very supportive, informative and caring in regard to our unique experience. I will forever be grateful for her help and expertise and would highly recommend her!
Overall, we had a great experience [at RMA of New York]. I would advise to not be afraid of asking as many questions as possible. Especially about procedures, because I think it’s easy for the healthcare team to forget it may be your ( the patient’s) first time going through this specific situation...The nursing staff was kind and professional. The nursing staff always called promptly with lab results and follow up visits. They always responded to phone calls when I had questions.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Overall, we had a great experience with Dr. Friedenthal. She was very supportive, informative and caring in regard to our unique experience. I will forever be grateful for her help and expertise and would highly recommend her!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Come prepared with any and all questions you have. Don’t be afraid to call at any time for reassurance or more info. It’s an emotional journey.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr Friedenthal was always very supportive of the plan my wife and I had to have children. She was caring and guided me through our first IUI which ended in a chemical pregnancy. Then eventually our second IUI resulting in a, so far, healthy pregnancy. I have always felt Ike Dr. Friedenthal always has our best interest in mind.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nursing staff was kind and professional. The nursing staff always called promptly with lab results and follow up visits. They always responded to phone calls when I had questions.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Overall, we had a great experience. I would advise to not be afraid of asking as many questions as possible. Especially about procedures, because I think it’s easy for the healthcare team to forget it may be your ( the patient’s) first time going through this specific situation.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
Dr Jenna seems like a good doctor she’s is really nice and warm... I only met her a few times and walked me through the Steps for IVF She’s very sweet...I wish a good doctor was all you need...that makes me wonder if the human treatment you get from the Dr is fake...Dr Friedenthal is very nice and very warm as a doctor
I know the [RMA of New York] clinic is ranked as very good clinic , but having good doctors doesn’t mean it’s a good clinic the administration and communication between departments and patient care it’s a complete mess. Everything I went though was a terrible experience I had a lot of issues...My coordinator reached out once to me I got back to her and never heard back I had to reach out several times email and calls in order to get an appointment
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr Jenna seems like a good doctor she’s is really nice and warm but her team was a complete mess I only met her a few times and walked me through the Steps for IVF
She’s very sweet but In my experience her team is a complete mess
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
In my experience even if Dr Friendthal is a good doctor I couldn’t recommend anyone to go to RMA or go to an appointment with her . I wish a good doctor was all you need my advice would be to find a different clinic where everyone treats you like a human because it doesn’t matter if the doctor is nice for a few minutes afterwards you are just a number and that’s how everyone treats you , that makes me wonder if the human treatment you get from the Dr is fake
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr Friedenthal is very nice and very warm as a doctor
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Vivyan Lin )
My coordinator reached out once to me
I got back to her and never heard back
I had to reach out several times email and calls in order to get an appointment , I asked a question about the bloodwork I needed never received confirmation for the appointment or the answer to my question ?for that reason I had to travel Internationally to go to the appointment with very short notice
RMA team told me they had trouble with their IT but never really cared about me not getting their emails
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
I know the clinic is ranked as very good clinic , but having good doctors doesn’t mean it’s a good clinic the administration and communication between departments and patient care it’s a complete mess.
Everything I went though was a terrible experience I had a lot of issues with them but the biggest ones were
1. I didn’t get the right pricing for gestational carrier I got the IVF costs the only reason they told me the right pricing
Is because I had some doubts about the transfer with the gestational carrier.
The team wasn’t aware about it , they had the wrong information on my chart
2. they lost my husbands bloodwork
After we flew international only to get that bloodwork done
It’s a cold heartless clinic where nobody cares about you , My husband described it as Mc Donald’s for IVF where you are just a number and they only want your money
Fast .
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal is absolutely amazing! She puts you immediately at ease with the process and explains things in a way that is clear and easy to understand. She provides great support throughout the process and is available and responsive to any questions. Her bedside manner is AWESOME - She is kind and extremely knowledgable. I cannot recommend Dr. Friedenthal highly enough...will answer absolutely any question and will make you feel at ease!
RMA is great. Their clinic feels streamlined and user-friendly. They are responsive to calls and emails and the various departments (financing services, scheduling, nurses, doctors) seem to have good communication, resulting in seamless service from the patient perspective...The nursing staff at RMA are fantastic. They are efficient, thoughtful and responsive. They treat each patient with care and listen to any concerns you may have.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal is absolutely amazing! She puts you immediately at ease with the process and explains things in a way that is clear and easy to understand. She provides great support throughout the process and is available and responsive to any questions. Her bedside manner is AWESOME - She is kind and extremely knowledgable. I cannot recommend Dr. Friedenthal highly enough!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Ask her anything you want - Dr. Friedenthal will answer absolutely any question and will make you feel at ease!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal is incredibly caring and takes the time to listen to all of your concerns and answers all questions with knowledge and consideration for your needs. She is very welcoming and puts you immediately at ease with the process.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nursing staff at RMA are fantastic. They are efficient, thoughtful and responsive. They treat each patient with care and listen to any concerns you may have.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
RMA is great. Their clinic feels streamlined and user-friendly. They are responsive to calls and emails and the various departments (financing services, scheduling, nurses, doctors) seem to have good communication, resulting in seamless service from the patient perspective.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Monitoring appointments were super easy and quick (but never rushed/ always took the time to discuss the process and answer any questions).
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
Dr. Friedenthal is definitely professional in this area! And she can explain her professional fertility knowledge in simple terms. Sure. She is very good at communicating with my partner and me and answering all their questions with complete patience. Whenever you talk to her, she has a friendly smile and makes you feel very warm! With her support and help, I am pregnant, as expected. Thanks for everything she has done for me!
The clinic [at RMA of New York] is renowned and fully professional...[the nurses] are very friendly and help me with all the medical instructions...So far, we have paid $4,000 for IUI and IVF...For another thing, there are two times that the nurses in the clinic cannot find out my veins and make my arm pinched for almost a week...I took an injection of 50 mg (1 cc/ml) of progesterone intramuscular in the evening and had 2 mg of Estrace 3 times a day for almost 8 weeks. In week 9, the dose of progesterone was reduced to 25 mg.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal is definitely professional in this area! And she can explain her professional fertility knowledge in simple terms. Sure. She is very good at communicating with my partner and me and answering all their questions with complete patience. Whenever you talk to her, she has a friendly smile and makes you feel very warm! With her support and help, I am pregnant, as expected. Thanks for everything she has done for me!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
She explains professional knowledge in a simple way that my partner and I can get through quickly. Every time I see her, she is always patient with all my questions.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I took an injection of 50 mg (1 cc/ml) of progesterone intramuscular in the evening and had 2 mg of Estrace 3 times a day for almost 8 weeks. In week 9, the dose of progesterone was reduced to 25 mg.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
They are very friendly and help me with all the medical instructions.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
The clinic is renowned and fully professional. As anticipated, it also assisted hundreds of women in becoming pregnant. That's why I chose the RMA for my partner and myself. For another thing, there are two times that the nurses in the clinic cannot find out my veins and make my arm pinched for almost a week! I hope they can improve their skills in the future!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
The billings all come from the insurance company; I don't know the details. So far, we have paid $4,000 for IUI and IVF.
jenna is excellent at communicating when there are issues...She offers helpful advice and suggestions. She is prompt to respond to calls. She always went above and beyond for me and my husband and help us through so of the hardest times we faced. We can’t say enough great things about her...The treatment that Jenna used were start easy then increase the dosage as need to see how the body redacted first. once the body did not have any negative effects we continued with normal dosage
[RMA of New York was] very professional on the staff from the doctors for the operations all the way to the nurses. i would recomand them 100% the staff was Organization, problem-solving, communication style. i would have like to have more offices in all the boroughs...jenna is excellent at communicating when there are issues. and is a great and caring nurse. She offers helpful advice and suggestions. She is prompt to respond to calls. She always went above and beyond for me and my husband and help us through so of the hardest times we faced. We can’t say enough great things about her and her team.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
jenna is excellent at communicating when there are issues. and is a great and caring nurse. She offers helpful advice and suggestions. She is prompt to respond to calls. She always went above and beyond for me and my husband and help us through so of the hardest times we faced. We can’t say enough great things about her and her team.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
IVF is not an easy procedure but with the help of Jenna it made it easier
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Every time i saw Jenna she made my day with her happiness and encouragement to continue on the procedure . it was tough but she made it it look easy.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
The treatment that Jenna used were start easy then increase the dosage as need to see how the body redacted first. once the body did not have any negative effects we continued with normal dosage
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: jullia)
she was a good communicator and took care of me
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
very professional on the staff from the doctors for the operations all the way to the nurses. i would recomand them 100% the staff was Organization, problem-solving, communication style. i would have like to have more offices in all the boroughs.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
insurance payed for it
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
My experience with Dr. Friedenthal was extremely positive. She feels all the highs and lows with her patients. I felt like she was invested in my and my wife's journey and helped us navigate/explore different options...treats every patient like they are her only patient. She's extremely hands-on and answers all the questions you have...Open communication is key. Dr. Friedenthal is a very good listener and always wants her patients to be happy.
The only weakness I would say is the [RMA of New York] nursing staff, in the beginning, did not over-communicate with us like I wanted. That said, the entire team could not have been kinder during our process. Once I asked the nurses to communicate with us more, they did...My experience with Dr. Friedenthal was extremely positive. She feels all the highs and lows with her patients. I felt like she was invested in my and my wife's journey and helped us navigate/explore different options.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
My experience with Dr. Friedenthal was extremely positive. She feels all the highs and lows with her patients. I felt like she was invested in my and my wife's journey and helped us navigate/explore different options.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Open communication is key. Dr. Friedenthal is a very good listener and always wants her patients to be happy.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal treats every patient like they are her only patient. She's extremely hands-on and answers all the questions you have.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nursing staff was not as diligent or communicative as Dr. Friedenthal in the beginning. Once I communicated to Dr. Friedenthal our challenges, she met with her staff and I saw an overnight change. I was very pleased with the entire team.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
The only weakness I would say is the nursing staff, in the beginning, did not over-communicate with us like I wanted. That said, the entire team could not have been kinder during our process. Once I asked the nurses to communicate with us more, they did.
Dr. Friedenthal went out of her way to spend extra time with us during each visit. She answered every question was had and was incredibly responsive whenever we had any concerns...Overall, we had an incredible experience with Dr. Friedenthal. She was professional, compassionate, caring and incredibly helpful. She was with us every step of the way and made sure every question or concern was addressed
The RMA Clinic is great overall. We had a very positive experience. Only weakness would be that sometimes we had a hard time getting answers back from the finance team, but overall it was a great experience and we would definitely recommend it...Dr. Friedenthal went out of her way to spend extra time with us during each visit. She answered every question was had and was incredibly responsive whenever we had any concerns
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Overall, we had an incredible experience with Dr. Friedenthal. She was professional, compassionate, caring and incredibly helpful. She was with us every step of the way and made sure every question or concern was addressed
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal went out of her way to spend extra time with us during each visit. She answered every question was had and was incredibly responsive whenever we had any concerns
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
The RMA Clinic is great overall. We had a very positive experience. Only weakness would be that sometimes we had a hard time getting answers back from the finance team, but overall it was a great experience and we would definitely recommend it
Dr. Friedenthal couldn’t have been more excited to do reciprocal IVF with us as a same sex cis female couple...brilliant in her expertise, compassionate in her bedside manner and an all-around kind-hearted...transferred a PGT tested euploid high grade embryo as recommended by the doctor
Strengths [of RMA of New York]...quality of the lab is amazing...online portal is a great resource...Weaknesses...care coordinator held very little medical knowledge...ssues we experienced were concentrated in administrative, communication, and financial areas...You may feel like just a number at times
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. F is brilliant in her expertise, compassionate in her bedside manner and an all-around kind-hearted human in all her interactions. The reciprocal IVF journey can be confusing logistically, and is certainly an emotional rollercoaster. We felt like we were in capable hands every time we spoke with Dr. F. She was open and encouraged us to ask every question we had, big and small. We never felt rushed or judged. It was also very helpful to have her direct email when questions popped into our head at off hours. She was always responsive and attentive, and that put us at ease knowing we could reach her.
Dr. F performed the egg retrieval and embryo transfer herself. This was reassuring since during monitoring you don't always see your specific doctor. We felt 100% trust in Dr. F’s experience and care. We are currently 8.5 weeks along after 1 retrieval and reciprocal transfer in Dr. F’s care and are so deeply grateful!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Within the RMA system, we felt like a number because they have the process down to a science and see so many people everyday. When you see a different doctor other than your own during monitoring, it can feel impersonal though the care you receive is still good. Behind the scenes, we knew our doctor was reviewing our labs and advising on next steps but not having the everyday interaction with our individual doctor sometimes left us feeling like just another number. We will say though that when we did speak with or have appointments with Dr. Friedenthal we couldn't have felt more like cared for humans!
How competent was Jenna Friedenthal at LGBTQ+ care?
My wife and I came from a previous clinic that was not well-versed in same-sex couples and reciprocal IVF, so Dr. Friedenthal's sensitivity, clinical knowledge, and open excitement about working with us as a couple was much appreciated. She asked the right questions and paid attention to the nuances every step of the way. We truly felt so comfortable with her on our journey.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
Strengths: clear delivery of information (lab results) and instructions on next steps. They always follow up a call with an email with the same information which we found super helpful.
Weaknesses: you won’t get answers to questions you don’t ask. We didn’t particularly find the nursing staff to provide any more information than the bare minimum. If you’re looking for someone to hold your hand through the process, this isn’t it. Given we had been through egg retrievals and a transfer before, we generally knew what to expect and didn’t need the hand holding, but for any first timers, our advice would be to ask all the questions you have, always. Get your doctor’s direct email.
It’s almost impossible to get a hold of a nurse when you call the main line. They will take a message and say someone will respond within 24 hours (unless it’s an emergency). So take advantage of when the nurses call you with lab results to ask any questions you may have.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Strengths:
- The quality of the lab is amazing, far superior to our previous clinic. Ask for their success rates and any data specific to your needs, they should have it.
- Their online portal is a great resource for you to see your lab results, pay bills, see what you have in storage (ex: eggs, embryos). It’s available 24/7
- The doctors and staff are great. You don’t always see your specific doctor for monitoring, but every doctor we encountered had a good bedside manner, answered questions, and was great. Some give you more time than others, but overall we felt comfortable with everyone.
Weaknesses:
- You’re assigned a care coordinator when you join the clinic. At first, we felt this was great to have a point of contact via email. The coordinators do help in terms of making sure you have all your paperwork together in order to get financial clearance to start a cycle. However, on our experience the care coordinator held very little medical knowledge and was constantly having to get answers from nurses or the doctor. We couldn’t get clear answers and we couldn’t contact nurses directly until the start of our cycle so this was very frustrating.
- Financial clearance takes at least 2 weeks so make sure you account for that before the start of a cycle.
- We had issues with financial coordinators saying one thing and then it not being billed correctly (PGT testing and insurance coverage). We are a female same-sex couple and there was a ton of issues in getting them to bill our insurance correctly with the right diagnosis codes so our cycles would be covered. Thankfully, we had an insurance advocate who could help us navigate through a lot of confusion and red tape. If you have access to an advocate at your insurance advocate, we would highly encourage you to use them, it will make your life a lot easier and save you a few headaches!
Other things to note:
- You may feel like just a number at times (especially waiting in the waiting room for monitoring). But when you develop a good 1 on 1 relationship with your doctor and have a way to contact them directly, you feel like you’re being well taken care of.
- Ask ALL your questions, there are no dumb questions.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
You are given a specific appointment time which you can request, but they do not hold you to that time. You are able to go in any time during the monitoring window, but are told you may have to wait.
We found that 8:15am and earlier was the least busy and they take you within 10-15 mins. Anytime after 8:15am was easily a 30min wait and on higher traffic days up to an hour. It is a well-oiled machine!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
We had amazing medical benefits with Cigna Open Access Plus that covered infertility treatment with an infertility diagnosis. Full coverage once we hit our deductible. We were responsible for co-payments at each visit and any co-insurance on services rendered. Here are the estimated total out of pocket costs, after insurance was billed was
* Egg retrieval: $550
* Embryo transfer: $700
* Fertilization of my eggs from previous clinic: $300
Things not covered by insurance:
* PGT setup fee ($690) but the PGT itself was covered
* Anesthesia for egg retrieval ($950) because they use an outside provider
* Medications for egg retrieval if self pay and not using insurance ($3,618.80)
* Medications for egg retrieval if using insurance - they billed $16,315.28 so depending on the network’s allowed amount and your co-insurance it can be very high. We would recommend calling a few specialty pharmacies and getting pricing so you can get the best deal. Self-pay usually is much cheaper, but will depend on your insurance coverage and plan.
* Sperm cost and shipping ($595-$1000 per vial for ICI ART)
* Sperm shipping from cyrobank to RMA ($450 for overnight shipping which was necessary because of the time window it needed to arrive at the lab)
* Embryo/Egg Storage ($1200/year)
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
We transferred a PGT tested euploid high grade embryo as recommended by the doctor. We had multiple healthy embryos and there was no reason to transfer more than one at a time. If we had more questions or were in a different situation, maybe there would have been more discussion around this.
How competent was RMA of New York at LGBTQ+ care?
Dr. Friedenthal couldn’t have been more excited to do reciprocal IVF with us as a same sex cis female couple. We felt welcomed, understood and comfortable with her from the getgo. The medical care we received was all around wonderful.
One thing to note specifically for anyone considering reciprocal IVF is that there are some odd protocols with egg/embryo ownership. We used my wife’s egg to create the embryo that ultimately was transferred into my uterus. When they performed PGT testing on the embryos, I was considered the “owner” or “patient” despite them being genetically hers. We had to clarify this because it seemed strange, but ultimately the answer we received is that whoever is receiving the transfer, ultimately will be named as the owner/patient.
The financial and billing department was a hot mess when it came to us as an LGBTQ+ couple. There was a ton of back in forth in the beginning about us needing to do 3 cycles of IUI before insurance would cover IVF and while this was factually inaccurate, they didn’t understand that IUI would not yield the same result as reciprocal IVF. It was extremely frustrating and we had to delay our cycle start dates to sort out the insurance / financial clearance (in the end, IVF was fully covered from the start because of previous diagnosis, no IUI was needed).
Describe your experience using 3rd party reproduction (donor eggs, donor sperm, or gestational carrier) at RMA of New York.
We used Fairfax Cryobank for donor sperm and it was quite streamlined. We had sperm secured and in storage prior to changing to this clinic so coordinating the shipment was as easy as emailing a specific email address that RMA provides to get acceptance/clearance. RMA gives you a PDF of the requirements/steps. When you call the sperm bank they handle the shipment directly to RMA.
One caveat is that RMA didn’t confirm via email that they received the sperm, however you are sent a tracking number from the cryobank and can verify it that way. Also you can check in the RMA portal a day or so later to see that it’s in your storage.
We also had frozen my eggs from a previous clinic that we wanted to transfer to RMA. This one was a bit more complex but we used a third party company Fertility Couriers to physically transport the specimens. It took a bit of following up via email to get this sorted, but in the end they received and safely secured my eggs.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
First, we couldn’t have higher praise for Dr. Friedenthal, the medical staff, and lab. Our medical care was phenomenal!
The issues we experienced were concentrated in administrative, communication, and financial areas. We had a very hard time getting medical answers from the care coordinator and felt frustrated that we didn’t have a direct line of contact to a nurse. Any time we had a question we had to call the main line and wait for a call back in 24 hours. We had a ton of avoidable insurance and billing issues that caused us to delay our cycle. And we continued to have insurance and billing errors throughout our treatment, which is incredibly frustrating on top of an already financial, physical, and emotionally stressful journey.
[Dr. Jenna Friedenthal] remembered every detail about my case and my requests for communication each time we interacted...adjusted care along the way to get to this best outcome...standard protocol - at age 38, I suppose I should be happy with 14 eggs retrieved, 7 fertilized embryos, and 3 euploid
I was a little concerned that I might be just a number given how big RMA of NY is but I truly never felt that way. My care and treatment were completely individualized, from the women taking my blood during morning monitoring to the staff answering the call line after hours. Wait times during morning monitoring can be unpredictable
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
When I first met Dr. Friedenthal, I explained the type of person I was (nervous! anxious!), having experienced a year of IVF setbacks with another clinic. Busy as she is, I know she remembered every detail about my case and my requests for communication each time we interacted, which was exactly what I needed as a human and a patient. Regarding my treatment, there's nothing more I could ask for then a successful implantation and discharge (almost at the end of my first trimester now). Dr. Friedenthal adjusted care along the way to get to this best outcome: for example, having me go a little longer before egg retrieval and transfer to build up the best scenario for my eggs and my lining.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Tell her what you need from a doctor! She listens really well and remembers your details so ask for how you'd like to be communicated with - this made me feel so comfortable.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Both Dr. Friedenthal and all the staff I interacted with at RMA of NY gave me the best care I could have asked for. Though my past clinic was much smaller than RMA, it was only RMA that I could always get in touch with (by various contact methods) or called me back if someone wasn't available right away, who knew my case and my history each time we spoke, and who showed up to every interaction like they were personally invested in my wellbeing and success.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I used a standard protocol - at age 38, I suppose I should be happy with 14 eggs retrieved, 7 fertilized embryos, and 3 euploid. One thing that may have been different about my case is that I stayed on estrace longer / with higher dosage to thicken my uterine lining, which worked exactly as Dr. Friedenthal predicted. I'm currently on my first successful transfer, about 10 1/2 weeks pregnant.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
I spoke with different nurses based on whether they called me or I called in to ask questions but each one gave me the best care I could have asked for. I remain impressed at how patient they were in talking through things with me / spending as much time as I needed on the phone and if they needed to check something with the Dr. and get back to me, I got a response very quickly. I can't recommend the staff at RMA enough.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
I was a little concerned that I might be just a number given how big RMA of NY is but I truly never felt that way. My care and treatment were completely individualized, from the women taking my blood during morning monitoring to the staff answering the call line after hours. Wait times during morning monitoring can be unpredictable - sometimes I was in / out in 15 minutes, other times an hour+, so that's something to be prepared for but if you can prep for it, it's not that big of a deal. I also really love that there are phone AND follow up email communications, plus a patient portal so I can reference my care and instructions. My prior clinic only texted with me and responses were short / curt.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
My treatment was covered by Progyny / insurance so other than my deductible, I did not pay any extra
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
I always felt well taken care of by Dr. Friedenthal...was always so professional and so warm during every interaction...goes above and beyond to communicate directly with her patients...estrogen pills to prepare for a transfer cycle...on Lupron to help stop early ovulation...add in the progesterone injections and had a successful embryo transfer
Having used RMA for all 3 of my IVF pregnancies, I trust the doctors and nursing staff immensely....they have so many patients, it seems like the clinic is a revolving door...have their process down to a see, work efficiently, and when you see the actual doctor, you feel seen, important and valued.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
I always felt well taken care of by Dr. Friedenthal and her team. I never felt like "just a number" and I knew she was personally invested in the success of my treatment. It's obvious Dr. Friedenthal loves what she does. She goes above and beyond to communicate directly with her patients, and I couldn't be more grateful for the amazing care she showed me.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Ask all the questions! She will never make you feel rushed or ashamed for asking anything.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal was always so professional and so warm during every interaction. It was impossible to feel like she didn't care. I never felt rushed and she often went above and beyond to communicate with me directly.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
She started me estrogen pills to prepare for a transfer cycle, but realized that my body was ovulating early. We had to stop that cycle and start again with my next period, where she put me on Lupron to help stop early ovulation. From there, things went relatively smoothly (except having to postpone the cycle by 2 weeks using birth control (due to routine lab maintenance in December), and I went on to add in the progesterone injections and had a successful embryo transfer. I've been on estrogen and progesterone ever since, and just got discharged to by OB at 8 weeks.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nursing staff was great! They always communicated very clearly and answered any questions I had (which were a lot!).
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Having used RMA for all 3 of my IVF pregnancies, I trust the doctors and nursing staff immensely. I will say that, because they have so many patients, it seems like the clinic is a revolving door. With that said, they have their process down to a see, work efficiently, and when you see the actual doctor, you feel seen, important and valued.
Dr. Friedenthal was warm, communicative and professional..was approachable and willing to explain things to me clearly and thoughtfully...started with Gonal/F in the mornings, Menopur in the evenings...day 5, Ceetrotide...2 trigger medicines on day 9 and had my retrieval on day 11.
processes at RMA are quick and efficient and consistent....recommend coming in for an early appointment to reduce wait time...lab tech, nurse, doctor was kind and quick....always an easy visit...Everyone was communicative and willing to answer questions...whole team was very helpful and responsive to my questions
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal was warm, communicative and professional. I felt comfortable with her from the moment we met. She was approachable and willing to explain things to me clearly and thoughtfully. If I ever need to go through this process again, I will absolutely confidently return to see her.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
I would just explain to the person that the nature of the process is that you will see whichever doctor is on staff that day - for monitoring or retrieval. That said, I knew Dr. Friedenthal was in charge of my treatment plan and that I could reach her with any questions throughout.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
I received a lot of good communication from Dr. Friedenthal's team throughout my process. Whenever I had a question, I was answered in a very timely fashion. Dr. Friedenthal was warm and thorough whenever I met with her.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I started with Gonal/F in the mornings, Menopur in the evenings. On day 5, Ceetrotide was added to my medications with a third vial of Menopur. I took my 2 trigger medicines on day 9 and had my retrieval on day 11.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Chloe )
The whole team was very helpful and responsive to my questions. Each person who called me with my results/instructions was warm and thorough.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
The processes at RMA are quick and efficient and consistent. By the second day of monitoring, I knew exactly what to expect. I would recommend coming in for an early appointment to reduce wait time. Each lab tech, nurse, doctor was kind and quick. It was always an easy visit. Everyone was communicative and willing to answer questions.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
Anesthesia $900... out of pocket costs for meds ~ $800. Insurance covered retrieval + rest of medications.
Jenna [Dr. Jenna Friedenthal] was very informative around the process which I appreciate, it shows her knowledge in the area. She was also very nice and open to answering any questions as needed. I didn't see her often during the process, but it was enough...at times your primary doctor will not the be the same doing the monitoring. It wasn't the worst, but it would have been nice to do it all the way with one doctor
[RMA of New York] Strengths - very quick procedure and monitoring, I loved the wait time (very short). Weaknesses - Rotating doctors (at times your primary doctor will not the be the same doing the monitoring. It wasn't the worst, but it would have been nice to do it all the way with one doctor)...Nursing staff was great! Very prompt and informative. Always returned calls as needed and followed up with detailed emails.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
I love that Jenna was thoughtful and informative. For the number of people frequenting services and the clinic, I understand why I did not always get a chance to see her. She made sure to set aside time to call and discuss post-retrieval and what the numbers meant.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
I am not sure, my experience was very straightforward because my fertility numbers presented as normal. I am not sure what the process would be like for anyone struggling with fertility.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Jenna was very informative around the process which I appreciate, it shows her knowledge in the area. She was also very nice and open to answering any questions as needed. I didn't see her often during the process, but it was enough.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
The strategy for my dosage was to start of with smaller dosages because I already (thankfully) already had a good number of follicles when I tested for the baseline. Jenna thought that increasing dosage or number of injections too soon would over stimulate the follicles. the number of injections increased just a few days prior to retrieval. I was under treatment for a total of 12 days which was exactly the estimate given prior to starting.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
Nursing staff was great! Very prompt and informative. Always returned calls as needed and followed up with detailed emails.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Strengths - very quick procedure and monitoring, I loved the wait time (very short).
Weaknesses - Rotating doctors (at times your primary doctor will not the be the same doing the monitoring. It wasn't the worst, but it would have been nice to do it all the way with one doctor).
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
Medication was the most expensive! I paid $2,331 for 12 days prescriptions. However, had to spend an extra $400 for medication that I didn't know I was going to need since there was a possibility of extending an extra few days (ended up only using one extra medication). The procedure and anesthesia was about $2,400. This was all after my insurance kicked in (luckily it covered a good portion.
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
Dr. Friedenthal is the best doctor I've ever had. She is warm and caring, never made me feel rushed and took the time to answer my long lists of questions...direct in communicating...I wasn't ovulating)...did not think I would be responsive to IUI / ovulation trigger since I didn't seem to be maturing eggs on my own...great candidate for IVF and would be very responsive...now 10 weeks pregnant.
RMA has amazing doctors and nurses...Nurse Nicole is a rock star nurse. She is bubbly and energetic! She helped me figure out the progesterone injections and helped me through the subchorionic hematoma I developed...medical customer service is VERY high-touch...nurses and phlegbotomists are also fantastic. One weakness of RMA is that as a patient you have to do a significant amount of project management-type work
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Elaborating on my previous response, Dr. Friedenthal is the best doctor I've ever had. She was direct in communicating, especially around tough subjects, but even with setbacks I felt confident in her that there was a plan and a protocol in place - she will show you there is a path forward. She communicates with sensitivity and warmth that will make you feel seen and give you confidence even at the most vulnerable times in your fertility journey. She is hugely empathetic. Also, I had LOTS of questions at every appointment and she never rushed through them or made me feel silly for asking as some doctors do. She is an outstanding physician and I will recommend her to all of my friends. I am slightly sad to have "graduated" to my OB because I will miss seeing Dr. Friedenthal!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
You're in amazing hands! Dr. Friedenthal is the best. There is a decent amount of project management you will need to do with her team in getting your medications and preparing for your first cycle, so be prepared to stay on top of things and be extra proactive in getting organized before you start treatment.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal is the best doctor I've ever had. She is warm and caring, never made me feel rushed and took the time to answer my long lists of questions. She held my hand when I was nervous before the anesthesia for the egg retrieval. She understands how vulnerable the IVF process makes a patient feel and was incredibly adept at navigating me through the protocol.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
My hormone tests were normal but after going off of birth control my period never returned (I wasn't ovulating). Dr Friedenthal did not think I would be responsive to IUI / ovulation trigger since I didn't seem to be maturing eggs on my own, but thought I was a great candidate for IVF and would be very responsive. I did an egg retrieval with creation of embryos with sperm from my husband. She retrieved 19 eggs, 14 fertilized, and 5 made it to day 5 embryos. 1 was mosaic. After a 3 week break I started taking estrogen to prepare for a frozen transfer and then progesterone injections as we got closer to transfer date. I am now 10 weeks pregnant.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Nicole)
Nurse Nicole is a rock star nurse. She is bubbly and energetic! She helped me figure out the progesterone injections and helped me through the subchorionic hematoma I developed. The hematoma results in a huge amount of bleeding that, naturally, is completely frightening when you are pregnant. Nicole is kind and compassionate and helped me to deal with this unsettling condition. I also observed her tactfully address a situation in the clinic's waiting room when a patient brought their children along. Nicole kindly escorted them to a separate room to wait so the presence of children would not be triggering to everyone in the waiting room. She is extremely empathetic in this way. Nicole is an amazing nurse!
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
RMA has amazing doctors and nurses! I loved my doctor, Dr. Friedenthal, but was also seen for monitoring by a handful of different doctors and they were all good. Another strength of RMA is that the medical customer service is VERY high-touch. Any time I had an issue (for instance, when I started bleeding while pregnant) I could call and get a nurse on the phone to talk me through the situation and set up an appointment to see me the next day. The nurses and phlegbotomists are also fantastic.
One weakness of RMA is that as a patient you have to do a significant amount of project management-type work. Each doctor has a team of care coordinators but you still have to be extremely on top of things yourself to figure out the financial coverage, get your medications, learn how to administer the meds, get all the testing done for you and your partner, etc. My understanding though is that this is fairly standard at most fertility clinics. It did feel a bit overwhelming at the beginning to get organized and set up.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Monitoring appointments were easy and efficient. I waited for maybe 20 minutes max.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
$19k for retrieval & embryo creation
$1k for anesthesia
$8k for transfer I think
+meds
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
Dr. Friedenthal feels strongly single embryo transfers are safest and lead to best outcomes (healthy mother with birth of a single healthy baby).
Dr. Friedenthal is warm, knowledgeable, supportive, and cautious. She was honest and direct with us when the results were unfavorable, which we appreciated. She was also very patient and answered all of our questions. She moved office locations in the middle of my treatment and we could have chosen to switch to a doctor more conveniently located, but we decided to stay with her and travel a longer distance to see her.
...when it came to RMA's logistical procedures handled by other RMA staff- scheduling appointments, ordering medications, and receiving email protocols, I felt very much like a number. RMA staff made plenty of mistakes throughout the process, and I felt like no one was keeping an overall eye on my care, I had to do it myself...RMA is a busy clinic, and in my experience the team didn't spend enough time proactively educating me. It all moved very fast.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal is warm, knowledgeable, supportive, and cautious. She was honest and direct with us when the results were unfavorable, which we appreciated. She was also very patient and answered all of our questions. She moved office locations in the middle of my treatment and we could have chosen to switch to a doctor more conveniently located, but we decided to stay with her and travel a longer distance to see her.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Ask alot of questions and don't hesitate to be proactive. RMA is a busy clinic, and in my experience the team didn't spend enough time proactively educating me. It all moved very fast.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal has a very warm bedside manner and expressed genuine care about my welfare. She was excellent at explaining the process and is highly skilled. However when it came to RMA's logistical procedures handled by other RMA staff- scheduling appointments, ordering medications, and receiving email protocols, I felt very much like a number. RMA staff made plenty of mistakes throughout the process, and I felt like no one was keeping an overall eye on my care, I had to do it myself.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I did three egg retrieval cycles. In the first cycle, the medication Menopur was out of stock nationwide, so the doctor prescribed me a substitute, Novarel (low dose HCG). In the second cycle Menopur was available, so I was prescribed that instead. It was the most unpleasant injection out of them all, it really stings when it goes in. I spoke with a different doctor about it during a routine monitoring appointment, and she shared her opinion that Novarel was just as effective but many doctors are uncomfortable prescribing it because they're more familiar with Menopur. I wound up having much worse results for my second cycle, so for the third I talked to Dr. Friendenthal about going back to Novarel. She was candid that she preferred Menopur but was open to what I wanted to do. I chose to go back to Novarel and my third retrieval results were much better - and the injections were less unpleasant. One other note: when I started the first cycle, I was initially asked to take injections of Gonal-F twice a day. I asked a nurse if there was a reason why and she said there wasn't a strong reason to break up the dose, I could easily take the Gonal-F all at once. That spared me one injection a day.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nurses were kind and informative. The only issue I encountered were mistakes in the email protocols they sent me, recapping medication instructions. They looked to be copy-paste errors, and after I had completed one cycle I knew enough to figure them out/ignore mistakes, but in the first cycle I had to call to request clarity on a couple of the emails. One had the incorrect dosage and another one had misleading language: it said to only take one medication (the trigger shot) but then later referred to taking two medications.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
The doctors and nurses are excellent and the care is top-notch. They have various experts available for consultations, including a social worker/therapist and genetic counselors. The egg retrieval surgeries were fast and painless, with easy recovery. RMA's Brooklyn office is a nice facility. Monitoring times varied during each cycle, probably based on the number of patients at the time. In my first cycle, almost all of my monitoring appointments took 45-60 minutes. Times were shorter during the second and third cycles.
RMA's logistics could use improvement, especially around communication. They do not provide direct phone numbers for the doctors; you're instructed to call the main line and talk to a receptionist, who will then send a message to the doctor's team. This process failed me several times over the course of my treatment. The worst was when I called the clinic once a week for 5 weeks to tell them we were ready to proceed with the embryo transfer, but despite the receptionist telling me each time they were sending a message to the doctor's team, no one ever called us back until I finally sent an email to anyone I had previously emailed with at the clinic. They were very apologetic about it, but I still have no idea what happened. Email was also not a reliable way to communicate with the RMA team, sometimes I received bouncebacks and Dr. Friedenthal cautioned me that the clinic was having email issues (which is why I kept calling instead of emailing). Hopefully those issues have been resolved.
My overall impression with RMA is that it's an effective clinic with talented medical staff, that was maybe struggling a bit with the amount of patients they were serving during my time with them. I'd recommend to any new patients that you ask alot of questions, pay close attention to the process and protocols, and don't hesitate to ask for what you want.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
We were fortunate to have insurance that covered IVF, so we only had to pay our full deductible and annual out-of-pocket max on our insurance policy.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Lost appointments
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
I've listed some of them in previous responses. In addition to those:
-At the beginning of cycle 2, the coordinator submitted the wrong medication order to my pharmacy. When I didn't recognize one of the medications on the list, I contacted the coordinator and she amended the order.
-A couple of times I didn't receive monitoring appointment email confirmations. One of them came at a crucial time, when I was nearing the trigger shot in cycle 2. I called the after-hours number and was told someone would call me back. No one ever did, but because I had already done one cycle I knew I needed to be monitored, so I showed up the next morning anyway without an appointment. The doctor had me take the trigger shot that night. If I had been in cycle 1, I probably wouldn't have gone in and it might have impacted that retrieval?
-Other things were minor, like being scheduled at the wrong office, or being scheduled for a saline sonogram when I hadn't been told what it was and had already decided to do another retrieval cycle...
Dr. Friedenthal was incredibly caring and compassionate, and treated my nonstop questions with patience and grace. When I was anxious about a step of the treatment plan, she took the time to write a detailed and thoughtful email summarizing the approach and reasoning. When dealing with hard news, she was incredibly sensitive and kind...During one of my FETs a scheduling issue arose and Dr. Friedenthal wasn't available to do the transfer. She still made it a point to come to the procedure and be with me, which meant a lot.
[RMA of New York] is a big practice, so it is easy to feel like a cog in the machine when you're just sleepwalking through the morning monitoring. Be prepared with your questions, and keep track of the instructions emails as it's easy to track your results and previous cycles with them...The nurses send clear and very easy to understand emails after each appointment recapping the test results and instructions. For the most part, they are very to the point and a little curt. Whenever I pushed for more clarification or had questions about something they were very patient with me. The email recaps were really helpful, especially managing the timing and dosing of medications. My previous practice didn't do this.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal was incredibly kind and patient. I am an anxious person, and a planner, and Dr. Friedenthal was very patient responding to my (countless) emails and questions throughout the process. I really felt a lot of individual care. During one of my FETs a scheduling issue arose and Dr. Friedenthal wasn't available to do the transfer. She still made it a point to come to the procedure and be with me, which meant a lot.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
This would be my advice for basically anyone - but don't be afraid to ask questions throughout the process. By advocating for myself, it helped me feel a bit more in control of a very overwhelming situation.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal was incredibly caring and compassionate, and treated my nonstop questions with patience and grace. When I was anxious about a step of the treatment plan, she took the time to write a detailed and thoughtful email summarizing the approach and reasoning. When dealing with hard news, she was incredibly sensitive and kind.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I started right away with IVF with Dr. Friedenthal, and had great success with my egg retrieval. My first two FET failed. I did have to push for a bit after the 2nd failed FET to change up the procedure, but we ended up doing an endometrial biopsy (confirming endometritis) and incorporated baby aspirin, a steroid, and acupuncture into my treatment plan. The next FET was successful (though ended in miscarriage), and the one after that was successful as well and I am just graduating out of the clinic!
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nurses send clear and very easy to understand emails after each appointment recapping the test results and instructions. For the most part, they are very to the point and a little curt. Whenever I pushed for more clarification or had questions about something they were very patient with me.
The email recaps were really helpful, especially managing the timing and dosing of medications. My previous practice didn't do this.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
It is a big practice, so it is easy to feel like a cog in the machine when you're just sleepwalking through the morning monitoring. Be prepared with your questions, and keep track of the instructions emails as it's easy to track your results and previous cycles with them.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
I used WIN Fertility because I have no insurance coverage for IVF procedures. It saved a lot of money, but was still expensive.
I paid about $3,000 for each FET cycle, and $15,000 for the egg retrieval and fertilization. During the retrieval I did end up needing more medication than was in the original order, and I just paid out of pocket for that.
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
I was not really interested in multiple embryo transfer regardless, for fear of multiples.
I really enjoyed working with Dr. Friedenthal. She was a great partner during this process and I felt really empowered with the knowledge of what happens every month in my own body (I didn't really know until she explained it all to me). I would absolutely recommend her to a friend or family member going through fertility treatments...From the first appointment, I felt taken care of by Dr. Friedenthal.
I think this [RMA of New York] is a great clinic. The office was organized, clean, and efficient, and everyone was super friendly. I got daily calls and followup emails with my instructions until my next appointment and they were super easy to follow. I was in an out of my morning monitoring appointments within 10-15 minutes. No weaknesses come to mind!...The nursing staff was super friendly (especially for those early morning appointments) and super efficient. I have difficult veins, so they were very understanding and had great bedside manners. I was continuously impressed by them at every appointment. I also cant emphasize enough how efficient they were. Most appointments were less an 10 minutes.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
I really enjoyed working with Dr. Friedenthal. She was a great partner during this process and I felt really empowered with the knowledge of what happens every month in my own body (I didn't really know until she explained it all to me). I would absolutely recommend her to a friend or family member going through fertility treatments.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Ask lots of questions! Dr. Friedenthal is a great resource with a ton of knowledge.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal took the time to explain the whole process to me in layman's (and medical) terms. We also discussed my fertility goals and she understood them. She even drew a diagram to explain the whole thing to me! From the first appointment, I felt taken care of by Dr. Friedenthal.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I took a combination of Menopur, Gonal/F, and Cetrotide. These were adjusted every few days. The doctors that I saw during the course of my treatment said I responded really well to the medications and I was "triggered" about 10 days after I started injections.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nursing staff was super friendly (especially for those early morning appointments) and super efficient. I have difficult veins, so they were very understanding and had great bedside manners. I was continuously impressed by them at every appointment. I also cant emphasize enough how efficient they were. Most appointments were less an 10 minutes.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
I think this is a great clinic. The office was organized, clean, and efficient, and everyone was super friendly. I got daily calls and followup emails with my instructions until my next appointment and they were super easy to follow. I was in an out of my morning monitoring appointments within 10-15 minutes. No weaknesses come to mind!
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
This was a well-oiled machine. You could request certain times within their monitoring hours and the office was very accommodating.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
I am fortunate enough to have Progyny and a good healthcare plan from my employer. I believe the total costs were around $20,000. I will likely pay around $2,000 for my first cycle after insurance kicks in.
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
[Dr. Jenna Friedenthal] had excellent bedside manner, and was very straightforward, clear, and direct about what to expect from the egg freezing process (especially at my age)...showed compassion, care, and encouragement...is totally cool and comfortable to be around...you won't see her for every touch point during the process
[RMA of New York] is very effective, over all it is run like a "well-oiled machine" - I was always able to get an appointment, they always called back when they said they would...could work on is cleanliness in the actual doctor rooms, as well as updating the interiors...loved the nurses! Nicole Kaiden was absolutely fantastic, easy, and compassionate
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Jenna is totally cool and comfortable to be around, especially when discussing such personal matters! I felt great and that I had selected the right doctor to go through the egg-freezing process for both cycles.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
I'd say, feel free and comfortable to share everything about your sexual history and future baby goals that you feel you'd like to a doctor to know, and for yourself to express to feel further peace about having a doctor knowing about your concerns etc.
Jenna is a busy doctor! So I'd also let my friend know you won't see her for every touch point during the process.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Jenna had excellent bedside manner, and was very straightforward, clear, and direct about what to expect from the egg freezing process (especially at my age). Jenna showed compassion, care, and encouragement. Overall, I immediately felt both comfortable and trusting that Jenna would be my doctor should I decide to move forward with freezing my eggs.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York.
I loved the nurses! Nicole Kaiden was absolutely fantastic, easy, and compassionate
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Clinic is very effective, over all it is run like a "well-oiled machine" - I was always able to get an appointment, they always called back when they said they would, and if I needed to reschedule last minute (when I write appointment, I typically mean the morning bloodwork) should I need to come in later.
I think one thing they could work on is cleanliness in the actual doctor rooms, as well as updating the interiors.
Dr. Friedenthal is an ally and an advocate for LGBTQ+ needs. She did not treat us any differently nor did she try too hard which I really loved. She was authentic throughout conversations and visits. My wife and I could tell from the first appointment with her that she would be in-step with us during every turn and obstacle. I could not be happier with her ability to welcome us as a lesbian couple pursuing family-building.
RMA of New York is a top tier place to pursue fertility treatment. You will feel welcome and supported throughout your entire journey. I highly recommend the Eastside office. There were some organizational hiccups, but just overcommunicate with the staff and you will be fine. You will not find better physicians anywhere else in NYC...Dr. Friedenthal is an ally and an advocate for LGBTQ+ needs. She did not treat us any differently nor did she try too hard which I really loved. She was authentic throughout conversations and visits. My wife and I could tell from the first appointment with her that she would be in-step with us during every turn and obstacle. I could not be happier with her ability to welcome us as a lesbian couple pursuing family-building.
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Jenna Friedenthal is an excellent fertility physician. She is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and kind. She expresses empathy and love throughout the process. She works with you and relates to you as the patient. I could not say enough good things about her.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Don't look for a different provider! Dr. Friedenthal is the only one you want to see.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal treats every one of her patients with respect and empathy. She is the first to call you and deliver results. I really loved her bedside manner and her willingness to relate to her patients. I would recommend her 10/10 to anyone in the area.
How competent was Jenna Friedenthal at LGBTQ+ care?
Dr. Friedenthal is an ally and an advocate for LGBTQ+ needs. She did not treat us any differently nor did she try too hard which I really loved. She was authentic throughout conversations and visits. My wife and I could tell from the first appointment with her that she would be in-step with us during every turn and obstacle. I could not be happier with her ability to welcome us as a lesbian couple pursuing family-building.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
RMA of New York is a top tier place to pursue fertility treatment. You will feel welcome and supported throughout your entire journey. I highly recommend the Eastside office. There were some organizational hiccups, but just overcommunicate with the staff and you will be fine. You will not find better physicians anywhere else in NYC.
Dr. Friedenthal is the queen of bedside manner...She is professional, intelligent, and beautifully kind hearted...explained each potential procedure in great detail...only lets you do single embryo transfers...one egg retrieval, and were lucky enough to obtain some PGT normal embryos
[RMA of New York] are a professional organization that uses cutting edge technology to deliver on excellent results...are communicative, and truly there for their patients through the highs and the lows...doctors do the ultrasounds...you can ask any clarifying questions when you have a monitoring appointment
How was your experience with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
I have nothing but positive things to say about Dr. Friedenthal. She is professional, intelligent, and beautifully kind hearted. I truly think she has the perfect balance of EQ and IQ. She helped my husband and I remain hopeful during our fertility journey. She never made us feel silly for asking too many questions, and her expertise ultimately resulted in us becoming pregnant! She knows what she's doing, and she does it with such an upbeat presence. I'm so grateful that I got to have her as my doctor.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
She's an excellent choice! She will make the daunting process of IVF seem much less scary and arduous. She is incredible.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York?
Dr. Friedenthal is the queen of bedside manner. She is so upbeat and kind. She has a bubbly personality that makes a difficult time in life more manageable. She never makes you feel like you're asking too many questions, and she is incredibly empathetic. She values the relationships that she has with her patients. In fact, while she was on maternity leave, she even made a personal phone call to congratulate my husband and I when we finally got our positive pregnancy results. She has such a kind heart, and I'm so grateful that I had her during this process.
Describe the protocols Jenna Friedenthal used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
My husband and I were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. We had been trying for about a year, and hadn't seen any success. That's when my Gynecologist referred me to RMA. When we had our initial consultation with Dr. Friedenthal, she was a welcoming presence who explained each potential procedure in great detail. She provided great counsel.
After our initial meeting, she had me undergo additional testing to see if we could determine what was going on. All of the tests came back normal, so we stayed with the diagnoses of unexplained infertility.
After the testing was done, I was prescribed to Letrozole for a few cycles. Then we proceeded to a few IUIs and timed intercourse. Sadly, these procedures did not take (which we expected, as Dr. Friedenthal let us know about the low success rates of these procedures).
We then switched the IVF. We had one egg retrieval, and were lucky enough to obtain some PGT normal embryos. After this, we attempted our first transfer for an IVF cycle. Unfortunately. the embryo did not stick. However, we scheduled another transfer with RMA, and we got our positive pregnancy test the second time around! I am currently nine weeks pregnant, and thank Dr. Friedenthal and the entire RMA team for making my dream of becoming pregnant a reality!
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Sarah)
All of the nurses were great communicators and so kind! I particularly loved Sarah (I sadly don't know her last name!) but she was such a kind presence and was great about answering my questions!
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
RMA is known as one of the best fertility clinics in the world for a reason. They are a professional organization that uses cutting edge technology to deliver on excellent results. They are communicative, and truly there for their patients through the highs and the lows. I also love that doctors do the ultrasounds every morning. This means that you can ask any clarifying questions when you have a monitoring appointment. They're a fabulous infertility clinic! I'm so happy that my OBGYN referred me to them.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
I always went to monitoring appointments at 6:45am (because I'm a teacher and needed to be to work by 7:30am). Because I was one of the first patients in the clinic, I never experienced much of a wait.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jenna Friedenthal at RMA of New York.
I was lucky in the fact that I have great insurance as a teacher. While it was still a bit expensive, it was no where near the "$20k-40k" cost that some people estimate.
Describe Jenna Friedenthal's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
I believe RMA only lets you do single embryo transfers
