[Dr. Peter Uzelac] is a fast talker and has LOTS of information — and also a good listener...he always listened and provided his POV while respecting mine...had me do an EMMA + ALICE, plus an endometriosis suppression protocol before I tried another transfer...lupron depot to suppress the endometriosis
[Marin Fertility] is a great facility with excellent people and caring, smart doctors...finance team is also great...There are several great nurses, two doctors...they are all lovely and empathetic and smart...surgery $2020 facility fee for when my partner had his PESA (this doesn't include the urology's fee, which was an additional $2500)
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac is best described, I think, as a very kind scientist. He is a fast talker and has LOTS of information — and also a good listener. I am a deep researcher and I often brought him information, and he always listened and provided his POV while respecting mine. At one point I went through a list of probably 15 supplements I wanted his POV on and he had knowledge and opinions about them ALL.
He's optimistic and realistic. He, along with Dr. Brotherton, also are great problem solvers. When my first transfer didn't take, instead of diving right into the my second and last embryo from my retrieval they changed course, suggested tests and treatments, and came up with a new plan.
At one point I think I had three calls in one week with both Dr. Uzelac and Dr. Brotherton because I just had more questions. Their patience and knowledge were remarkable.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
If you have questions or have researched something you want to try, ask him. He will respect your opinion and have his own. For example, I wanted to try an additional drug/treatment for endometriosis, and he was open to it and game to try it (and also had a reason it wasn't originally prescribed).
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac has a small, intimate office. There are several great nurses, two doctors, Dr. U, Dr. Brotherton, and Kristin Eckhart NP. I have seen all three, and while Dr. Uzelac is certainly doctor leading my care, I truly feel like I have three providers who are all invested in my wellbeing and results.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
Dr. Uzelac used what seems to be the recommended antagonist protocol with me for my first retrieval, it went pretty well (10 AFC, 5 retrieved, 3 fertilized, 2 high quality day 5 blasts).
We transferred an untested 4AA. I had a positive beta only, ending in a fast chemical. The doctors were extremely empathetic and had me do an EMMA + ALICE, plus an endometriosis suppression protocol before I tried another transfer. After consideration, I chose to do another retrieval before heading into suppression.
I went for a second retrieval, but my AFC dropped to 7. We tried stims but decided (my choice) to stop, since only 3 follicles were responding and barely.
For the next try, he put me on Aygestin (the reason was for timing purposes, trying to time it so the urologist who does my partner's PESA was available). My follicle count jumped to 16! But, when I went in for my baseline, one of those 16 had grown significantly despite the Aygestin. They had me trigger/ovulate, and scheduled me for another baseline appointment 10 days later.
That brings me to today. They are actually having me start stims and have added omnitrope, plus antibiotics prescribed because of the results of my EMMA + ALICE, before the start of my period because my eggs like to grow quickly. My AFC was 12, I have high hopes.
After this, I'll have to do another EMMA + ALICE to see if the antibiotics helped, then lupron depot to suppress the endometriosis, and then transfer (finally).
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
I didn't have a specifically assigned nurse, but there are only a few and they are all lovely and empathetic and smart.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
This is a great facility with excellent people and caring, smart doctors.
Another huge plus is that Dr. Uzelac seems to be very good friends with Dr. Bennett, the urologist who preforms procedures for male factor (my guy had a vasectomy, so we've needed PESAs). They did my retrieval and my guy's procedure within the same hour so they could create embryos with fresh sperm.
The finance team is also great. One thing to note: while Dr. Uzelac takes insurance, and the surgery can be covered by insurance, the embryology lab does NOT take insurance. It took me a while to figure this out. The finance team has been helpful in connecting with my insurance company and I've been able to file an "in-for-out" claim for the lab costs, but the out of pocket after insurance coverage for that portion is still high.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
Costs are comparable.
I have very good insurance, but here's what wasn't covered:
$1300 cycle coordination fee
$1500 estimated patient responsibility for Dr. U + surgery
$2020 facility fee for when my partner had his PESA (this doesn't include the urology's fee, which was an additional $2500)
$1100 fee for bloodwork (which is done via the embryology lab, which does not take insurance)
The embryology lab costs are similar (high) to elsewhere in the area.
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
Interestingly, he suggested I transfer both of my embryos! The nurse was even shocked, she said she'd never heard him suggest that.
We decided to only transfer one because we didn't want to increase the chance of multiples. But -- if we had transferred both, who knows. I might have been pregnant by now.
[Dr. Peter Uzelac] was professional, patient and kind...approached my treatment taking into account my age (39) and my reason for infertility (PCOS)...explained everything in detail and listened to all my questions...was sensitive and empathetic in laying out my options and helping me to make the best decisions for my care...
[Marin Fertility] is accessible, in a good geographic location and with ample parking...a boutique feel, with a pleasant waiting room and excellent service...given personalized attention and that the clinic wasn't overwhelmed with patients...nurses are wonderful, caring, competent providers
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I had a good experience working with Doctor Uzelac. From the initial consultation, he was professional, patient and kind. He explained everything in detail and listened to all my questions. He was sensitive and empathetic in laying out my options and helping me to make the best decisions for my care.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Take good notes in your initial consultation; a lot of important information will be included.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Marin Fertility Center is a small and intimate clinic. I rarely even bumped in to other patients in the waiting room. I always felt I received everyone's full, courteous and prompt attention.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
Doctor Uzelac approached my treatment taking into account my age (39) and my reason for infertility (PCOS). I don't remember a lot of particulars of my protocols but I recall I responded well to stims, got 18 eggs, and ICSI was used for fertilization. All my embryos were genetically tested. I'm glad that Doctor Uzelac recommended both ICSI and PGTA testing, because I feel this saved me time and money. My single egg retrieval rendered one genetically normal embryo, which successfully implanted and is now my healthy baby. I feel the process was as efficient as possible.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
The nurses are wonderful, caring, competent providers. They were very nurturing around my anxiety and allayed my concerns. They answered my questions and showed me how to do injections, etc. even when I asked repeatedly because I was having a hard time retaining the information. I have very fond feelings for the nurses.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
The clinic is accessible, in a good geographic location and with ample parking. It has a boutique feel, with a pleasant waiting room and excellent service. I always felt like I was given personalized attention and that the clinic wasn't overwhelmed with patients.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
I spent about $22,000 total for initial consultation, egg retrieval cycle, genetic testing, embryo transfer and follow up bloodwork.
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
My doctor told me from the first consultation that a single embryo transfer would be his approach. It was a moot point because I only had one genetically normal embryo, but it was helpful to have set my expectations around this.
What specific things went wrong at Marin Fertility?
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Marin Fertility.
I wish I had been told to order my stims medication before the first ultrasound of my egg retrieval cycle. I had to scramble a bit to put the same-day order in.
I only saw Dr. Uzelac in person maybe twice; my initial consultation and for my egg transfer. We spoke on the phone a couple times, but mostly I saw his NP or clinic RN's...Dr. Uzelac wasn't always available for procedural things and a doctor that doesn't even work at the practice comes in to help when he is out of town...I only produced two genetically normal embryos and I wanted to transfer both. Dr. Uzelac preferred to transfer one, but agreed to do both...
I had no issues with the nurses [Marin Fertility]. They were friendly, approachable and very good at blood draws...There were many speedbumps in the process at this clinic...I received my medication for the stimulation phase and there was no trigger shot ordered...I received a medication that the prescription stated on the bottle to insert vaginally. When I had taken the med previously, it was orally. I called the nurse to confirm and she said, yes it is to be taken orally...
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I only saw Dr. Uzelac in person maybe twice; my initial consultation and for my egg transfer. We spoke on the phone a couple times, but mostly I saw his NP or clinic RN's. I had seen other fertility doctors prior to Dr. Uzelac so I did know what to expect for a round of IVF. That being the case, I felt I knew what questions to ask him and he was very knowledgeable. I knew what meds worked for me since I had a successful IVF pregnancy in another state before this and he listened to me attentively. He performed my egg transfer as well, and he did the best job of any of the 2 other ones I had before. I definitely would recommend him as a provider.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I would definitely try to speak with someone who has done IVF before so they can tell you what questions to ask. Sometimes doctors assume you know things, but there are a lot of moving parts with IVF. I felt I had a leg up since I went through it before and knew what to ask. Also, don't expect to see Dr. Uzelac on every visit, but he will call you if you need.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
When I was present in the office and face to face with someone, I definitely felt like a human. I was listened to and felt like I had everyone's undivided attention. When I tried to communicate via email or calls, it sometimes took awhile to hear back from someone. When everything you do with fertility treatment is dependent on time frames and schedules, it was anxiety inducing to not know when you were going to hear back from someone.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
Fortunately for me, my body responds pretty well to basic IVF stimulation meds. I took Menopur, Follistim and Ganirelix. The only reaction I had, which is common I was told, was from the Ganirelix. It produced a raised red bump with every injection that was super itchy for a few hours after.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
I had no issues with the nurses. They were friendly, approachable and very good at blood draws!
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
The strengths are Dr. Uzelac and the nurses. They are very competent and patient with families that are more than likely a little bit nervous and scared. A weakness was that Dr. Uzelac wasn't always available for procedural things and a doctor that doesn't even work at the practice comes in to help when he is out of town. I had a doctor perform my egg retrieval whom I had never met before, but I didn't have a choice. It all worked out ok for me, but I can see how some people would not be ok with that.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
$29,000..about $24,000 for the procedures and $5,000 for meds
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
I only produced two genetically normal embryos and I wanted to transfer both. Dr. Uzelac preferred to transfer one, but agreed to do both. It's so emotionally and physically draining to go through a transfer that I really just wanted to do it once, no matter what the outcome and he was open to that.
What specific things went wrong at Marin Fertility?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Failed to order appropriate test
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Marin Fertility.
OK, so I really hate to complain or say anything bad about this clinic because I have a healthy, gorgeous 2 month old son because of them. There were many speedbumps in the process at this clinic and I wrote them all down as they were happening. Most of them would have probably gone unnoticed but since I had been through IVF before, I knew what to look for. Unfortunately that is why I think if you are going to do IVF at this clinic, you need someone in your corner who has gone through it before.
1. I received my medication for the stimulation phase and there was no trigger shot ordered. If that shot is not given at the exact time before retrieval, the cycle will have been a waste. Now I noticed this right away when my order was placed and was able to call the clinic and the nurse ordered it. I am also a nurse so I am knowledgeable about meds and I immediately picked up on it that the med was not there. I am not so sure everyone would have done that. you have enough on your mind doing IVF that you should be able to expect your meds to be ordered correctly.
2. I received a medication that the prescription stated on the bottle to insert vaginally. When I had taken the med previously, it was orally. I called the nurse to confirm and she said, yes it is to be taken orally. So had I not known to question the route of this med, would it have been effective if taken incorrectly?
3. They forgot to do the genetic testing on my embryos before freezing them. I'm not even sure how this happens and I never got a direct answer as to why either. Once the eggs are out and fertilized, you really don't talk to anyone any more (which is another downer). All communication is by email from the embryologist with growth updates and embryo counts. I got my final email with how many made it to the final stage and were frozen, but nowhere did it say that the biopsies were done. The letter simply stated, "9 embryos frozen." I thought the wording was weird so I called the office and the embryologist was gone for the day and I guess the RN staff had no way to check if the biopsies were done, they did confirm that the biopsies were ordered and paid for. The next day the NP called and said the biopsies hadn't been done before freezing the embryos, she didn't know why and she informed me that it shouldn't be a big deal that embryos get thawed and refrozen all the time. I didn't agree with her, and I felt right there that my embryos would probably not survive. I was offered no explanation as to how it was missed/forgotten, just that it wasn't done. I was not offered any apology from the staff or embryologist and I almost wondered if this happens a lot? It was another day or two before the embryos were biopsied and sent out.
About a week after the biopsies were sent out, I got a call that blood work needed to be done from myself and my husband that is to accompany the biopsies. So the biopsies were just sitting in another state waiting, because we needed to have blood work done. I asked why no one told us this before and never got a straight answer. I said we don't want to do it, can they just do the biopsies? The answer is no. The system can't run the biopsies without the blood work. So then it was at least another weeks delay til we could both get to the office for the blood test and have it sent across the country to meet the embryos.
4. I went for my lining check prior to the implant and the covering doctor was there that day. He didn't know how to use the ultrasound machine and just guessed/ visualized how thick my uterine lining was. This made me very uncomfortable and I had the clinic tell Dr. Uzelac to call me. He called me later that day, and was very apologetic and I said I would like to come in again tomorrow to have the lining rechecked and that is what we did. The doctor's eyeballing of the depth of my lining was pretty much correct, but that is not the point. The doctors should be able to use the equipment in the office.
4. Lastly was the communication. Like I said before, once the eggs are out, I feel like you become a number. You get email correspondences only from the embryologist and whether that news is good or bad, you're getting it from a computer screen. Obviously if you have questions, you can call, but I really didn't understand how you can't just call someone. Most fertility patients are super fragile and getting bad news from a screen probably doesn't sit well with most people.
Dr. U is patient, kind, informative, and cares about each of his patients as individuals. He came up with a protocol that was tailored to my exact needs and I truly think that's what made all the difference for us. He listened to all of my many questions and made sure I was comfortable...offers a straightforward approach which I appreciated so much...When we found out we were finally pregnant, Dr. Uzelac FaceTimed us to celebrate the good news,
MFC has a boutique feel- meaning it's a smaller practice which enables patients to receive care specifically tailored to them. I've been to other clinics where you just feel like another number but MFC has an entirely different feel which I loved. I think the main strengths with this clinic is Dr. U's knowledge of the field and his hard-working, compassionate team. We felt so supported and in the best hands throughout our treatment there...Lia was our primary coordinator and she was absolutely wonderful. She truly went above and beyond for us so many times
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. U is patient, kind, informative, and cares about each of his patients as individuals. He came up with a protocol that was tailored to my exact needs and I truly think that's what made all the difference for us. He listened to all of my many questions and made sure I was comfortable every step of the way. Dr. U offers a straightforward approach which I appreciated so much, as the world of IVF can be overwhelming with all the information that is available. It was evident that Dr. U genuinely cares about the success of each of his patients- I knew he wanted us to succeed just as much as we did. When we found out we were finally pregnant, Dr. Uzelac FaceTimed us to celebrate the good news, which was really special! He also is very data-driven which I loved. I felt like he was very "in the know" and current with his practice which can be hard to come by with other fertility clinics.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Come ready with your questions and don't be afraid to ask if you are unsure about anything. Dr. U wanted us to feel as comfortable as possible and was patient with all of our questions/concerns.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
The care at MFC is extremely personalized- Dr. U created a protocol that fit my exact needs. He and the entire staff always knew where I was at in my cycle and I never had to remind them of anything. I felt like they treated me like a VIP and from what I could tell while in the office, that's how they treated all of their patients.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Lia VonderAhe)
Lia was our primary coordinator and she was absolutely wonderful. She truly went above and beyond for us so many times- I don't think I could have gotten through this process without her! She was always so organized, helpful, and compassionate. She held my hand through every procedure and was just as emotional as we were when she called us with our positive pregnancy test results! She is the best there is and we are so grateful for her.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
MFC has a boutique feel- meaning it's a smaller practice which enables patients to receive care specifically tailored to them. I've been to other clinics where you just feel like another number but MFC has an entirely different feel which I loved. I think the main strengths with this clinic is Dr. U's knowledge of the field and his hard-working, compassionate team. We felt so supported and in the best hands throughout our treatment there.
I have complete confidence in Peter Uzelac and is why I chose him. He is efficient and very knowledge. He also adjusts as needed and was very patient when we had a lot of questions or wanted to add something (i.e. testing) into our treatment. I think that more information in general about next steps could be shared. We had to be proactive in asking a lot of questions...
[Marin Fertility] Clinic is busy. They were undergoing renovation too during the time I was there, but the new rooms are nice. I like that they also have a lab onsite and that you get to talk to the lab technician after transfer...I felt like my treatment was pretty standard despite the clinic saying that each person gets specialized clinic...[nurses] They seemed very busy and a bit overworked.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I have complete confidence in Peter Uzelac and is why I chose him. He is efficient and very knowledge. He also adjusts as needed and was very patient when we had a lot of questions or wanted to add something (i.e. testing) into our treatment. I think that more information in general about next steps could be shared. We had to be proactive in asking a lot of questions.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Be prepared to ask a lot of questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
The doctor is very responsive but is busy. When talking with him on the phone, he answers all questions in a direct and helpful manner. Clinic is busy so you do start to feel like a clinic/number, but I think the doctor is great! When there with a nurse too, felt like they were nice.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
I felt like my treatment was pretty standard despite the clinic saying that each person gets specialized clinic. I did egg retrieval and frozen transfer. For the transfer protocol, I was on estrace (pill) three times a day for about 2.5 weeks and then I added a vaginal pogesterone 3 times per day, and a morning medrol pill with a shot of progesterone (1000 mg IM) every other night for about another 2.5 weeks before the transfer. For egg retrieval, I did 225 IU gonal F shot, a 150 IU shot of menopur, and 10 mg of provera everynight up to retrieval with cetrodtide starting before retrieval day with a trigger shot.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Sabrina and then Leaha)
They seemed very busy and a bit overworked. In person, they were always nice and communicative. I did have to email them a few times to get things like my calendar for medication that I wish I didn't have to do. They did seem caring.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Clinic is busy. They were undergoing renovation too during the time I was there, but the new rooms are nice. I like that they also have a lab onsite and that you get to talk to the lab technician after transfer. The covid protocols were necessary but a bit challenging. I like that they also work with you to come in on the days you need to be there based on blood results (i.e. not set days of the week).
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
It was great for egg freezing - package deal for around $6,000k through a special service where a lot of the instruction was via video. For the egg retrival and frozen transfer a few years later, it was about $35,000 for testing, ICIS, freezing, retrieval, and transfer.
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
I appreciated him doing only one embryo transfer as we didn't want twins, especially given my age of 40 and risk of complications during pregnancy. I also appreciated that we had the PGTA testing too so we knew which embryo to transfer.
What specific things went wrong at Marin Fertility?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Lost appointments
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Marin Fertility.
Once they called in the prescription to the wrong pharmacy and I was already at Walgreens. I called the Clinic and they immediately called it into the Walgreens.
Dr. Uzelac was very knowledgeable and understanding. I appreciated that he used a white board to explain the process to us, as I'm a visual learner. He also sympathized with us and gave us an option to do 2 IVF cycles for a slightly reduced rate (rather than paying for each cycle individually)...
I only had an initial consultation with Dr. Uzelac and liked him based on that virtual meeting. I would have continued on with treatment with this [Marin Fertility] clinic but unfortunately, one support staff made me feel like I wouldn't get the full support if I asked too many questions. I am someone who needs to know the details of my treatment and what to expect in order to feel comfortable moving forward.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac was very knowledgeable and understanding. I appreciated that he used a white board to explain the process to us, as I'm a visual learner. He also sympathized with us and gave us an option to do 2 IVF cycles for a slightly reduced rate (rather than paying for each cycle individually).
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Always advocate for yourself and ask questions - you never know what you can get until you ask.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I only had a consultation with Dr. Uzlec and he took the time to explain the process. We met virtually and it was really helpful for us when he used the whiteboard to draw out the process and options. He answered all of our questions and described all the options.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
The plan was to do 2 IVF cycles to bank as many embryos as we could before transferring.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Maria Castillo)
Maria the support staff was helpful in the beginning. She gave me the treatment estimate and answered my many questions. When she answered them, I would have more questions since this was earlier on in my research on different clinics and IVF in general. When I started to ask questions about the treatment cost, she would answer some of my questions, but not all of it. When I called her because I thought it would be easier than emailing back and forth, she said something along the lines of, How serious are you with moving forward with us? Because many people tend to just shop around so I'm not sure how serious you are. I said to her that I am indeed shopping around, as any patient who is concerned about finances would be, and that asking these questions would help me decide. I felt so bad after that I decided not to continue with them. I felt unsupported and feared that if I was getting push back for having questions before I got started, it might be the same once treatment began.
I believe dr. Uzelac was helpful based on my consutlation with him, but because I knew I would have so much interaction with the support staff, I knew I needed to feel good working with them as well.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
I only had an initial consultation with Dr. Uzelac and liked him based on that virtual meeting. I would have continued on with treatment with this clinic but unfortunately, one support staff made me feel like I wouldn't get the full support if I asked too many questions. I am someone who needs to know the details of my treatment and what to expect in order to feel comfortable moving forward. If I can't ask questions without feeling like I'm bothering someone, I won't feel comfortable doing such an emotionally and physically challenging procedure with them.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
I didn't go past the initial consultation, but the treatment estimate I was provided was for 2 IVF cycles for about $45,000 which includes 1 FET, 2 rounds of medication estimate, PGTA and ICSI. Each FET after the 1st would be $4000.
He [Dr. Peter Uzelac] provided clear information and always was quick to email back and communicate all the next steps. He was a perfect balance of "to-the-point" and very kind...He was very professional and made me feel very comfortable in his care...treatment plan for me was to go straight to IUI due to my PCOS. I was grateful for a more aggressive treatment plan, as the odds for success were greater each month.
Every member of the nursing staff (NPs, medical assistants, nurses) [at Marin Fertility] were incredibly professional and personable. They were always organized and kind. They were good at their jobs and knew what they were doing!...We spent roughly $5500...over the course of several months, which included all visits (including 2 IUI procedures), ultrasounds, injections, prescriptions, blood draw for genetic screening, etc. I felt that is was incredibly reasonable compared to friends I had talked to who went to other clinics both in and out of state. On top of that, we are getting two babies from our second IUI treatment!
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac is a great doctor. He provided clear information and always was quick to email back and communicate all the next steps. He was a perfect balance of "to-the-point" and very kind. In the beginning, I was hesitant to have a male doctor since I had never had one before (I know sounds like a silly concern now), but it was never an issue for me when I met Dr. Uzelac. He was very professional and made me feel very comfortable in his care.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
All I can say is: go to Marin Fertility. You will feel like you are in great hands! I felt so overwhelmed while researching all of the Bay Area fertility centers- there are so many with good reviews. I am so happy that my husband and I picked Marin Fertility!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
When I first came to Marin Fertility, I was coming from a much larger facility (prefer not to name) where I felt like a number. At my first consult with Marin Fertility, I knew they were different. From the very beginning, I felt like my treatment was customized to me. The level of customer service, professionalism, and bedside manner portrayed by Dr. Uzelac and his entire team was amazing and was exactly what we needed while going through something like infertility.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
The larger facility I went to before Marin Fertility had me on a treatment plan to do six rounds of Femara/trying naturally followed by Femara/IUI then IVF if all that didn't work. I was told that this was the "standard treatment plan" for their facility for anovulation and PCOS. Because they closed due to COVID, we researched other facilities and transferred to Marin Fertility. Dr. Uzelac's treatment plan for me was to go straight to IUI due to my PCOS. I was grateful for a more aggressive treatment plan, as the odds for success were greater each month.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
Every member of the nursing staff (NPs, medical assistants, nurses) were incredibly professional and personable. They were always organized and kind. They were good at their jobs and knew what they were doing!
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
The strengths of Marin Fertility lie in the fact that it is a smaller, boutique-style fertility clinic, but with all the resources of a larger fertility center. They have their own in-house lab and embryologist as well as an adequately-sized highly trained staff. Linda, at the front desk, is wonderful. When I first talked with her on the phone to schedule our consultation, I knew I would be taken care of at Marin Fertility. She's incredibly organized and friendly. In addition to the technology and staff, one of the big strengths of Marin Fertility are their reasonable prices. While fertility procedures aren't cheap, we found Marin Fertility to have very fair prices in comparison to some of the other fertility centers in the Bay Area.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
We spent roughly $5500 at Marin Fertility Center over the course of several months, which included all visits (including 2 IUI procedures), ultrasounds, injections, prescriptions, blood draw for genetic screening, etc. I felt that is was incredibly reasonable compared to friends I had talked to who went to other clinics both in and out of state. On top of that, we are getting two babies from our second IUI treatment!
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
Dr. Uzelac explains everything in a way that's understandable for the lay person. Not only that but I am so grateful for him because he was the first doctor to realize I had a thyroid issue and immediately changed course. Rather than put me through a cycle that may end in a non-pregnancy or miscarriage, he had us wait another month. I appreciated his care and his attention to detail. It made All the difference.
The office [at Marrin Fertility] is nice and clean and they do everything in-house, which makes it nice because the staff is always the same from the egg retrieval to the actual transfer. Linda, the receptionist, always schedules an appointment before you leave and always follows up before as a reminder. She takes care of all the paperwork and makes it very easy for you. The nurses take bloodwork while you are there and handle all your medication and prescriptions. They are also SO knowledgeable about everything.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac explains everything in a way that's understandable for the lay person. Not only that but I am so grateful for him because he was the first doctor to realize I had a thyroid issue and immediately changed course. Rather than put me through a cycle that may end in a non-pregnancy or miscarriage, he had us wait another month. I appreciated his care and his attention to detail. It made All the difference.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Trust him! He has YOUR best interests at heart. He is rooting for you just as much as you want this baby.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac and his amazing staff always made me feel so comfortable. I always felt like I was their number one patient and always had a dedicated cycle coordinator who answered all my questions when I needed. The office always was happy to see me, and I enjoyed visiting every time. This is a stressful process, but they make it as enjoyable as can be. Their positive energy is infectious!
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
I think my treatment and protocols were pretty standard. The office tracked my cycle and I had to take five days of birth control before beginning my injections.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Lia, Kacey, Isabel, Jessica and Linda)
I can't say enough amazing things about this team of women! They are so compassionate, caring, organized, easy to talk too. They respond to emails fast and get things one late at night, if necessary! It was a joy to see them every day and I honestly felt leaving them was bitter sweet because I was so grateful to be pregnant, but to think they wouldn't be my delivery team made me very sad. I already created such a connection with them and I am so grateful for all their energy and support.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
As far as I could tell, there truly were no weaknesses. The office is nice and clean and they do everything in-house, which makes it nice because the staff is always the same from the egg retrieval to the actual transfer. Linda, the receptionist, always schedules an appointment before you leave and always follows up before as a reminder. She takes care of all the paperwork and makes it very easy for you. The nurses take bloodwork while you are there and handle all your medication and prescriptions. They are also SO knowledgeable about everything. They also have wonderful instruction videos that are clear and easy to understand, which I would say was the most stressful part of the process: making sure the injections were all mixed and injected properly. Easiest to follow videos. All in all, I was so blessed and grateful I chose this clinic. One of the best experiences of my life!!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
I had progyny health care, so I was very fortunate where I never paid more than $1500 out of pocket. But I believe everything probably cost over $20k.
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
From what I was told, Dr. Uzelac preferred single transfer embryo because I was still young (under 40 years of age) and hadn't experienced multiple failed transfers yet. He said multiple transfers usually occur after multiple failed attempts. I appreciated that!
He [Dr. Peter Uzelac] made sure that our wishes are met and eliminated our worries. we proceed with Egg donor and he also helped us with choosing the ethnicity where that was our first concern and he remembered it and made sure i get a list of donor according to our preferred ethnicity. I felt important and well cared for... He was very optimistic and he sounded as if it’s a very simple procedure and we wouldn’t be stressed out...He explained E.R.A and gave us article to read. E.R.A is a mock cycle where they will find the right timing/window of rec
They [staff at Marin Fertility] were there every step, guiding us making sure we are well attended...It took us a month to be able to find the perfect donor, where they also have database for it. Screening for health and coordinating with the Donors cycle also took time...all the staff, nursing and coordinators are all nice they show concern and they are all on top of the schedule and calendar. I was treated very well and answer my question in a timely manner may it be email, phone call or night text. they are awesome!!
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
When we first met Dr. Uzelac I already got the vibe of his confidence. He was very optimistic and he sounded as if it’s a very simple procedure and we wouldn’t be stressed out. Too good to be true, i said, since i watched alot of failed story on youtube, but as we go along the procedure it was indeed stress free. I didn’t worry about anything, I didn’t worry about understanding the procedure or the next steps, I just fell that all I need to do is trust him and them.
The Journey from when we met Dr. Uzelac was March to October, what consumed most of that time was choosing the Egg Donor. It took us a month to be able to find the perfect donor, where they also have database for it. Screening for health and coordinating with the Donors cycle also took time. Mid of June was when the Donor started her medication, the harvest was early July and the transfer was mid of July. We did the PGT-A testing also they send it to a 3rd party lab to test the embryos, first transfer we choose the Day 6 embryo, with 98% PGT-A result and ranked 1st according to the 3rd party clinic. But unfortunately my uterus didn’t accept the embryo. It was failed the first try. I was devastated, when you had hoped that IVF will be solution for trying normal pregnancy so long.
Dr. Uzelac phone us right away, comforted us and offer another step that could increase my chances conceiving. Before devastation consumed me, i was offered you know another hope. He explained E.R.A and gave us article to read. E.R.A is a mock cycle where they will find the right timing/window of receptivity of my uterus to the embryo. You know it is indeed an extra step, extra time and extra cost but again I sense Dr. Uzelac’s confidence in doing the E.R.A. so we proceeded.
Dr. Uzelac is on point with when I will have my next period, how he adjusted my medication to get the right lining on the specific day. He is on top of everything! After the mock cycle when they know the receptivity window of my Uterus, on the 2nd transfer he asked me which embryo to transfer. He guided me too about choosing on the lab vs microscopic result. I went with his suggestion. And here I am pregnant going 9 weeks. His Confidence is peaking and i always sense it. i never doubted him.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac is a Genius, very confident and a miracle worker. You just have to be confident and trust him so you don't have to stress or worry, Happy thought, happy journey yields positive outcome. I would recommend Dr. Uzelac in a heartbeat. I love the experience with him and his team. I love how his team work side by side with him and they are all comforting and on top of their field.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Peter Uzelac and his team (staff /Coordinator) were all optimistic and about my situation. They were there every step, guiding us making sure we are well attended.
Dr. Uzelac answered all our questions, he listened to our concern and why we are going through the journey, he explain things very straightforward and even draw it in a paper, i felt its a very creative way for me and my husband to understand. He made sure that our wishes are met and eliminated our worries.
we proceed with Egg donor and he also helped us with choosing the ethnicity where that was our first concern and he remembered it and made sure i get a list of donor according to our preferred ethnicity. I felt important and well cared for.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
we went with Egg Donor, choosing it with their partner data base.After choosing the donor when she started medication and halfway through the Donors cycle i started my medication too and lining check, i started estrace 2mg 3 times a day, 5 days before the transfer they check my wall lining and then was put into Medrol 16mg for 5 days, combine with 3x a day of estace, 3x viginal progesterone and 1mL IM Progesterone every other day.
that was my first transfer.
2nd procedure we proceed with E.R.A, mock cycle, same procedure but on my second lining check, my uterus wall was not thick enough so he adjusted the date of biopsy postponed for another 6 days, but we change the route of estrace instead of drinking it we inserted it vaginally and on the day of biopsy it was thick enough.
3rd procedure , 2nd transfer
i took the Estrace vaginally until my second lining check and as its thick enough, with E.R.A result they computed i need another 2 days or in hours not sure but i know i was 2 days behind schedule before transfer Estrace was taken orally, all medication are same as the first cycle.
And successful IVF after 2nd transfer.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Lia and Kacey)
all the staff, nursing and coordinators are all nice they show concern and they are all on top of the schedule and calendar. I was treated very well and answer my question in a timely manner may it be email, phone call or night text.
they are awesome!!
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
the Clinic was small but its efficient i can tell. since all of the patient was all accommodated. cozy and very clean.
their rooms are clean, monitors are big, i wouldnt know if equipment are top the line never been to other fertility clinic.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
i would say based on other comments, MFC has a reasonable price.
Plus for my experience and success and the goal achieved money is irrelevant.
I also saw brochure of financial aids in their clinic so maybe they have option for others.
I think Dr. Uzelac is super smart. I got the sense that he has a solution to propose for basically every scenario. He patiently answered my questions (and there were many), and I felt that he remembered at least the essentials of my case every time I came in. I have realized this is no easy feat because it's a lot of repetitive appointments for these professionals...Decreased Gonal-F at some point because there were so many follicles. 27 eggs were retrieved, 23 mature. All 23 fertilized with ICSI. 16 made it to day 5 and were frozen. No PGS. We transferred 2 embryos in a subsequent FET which yielded healthy fraternal twins born @ 38 weeks. We later did PGS testing for half of the remaining frozen embryos and transferred one normal embryo which resulted in a current pregnancy.
Mini-IVF was around $10,500; each FET was about $3,000 [at Marin Fertility]...I have 2 awesome kiddos and another on the way from my experience with them. The only "weakness" I would relay is that sometimes I did have to call or email to follow up with them or get non-urgent test results, but I think being active in your role as patient is something anyone going through IVF should expect...There were two different sets of nursing staff for my IVF/first FET and my second FET and they both seemed great. Soraya was super helpful during the first processes and Lia VonderAhe was very helpful for the second.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I think Dr. Uzelac is super smart. I got the sense that he has a solution to propose for basically every scenario. He patiently answered my questions (and there were many), and I felt that he remembered at least the essentials of my case every time I came in. I have realized this is no easy feat because it's a lot of repetitive appointments for these professionals.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I had all of my questions answered, even the tedious ones. Dr. Uzelac went along with my preference to do a natural frozen embryo transfer with my second pregnancy even though I sensed he preferred the predictability of a medicated cycle.
I also felt the office helped me to be cost-conscious. Dr. Uzelac recommended a 'mini-IVF' with lower hormones and a lower price tag which actually yielded a ton of eggs and normal embryos.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
Mini (or I think the practice may refer to it as "moderate") IVF with ICSI for male factor infertility. One week of Gonal-F 150, Menopur 75, and Clomid. Went off of Clomid because it was causing vision changes. Decreased Gonal-F at some point because there were so many follicles. 27 eggs were retrieved, 23 mature. All 23 fertilized with ICSI. 16 made it to day 5 and were frozen. No PGS. We transferred 2 embryos in a subsequent FET which yielded healthy fraternal twins born @ 38 weeks. We later did PGS testing for half of the remaining frozen embryos and transferred one normal embryo which resulted in a current pregnancy.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
There were two different sets of nursing staff for my IVF/first FET and my second FET and they both seemed great. Soraya was super helpful during the first processes and Lia VonderAhe was very helpful for the second.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
I think Marin Fertility Center is great. I have 2 awesome kiddos and another on the way from my experience with them. The only "weakness" I would relay is that sometimes I did have to call or email to follow up with them or get non-urgent test results, but I think being active in your role as patient is something anyone going through IVF should expect.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
Mini-IVF was around $10,500; each FET was about $3,000; PGS was about $8,000; medications all-in, probably around $5,000- $6,000
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
He encouraged us to do a single embryo transfer and warned us about the risk of twins, however, he told us that it was our choice. In the end, we elected to transfer 2 embryos because we hadn't done PGS testing. The resultant pregnancy yielded healthy, full-term twins but made me keenly aware of all the risks and pitfalls of multiple pregnancies We elected to do PGS and transfer only one embryo for our second pregnancy. My experience is that Dr. Uzelac definitely encourages eSET, but respects the patient(s)' wishes regarding embryo transfers.
Dr. Uzelac gave a very good impression at our initial consultation. He was nice, and explained things in a patient, but not condescending, way. We did not mind traveling 2.5 hours each way for our appointment, because we knew that at each appointment, we would be taken care of...We began our treatment by doing an ultrasound. By doing this, and by going over our medical/fertility history, Dr. Uzelac saw I was a good candidate for InvoCell, which is the reason we went to him in the first place.
Everyone at the clinic [Marin Fertility] was very nice, patient and compassionate. Getting my blood drawn, getting the results, returning phone calls and emails; everyone we worked with was always gentle both physically (with the blood draws) and verbally, with delivering information...The invoCell package was around 12 thousand. With our second transfer, because it wasn't the full package, it was around $3,500. The post-transfer ultrasounds were not part of the package, and were $360. We also had to pay around $420 for each saline infusion sonogram, of which we had two done.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac gave a very good impression at our initial consultation. He was nice, and explained things in a patient, but not condescending, way. We did not mind traveling 2.5 hours each way for our appointment, because we knew that at each appointment, we would be taken care of.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
The one piece of advice I would have a prospective patient would simply be, to be patient. The process is long and tedious, but Dr. Uzelac helped us by explaining everything and being patient with us.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac always remembered details about us, like how we were traveling from far away to the clinic, and seemed to take into into consideration when planning future treatments and appointments.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
We began our treatment by doing an ultrasound. By doing this, and by going over our medical/fertility history, Dr. Uzelac saw I was a good candidate for InvoCell, which is the reason we went to him in the first place. The first thing that was done, was I was put on birth control for a month. We were told this would keep me from ovulating, in order to create a "stock pile" of eggs for the retrieval. After a month of birth control, I was put on medication like Gonal F and Menopur for a week. After a week, I was given the trigger shot, then we went in for the egg retrieval. After this, the InvoCell was placed in me for a few days, then we returned for it to be removed. Once this was done, I was put on estradiol for 2 weeks. After this, vaginal progesterone was added. After about another week of this, we went in for our transfer. The FET was done, and although I did get a positive pregnancy test, I ended up miscarrying a few weeks later. After this, Dr. Uzelac was patient and compassionate with us, and we waited to try again. When we went in about a month later to try a second cycle, we found that I had some tissue in my uterus that needed to be removed before we would try again. I had that done with my primary OBGYN, then when we went in for a third time to get a cycle done. Dr. Uzelac gave us the green light to try another cycle, and this time he adjusted my medication to include intramuscular injections of progesterone, along with the vaginal progesterone and estradiol. We had our second cycle, and got a positive pregnancy test. At our first appointment after the positive test result, Dr. Uzelac performed an ultrasound and we got to hear the heartbeat. WIth this, we "graduated" from the clinic and we then began seeing my regular OBGYN.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Lia)
Everyone at the clinic was very nice, patient and compassionate. Getting my blood drawn, getting the results, returning phone calls and emails; everyone we worked with was always gentle both physically (with the blood draws) and verbally, with delivering information.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
No weaknesses come to mind in regards to this clinic. Their strengths are that they were organized, used the latest technology, and were compassionate in everything they did. They were all very personable and friendly with us.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
The invoCell package was around 12 thousand. With our second transfer, because it wasn't the full package, it was around $3,500. The post-transfer ultrasounds were not part of the package, and were $360. We also had to pay around $420 for each saline infusion sonogram, of which we had two done.
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
We initially wanted to transfer 3 embryos, because after so many failed IUI's, we were afraid of another failed treatment. Dr. Uzelac explained that due to my age, transferring in 3 embryos would be very risky, given the chances of having multiples. He suggested transferring 2 would be better, although the chance of multiples is still there, but not as high. Based on this, we agreed on two.
The ERA came back suggesting that I was pre-receptive, and Dr. Uzelac adjusted my next embryo transfer cycle to allow for one more day of progesterone before transfer. Our next transfer, due to the adjustment of one day lead to our pregnancy. We are now 9 weeks pregnant...was very personable, and our biggest cheerleader encouraging us on this long and difficult journey to become parents...After repeated failed cycles with our previous provider, we decided to seek out a doctor that was familar with PCOS and that provided some alternatives.
Everyone that we were privileged to work with at Marin Fertility Center was caring, kind, and willing to answer any questions or go through injection instructions again for the millionth time...We initially paid 15,000 for 3 rounds of IVM, however after the first round didn't yield a viable embryo we applied a credit of 8,000 to our IVF cycle which ended up being around 20,000, which included egg retrieval, ICSI, freezing of the embryos, PGS testing, and our first embryo transfer.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Our experience with Dr. Uzelac was amazing. We had been through 4 years of treatment with a previous provider that didn't listen to our concerns or address our questions, and where we were treated like a number that they were trying to fit into a particular mold. After repeated failed cycles with our previous provider, we decided to seek out a doctor that was familar with PCOS and that provided some alternatives. From the first consultation with Dr. Uzelac, we were acknowledged and our questions and concerns were honestly addressed and together we formed a plan to address our course of treatment. Dr. Uzelac provided his honest opinion and what he felt was the best course of treatment, but ultimately he allowed us to guide our own journey. We couldn't be happier with the outcome, and we are expecting our first baby in March 2020. We still have one frozen embryo, and should we decide to have another baby, without question we will return to Dr. Uzelac for treatment.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac is truly invested in making your dream of becoming parents happen. Don't be afraid to ask questions and address your concerns, he truly will be your cheerleader and guide you in the best course of treatment that you decide is right for yourself.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac was very personable, and our biggest cheerleader encouraging us on this long and difficult journey to become parents.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
Since I have PCOS, Dr. Uzelac was careful to monitor my medications and hormone levels to prevent over stimulation of my ovaries. We first tried IVM as an alternative to IVF, however we only received one embryo that was determined to be not fit for embryo transfer. He suggested that we move on to IVF, due to my age affecting my egg quality, it might produce better results if we retrieved mature eggs. After PGS testing we were left with 3 great embryos, unfortunately our first transfer failed. Dr. Uzelac suggested that it may be due to a displaced implantation window as this was the only other factor that may be affecting our ability to conceive, and suggested an ERA (Endometrial Receptivity Array). He left the choice up to us whether we should proceed with another transfer to see if it was a fluke or do the ERA cycle prior to the next transfer. We decided to proceed with the ERA cycle to rule out any implantation issues. The ERA came back suggesting that I was pre-receptive, and Dr. Uzelac adjusted my next embryo transfer cycle to allow for one more day of progesterone before transfer. Our next transfer, due to the adjustment of one day lead to our pregnancy. We are now 9 weeks pregnant. Dr. Uzelac preformed our first ultrasound, and hearing that little heartbeat took our breath away.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility.
Everyone that we were privileged to work with at Marin Fertility Center was caring, kind, and willing to answer any questions or go through injection instructions again for the millionth time.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Marin Fertility Center, was always very prompt. Appointments were quick and easy. Even for more complicated appointments including egg retrievals, we were extremely well taken care of. We had a long drive to get to appointments, and having the appointment be on time and quick was very welcome. We never felt rushed or dismissed, and the coordinator always had time to answer our unending list of questions and to make sure that we had everything we needed.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
We initially paid 15,000 for 3 rounds of IVM, however after the first round didn't yield a viable embryo we applied a credit of 8,000 to our IVF cycle which ended up being around 20,000, which included egg retrieval, ICSI, freezing of the embryos, PGS testing, and our first embryo transfer. We opted to do the ERA which was around another $2,700. At this point, our insurance from work changed which included IVF coverage and our second embryo transfer was covered.
I did 3 Ivf’s [with Dr. Peter Uzelac] and each time was similar but adjusted or tweaked...Each time was tailored to my needs or adjusted due to minor complications that prevented me from continuing the ivf at that time...I was well informed and he answered all my questions in a clear and direct manner...Never felt like a number...I felt that he was the perfect doctor. No complaints. Gave me all the information I needed to ultimately make the decisions we thought were necessary to begin our journey. He was kind, informative, available when needed, and always a timely response.
Always be proactive in your treatment by keeping in contact with the staff [at Marin Fertility] to get your meds on time and all the information necessary for your treatments. This will avoid any surprise additional costs that can occur or last minute issues. I felt like some of the blood draws were painful depending on the nurse...Overall everyone was kind and easy to talk to. Never felt like a number...I did 3 Ivf’s and each time was similar but adjusted or tweaked...Soraya and Lia [nurses] were great. The last 2 treatments were with Lia who is amazing and has great follow up. Her blood draws were the pain free. She always sent out informative emails.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I felt that he was the perfect doctor. No complaints. Gave me all the information I needed to ultimately make the decisions we thought were necessary to begin our journey. He was kind, informative, available when needed, and always a timely response.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Make sure to ask questions and be proactive in the process.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I was treated well and felt it was personalized to my needs. I was well informed and he answered all my questions in a clear and direct manner. Overall everyone was kind and easy to talk to. Never felt like a number.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
I did 3 Ivf’s and each time was similar but adjusted or tweaked. Unfortunately I can’t remember all the details because I took a year off from the first ivf to the second. Each time was tailored to my needs or adjusted due to minor complications that prevented me from continuing the ivf at that time.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Soraya and Lia )
Soraya and Lia were great. The last 2 treatments were with Lia who is amazing and has great follow up. Her blood draws were the pain free. She always sent out informative emails.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Always be proactive in your treatment by keeping in contact with the staff to get your meds on time and all the information necessary for your treatments. This will avoid any surprise additional costs that can occur or last minute issues. I felt like some of the blood draws were painful depending on the nurse.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
It averaged about $15,000 per ivf treatment
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
I didn’t receive enough information about my case [from Dr. Uzelac] , I feel the Ivf protocol wasn’t specialized for me , I had 2 medications cycle with them and all the medications was the same as the first cycle and I asked few times if they’re going to do any changes to the medications , I never get the clear answer They retrieved 4 eggs and 1 of them got fertilized and end up No embryos... After our IVF cycle failed we had a appointment and the dr went over all the options we have I felt like why before we started the IVF I didn’t get these information after I wast lots of money and time
She [the nurse at Marin Fertility] responded to my email and concerns in few hours and mostly were very nice...It was a clean facility , i feel like they place is kind of small since they’re doing all the procedure and inside lab at the same office but overalls was nice and clean and didn’t have any issues with it...they got 4 eggs and one of them fertilized and the only reason they said my overian reserves are diminished
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I feel like the IVF cycle was not specialized for me and was not clear on the procedure and why they didn’t change the proton on the second round of medications
After our IVF cycle failed we had a appointment and the dr went over all the options we have I felt like why before we started the IVF I didn’t get these information after I wast lots of money and time
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Ask as much as questions they can because they will not explain all the fact and risk about your case
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I didn’t receive enough information about my case , I feel the Ivf protocol wasn’t specialized for me , I had 2 medications cycle with them and all the medications was the same as the first cycle and I asked few times if they’re going to do any changes to the medications , I never get the clear answer
They retrieved 4 eggs and 1 of them got fertilized and end up No embryos
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
I wasn’t helpful, I had two cycle of medications and both are quite the same , they got 4 eggs and one of them fertilized and the only reason they said my overian reserves are diminished
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility.
She responded to my email and concerns in few hours and mostly were very nice
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
It was a clean facility , i feel like they place is kind of small since they’re doing all the procedure and inside lab at the same office but overalls was nice and clean and didn’t have any issues with it
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
$39,000
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
Dr. Uzelac's strengths were that he listened to my concerns, and explained processes if I asked how things worked. DR. Uzelac did not explain processes until I specifically asked. He did not provide me with actual test result information unless I asked.... I was on an antagonist protocol. Started the cycle with birth control pills. Then Started injections of 225 Gonal F and 75 Menopur; added Cetrotide on day 6. Total stimulation for 8 days. Retrieved 6 eggs, all fertilized. Only 1 made to 5 day blast. Tested abnormal for PGS. No embryos were transferred.
The clinic [Marin Fertility Center] has an onsite embryology lab, which is great.... IVF Cycle: $10,225 Labs: $7,765 ICSI, Blast culture, Biopsy up to 8 embryos, freeze, store 1 year, 1 FET Embryo Biopsy Analysis $1875 Analysis of 8 embryos, $185 ea after Sperm Services $800 Sperm ID, Sperm Freeze Total: $20,665.... When I was ordering progesterone there was a bit of a snafu with the pharmacy where they did not have my information. But I think it was probably the pharmacy's fault. The same pharmacy switched me from Gonal F to Follistim and did not inform my clinic so they could modify my instructions.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac's strengths were that he listened to my concerns, and explained processes if I asked how things worked.
DR. Uzelac did not explain processes until I specifically asked. He did not provide me with actual test result information unless I asked
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Have a discussion about your financial situation so you can all be on the same page about what kind of procedures to follow
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I found Dr Uzelac to be warm yet very focused on the task at hand
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
I was on an antagonist protocol. Started the cycle with birth control pills. Then Started injections of 225 Gonal F and 75 Menopur; added Cetrotide on day 6. Total stimulation for 8 days. Retrieved 6 eggs, all fertilized. Only 1 made to 5 day blast. Tested abnormal for PGS. No embryos were transferred.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
The clinic has an onsite embryology lab, which is great.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
IVF Cycle: $10,225
Labs: $7,765 ICSI, Blast culture, Biopsy up to 8 embryos, freeze, store 1 year, 1 FET
Embryo Biopsy Analysis $1875 Analysis of 8 embryos, $185 ea after
Sperm Services $800 Sperm ID, Sperm Freeze
Total: $20,665
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
N/A
What specific things went wrong at Marin Fertility?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Marin Fertility.
When I was ordering progesterone there was a bit of a snafu with the pharmacy where they did not have my information. But I think it was probably the pharmacy's fault. The same pharmacy switched me from Gonal F to Follistim and did not inform my clinic so they could modify my instructions.
Dr Uzelac correctly diagnosed Ashermans syndrome caused by another OB/GYN. He was upfront that a specialist surgeon would be my best course of treatment and helped refer me to top experts, and was willing to do all of my local post op and follow up care. It took several surgeries to treat my condition, but Dr Uzelac always had the utmost concern for my comfort, and was extremely responsive with any questions. He was committed to getting me across the line even though I wasn’t the typical fertility patient.
[Marin Fertility] Administration was extremely organized and helpful. I had to have a lot of paperwork transferred from previous doctors and out to other doctors and they were very efficient. The billing department also coded everything correctly. Overall, extremely happy the care I received at MFC and would recommend to anyone else going through fertility treatment...I never had to re-explain my condition or where I was in treatment. All nurses stayed on top of my case and were extremely empathetic and helpful.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr Uzelac correctly diagnosed Ashermans syndrome caused by another OB/GYN. He was upfront that a specialist surgeon would be my best course of treatment and helped refer me to top experts, and was willing to do all of my local post op and follow up care. It took several surgeries to treat my condition, but Dr Uzelac always had the utmost concern for my comfort, and was extremely responsive with any questions. He was committed to getting me across the line even though I wasn’t the typical fertility patient.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr Uzelac, the nursing, and front desk staff were all extremely kind.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
Hysteroscopy with estrogen therapy via surgery with specialist
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
I never had to re-explain my condition or where I was in treatment. All nurses stayed on top of my case and were extremely empathetic and helpful.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Administration was extremely organized and helpful. I had to have a lot of paperwork transferred from previous doctors and out to other doctors and they were very efficient. The billing department also coded everything correctly. Overall, extremely happy the care I received at MFC and would recommend to anyone else going through fertility treatment.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
[Dr. Uzelac's] straightforward and gives clear expectations of the process and next steps. Could be better with helping navigate self-pay, and avoid insurance pitfalls (without having coverage for fertility treatments)...I responded very well to medication with large number of eggs produced but could potentially better improve quality...Single embryo transfer is the only option with genetic testing with Marin Fertility Clinic.
I responded very well to medication with large number of eggs produced but could potentially better improve quality [at Marin Fertility]...[nurses are] Really well engaged and super helpful, even during late hours of the night when facing issues...25,000 for IVF, 1,400 for IUI...Single embryo transfer is the only option with genetic testing with Marin Fertility Clinic...Small clinic, so great access and very clear planning. It’s definitely more expensive than other options and staff isn’t always helpful in navigating insurance traps (eg basic bloodwork being billed with an “infertility” code that creates a headache trying to get coverage.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
He’s straightforward and gives clear expectations of the process and next steps. Could be better with helping navigate self-pay, and avoid insurance pitfalls (without having coverage for fertility treatments).
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Ask a lot of questions about cost, especially if not covered for fertility treatments.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
He is straightforward and direct and shares information clearly and in detail. I prefer to know how it is rather than be coddled with fluffy info.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
I responded very well to medication with large number of eggs produced but could potentially better improve quality...
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
Really well engaged and super helpful, even during late hours of the night when facing issues.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Small clinic, so great access and very clear planning. It’s definitely more expensive than other options and staff isn’t always helpful in navigating insurance traps (eg basic bloodwork being billed with an “infertility” code that creates a headache trying to get coverage.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
25,000 for IVF, 1,400 for IUI
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
Single embryo transfer is the only option with genetic testing with Marin Fertility Clinic.
What specific things went wrong at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac made us feel comfortable from the first consultation with his friendly demeanor, clear language, and professionally setting expectations...was able to explain in simple terms to me and more advanced terms to my husband, a doctor. The entire experience was well coordinated both in the office and through online services. He proactively provided me with explanatory notes for travel, work, jury duty that made me feel well cared for. He was available for every visit and made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process.
Went through egg retrieval with good yield, then underwent transfer of 5 day embryo that was successful [at Marin Fertility]...They [nurses] were the best possible. Clearly explained and coordinated care. They were available and communicated clearly and professionally. The nurses were so happy for us when we were pregnant...Excellent experience overall. The financial staff, front desk staff, nurses, and doctors created a warm healthy environment in which we got excellent care. We had many choices for who to select, but are so happy that we went with Dr. Uzelac and Marin Fertility.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac was able to explain in simple terms to me and more advanced terms to my husband, a doctor. The entire experience was well coordinated both in the office and through online services. He proactively provided me with explanatory notes for travel, work, jury duty that made me feel well cared for. He was available for every visit and made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Allow this doctor to guide you through this fraught process with compassion and dignity.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac made us feel comfortable from the first consultation with his friendly demeanor, clear language, and professionally setting expectations.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
Went through egg retrieval with good yield, then underwent transfer of 5 day embryo that was successful.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
They were the best possible. Clearly explained and coordinated care. They were available and communicated clearly and professionally. The nurses were so happy for us when we were pregnant.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Excellent experience overall. The financial staff, front desk staff, nurses, and doctors created a warm healthy environment in which we got excellent care. We had many choices for who to select, but are so happy that we went with Dr. Uzelac and Marin Fertility.
He [Dr Uzelac] is a realistic optimist. He didn't sugar coat anything but I always felt encouraged. He is excellent at egg retrieval and transfer ( never had any problems or pain). Very knowledgable and open to discussing all treatment options. Not a big believer in immune treatment. Very pro- pgd or pgd testing and frozen transfer but does not push it on you.
[Marin Fertility was] clean, professional and never too crowded. You don't have much of a wait everytime you go...They are all very friendly and warm. Tina has a lot of patients she is juggling and sometimes I could feel that.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
He is a realistic optimist. He didn't sugar coat anything but I always felt encouraged. He is excellent at egg retrieval and transfer ( never had any problems or pain). Very knowledgable and open to discussing all treatment options. Not a big believer in immune treatment. Very pro- pgd or pgd testing and frozen transfer but does not push it on you.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Go to each appt with a list of questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
He was very caring and accessible. He has a warmth about him that is comforting. He always acted like he had all the time in the world to discuss my care.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
I used agonist protocol with 350 follistim, 150 Menopur and adding in HGH.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Tina)
They are all very friendly and warm. Tina has a lot of patients she is juggling and sometimes I could feel that.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Clean, professional and never too crowded. You don't have much of a wait everytime you go
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
Dr. Uzelac is good at what he does. He was able to explain what our options were and walk us through the process. We are thankful that after an egg retrieval and implantation, it worked on the first try. We are currently 22 weeks pregnant!... Our medication cost were expensive and it was not discussed with us that it was separate from our original estimate...Make sure you ask questions ahead of time regarding cost and if all medication is included in treatment.
The cost of IVF and PGS [at Marin Fertility] were around $24,000. This did not include medication...Strengths - Dr. Uzelac and the nurses...Areas of improvement - communication when beginning the process and overall costs of medication Additionally, since you pay for everything up front, there should be some discussion around what happens with the cost should you choose to stop at anytime...The nurses were fantastic when I was on site. They could have communicated better before I started the process. I had a hard time getting a hold of the nurse responsible for setting up my treatment.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac is good at what he does. He was able to explain what our options were and walk us through the process.
We are thankful that after an egg retrieval and implantation, it worked on the first try. We are currently 22 weeks pregnant!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Make sure you ask questions ahead of time regarding cost and if all medication is included in treatment. Our medication cost were expensive and it was not discussed with us that it was separate from our original estimate.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
The nurses were fantastic when I was on site. They could have communicated better before I started the process. I had a hard time getting a hold of the nurse responsible for setting up my treatment.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Strengths - Dr. Uzelac and the nurses
Areas of improvement - communication when beginning the process and overall costs of medication
Additionally, since you pay for everything up front, there should be some discussion around what happens with the cost should you choose to stop at anytime.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
The cost of IVF and PGS were around $24,000. This did not include medication.
Dr. Uzelac is not the doctor to go to if you need a best friend holding your hand every step of the way. He is very straightforward and to the point...When I did have complications after the egg retrieval he answered my call at 6am, got me into the clinic before they opened and followed up with me throughout the week. He was sympathetic and caring when he needed to be, not just for the heck of it. After we got a positive pregnancy test his big hug was so genuine. I tried out a few doctors and at the end of the day chose Dr. U for his methodical, forward thinking scientific approach and efficiency. I felt confident being in his care.
The clinic [Marin Fertility] is small which gives you a great feeling of comradery with all of the staff. They are all very caring and willing to answer as many questions as you need. There were a few appointments where I felt rushed, but it was good when it mattered...I really enjoyed all of the staff in the office. They took time and care with me...The IVF procedure that we chose to do was about 22,000...We got 15 eggs out, 11 were able to be fertilized, 9 embryos grew to 5 days. After that we biopsied and froze them. The genetic tests revealed that 4 embryos were abnormal, and we were left with 5 good ones.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac is not the doctor to go to if you need a best friend holding your hand every step of the way. He is very straightforward and to the point. I much prefer this approach to a manufactured sense of closeness. He is the doctor and I am the patient. When I did have complications after the egg retrieval he answered my call at 6am, got me into the clinic before they opened and followed up with me throughout the week. He was sympathetic and caring when he needed to be, not just for the heck of it.
After we got a positive pregnancy test his big hug was so genuine. I tried out a few doctors and at the end of the day chose Dr. U for his methodical, forward thinking scientific approach and efficiency. I felt confident being in his care.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Ask him the hard questions, he can take it!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
The clinic is small which gives you a great feeling of comradery with all of the staff. They are all very caring and willing to answer as many questions as you need. There were a few appointments where I felt rushed, but it was good when it mattered.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
We had unexplained fertility, and didn't see him until we had done quite a few tests on our own. We did two rounds of IUI then disappeared for awhile, because I just was not ready for IVF. And then one day I was. He got us rolling again right away. I did a pretty straightforward cycle, starting with birth control, then 225 IU Gonal and 75 IU Menopur for nine days, then a Trigger. We got 15 eggs out, 11 were able to be fertilized, 9 embryos grew to 5 days. After that we biopsied and froze them. The genetic tests revealed that 4 embryos were abnormal, and we were left with 5 good ones.
Two days later I was in the ER with Ovarian Hyperstimulation of some sort. They didn't diagnose it as that, but it was all due to enlarged ovaries and lots of fluid in there. I recovered in about a week, once I got my period the following week all was well. At that time I decided to put off the embryo transfer for a month to give my body a rest. Dr. U supported this decision.
The transfer month I started on 2mg Estrace three times a day for about ten days then added in the progesterone suppository and injectible. Also Medrol. Six days later I went in for the transfer which was such a magical moment after all of this. And it stuck! I am now 9 weeks pregnant. I will continue all of the hormones until week 10.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
I really enjoyed all of the staff in the office. They took time and care with me.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
As with all of these clinics, you may be spending a lot of money but there is still nickle and diming to be had. I found them to be mostly straightforward, but was put off once when they called me in for a saline sonnogram then asked for $450 afterwards! Obviously the preference would have been if they would have told me that first. And I also could have asked. It's hard to read the estimate for exactly what you are getting in terms of small or other appointments.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
The IVF procedure that we chose to do was about 22,000.
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
Because we did a frozen embryo transfer and we new it was a euploid, I felt confident transferring one at a time.
Dr. Uzelac is a no-nonsense kind of doctor. I appreciated that he was clear with his communication and in setting expectations about what the IVF process would be like for my husband and I. He recommended several diagnostic testing procedures to get to the root cause of my infertility...I saw him for nearly every visit I had at the clinic during my time and appreciated that he wasn't just present in the beginning and at the end. He made sure I was comfortable and understood everything before moving forward.
[Marin Fertility] is in a small office and with only Dr. Uzelac and his nurse practitioner seeing patients, I found myself waiting for 30+ minutes past my appointment time based on there not being any rooms available for me to be placed in. It seems if one or two appointments run late, then it really impacts the rest of the day and the office doesn't always communicate that in advance...The admin staff are great. Very easy to schedule appointments with and they always respond to emails and text messages!
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac is a no-nonsense kind of doctor. I appreciated that he was clear with his communication and in setting expectations about what the IVF process would be like for my husband and I. He recommended several diagnostic testing procedures to get to the root cause of my infertility and with knowing all the facts, he was able to make a recommendation and present it clearly for my husband and I to decide on. He's caring and compassionate and treats patients with respect and appreciation. I saw him for nearly every visit I had at the clinic during my time and appreciated that he wasn't just present in the beginning and at the end. He made sure I was comfortable and understood everything before moving forward.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Trust his expertise and ask all the questions you can.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac made my husband and I feel like we were more than just patients paying the fees for services. He offered to answer questions for us whenever we had them and his demeanor was very open and friendly. I appreciated the way he explained procedures and outcome possibilities based on my particular situation and made me feel at ease throughout the process.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
The nursing staff at Marin Fertility Clinic are amazing! They're kind, caring and friendly and go above and beyond to ensure you have everything you need. The follow up calls and emails about tests and appointments were very helpful and I felt I could reach out at any time with any questions.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
The clinic is in a small office and with only Dr. Uzelac and his nurse practitioner seeing patients, I found myself waiting for 30+ minutes past my appointment time based on there not being any rooms available for me to be placed in. It seems if one or two appointments run late, then it really impacts the rest of the day and the office doesn't always communicate that in advance. Due to COVID, they have strict protocols for when you can enter the office and I appreciated that. It made me feel like they were taking all steps necessary to keep me and other patients safe. The admin staff are great. Very easy to schedule appointments with and they always respond to emails and text messages!
From my first phone call with Dr. Uzelac I just felt very at ease, he spoke with confidence and in interest in our particular case. He also spoke in terms that were easy to understand, not a lot of medical and/or "doctor speak" that would be harder to understand...after when we received a positive pregnancy result, it meant a lot that he reached out to congratulate us
Overall Marin Fertility clinic was a great experience for us. The staff are all very polite, knowledgeable and easy to work with. They are a small team so at times you might feel as though they are taking longer to answer or they're too busy but they always come through with questions and stay in touch...The nurses and fertility coordinators at Marin Fertility were over all great and easy to work with.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
We came to Dr. Uzelac after 2 failed cycles (these cycles did not make it to transfer, as we had very few eggs retrieved and none fertilized), our clinic in Kansas City would not treat us for a third cycle given the poor results from our two egg retrievals, although all my numbers and tests came back normal the doctor believed I might have an oocyte maturation issue and would possibly benefit from IVF with IVM. That is how I came across Marin Fertility and Dr. Uzelac. From our very first phone consultation Dr. Uzelac seemed so knowledgeable, confident but realistic and eager to work with us. I felt like he had a real interest in our case and he was willing to work with us and trouble shoot our issues. What I really liked is that he always seemed to have another idea, he would tell us what the plan was and then he would have a plan B if that failed, it was really important to us that he didn't seem like he would easily give up on us. He was confident but with realistic at the same time. Our case was special in that we were being treated out of state, so all my monitoring happened here in KC and then actual treatments i.e. egg retrieval, transfer happened there in California at Marin Fertility. There were some times when communication was a little harder and of course times when I would have liked to talk to the doctor but instead had to speak with the nurses, however questions and concerns were always met in a mostly timely manner and while there in person at the clinic, I always got to see and speak with Dr. Uzelac. When it was time for our transfer Dr. Uzelac was so sincere and calming and after when we received a positive pregnancy result, it meant a lot that he reached out to congratulate us. While IVF is always a waiting game with a lot of unknowns and is extremely stressful, I always felt very at ease and confident with Dr. Uzelac during procedures and consultations etc.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I would say be patient, which is so hard during the IVF journey, at times you might feel like you do not get to talk to the doctor or see him as much as you like but I believe he is always working very hard and concerns and questions are always answered.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I felt we were treated like humans. From my first phone call with Dr. Uzelac I just felt very at ease, he spoke with confidence and in interest in our particular case. He also spoke in terms that were easy to understand, not a lot of medical and/or "doctor speak" that would be harder to understand.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
Based on our previous cycles with our other clinic Dr. Uzelac did take a similar route in protocol, however he made a couple of adjustments that seemed to have made the difference, he up'ed my menopur and I took less gonal F, he also had me take clomid, in addition to those medications he had me take 2 different supplements over the counter that he believed helped with egg health, those were Ovasitol and melatonin, I really think those helped as well for a better outcome from our egg retrieval. In our previous cycles with the other clinic our first egg retrieval yielded 3 eggs, only 2 were mature and none made it fertilization, our second retrieval I had 8 eggs, only 2 were mature and neither fertilized, which is why our last Doctor thought I may have egg maturation issues. With our retrieval with Dr. Uzelac after some adjustments to the protocol we retrieved 20 eggs, 17 were mature, 13 fertilized and 8 made it to day 5 to be frozen. We transferred 1 egg on June 11th 2020 and we are now 10 weeks pregnant!
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Kacey Zuvella )
The nurses and fertility coordinators at Marin Fertility were over all great and easy to work with. Our situation was a little different because were being treated out of state so communication at times were somewhat difficult, we also had a 2 hour time difference, so we would frequently have to wait longer for results or would hear from them the next day with answers to questions etc. but they would always answer questions or concerns and in person during treatments they were always helpful , sincere and knowledgeable.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Overall Marin Fertility clinic was a great experience for us. The staff are all very polite, knowledgeable and easy to work with. They are a small team so at times you might feel as though they are taking longer to answer or they're too busy but they always come through with questions and stay in touch.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
Overall cost for our IVF with ICSI and IVM and freezing eggs was $19,000
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
I think the eSET was right for us. Dr. Uzelac seemed very experienced on when to go with eSET vs. multiple embryo transfer and seemed to make those decisions on each individual case. I trusted his decision for a eSET completely.
What specific things went wrong at Marin Fertility?
Failed to order appropriate test
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Marin Fertility.
We had out of state monitoring with another clinic in KC that would then send our results to Marin Fertility, there were a couple instances where the orders for tests seemed to not get to the clinic here in KC or the orders were unclear, we always got it worked out nothing majored resulted from it. I think it had mostly to do with it being out of state monitoring along with a 2 hour time difference, i.e. orders weren't sent before a certain time and/or calls weren't made at correct times.
Dr. Uzelac was amazing from the first appt. to my last. He is super knowledgeable and was able to predict the reasons for my infertility very early. He listened and seemed to know way more than any OBGYN I had ever seen. He was attentive and always made my husband and I understand every step of our journey and why we were doing certain things before our implantation.
Going through IVF during a pandemic is unsettling, but Marin Fertility Center was amazing and walked me through every step of the way. They kept me informed, were always clean, and were always concerned with keeping me safe. They were very accommodating with my schedule and always made my appts work...The nursing staff at Marin Fertility were top notch amazing. They all were personable, got to know me, compassionate and remembered me and my husbands name from our first appt.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac was amazing from the first appt. to my last. He is super knowledgeable and was able to predict the reasons for my infertility very early. He listened and seemed to know way more than any OBGYN I had ever seen. He was attentive and always made my husband and I understand every step of our journey and why we were doing certain things before our implantation.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Expect to Expect
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
Dr. Uzelac was amazing throughout my entire experience and Marin Fertility Center. He was always very personable gave me his direct cell number to text him and call him with any questions or concerns at all hours of the day/night.
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
I have endometriosis, so my plan was to extract as many eggs as possible, to get healthy embryos and to freeze them. I then went on a shot medication for 60 days to help any inflammation before implanting. Everything was planned and went fairly quickly. Started my Cycle in early March and implanted in early June!
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Marin Fertility.
The nursing staff at Marin Fertility were top notch amazing. They all were personable, got to know me, compassionate and remembered me and my husbands name from our first appt.
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
Going through IVF during a pandemic is unsettling, but Marin Fertility Center was amazing and walked me through every step of the way. They kept me informed, were always clean, and were always concerned with keeping me safe. They were very accommodating with my schedule and always made my appts work.
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
He felt that transferring one embryo was the best chance in becoming pregnant without wasting viable embryos for my first implantation.
The doctor [Dr. Peter Uzelac] seemed very sincere, was a good listener, and seemed very happy for us when I became pregnant...prescribed the max dose of IVF meds for me for the second IVF, bc my body did not respond well during the first IVF...so intelligent and he uses the latest technology...used the micro chip technology for our IVF, which is more gentle on the sperm. It gently separates the quality sperm from the weaker sperm.
This clinic [Marin Fertility] was great. Our only complaint was the room my husband had to give his “samples” in. It was more like a storage room/ big closet LOL. A nice room would have made the experience more pleasant. But it wasn’t a big deal to us...$28K for one IVF/FET...He [Dr. Peter Uzelac] used the micro chip technology for our IVF, which is more gentle on the sperm.
How was your experience with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
I have no complaints with this doctor. He is so intelligent and he uses the latest technology. He used the micro chip technology for our IVF, which is more gentle on the sperm. It gently separates the quality sperm from the weaker sperm.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
See him!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility?
The doctor seemed very sincere, was a good listener, and seemed very happy for us when I became pregnant
Describe the protocols Peter Uzelac used in your cycles at Marin Fertility and their degree of success.
He prescribed the max dose of IVF meds for me for the second IVF, bc my body did not respond well during the first IVF.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Marin Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Sabrina )
They were great. No complaints
Describe your experience with Marin Fertility.
This clinic was great. Our only complaint was the room my husband had to give his “samples” in. It was more like a storage room/ big closet LOL. A nice room would have made the experience more pleasant. But it wasn’t a big deal to us.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Peter Uzelac at Marin Fertility.
$28K for one IVF/FET
Describe Peter Uzelac's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Marin Fertility.
We had 2 good embryos. I did not want twins, and there was a 60% chance it would take. So we transferred one. This would also allow us to try one more time and change our strategy if the first one didn’t take. But the first embryo transfer was a success.