Your experience moving embryos/firing RE

[Anonymous]

We had two kids from the same batch of embryos created at our clinic. We still have a good number of embryos, likely more than we can use. My RE did something that is totally unforgivable and made my pregnancy with the second baby a living hell. He lied and withheld my records and blocked me from seeing another doctor at the clinic (he is the director and owns the clinic). What he did put the baby in harm's way and I'm 90% sure it was not a mistake. I think he might be a high functioning psychopath. I cannot transfer again with this clinic and I have such an extreme dislike of this RE that I wouldn't want a recipient family to deal with him.

If I move the embryos to another clinic within the city it will be obvious he is being fired. I am scared he will take it out on the embryos.

If you moved embryos, did you have to deal with your RE? What was the process? I am scared of them being damaged in the move.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Wow this is such a frightening post and I am really sorry OP. I wish you would share the clinic because I have come close to moving my embryos too, due to a general uneasiness about my RE, who is also the director of his clinic. Obviously ethics, and in the absence of them, a malpractice lawsuit, is what would prevent your RE from retaliation. My understanding is that malpractice lawsuits are very hard to prove these days without infinite resources. I wonder if there is something you can go after his clinic with about the not sharing your records because I think you have a right to demand those. I’m not a lawyer but that seems like blatant disregard of HIPPA.

[Anonymous]

Have you filed a complaint with the medical board in your state?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow this is such a frightening post and I am really sorry OP. I wish you would share the clinic because I have come close to moving my embryos too, due to a general uneasiness about my RE, who is also the director of his clinic. Obviously ethics, and in the absence of them, a malpractice lawsuit, is what would prevent your RE from retaliation. My understanding is that malpractice lawsuits are very hard to prove these days without infinite resources. I wonder if there is something you can go after his clinic with about the not sharing your records because I think you have a right to demand those. I’m not a lawyer but that seems like blatant disregard of HIPPA.

It is not in the DC area but my advice is to trust your gut. I had a bad feeling about him before this happened and he has some very sketchy reviews.

Numerous malpractice lawyers have said there is no case because no damages occurred (no thanks to him, because he did not release my records and I had to tirelessly advocate for myself to be heard).

He absolutely violated the law by not releasing my records but now that baby is here, if I keep asking for them it will be obvious I want them for legal reasons.

I intend to press assault charges but my embryos need to be out of his clinic before I do that, obviously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you filed a complaint with the medical board in your state?

The medical boards are a joke. They are a pressure release valve to prevent systemic change. I see one doctor who has 5 sexual assault allegations over several years including 3 criminal charges who is still practising.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a nightmare.

I would find your new RE first and ask them to handle the moving arrangements. Don’t complain too much about the first RE or you’ll look like you’re a nutty patient (even though you aren’t). Since an embryo facility transfer should have protocols to be followed it will be evident if the old RE messes things up and I doubt he would risk his professional reputation with other RE’s like that. One can hope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a nightmare.

I would find your new RE first and ask them to handle the moving arrangements. Don’t complain too much about the first RE or you’ll look like you’re a nutty patient (even though you aren’t). Since an embryo facility transfer should have protocols to be followed it will be evident if the old RE messes things up and I doubt he would risk his professional reputation with other RE’s like that. One can hope.

I know, I look like a nutjob even to myself when I re-read my own comments.

I might try the "gray rock" approach and move the embryos a year from now. Likely he will have forgotten everything. I still worry and over-analyze.