The Family Fertility Center at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, United States

I had 2 failed IVF cycles at this clinic and a terrible experience. During the first, I responded well but ovulated early, which is extremely rare. I entered retrieval in unbearable pain and was still made to walk to the operating bed after telling several people I was suffering. After retrieval, the doctor said I had ovulated early, did not acknowledge my husband, and said she had another procedure to perform. She showed no compassion and never contacted either of us during the second cycle. We nevertheless gave the clinic another chance. The second time, I felt overly suppressed because they feared repeat ovulation, and the result was still poor. I asked for protocol adjustment because my response was worse, but my concern was ignored. I understand IVF guarantees nothing, yet I repeatedly felt dismissed. I believe better attention to our concerns might have improved the result. I felt like a number, not a patient. Friends at other Houston clinics had teams more involved in their care, ensuring appropriate supplements, checking sperm fragmentation, and prescribing treatment to improve morphology and egg quality before IVF. My husband and I received none of this during either cycle. Another clinic may cost more, but I would rather go where I am treated as a person, my concerns matter, and I feel valued.

I work at TCH and came to this fertility clinic after multiple miscarriages. Lauren was amazing. She answered every question and made me feel important. She works under Leah Schenk, whom I would not recommend if you want a warm, considerate physician. Her bedside manner was poor; she mentioned surrogacy at our first meeting, which felt completely unreasonable and offered no hope. We had 1 IUI, then 3 medicated cycles with timed intercourse. I do not know whether the medicated cycle or progesterone suppositories led to this healthy pregnancy. Regardless, Lauren and the team were wonderful. Leah was not my favorite, but perhaps that is simply her manner, and I appreciate her help. I am now 33 weeks pregnant with our son. Thank you, Family Fertility Center.

If I could give zero stars, I would! I began my fertility journey in February 2024 at The Texas Family Fertility Cetner at Chi St. Lukes in The Woodlands because it was closer to home. However, I also had to visit the Family Fertility Center at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women on Main Street in Houston, Texas. My doctor was Dr. Leah Schenk. Dr. Leah Schenk charged me extensively for testing to determine whether I could preserve my fertility through egg freezing. Her receptionist, Susie Martinez, emailed me saying my bill was over $20,000, even though my insurance, WINFertility, covered the entire process. She falsely told me WINFertility covered nothing. WINFertility had to call and write to tell her I was covered and only owed my deductible. Susie Martinez never apologized, acknowledged her mistake, or offered any discount for her unprofessional conduct. I should have canceled treatment immediately, but I did not. That was my mistake—dealing with someone so uninformed, callous, and unprofessional. When all my results came back, Dr. Schenk told me that, at thirty-six (36), I was menopausal and not a candidate for egg freezing. I was devastated. My insurer advised me to seek a second opinion. It turned out that because I had used birth control for over 10 years and had only just stopped it under Dr. Schenk's direction, my body had not adjusted and the results and bloodwork were inaccurate. After waiting 3 months for my cycles to normalize, the new doctor repeated my testing. I later had 13 eggs retrieved and was nowhere near “perimenopause.” I strongly advise against Dr. Leah Schenk, her assistant Susie Martinez, or Texas Children's Fertility Center because of their incompetence. I also just learned that The Woodlands location has permanently closed, deservedly so; they lacked adequate staff for such sensitive matters.

I cannot express how grateful I am to this fertility center. After a difficult experience at another fertility clinic, I came here. Dr. Huang was confident at every step of my pregnancy journey. I know every patient is different and there are no guaranteed results, but his confidence gave me hope even when things did not work. My questions were always answered. Nurse Bobbi always replied the same day. I was fortunate that it worked for me, but even if it had not, the kindness here is unmatched. Thank you for everything you do.

This is an irresponsible organization. Do not trust the website or what it displays. Once you go there, you encounter lie after lie. What they say contradicts what they do. No one gives you a formal statement; they play word games instead of providing the services they promised. I am referring to the Family Fertility Center. When you ask about your rights or other matters, they pass you around like a compass and no one takes responsibility. Please choose a small private hospital. Pay about $2,000 more, but avoid embarrassment, depression, anxiety, failure, and stress. When undergoing IVF, be prepared for more than 50% in additional costs that they do not disclose. They quote only $17,350, but you should prepare to spend more than $35,000 because, unlike other hospitals, they do not clearly estimate everything in the procedures and forms. Second, if they hold your money, they may not refund it even within four months. You will call and be passed around. They promise to pay the next day or next week, but next week never comes. They have repeatedly done this, including to me. I still have not been refunded, although they promised payment by the end of August 2021. They lie to authorities, saying they are processing it and communicating with the patient, but that never happened. Please choose a good hospital and pay $3,000 more rather than accept lies and irresponsible service from people unwilling to take responsibility or provide the services patients trusted and were promised.

Without question, this is the best fertility center. If you want the best chance of having a child, come here. You will not regret it. Be aware that unless you plan to pay cash without insurance, you will face ongoing billing problems. The billing department was the biggest nightmare I have ever experienced. Susie at the fertility center was wonderful and very helpful with all my complaints, but the actual billing staff were terrible. I was overcharged and told the night before retrieval that testing I had not completed on a particular date was not covered. They later fixed the issue, but you can imagine the stress. After procedures, endless bills ranging from $5 to $10,000 arrived, requiring constant calls to determine what they were for. There are countless examples. They quote a particular amount, then it keeps increasing and changing. The stress is awful on top of the pressure and IVF medications you are already handling. Be prepared for billing to become a full-time job. That said, nurse Bobbi is incredible. She is the best nurse you will ever meet, and I truly credit her with my pregnancy. I believe all the doctors are excellent too, including Dr. Zarutskie and Dr. Schutt. They are thorough, speak with you in detail, and give full attention to every question or concern. Nurses respond immediately through the portal, communication and records are very organized, and they explain everything: what to expect, specific and additional options, and different approaches. I cannot say enough good things. They are exceptionally professional. A friend went elsewhere and was very jealous of all the extra information I received that she did not. The surgical nurses for all my procedures were first-rate. It truly felt like a luxury experience. The doctors and nurses are incredible. It is unfortunate that the billing department is so incompetent and causes patients so much stress and confusion. IVF is extremely expensive, and going through it at TEXAS CHILDREN'S drains your energy because the amount you owe constantly changes. I would always return because I love the doctors, facility, and nurse Bobbi, but be prepared for stress related to the financial side.

I cannot say enough good things about TCH and its staff! They made this stressful process feel effortless.