Texas Fertility – Dr Burger
Thursday, December 29, 2012.
Today was one of the first appointment at a fertility center. Pete and I met with Dr. Burger, who had a calm, quiet personality. She started off by asking us what felt like 100 questions about our family history, conceiving experience and even our intimacy relationship. Based on our age and previous test results there is a %35 change of us getting pregnant through IVF.
The whole in vitro fertilization (IVF) process was explained from starting off with exams for me and blood work etc. Below is the IVF process from their website http://www.txfertility.com/default.php
The five steps of IVF include ovulation induction, the oocyte retrieval, fertilization, the embryo transfer, and hormonal support of the luteal phase with progesterone. In most cases, ovulation induction initially involves the use medications to suppress ovarian cysts and prevent ovulation from a spontaneous LH surge. The most common protocol utilized by IVF programs in the United States includes administration of oral contraceptives with an overlap of an inject able medication called Lupron™. This medication is given prior to ovarian stimulation and suppresses the pituitary gland’s ability to produce the hormone LH – which could trigger ovulation to occur, ruining the stimulation cycle.
There is also an extra added step that is usually not covered by insurance and that is Genetic testing and freezing of the embryos. Cells are taken from the embryos and sent to a lab for quality testing. The embryos are frozen until the results are returned. This is about an extra $5,000 addition on top of the $2,500 max out of pocket. Dr Burger did not think this was necessary in our case. In addition their lab is not located on their premises therefore we would have to pay the lab fees up front and then get reimbursed by our insurance.
Pete and I left the consultation meeting quite overwhelmed by the amount of shots, work etc that was involved. Also the office was kind of clinic and the staff was not that friendly. Since I am a wimp when it comes to anything painful this did not set well with me. Even when Pete and I were checking out and paying the consultation fee a male doctor was talking quite rudely to one of staff members.
After the meeting Pete and I went to an early dinner and Cover 3 to talk about everything We both felt quite overwhelmed and almost unsure at this point of doing this process. We have another appointment in a week at RMA of Texas. A friend of mine from Dell referred me to RMA as she went through IVF last year and now has a beautiful baby girl.