I want to share my exceptional experience at Laurel Fertility Clinic in Modesto. I recently served as a surrogate there for another couple, and I honestly cannot imagine a more supportive team. Special thanks to Leslie Barahona. She was extremely helpful and knowledgeable throughout the process and was truly wonderful. Whenever I had questions—and I had many—she patiently answered them and eased my concerns. The clinic staff were also very kind, and I never felt like just another appointment on their schedule. They took the time to explain every step, ensuring that I was always informed and comfortable. If you are looking for a clinic that is not only professional but genuinely cares about you, I highly recommend the Modesto clinic.

We highly recommend Laurel Fertility Center in Modesto. Head nurse Leslie Barahona was incredibly helpful, warm, and thoughtful at every step of our IUI journey as a couple. We had previously attempted IUI at another facility three times without success. Leslie listened carefully to our situation and adjusted the medication to our needs to improve our chances of pregnancy. We conceived after our first IUI with Dr. Smikle in San Francisco, but unfortunately it was an anembryonic pregnancy. Leslie made us feel safe and reassured, so we tried again. My wife is now 23 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby boy :) We will always be grateful to Laurel Fertility Center, especially Leslie Barahona!

Welcome, son, July 27, 2024 🥳🥳🥳

My husband and I are very grateful to Laurel Fertility Care in Modesto. The entire team was kind and supportive and made us feel exceptionally cared for throughout. We completed only one intrauterine insemination (IUI), and it worked! They explained everything clearly, made us feel comfortable throughout, and celebrated with us when we received the positive result. I highly recommend this clinic to anyone looking for a fertility center that truly cares about its patients and delivers excellent results.

I truly do not know where to begin. A year ago, my husband and I started going to this clinic because I could not carry children 🚼; they grew outside the uterus, and we wanted to try IVF. Before the transfer, they performed many very expensive tests and an ultrasound and said everything was normal. I did not care about the expense because I wanted a child. The ultrasound showed uterine fibroids. I did not know what they were, but they said they would not affect me, so they performed the transfer. Two months later, I went for an ultrasound and waited to hear the heartbeat ❤️, but when my husband and I returned, there was no heartbeat. It was extremely painful. They only told me to wait for the pregnancy to pass naturally or take medication. I sought another opinion and was told the same thing. I had to miscarry at home 🏡, which was physically and emotionally devastating. Later, I received a message saying I owed a balance of 975 for two embryos. I paid it and decided to try again, paying 275 for an appointment. They told me I had another fibroid and charged 550 for an ultrasound to determine whether I could proceed with transfer. This time they said it could interfere because the fibroid was where the baby should grow. Now I wonder why they did not tell me that the first time. My abdomen grew like a ball, and I thought it was my baby, but it was also the fibroid. Now I do not know whether this is why my baby stopped growing. 😢

IVF is a humbling experience. We began with the unrealistic belief that we would conceive on the first attempt, but after three years, six rounds, and six transfers, we finally became pregnant. I do not mean to discourage anyone, but this is the reality of IVF: there are no guarantees. Dr. Smikle and his team never gave us false hope. Instead, they worked to give us a genuine opportunity to build our family and became a strong source of support for my husband and me. It was not easy, but continuing to try was worthwhile for us, and we would try again with Dr. Smikle and his team. Dr. Smikle and his team of nurses and assistants gave us endless comfort and compassion at every step. Special thanks to Leslie, Marissa, Melissa, and Celeste on the Modesto team. Thank you for holding my hand and giving me comforting hugs. You will never know how much that meant in those moments. I would describe Dr. Smikle as a gentle giant. Thank you for your expertise, dedication to patients, and for giving us this greatest gift. At six months pregnant, feeling our baby kick is something I never imagined I would experience. We will always be grateful to all of you. — Viv & Mike

They are wonderful! The staff are caring and friendly! Best decision!! It is local and convenient!

Dr. Smikle said I could not, but God said I could!! My IVF journey began with Dr. Smikle, and it was a terrible, unsuccessful experience. I spent nearly two years at Laurel and had several failed attempts. I never even made it to transfer day because some supposed issue always prevented it. However, several years earlier I had undergone IVF successfully twice and delivered two beautiful, healthy children using untested embryos. I decided to have a third child and tried Laurel because its clinic was closer to my hometown. I began my IVF journey with Dr. Smikle in 2023, and it proved to be a terrible experience. At times, he was very rude and unprofessional. After several failed attempts in 2023 and 2024, I decided it was time to go elsewhere. Before I left Laurel, Dr. Smikle told me I needed to consider surrogacy because he did not believe I could carry a pregnancy myself. He kept claiming I had medical conditions that prevented me from becoming pregnant or carrying my own child. I knew nothing was wrong with me and that I could become pregnant and carry my own child. Before seeing Dr. Smikle for my third IVF journey, I consulted the previous IVF doctor who had helped me successfully have two children and also obtained a third opinion. I therefore came to Dr. Smikle fully prepared and knowing I could succeed. Dr. Smikle refused to use the same protocol that had worked for me in the past and continued doing whatever he wanted, seemingly to drain my bank account. In March 2024, I decided to transfer my remaining untested embryos from Laurel to another clinic. Soon afterward, I restarted IVF at the new clinic using an untested embryo created while I was at Laurel. This clinic listened to me, and we decided to use the protocol that had worked 11 years earlier. I successfully became pregnant with my third IVF child using another untested embryo. I had a wonderful pregnancy without complications and recently delivered a beautiful, healthy baby girl at full term. If I had listened to Dr. Smikle, my dream of becoming a mother of three would never have come true. Also, while I was still a patient at Laurel, Dr. Smikle thought I had left the office after my appointment, but I had not. I went to the restroom, and on my way out I heard him and Leslie laughing and talking about me as if I were not a person. IVF is already difficult; imagine then hearing your doctor talk about you. It was a painful experience I would not wish on anyone. Dr. Smikle also had his colleague Parvin Goud perform a terrible embryo transfer. He got the speculum stuck inside me and kept pulling it forcefully. I screamed in pain and told him to stop and determine what was wrong, but he continued pulling until it finally came out. I experienced much more at this clinic and intend to share the full story in the hope of helping others. Please be warned and avoid this clinic at all costs. If you go to Laurel and are not satisfied with the information you receive, seek a second or even third opinion. Given so many red flags and inconsistent statements, I regret not leaving sooner. Dr. Smikle also wanted to charge an additional $30,000 for a pregnancy guarantee 🤣 I would rather gamble in Las Vegas than do that, haha. He will recommend and try anything to empty your wallet. I am glad I left, went elsewhere, and achieved my dream. Dr. Smikle said no, but God said yes!! This clinic is only after money. That is all!!

I am extremely grateful to Laurel Fertility Care for helping me realize my dream. After a successful IUI, I am now pregnant, all thanks to the kind, supportive, and knowledgeable team at the Modesto location. They made the entire process feel much easier and filled every step with hope. From the doctors to the nurses, everyone genuinely cared about me. I felt valued, supported, and seen. Thank you for helping me begin my little family. I will be forever grateful! ❤️

I am writing this review for any woman considering attending a consultation alone at Laurel Fertility Care in Modesto. I strongly advise any woman considering a one-on-one consultation with the practitioner to bring a companion, because their medical staff will not remain with you throughout. My personal experience with this practitioner was very unpleasant. My consultation record contained an incorrect account, which I found unbelievable given that they recorded the entire session. Perhaps the doctor confused my information with someone else's, another red flag that led me to decide not to continue care at this clinic. When I told the scheduling coordinator that I was unwilling to work with their practitioner, I was told that my blood test results would not be released unless I completed required documents that they had not sent before my appointment. I tried to log in to their website to see what remained incomplete, but my access appeared to have been disabled. Reaching staff by phone is very difficult because calls go directly to voicemail. The only convenient method was messaging through their website, which I can no longer access. I paid in full, but it appears that my blood test results will be withheld if I do not want to continue their treatment or enter into further agreements with the clinic. I wasted an afternoon off work and a large amount of blood on this visit. The only positive aspect of this clinic was that the on-site medical staff were wonderful.

Because I am a surrogate and my clinic is in another state, I used this clinic for outside monitoring. The staff were always very friendly and welcoming, and the doctors were always kind and helpful. My last visit with them was after we confirmed the pregnancy, and I was so happy!

I loved this facility during my first surrogacy. The technicians and doctor were very supportive. I also appreciated never waiting more than a few minutes for appointments.

Wonderful staff and doctors. 100% recommended.

Laurel Fertility Care Modesto, I do not know where to begin! My husband and I are so grateful to Dr. Smikle and the Modesto team. Something that once seemed unimaginable to us has become reality thanks to their excellent work! They are patient, take time to understand your journey and your body, and develop the best plan for you. Leslie and Celeste at the Modesto office truly made our difficult journey comfortable. Thanks to Dr. Smikle and his team, we are now expecting our baby girl in July 2025! If you have the opportunity to work with Laurel Fertility Care Modesto, it will be worthwhile!

I highly recommend them. Excellent professionals, and congratulations to all the staff for their amazing treatment. Thank you for everything you did. I am so happy they made our dream come true.

Laurel Fertility provided exactly the care I needed. The entire facility, doctors, and staff were wonderful. You can tell they truly care and have empathy. They understand and help you cope with sad news, and celebrate with you when the news is good. Leslie B is an amazing provider and truly works magic. Without her and Laurel, we could never have created our beautiful little family. I am so grateful to have found them and received the quality care I needed. Thank you for everything you do to help so many couples like us.

I am a gestational carrier. This is my second journey and I have visited several places for ultrasounds and treatment, but I wish I had known about this place sooner. The Modesto office is absolutely the best. The staff are professional and friendly, and I enjoy every visit. The woman who performs the ultrasounds is wonderful. She helped me through some very frightening parts of pregnancy with education and kindness; I cannot say enough good things. The front desk staff are always welcoming, help me obtain orders in every way, and are always patient. If I decide to be a surrogate again, I will always come here and highly recommend them. I also love the phlebotomist; she always succeeds on the first try and never hurts me. I will miss going there!