Minimal interaction with doctor, delayed appointments, failed IVF protocol, no bloodwork during…read morestimulation, missed ovulation, and concerns about incorrect IUI timing.
I was debating whether to leave a review, but after reading others on Google and Yelp, I feel compelled to share my experience.
I chose RPMG because I really liked Dr. Huang during our initial consultation and expected attentive, personalized care. Unfortunately, my treatment was managed almost entirely by nurses, with very limited interaction with my doctor.
I'm 40, have endometriosis, and have experienced multiple pregnancy losses. We pursued IVF not because I couldn't get pregnant, but to genetically test embryos before transfer and hopefully avoid another heartbreaking loss. I'd previously had an unsuccessful IVF cycle elsewhere, but the care was excellent, so I know the difference a supportive, communicative team can make.
At RPMG, none of my monitoring ultrasounds or the IUI were performed by Dr. Huang or in his presence. Appointments ran late, yet ultrasounds felt rushed, followed by another wait to speak with a nurse. Calls were rarely answered, portal responses weren't always timely, and medication instructions could have been clearer.
I had no hormone bloodwork during ovarian stimulation. My progesterone was last measured on 09/23. I started IVF medications on 10/01 (CD 3), and had no further bloodwork. Monitoring consisted exclusively of ultrasounds, with no protocol adjustments despite uneven follicular growth. The clinic eventually recommended converting IVF to IUI, meaning we'd would not genetically test our embryos--the whole reason we pursued IVF. We agreed to avoid losing the cycle.
On Friday, 10/09, my 3 largest follicles measured about 14 mm. I specifically expressed concern that I might ovulate over the weekend, before my Monday appointment. I was reassured everything would be fine. The plan was to trigger Monday and perform IUI Wednesday. My husband had also been told to ejaculate Sunday evening and abstain until Wednesday. When I returned on 10/12, I had already ovulated. Since I wasn't properly monitored over the weekend and hadn't taken a trigger, we had no way of knowing precisely when ovulation occurred. With the IUI moved to Monday, he'd ejaculated the previous night as instructed, leaving a much shorter abstinence interval than planned. My ultrasound was at 9:15 am, my husband rushed in to provide a sample at 11am, and the IUI happened after 1pm. The IUI was performed by a nurse practitioner without Dr. Huang present. Afterward, I waited over 30 minutes to ask about the semen sample, was promised a callback that never came, and was simply told to take a pregnancy test in 2 weeks.
IUI is typically timed around ovulation, often 24-36 hours after a trigger injection, so sperm are present when the egg is released. The clinics original plan is consistent with this. Delays after ovulation may reduce success rates, which are already low at 40. I was concerned that we might have missed the optimal window. I was reassured that the timing was fine, but how could they be certain when we didn't know whether I had ovulated on Saturday, Sunday, overnight, or Monday morning? Why wasn't any bloodwork performed? At my prior clinic, I was routinely monitored throughout the cycle and changes to the medication were timely made. I can't help but wonder whether the holiday weekend affected my monitoring and care.
Despite the medically recommended conversion, I was told an IVF cancellation fee would apply and the ultrasounds would no longer be covered by our package. Everything happened so quickly Monday that I signed consent without receiving an IUI cost estimate or explanation of what was included. When I asked about our refund and an itemized statement, I was told it would take at least a week, with no indication of when we'd receive our refund.
Fertility treatment is emotionally, physically, and financially demanding, and I expected better. Please research clinics carefully. I certainly didn't take the negative reviews seriously enough.