[mnm000]

Hi ladies,
Well, after about 6 months of testing and Clomid with an OB/GYN, we are moving on to an RE. The OB gave us a referral to one, who just so happens to be affiliated with the same hospital, and said, "she'd guarantee we'd be pregnant within 3 mos, but it would be expensive". So anyway, we called and have an appt with this RE, but today is my day off and I've been doing some online research. The SART data from this particular office has a pregnancy rate of like 28%. I found another RE office which is affiliated with the other major hospital in the city, and it has 52% live birth pregnancy rate!
I don't even know if doing IVF will be necessary, but I wonder about if I should even start seeing the one she reccommended with such a dramatic differences in success rates!
I didn't really bond/feel comfortable with the OB/GYN, new to area, and new to her, and now I'm just wondering if the only reason she referred me to this specific RE is due to their affiliation with the same hospital group.
Any advice or comments?!!? How did you choose or wind-up with your RE?
Thanks in advance!
Meg

[elainek]

Have a look at the other post on here about whether to change RE you might find it useful...Personally I don't know whether I trust the pregnant in three mths comment !...I am having a hard time with sucess rates as it makes me wonder whether the pick and choose their applicants...ie would the ones with 60% sucess rates take me on board if I have 3 failed attempts...do the lower sucess rates places take everyone and hence why they have lower rates ???....I feel really comfortable with my RE who was one of two recommended to me by my gyn...
Good luck in choosing a doc and I wish you the best of luck in getting preggers !!

[kbarley]

Meg,

I'm a bit of a board hopper right now and I stumbled across IVF Connections. The neat thing about this board is the fact that they have threads by location which allowed me to easily connect with other women going through fertility treatments in my area. Consider taking a look on that site. I am certain you will find several women on there with experiences from both of the practices you are cosidering.

Hope that helps!

[elainek]

Gosh ...great site...tad worried now as the one I have been with have their own huge board...basically saying dont waste your money ...oh dear...I am glad we asked this question now as it seems I should def be checking out other places !!
Thanks for the info !!!

[kbarley]

Elaine,

My current RE has a not so favorable posting over there but I decided to take it with a "grain of salt" and I encourage you to do the same thing. However, I think it allows you to ask more questions, be aware of certain things, etc. For an example, there were some "things to be mindful of" with the practice I may move to next like the Dr.'s unique bedside manner and the Nurse's tendacy to procrastinate with phonecalls. Well, I made a note of those two things (and some others) and plan to address them right up front.

[jenedens6102]

I was referred to my RE by my OB as well. My OB did his residency with the RE. I absolutely love my OB and thought if he likes this guy so much and he's so highly recommended I've got to see for myself. Just because you set up a consult does not mean you are a patient set in stone. If you don't feel comfortable, don't like what you see, don't like the setting or the statistics you don't have to stay. Be sure that this RE answers your questions and that it's in a way that you understand. Talk about the plan of action, the expense of tests, ultrasound, blood work, any medications and procedures so that you aren't blindsided later. Ask how often you'll get to see the RE, not his/her nurses! I found that I only saw my RE during three consultations (before we started, when we came back after our break and after my IVF failed) and during my ER. That's it. The rest was handled by his nurses. One to do the ultrasound, another to do the blood work, another for my IUIs, another to explain the IVF protocol, timing of drugs and things of that nature. I really liked my RE, he's a great guy, down to earth and really funny but I didn't see him enough in my opinion.

[elainek]

[quote=kbarley]Elaine,

My current RE has a not so favorable posting over there but I decided to take it with a "grain of salt" and I encourage you to do the same thing.

Um mine was a tad stronger than that...huge amount of unfavorable words !!!...its a shame as I am really happy there and I get to see him every time i am there...but his sucess rates are so low (which is talked about a lot on that site) that I think I really need to go elsewhere now...

Thanks for the ideas on questions I tend to leave and then think too late ...I should of asked that etc etc...

Thanks
Elaine

[kbarley]

Elaine -

I am so sorry that the comments you read have further caused you to second guess things with your RE. However, since you had already started to wonder if it was time to move on, perhaps the comments offered just the reassurance you needed to go with your own gut instinct. I wish you much success with your new RE. Again, I think it's wise to start with several consultations and then move from there.

[elainek]

Yeh your right..oh well we will see...I have heard it can take weeks for some of the hospitals...but have decided I am not going to try again till April time its just too stressful I need a break !
Thanks

[socaintexas]

Alright - I must be blind. Where are you guys finding comments about your RE on the site?

[elainek]

Hahahah yeh it took me a while too ! I registered then followed this
IVFConnections Boards > IVF > IVF by Location > IVF in the US
Then you pick your city...mine is NY

Hope that helps !