I only saw Nataki Douglas at my consultation and the appointment after all tests were complete to go over a treatment plan. I thoroughly enjoyed both these appointments. She took time to explain test results, treatment options, potential risks and it never felt rushed. She is very caring and her conversation didn't feel too stiff or clinical...Dr. Douglas is easy to talk to and explains things in great detail. She understands that we have busy lives and wanted to make treatment as easy as possible for us. She seems both "real" and empathetic in her interactions.
After being upset that I had to sit a cycle out for my MMR booster I was frustrated when they didn't seem to have the vaccination record my doctor sent over. The front desk said it's best to just bring the hard copy so it can go right into the file because if it's faxed who know what happens to it. I was definitely confused about the climid prescription being sent to my pharmacy. When I hadn't heard anything a few hours after my appointment I assumed they forgot. After calling and talking to a nurse she explained that they had to wait for my blood test results before they could send it. Before my IUI no one mentioned that it's preferable to have a full bladder. So assuming it was like all the ultrasounds I made sure to empty my bladder before my appointment. When you want everything to be as optimal as possible that was annoying.
How was your experience with Nataki Douglas at Columbia University?
I only saw Nataki Douglas at my consultation and the appointment after all tests were complete to go over a treatment plan. I thoroughly enjoyed both these appointments. She took time to explain test results, treatment options, potential risks and it never felt rushed. She is very caring and her conversation didn't feel too stiff or clinical.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nataki Douglas at Columbia University?
Obviously the doctors can't work 7 days a week for morning monitoring so don't expect her to be there for all your appointments.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nataki Douglas at Columbia University?
Dr. Douglas is easy to talk to and explains things in great detail. She understands that we have busy lives and wanted to make treatment as easy as possible for us. She seems both "real" and empathetic in her interactions.
Describe the protocols Nataki Douglas used in your cycles at Columbia University and their degree of success.
After trying for a little over a year we decided to seek answers. Due to female cycle irregularity and male low morphology Dr. Douglas suggested clomid with better timed intercourse at home or we could go straight to IUI. Due to the low morphology and the fact that we do have insurance coverage for IUI we decided to do that. I started with 50mg of clomid on cycle days 3-7 with an IUI the day following LH surge.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Columbia University.
I'm a little unsure of the difference between the nursing staff vs. the medical assistants/phlebotomists. I'm fairly confident I've only come in contact with 3 actual nurses. They were all very nice. The medical assistants and phlebotomists are pretty terrible. The call the first name and last initial for you to do blood work. I thought the woman was calling my name so I said are you saying "first last" and she just kept repeating what she was saying and not answering my question. Once we got back there she said "we only say the first name and last name initial" which is totally fine but answer when i tell you my full name. Also, my rubella immunity came back low. I got the booster (and had to sit that cycle out). Two months later they call me back and ask me if I got it. I told them the date I received the booster and said I thought the record should be in my file but could have the doctor's office resend it. Then they went back and forth about whether they needed to draw my blood to test for it again. They were basically asking me if they should. I told them "I got the booster so if I'm not immune at this point there is nothing I can do and I'll have to take my chances. But if you need the blood test for me to continue with my treatment plan then do it." It just felt like they had no idea what was going on. I feel like when you go in you have to already know what should be happening or you might get extra blood drawn or unnecessary ultrasounds. If insurance wasn't covering my treatment I would be really concerned about the confusion if I was the one paying for all these tests.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
The doctors are one of their strengths. The medical assistants and blood work assistants are a weakness. The front desk staff is pretty friendly, empathetic and helpful although some more than others. One thing I've realized is they have a lot of patients and a lot of people that have done this before but I have to remind them this is my first time with a fertility treatment plan and to explain things a little more. At the initial consultation a nurse explained all the tests I needed to get and she assigned me to a financial counselor. The financial counselor is great- she gets things sent to my insurance for approval right away which I appreciate.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Nataki Douglas at Columbia University.
I think the initial consultation was $550 if not covered by insurance. They were very up front about that. Our insurance covers all treatment associate with IUI but won't for IVF if we get to that point. I would definitely work more closely with the financial counselor if we were paying for treatment to make sure I was getting what I needed for treatment and no additional blood draws or ultrasounds.
What specific things went wrong at Columbia University?
Lost paperwork
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Columbia University.
After being upset that I had to sit a cycle out for my MMR booster I was frustrated when they didn't seem to have the vaccination record my doctor sent over. The front desk said it's best to just bring the hard copy so it can go right into the file because if it's faxed who know what happens to it. I was definitely confused about the climid prescription being sent to my pharmacy. When I hadn't heard anything a few hours after my appointment I assumed they forgot. After calling and talking to a nurse she explained that they had to wait for my blood test results before they could send it. Before my IUI no one mentioned that it's preferable to have a full bladder. So assuming it was like all the ultrasounds I made sure to empty my bladder before my appointment. When you want everything to be as optimal as possible that was annoying.
Dr Douglas is a very thorough doctor. She was very clear about the journey we were about to undertake and explained it clearly. There weren't any surprises. I also liked the fact that she took out the time to answer questions whenever I saw her for a sono. Her self assuredness helped me feel that we were in good hands. That said we did two IUI's with her and were able to conceive. I am not sure how it would have worked out if things had dragged on longer.
Columbia is a big facility with a lot of patients so it is easy to feel like a number and I definitely felt like one sometimes.... Columbia has a lot of patients so it can feel like a factory. I have recently started going in for treatment again for a second child and things are definitely better, a lot more organized and waiting times have decreased considerably.... Dr Douglas is a very thorough doctor. She was very clear about the journey we were about to undertake
How was your experience with Nataki Douglas at Columbia University?
Dr Douglas is a very thorough doctor. She was very clear about the journey we were about to undertake and explained it clearly. There weren't any surprises. I also liked the fact that she took out the time to answer questions whenever I saw her for a sono. Her self assuredness helped me feel that we were in good hands. That said we did two IUI's with her and were able to conceive. I am not sure how it would have worked out if things had dragged on longer.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nataki Douglas at Columbia University?
She is to the point so it can feel a bit brusque. She was perfect for me because I am not great at small talk.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nataki Douglas at Columbia University?
Columbia is a big facility with a lot of patients so it is easy to feel like a number and I definitely felt like one sometimes.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Columbia University.
I don't remember well and things have changed now but at the time things seemed a bit disorganized, lots of waiting and confusion.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
Columbia has a lot of patients so it can feel like a factory. I have recently started going in for treatment again for a second child and things are definitely better, a lot more organized and waiting times have decreased considerably.
She was lovely....She offered to go right to IVF but for our unexplained infertility we opted to try IUI first...Don't be afraid to ask her to repeat herself or clarify something....Nurses are probably the weakest link at the center. I find them to be disorganized and somewhat rigid. I've had to ask them to explain and repeat themselves to be sure I understood
[Columbia Fertility was a] well oiled machine, for the most part....Nurses are probably the weakest link at the center. I find them to be disorganized and somewhat rigid. I've had to ask them to explain and repeat themselves to be sure I understood
How was your experience with Nataki Douglas at Columbia University?
Absolutely lovely
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nataki Douglas at Columbia University?
Don't be afraid to ask her to repeat herself or clarify something
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nataki Douglas at Columbia University?
She was lovely
Describe the protocols Nataki Douglas used in your cycles at Columbia University and their degree of success.
She offered to go right to IVF but for our unexplained infertility we opted to try IUI first
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Columbia University.
nurses are probably the weakest link at the center. I find them to be disorganized and somewhat rigid. I've had to ask them to explain and repeat themselves to be sure I understood
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
well oiled machine, for the most part
Describe the costs associated with your care under Nataki Douglas at Columbia University.
First time in 2014, insurance covered all but the actual insemination. This time, they don't seem to be covering any of it
What specific things went wrong at Columbia University?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Columbia University.
While I only met Dr. Douglas twice...she was incredibly kind and caring -- she seemed invested in me as a patient and explained things in an easy to understand way/answered my questions...AMH was unusually high for a patient of my age so my medication protocol was fairly standard...We got a ton of eggs
Extend is a busy place...always felt like my care was a priority...really appreciated the flexibility -- you could come in any time between 7am and 10am for monitoring...Occasionally there was a long wait at this time, but more often I was in and out in 15 minutes or less.
How was your experience with Nataki Douglas at Extend Fertility?
While I only met Dr. Douglas twice (the personal primarily assigned to my care was a Nurse Practitioner - something I had been able to express a preference about and I okayed that!) she was incredibly kind and caring -- she seemed invested in me as a patient and explained things in an easy to understand way/answered my questions.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nataki Douglas at Extend Fertility?
Ask questions if you have 'em!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nataki Douglas at Extend Fertility?
While Extend is a busy clinic and I saw many nurses and practitioners throughout my cycle, everyone was incredibly kind and caring. I only met Dr. Douglas twice but she had a lovely, approachable bedside manner and was clearly invested in my care!
Describe the protocols Nataki Douglas used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
My AMH was unusually high for a patient of my age so my medication protocol was fairly standard/I believe doses were relatively low. We got a ton of eggs! I said "damn" when I heard the retrieval results and she said "damn is right"!
Describe your experience with your nurse at Extend Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Valerie Shafran)
My only complaint about Valerie is that I wish I saw her more! I loved her, but also everyone who I saw at extend was kind and caring. Some folks clearly had different degrees of expertise, but when you have to go in every day or every other day for testing that's super understandable - if I couldn't get a question answered by the person doing my daily tests there was always an option to stay to chat with someone else or for a follow up call.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
Extend is a busy place where they clearly see a lot of people but I always felt like my care was a priority! I also really appreciated the flexibility -- you could come in any time between 7am and 10am for monitoring, and as someone who works freelance and is not a morning person I was grateful for the ability to pop in at 9:30/9:45 most days. Occasionally there was a long wait at this time, but more often I was in and out in 15 minutes or less.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Extend Fertility.
Mostly very efficient! Some wait in the waiting room but nothing crazy. There was one day I definitely got "skipped" in the order and had a long wait but that only happened once. Most days I was in and out in 15-30 minutes and it felt very efficient :)
Describe the costs associated with your care under Nataki Douglas at Extend Fertility.
Overall I spent about $8-9k on the freezing cycle and $2-3k on meds (no support from insurance though Extend provided me with information about discount programs and helped me qualify for some based on my income - I am unmarried so applied with my individual income only). Then another $2.5k (roughly) for a 5 year storage plan. Honestly this all seemed on par with what to expect in NYC if not even a little more affordable.
Describe Nataki Douglas's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Extend Fertility.
n/a
How competent was Extend Fertility at LGBTQ+ care?
Absolutely! It was nbd that I have a female partner and after leading with that information I didn't feel my sexuality was every assumed to be straight or that there was ever a judgement placed on it. We also talked about what it meant to have different options for who would eventually carry the child, etc.
Describe your experience using 3rd party reproduction (donor eggs, donor sperm, or gestational carrier) at Extend Fertility.
n/a - have only done egg freezing for later so far