Lauren Roth

Lauren is supportive, empathetic and professional. We've had three treatment consultations with her. In each meeting, she clearly stated where we were in the treatment process, what the next steps or options were, and any risks associated with procedures. She would check in with us to make sure we understood everything and was able to do this without us feeling patronized. We asked many questions and Lauren always made sure we had as much information as we could before making any decisions. We felt/feel that she gave us her honest opinions and she supported us in each decision we have made thus far. Whether that be opting in or out of genetic testing, choosing to continue IUI after our miscarriage and switching to IVF, Dr. Roth has been supportive of each decision. She has also been quick to respond to any messages or emails we have left with questions. She never makes you feel ashamed or stupid for asking questions, even if they are as silly as "is it okay to dye my hair?" During procedures (we have done multiple IUI's and one fresh embryo transfer with her and will be doing a frozen transfer at the end of October), Lauren talks through the procedure as it's happening. This was especially helpful and comforting for my wife and me. I know my wife would have been asking a million questions if she had not been walking us through it. After our miscarriage, Dr. Roth was sympathetic and gentle about asking when we wanted to proceed to the next step. We have never felt rushed or pushed in a certain direction. She allowed us to make our own decisions about our treatment plan and it does make us feel like we are a team.

Don't be afraid to ask all your questions and voice your concerns. She will listen.

We started this journey without medications. The first two cycles of IUI were natural. At the time we started the process I was 29 and had no health issues that would indicate the need to use anything else. We also used at home Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPK) to track my LH level and predict my ovulation window. We used the Ovidrel trigger shot starting in cycle 2. On the third cycle, we started doing monitoring through Shady Grove, meaning bloodwork and ultrasound to track ovulation and introduced 50mg of Clomid to the cycle. After this cycle was not successful, Dr. Roth suggested we do an HSG test to make sure there were no blockages in my fallopian tubes and that my uterus was normal. After getting normal results back from that test, we started our 4th IUI cycle. This cycle resulted in a chemical pregnancy. 5th IUI we also introduced an FSH injectable (Follistim AQ, can't remember the dosage). On the 6th IUI cycle, we continued with Clomid and Follistim, increasing the dosage slightly on the Follistim. We were successful in this attempt and found out we were pregnant on New Year's Eve. I made it 14 weeks and had a miscarriage in March of 2019. We used April as a recovery month and did a saline ultrasound in May to confirm that all the tissue was removed and my uterus was clear to try another IUI. We continued with the protocol that we used in the 6th cycle except I used Letrozole 2.5mg instead of Clomid because of a national shortage. This protocol was successful for us so Dr. Roth felt that we didn't change it. After this cycle was negative, we discussed our options with Dr. Roth and ultimately decided to try IVF. I began the cycle taking birth control to suppress natural ovulation. We also used Menopur (75 IU), Follistim AQ (200IU), and Ganirelix (250MCG). We used Lupron (1mL) for the trigger before egg retrieval. After the Fresh Embryo Transfer, I began taking Estradiol (2mg tab) twice daily, and Endometrin (100mg tab) 3 times a day. This transfer was not successful. I have just started taking birth control again for the frozen embryo transfer and will begin Estrace/Estradiol 2mg tab 3x a day soon.

We were lucky in that our insurance covered 6 IUI cycles. However, we had a $50 copay for any visit to the clinic regardless of the type of appointment, and the IUI's were only covered after we met our deductible. Medications were partially covered as well. The HSG test was not covered, and that was $350 up front. The billing for this was a bit confusing because Shady Grove's system was a few months behind, so even though we paid up-front for the HSG exam, they applied that money to other charges on our account. In the course of the IUI treatment, we spent $16,000 (not including sperm). As we moved to IVF treatment, nothing is covered by our insurance. We opted for Shady Grove's Shared Risk Program, which is $19,500.00 plus the cost of medications (so far $2,331.00).

When we asked about the number of embryos, Dr. Roth explained to us that because of my age (30) if we did multiple embryos we would only be increasing our chance of twin rather than increasing the chance of pregnancy. She felt that the odds were good to transfers only one since the rate of pregnancy for someone my age is around 50%.

I couldnt have asked for a better doctor. I’ve known quite a few ladies who have gotten treatment at Shady Grove Fertility both at the Frederick office and Rockville office and each lady had a doctor to recommend. Initially, we were paired with Dr. Bromer but had to reschedule which then we were paired with Dr. Roth. From the very beginning, I felt comfortable around her. She fully explained the tratement plan she had for us and answered any questions I had without hesitation. She never seemed annoyed even with her busy schedule. I’ve mentioned before that she has called to check up on us when our treatment would get pushed back or when I had a bad reaction to medication. She has called us to give us good news after our egg retrieval even after our assigned nurse gave us the news. Dr. Roth is a phenomenal doctor who I would recommend (and have) to anyone seeking fertility treatment.

Trust in Dr. Roth. She loves what she does for a living and you can see that when she interacts with you. You’re not a number with her. You are (your name) from (city, state) who wants nothing but to start a family or add to an existing family.

I am still undergoing treatment.

We have blue cross blue shield and have 100% coverage after meeting our deductible. We paid what was left of our deductible which was around $2800.we signed up for a synchrony study with requires assisted hatching and ICSI. We were not approved for either of those services so that was out of pocket plus we owed for services before we were approved which was another $3800. Medication has been a breeze and nothing has been over $30 per prescription

No comment. I am in a study that does PGS and ERA testing and only allows for the transfer of 1 embryo.

Dr Roth is very caring and compassionate. She was very comforting during my first chemical/miscarriage. She was completely baffled when my second cycle went so badly and consulted with other physicians to see what she could have done better. When I found a protocol I wanted to use, she was on board with trying it. When that cycle resulted in 3 highly graded embryos and 2 made it to freeze she was as happy as I was. When she called with my positive pregnancy test from the 3rd embryo, she said she'd almost never been so happy to call someone before. I highly recommend Dr Roth. I felt well cared for and all my concerns were listened to and never dismissed.

Trust her and if you have a different idea for treatment, don't hesitate to run it past her. She'll listen and not just brush you off.

First cycle was a typical protocol involving BC and lupron. I ended up oversuppressed, but we did get 5 mature eggs after extra days of stimming. This cycle resulted in a chemical/miscarriage. I had to have both tubes removed between cycle 1 and 2. Cycle 2 involved high dose stims. I'm pretty sure it fried my eggs. Despite 5 good looking follicles we only got 2 eggs and neither fertilized. Both cycles used ICSI. 3rd cycle we did a low dose stims. Estrogen priming, Femara, Follistim, Menopur and Ganirelix. This was by far my best cycle. 5 eggs retrieved, 4 mature and all four fertilized with PICSI. I got 3 blasts, 2 AA and 1 AB. We transferred one AA and froze the other AA and the AB. I'm currently pregnant with the one AA.

Morning monitoring appointments were by appointment only. Most times I had no trouble getting in during the time I needed. Most often I was in and out within 45 minutes, sometimes a lot faster, sometimes slower.

My overall cost was around $7000. I have incredible insurance though.

Dr. Roth was very business like in our consultation, but not in a negative way. She reviewed our extensive family history, my prior medical diagnoses and then asked about our goals and hopes. We were given preliminary options and they were moderately explained, as well as the testing we would need to complete before the start of treatment. After testing of both myself and my husband, a plan was laid out, but this was not shared with my by Dr. Roth. During my IUI treatment, there were several setbacks and the cycle lasted over 50 days. Dr. Roth did not contact me one time, which I did think was odd, but I felt so taken care of by my nurse, that I didn’t question it or request to speak to Dr. Roth. When I received mypositce beta, Dr. Roth personally called to congratulate me. In my follow up appointments before graduating from Shady Grove, I never saw Dr. Roth once. When I graduated, Dr. Roth once again called to congratulate me and give us well wishes.

She knows what she is doing and I would absolutely trust her with my care again, but don’t expect to get much besides the bare bones from her

Dr. Roth’s goal was to get me to ovulate, as I have PCOS and she speculated I had never ovulated before in my life. We took a low and slow approach, as I had 30+ follicles on each ovary and was at a very high risk of over stimulating my ovary. She shared that while that is perfect for IVF, if we wanted to move forward with IUI (which is what we wanted) that over production of eggs, would cause a delay in treatment as they will not preform an IUI with more than3 eggs (usually they will not preform if there are more than 2 eggs). I was started on letrozole and ending up needed 2 rounds of this medication. I appreciated that when I was not producing after one round, instead of starting a new cycle, Dr. Roth allowed me to continue, just with an additional round of medication. When my one follicle was close but not quite large enough after finishing two rounds, Dr. Roth added in gonal f injections. A trigger shot and progesterone supplements rounded off our treatment plan.

Very thankfully, my medical insurance covered my treatment. I was in charge of paying copays at each visit and was required to pay on full front injectable medication, as my insurance did not cover an oral/injectable combo cycle

N/A

Dr. Roth was understanding and took the time to answer questions and get to know us on a personal level. She had a positive outlook on the process and didn't make us feel like anything was our fault. Shady Grove does have a BMI limit for some procedures though, which unfortunately applies to us. When delivering the news that I would have to lose weight before proceeding, she wasn't especially compassionate or helpful, which was disappointing.

Ask lots of questions.

We did four rounds of timed intercourse. I took letrozole to encourage ovulation. Over several cycles, we had to do two rounds of medication. Dr. Roth used this information to increase the dosage for the following rounds.

Dr Roth listened to all of our concerns and gave us honest feedback. She didn’t brush us off. She was optimistic about our chances so we left feeling hopeful. We did get pregnant, but lost it to miscarriage and she called me directly after I emailed her nurse to let her know. She was very sympathetic and let us know what her suggested treatment plan would be when we were ready.

Don’t worry about asking all your questions!

She wanted us to try naturally for a few more cycles. She ordered CD3 hormone tests and ultrasound, an HSG, and she put me on 200 mg progesterone suppositories twice a day after ovulation. I got pregnant that cycle and she saw us for our first ultrasound at 6.5 weeks.

We paid ~$800 for several visits, bloodwork, two ultrasounds, and an HSG, most of which was the HSG because I had no get hit my deductible on my insurance.

No

Dr. Roth was great from the start. She understood how important and emotional this situation was. She understood our financial and emotional side. She made sure we had every option possible that would give us the best results possible.

Make sure you listening to everything she says. She explains everything in great detail and will answer every question with great detail.

We went through all the required testing to find out what our treatment plan would be. We told that IVF would be the only option. But wanted to try IUI for that to happen my husband needed to see a urologist. From there he put my husband in clomid. The clomid helped a little but did not enough for IUI we had helped off a bit. And then came back to retest him. He count had gone up a lot. Watch allowed us to do IUI. So we moved forward with IUI cycle. I had some meds I needed to take and an injection. My husband had to do a semen Analysis for the procedure. And then they moved forward with the procedure.

IUI was mainly covered by insurance and most of the testing. That why we pushed for IUI. Because IVF is not covered by insurance and we were looking at thousands and thousands of dollars. Which we still are as IUI really is much of an option any more.

Dr. Roth was welcoming and understanding of our reason for being there. She was very straightforward and her explanation was thorough. It was a lot to take in, so I had some questions. When I asked those questions she was abrupt in answering them and seemed a little agitated. We’ve only seen her twice in the process, and are about halfway through our first cycle.

Don’t expect her to be your best friend or cheerleader - she is committed to your care but not there to hold your hand, which for me, is ok.

She gave us the option of trying IUI, which we declined. I felt a little unclear on the process of confirming that my tubes were completely blocked (I had only done an HSG, which is not a 100% confirmation), and why there wasn’t an option to have a procedure that unblocked them, so I had to do some digging to find that out. We opted to go for IVF. She prescribed birth control, hormone injections, and injection for triggering ovulation.

$19,500 for shared risk program

This was not discussed