Sonja Kristiansen

Dr. Kristiansen is a great doctor and her focus is helping you get pregnant. I love it because she doesn't sugar coat anything. She lets you know what needs to be done in a loving, but imperative way. She gives you hope and she not nonchalant to your emotions nor your questions. She's great at what she does.

She gives you hope and trust the process

We started with the "clomid challenge." This is where you take clomid for the 5th - the 9th day and see how the body reacts to the clomid. Most people don't get past the clomid challenge. I had my blood workup completed, a sonohysterogram, and my fallopian tubes checked. Everything was normal. Unfortunately, I ovulate late, and due to my age, PCOS, and my husband's low motility, her suggestion for me is IVF, and at this time I cannot afford it.

At the time, my insurance covered a certain percentage of my clinical treatment, but the actual cost of the IVF suggested would have to be paid OOP.

Not applicable

My husband and I came to her office about 2 years ago to start IVF. I had a tubal ligation that could not be reversed and IVF was our only option. We met with Dr. Kristiansen and felt that this office was a good fit for us. After consulting we decided we would opt for InvoCell first considering I didn't have any fertility issues outside of my ligation. Dr. Kristiansen seemed knowledgeable and we didn't have any reason to think otherwise. We started our InvoCell journey and that resulted in very little egg retrieval and no fertilized eggs. Dr. Kristiansen explained that this was not really a normal response to have no fertilized eggs and we should consider doing a full round of IVF next. After some time passed and we were able to financially dive back in we went back to Dr. Kristiansen to start a full IVF cycle. Speed up to retrieval and again very little eggs are retrieved. I of course don't have anything to base this off of and trust the care and protocol that the doctor is providing. We then receive the dreaded phone call that again, we have not even one fertilized egg. My husband and I have both had tests and know that to our knowledge we have no issues with eggs or sperm. Dr. Kristiansen proceeds to tell us that again this is not a normal response and she doesn't really have any answers for us. There aren't any other tests that can be done and our best option would be to use donor eggs or donor sperm. We have now paid for two rounds of IVF treatment with this office and gotten literally nothing. Not even answers. I then start researching and find out that Dr. Kristiansen doesn't really tailor a treatment plan for each patient and instead takes a more blanket approach. I seek out another doctor and we start IVF treatment at that facility. The care was night and day. My treatment plan was completely different and tailored to me and my results. I am now realizing that Dr. Kristiansen didn't do things that she should have done which would make sense as to why so few eggs were retrieved and more than likely not mature. I was also informed by my new doctor that there is a test that could have been offered to make sure my husband was actually able to fertilize the eggs, when Dr. Kristiansen had told me there was no more testing that could be done. My eggs retrieval at my new facility resulted in 17 eggs with 16 of those being viable. How does that make any sense? Dr. Kristiansen told me I needed to possibly use donor eggs. I also found out from my new doctor that I have a great egg count so there wouldn't be a reason to use donor eggs. We ended up with multiple embryos from this cycle. I am now also pregnant from the first transfer. I am extremely disappointed in the treatment that I received from Dr. Kristiansen. IVF is a costly journey and I am extremely disappointed that we spent so much money at her office. Had we listened to her our option would have been donor eggs and sperm- we were perfectly healthy and able to create our own embryos. I am also saddened that this seems to be other patient's experience at her office. I will be making reviews and making sure that I can do everything to prevent anyone I know from seeking out fertility treatment here.

Do not seek out fertility treatment at this office.

Close to $25K with medications and procedure costs.

Her protocol was definitely one size fits all and not at all personalized based on my needs. She always gave very vague responses and seemed to enjoy talking politics more than answering questions about what you are There for! She also had zero follow through. If you pay Someone that amount of money for a treatment, one would expect a follow up, especially when the treatment wasn’t successful but we got nothing!

Go somewhere else

I was given no rationale. I was told this is what you need to take and basically don’t ask questions. I’m 42 so my eggs ate more fragile. I was given 450 of follistim for 10 days, 75 of menopur for 5 days and ganirelix for 5 days and triggered with 5,000 HCG. They retrieved 13 eggs, 10 were mature, 7 fertilized and 1 made it to blast

$13,000 + $5,500 for meds + $6,000 in lab work

Dr. K will not monitor you at all during the stim phase for Invocell. Monitoring is extremely important for your health and potential sucess during stims. I have talked to other Dr. K patients and we were all prescribed the same amounts of medications. Treatment is not individualized. You will have an identical treatment plan for anyone doing Invocell in her clinic. Do not go to Dr.K for Invocell, because chances are you will have a failed cycle because the treatment was not tailored to you.

Do not go to her please!!! Chances are your cycle will fail. Remember you will not be monitored during your stim phase, which is the most important part of a Invocell IVF cycle. Just Google Monitoring during IVF stims and the importance of it. To find the facts for yourself.

You will be given the exact same protocol as any other Dr.K Invocell patient. Even though she will do testing on you before you start a cycle, it really doesn't matter because you will he given the same exact protocol as her other patients.

$5000 for invocell

A lot of her patients don't make it to this point with her with Invocell. If you don't believe me try finding her sucess rates for Invocell, it's almost impossible to find.

Strength. On time, candid, respectful, truthful, Positive demeanor. As a patient, I was hopeful just like I have with other doctors. But once I step into their clinics, I get this negative vibe that turns me away. With Dr SONJA, I felt welcomed. I felt at home. I never felt like I was wasting my money. I was eager to get the process done. I knew meeting her, she was going to be my last fertility Doctor because I believed I was going to conceive. She has this Positive approach that calms your spirit and mind. Oh she's a good listener. She answers all questions and never rushes you. Weakness. I think she's too good

Be truthful to your Doctor.

First was consultation. Then comes the bloodwork and ultrasound. After which I was put on birth control. Then hormonal stimulations which includes Follistim, ganirelix and menopur followed. I triggered with Ovidrel. My protocol was based on my lab results, work schedule, finances. The rational for her using the medications was due to my health history

They worked with my schedule and was always on time. Gentle approach and explaining the procedure as we went along. I never felt like I was in the dark

The procedure was $5000 Co pay $80 per visit Medications $2600

Per law, she gave us the option of transferring 1 or 2 embryo. It was strictly our decision after she explained the pros and cons of a single and double transfer

Dr. K was prompt for our consultation appointment and explained everything to my husband and I so that we left feeling very knowledgeable about our process going forward. I have loved being her patient.

Go in with all your questions ready and just let her do the talking.

We are in the middle of treatment for Invocell. We have had our consultation, our blood work was taken, my husband has had a semen analysis, and started taking birth control once my cycle started, when I had my sonohysterogram we noticed some spots on my uterine lining could have been "scabbing" from last cycle or could have been submucosal masses (sp). So, we decided to take a cycle off and do some natural remedies to clean out my uterus. Waiting on next cycle to start up again.

IVO cycle: $1850 blood work/testing/semen analysis $5,000 for IVO package and another $750 for second sonohysterogram. No meds covered in any of this cost.

Not sure, I know that she will transfer two, but that is the most she will transfer for me.

Dr. Kristiansen was initially very nice and explained what she thought was best for me. A few months later we returned to her clinic excited to start this journey. It took us a while because we were unsure if this was the route to go and partly because we were not financially ready. Once we came back it was mostly visits with the staff. I saw the doctor for my endometrial biopsy, HSG and egg transfer. Apparently, she was there for the retrieval but I couldnt say for certain since she was late and by then they had already put me under anesthesia. When I woke I only saw the staff once again. It was very frustrating because I felt no genuine care. Once we returned for the egg transfer I was already prepped and on the stirrups. She walks in and doesn’t greet us or say a word. Only gets started on the procedure and mentions I have a perfectly looking uterus and that was all. I mentioned the procedure was very painful and she only says, “almost done”. Her assistant comforted me but that was all. Bone dry. Also worth mentioning, she never ever discussed the appropriate amount of embryos to transfer for me. Granted they gave me a large packet of general information to read, but everyone’s case is different. I had questions but she was never available. Her assistant made recommendations but that was all I had to go by. So I made my own decision. Luckily I had online support groups who helped guide me. Once we received the dreaded call of the negative results it was Dr. kristiansen who called, in which I was surprised. Sadly though, it sounded like another routine call. I went to this doctor because a friend recommended her and she had a successful pregnancy with her. I’m not saying she is a horrible person but if you’re the type of person who needs compassionate care during a stressful and emotional time like this, she is not the doctor for you. I will not return to her but honestly, I don’t think she will ever notice.

Write down all your questions and asks at your consult visit. If you have to annoy the staff with questions then so be it. It is your money (and a lot of it) that you’re forking out. Plus this is no small matter to just wonder about.

Birth control first to regulate the cycle and ovulation. My husband and I were also started on a zpack prophylactically. Then blood work to monitor lining. They started me on lupron, then gonal f and menopur. Finally I had the trigger shot (ovidrel) and progesterone in oil. Valium was given during the Day of the transfer to help relax the uterus. Towards the end of stimulation I was started on estradiol and medrol. Medrol was one of the final pills (suppressant) and it was basically to keep the body from rejecting the embryos.

These appointments were quick and smooth. With an assistant.

This clinic is cheaper than other clinics (also a deciding factor for us) but they don’t offer payment plans or financing like some clinics. They don’t offer samples of medications either. Full payment is due at the time of the first ultrasound, no questions.

This was never discussed with us.

She is very personable. She reviewed our history and knew our issues. She was on our team and wanted the best for us. She has great bedside manor. I wish she would have been more on board with giving a plan made for us, not one fits all. She wasn’t willing to change medication when I did not respond well. She is better fit for general infertility issues.

If you have extremely infertility issues, she is probably not the best for you. She is better for women without tubes, unexplained infertility, not women with DOR.

I did INVOcell IVF. Everyone received the same protocol. The first 5 nights were 150iu of Follistim. The next 5 nights were 75iu of Follistim, a vial of Menopur, and a Ganirelix shot. I only produced 2 eggs with only one of them being mature.

INVOcell IVF was $5,000 for retrieval and transfer. Meds were $2,500 before discounts.

She refused to transfer more than one embryo unless you were over the age of 38.

Dr. Sonja is compassionate. She also knows her stuff. So going into treatment, I was afraid of what will happen. I had many questions and suffered from "over social media itis". Basically I had read so many things online and asked so many non-professionals that I made myself dizzy. So it was imperative for me to empty my mind and be able to hear from Dr. Sonja. She gained my trust and took her time to build a rapport with me.

I would tell prospective patients to be open, be calm and know that you are in good hands.

Dr. Sonja recommended Invocell for us, as my tubes are beyond feasible repair. Dr. Sonja also allowed me to determine how much fertility medications.

$7000

Dr. Sonja has a strong preference of no more than 2 to transfer.

The doctor was successful in helping me get pregnant with my first son in 2012, however when we tried again in 2015/2016, I spent 8+ trying and the treatments did change slightly. She did not suggest IVF until after 4-5 unsuccessful attempts at using the medication and intercourse method.

She is nice but you will not see her very often.

I used Gonal F, Menopur and Ovidrel to get pregnant the first time (when I was 34 years old). The second time, I was 38 years old, and we used the same stuff but added the progesterone shots and Estradiol pills.

$7,000 to convert a stimulation cycle into a one-time IVF try. I think I spent at least $3,000-5,000 on medications ahead of time.

She said it was completely my choice. I chose to go with one.

My personal situation was very unconventional. She never made me feel like there was anything wrong with it. She conveyed optimism but was always very factual and very direct/clear. She showed compassion when I had a miscarriage, I don't remember the details as it was an emotional time but I remember my interaction with her always felt good.

I would just say that my experience with her was very good and that I would not hesitate to seek treatment with her again.

She has a great bedside manner. She explained all options giving us what she thought was our best options for success. She was sincere even when I could tell she was busy. She was willing to do needed tests vs go off my age automatically as others have in the past.

Ask any possible questions even if you think they are small potatoes.

Blood work, ultrasounds

5600 dr office 1100 donor semen 5500 for donor eggs

The doctor was very detailed and explained risks and plans to the T. She communicates very well. You can also see the compassion she expresses and the care and need for her patients. She also explains the treatment with understanding of the patient.

Definitely, ask all the questions you can think of.

We are still early in the process but I can always rate and review this later.

Invocell IVF no insurance we are looking at about $12,000.00

The doctor did explain that it was better for one embryo transfer due to our situation. We definitely have twin Genes and implanting 2 embryos was not an option for my wife and I.

I thought that she was very nice, but I only saw her 3 times. 1 for my initial consultation, 2 at my egg retrieval & 3 the day she let me go as a patient. I feel that she was very knowledgeable, but it was frustrating that she told me that she couldn't get me pregnant, without giving me an option to use donor eggs.

Ask a ton of questions.

$20,000 ballpark

She was kind, caring, informed and answered the questions I have before I asked them! I felt comfortable with her and they told me to ask any questions I have. I had questions later and emailed and received a response same day.

Schedule with her she’s amazing!

Invocell is the route we will be taking with the option of PGS.

My copay covered my visit. We will have to pay out of pocket for everything else.

She does multiple transfers.