website for Pacific Fertility Center http://www.pacificfertilitycenter.com/

Reviewed on this page: Philip Chenette, Joe Conaghan, Carolyn Givens, Carl Herbert, Isabelle Ryan, Eldon Schriock

Editor Note: Pacific Fertility Center was formerly known as San Francisco Center for Reproductive Medicine

Re: Recurrent miscarriage - resources & fertility recs
I have had 8 miscarriages and now have two living daughters. My miscarriages ranged from 4-6 weeks early ones, ruptured ectopic and two full term uterine ruptures. My youngest daughter is the result of assistance from Dr. Phillip Chenette at Pacific Fertility in San Francisco. http://www.pacificfertilitycenter.com/welcome/philip_chenette.php

He specializes in women over 40 which makes his statistics even more impressive. Some, if not all, of your diagnostic work should be covered by your insurance.

You may also need to work with a perinatologist once you do get pregnant again since you're at high risk of having another miscarriage. Good luck! Sabrina

Re: Seeking information on local fertility clinics

we worked with Pacific Fertility in the city, and were happy enough with them to go to them again recently to try for another (we work with Dr Schriock). they are quite professional, caring and competent, if busy. I would also highly recommend getting acupuncture starting a few months before you try to get your bod in a receptive condition. worked for us

Speaking of which -- PFC is also not SO aggressive (at least Dr. Schriock isn't) that you'll end up with a scary number of multiples, which is something to consider. I wouldn't necessarily go on pregnancy rates provided by clinics, either. Technically, a twin pregnancy I had that only reached implantation and no heartbeats, goes down in the stats as a pregnancy. It's more important you go with a place that makes you feel comfortable and confident - because that will help you conceive as well. -- Anon.

Re: NOVA in vitro fertilization?
I was 39 when I enrolled with Pacific Fertility Center in SF. If you are under 40, and after a couple of basic hormone tests, you pass their screening, an MD may approve you for their ''shared risk'' program. Essentially you can pay for several IVF cycles at once, for a lot less than the cost of two separate ones, and the cost includes any frozen cycles with extra embryos left from a cycle. Of course, if you get pregnant the first cycle, you've paid for a second cycle that you didn't need. Cost excludes meds and a few other things I can't remember but the main costs are included. It worked in the end for me (on second cycle) and I gave birth at 41. You may want to check them out. Good luck. kate

Re: Seeking great fertility doctor
Hi, We used doctor Ryan from the Pacific Fertility Center in SF and we loved her. We did several IVF cycles and found her very understanding always offering good recommendations. We also met the other doctors in the practice since IVF schedule requires weekend and holidays visit and found all them to be very good, very understanding of our emotional state and always answering all our questions thoroughly. We now have a 6 week old little boy and feel blessed. anonymous

Re: Experience with Bay Area Fertility clinics?
We experienced unexplained infertility, but I am now five months pregnant after 1 early miscarriage, 2 IUI cycles and 1 IVF cycle in Jan 2005 at Pacific Fertility Center. I highly recommend their office and plan to go back there to try for child number 2. We primarily saw Dr. Schriock, who has a wonderful bedside manner. (I started out seeing Dr. Givens at PFC because I wanted a female doctor. Although I found Dr. Givens very competent, I personally felt more comfortable with Dr. Schriock. I also saw and really liked Dr. Chennette at PFC). I appreciated that PFC is open every single day of the year (unlike the East Bay solo practitioner with whom I started for IUI treatments), and that you always see a doctor on your visits--not just a NP like at some other clinics. You may not always get your specific doctor every visit (because there are so many necessary visits) but I actually liked the fact that different doctors were looking at me and my medical history. The PFC doctors talk with each other about the IVF cases, so it seems to me that you have many specialists with different areas of expertise considering your case, instead of just one. (Despite seeing several doctors, I did not feel like I was in a patient factory or that I was a guinea pig, as I did at UCSF for two other unrelated procedures.) I also found the nurses to be just wonderful (especially Anne). I called all the time with questions for the nurses and they were always patient, empathetic, and helpful. Finally, it was almost always easy to find free 2 hour parking within a block or two of the clinic, which is remarkable since the clinic is near downtown and Fishermanms Wharf. I am happy to share more details of my experience or to offer support to anyone going through similar infertility issuessplease contact the moderator for my contact info.

I would like to hear from women who have gone the route of IVF to have children. I am specifically interested in feedback on Pacific Fertility Center

I think the doctors and nurses at SF Fertility Center(s) are fabulous. They have excellent success rates and have even lowered their prices since I went there :) http://www.infertilitydoctor.com/

I went through several IUI's there before in vitro, so I got to meet each of the doctors. I liked them all equally as well. They are knowledgable, kind and have the right personalities for the kind of medicine they're practicing, which requires lots of hand holding and warmth, as you well or will know.

The nurses are also WONDERFUL, and you will spend lots of time talking to nurses, as they deal with a good deal of the preparation, etc.

Good luck to you. We drove there from the East Bay for appointments--wasn't too hard, but we had our eyes on the prize, and would have driven anywhere, probably...

Wishing you lots of success, Mama to 9 month old miracle

I had excellent luck with The San Francisco Center for Reproductive Medicine (415-771-1483) and now have a wonderful 9 month old. The two reproductive reproductive endocrinologists are tops technically and are warm and understanding. I had two friends who did not like their treatment at UCSF and who switched to SFCPM and had babies. I also have a friend who went to the place in San Ramon and liked them a lot.