Shady Grove vs Columbia Fertlity

[Anonymous]

Hi OP.
Good luck to you!!!

[Anonymous]

I also would choose SG. I felt that Columbia Fertility rushed me into some IUI cycles without doing the proper blood work tests beforehand. After those IUIs were unsucessful, I knew it was time for IVF. I opted to change REs to Shady Grove due to their higher success rates. Shady Grove put me through rigorous testing, and the day before I was supposed to start my first injection for my first IVF cycle, they called to say they discovered a problem with my thyroid. 4 months later, thanks to Shady Grove, my body worked itself out with the help of thyroid meds, and I am finally embarking on IVF #1.

All this to say that I felt Columbia Fertility did not do their duu dilligence and perhaps put me in danger by not doing the full scope of tests before sending me into IVF.

I am very happy thus far at SG, and see Dr. Widra.

[Anonymous]

we had initial consultations with both dr. widra and dr. sacks. ultimately, we chose SGF because of the lab and i actually preferred dr. widra. in the end, we got pregnant (now have a three month old!) after two IVF cycles. my husband was diagnosed with severe male factor and i have endometriosis...our chances of getting pregnant were quite slim and, thanks to dr. widra we have a beautiful baby.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to all of you for your comments and support. I saw Dr. Widra last week and I liked him a lot, he made me feel comfortable and answer all my questions in a very nice and professional manner. I felt like I can trust him. I also liked the practice, I though everybody was very professional and committed. I was told they work 365 days a year! I'm very excited I started this process.

[Anonymous]

Good luck to you! I am starting my very first IVF cycle today! I just now started BCP, and will be getting my full protocol at the beginning of next week. Here's to Shady Grove!!

[Anonymous]

Realizing that OP has already made the decision, I just wanted to respond in case others find this on a search. Just wanted to say that the first thing that Columbia did with me was a series of bloodwork, including my thyroid. Also, I saw Dr. Sacks and only Dr. Sacks. The only way I would have seen a different doc is if he had been on vacation. I was very pleased with Dr. Sacks's care. After our 3 IUI/clomid cycles did not result in pregnancy, he eventually convinced me to try at least one round of IUI w/ injectables before moving onto IVF because of his good feelings about our test results, and we ended up getting pregnant that cycle. I was so grateful that he gave me the choice to go on with IVF, but recommended the less invasive (and less expensive) procedure.

I did not go to Shady Grove, so I cannot compare the two. I have many friends who have been pleased with the care they received there.

[Anonymous]

I also wanted to weigh in on this debate, although I know that the OP has already chosen to go with shady grove. My experience with Columbia Fertility and Dr. Sacks in particular was absolutely wonderful. I went in with symptoms of PCOS and was treated with 1500mgs Metformin. I am sorry that one of the PPs felt that she was rushed into IUI but I assure you that that was not my experience at all. I had loads of bloodwork before the course of action (metformin) was decided upon. My first cycle under Dr. Sacks's care resulted in a chemical pregnancy. After that, I stopped ovulating completely. His next course of action was to try me on 50 mgs of Clomid. While TTC that cycle I had multiple ultrasounds to check how my follicles were doing and loads of blood drawn, again. For some reason I was not ovulating appropriately so I had an HCG trigger and I got pregnant again!! Right after that though, I started bleeding horribly which continued for 5 days, heavy bleeding with cramps. He drew betas every 48 hours (all of which doubled) and treated me aggressively with progesterone supplements and managed to save my pregnancy. I'm now 18 weeks with a healthy baby. Never once did they give up and tell me to let it go and try again. I am forever grateful to them for helping me to GET pregnant and helping me to STAY pregnant too!!

[Anonymous]

Another successful Shady Grove customer here. About 4 unsuccesful IUI's w/out drugs, then (since I would turn 42) within 3 months, I opted for IVF with drugs. Got pregnant the first time, and delivered DS 3.5 months ago! It's absolutely true that Dr. Widra isn't the guy you could chat up over cocktails, but I chose him and stayed with him because he was very good at what he does. I figured I could get hand-holding somewhere else, and we actually got along very well because I did my homework and always came prepared to get his input and make a decision. What I will add is that not all their nurses are created equal. Mine just wasn't on the ball. Never told me the IUI's would be in Rockville, and because I knew they did blood tests every morning and shipped them out to the lab, I concluded that my "sample" would be shipped in. Later, she set up my IVF regimen, then didn't focus on when I was going to need to start taking the drugs so didn't call the pharmacy I had chosen in a timely way and I had to run to a local place instead. Just make sure you stay on top of them, they are very big, but because they are so big, things sometimes can slip through the cracks. But look at my result, I suspect that at 42, I will be their oldest successful IVF patient in '08!

[Anonymous]

I was 36 when I was referred to Shady Grove in Annapolis. When the first round of Clomid didn't work, the doctors I suggested I go right to IVF because of my age. After lots of shots, they felt that I wasn't producing enough eggs worthy of IVF. Instead they recommended IUI, which was unsuccessful. After that one round, the doctor said that he believed it was nearly impossible for me to conceive a baby using my own eggs because of poor egg quality and advanced maternal age. Six months later, I conceived naturally. Six months after my son was born I got pregnant again naturally, but I miscarried. I got pregnant a month after my miscarriage and I am due in December. I say that last part about the pregnancies only because I believe Shady Grove was too quick to write me off. I didn't present with a history of gynocological (sp?) problems, had "normal" periods, and ovulated regularly. There was no obvious problem why I wasn't getting pregnant. It just seemed easier for them, and better for their stats, to not take the time to invest in time consuming options.

Although I didn't have a positive experience with the Annapolis clinic, I know that every situation is different. I wish you the best of luck with you your decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had Dr. Widra at SGF and will say, although I was initially very put off by his brusque manner, he knew what to do and I got pg on my second IUI with minimal drugs. He can be very short and condescending when you ask any questions, which severely annoyed me. But in the end he was right about my diagnosis and treatment, and I am now 18 weeks pg, and that's what matters to me. Granted, if my treatment hadn't been successful so quickly his attitude would have driven me absolutely crazy, since you get increasingly concerned as IF issues persist.

FWIW, I have the utmost faith in Dr. Widra and have never felt he was condescending or brusque. He's definitely a straight shooter, but very nice and VERY good at what he does. I've gotten pregnant 3 out of 4 cycles with him, although 2 ended in miscarriage, which had nothing to do with IVF or the doctor, and I have one beautiful, healthy 21-month old girl. It's true that you will see several different doctors throughout your cycle and he may or may be the doctor who performs the egg retrieval or transfer -- it all depends on which doctors are on that "duty" on your particular day. In fact, I don't think he ever did any of my retrievals or transfers come to think of it. But what he does do is create your protocol, which is very important. And the question about what makes a good lab refers to the staff that are fertilizing the eggs with the sperm and/or performing ICSI, assisted hatching, thawing frozen embryos, etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been recommended Dr. Widra in SG and Dr. Sacks in Columbia. Any thoughs on any of this two doctors? Many thanks!

While I don't have experience with Dr. Widra at SG, I do have experience with Dr. Cheng, he is an awesome doctor. So compassionate. His nursing staff was the best. One time, I had run out of my medicine and needed to not skip a shot, while I had ordered the medication it had not arrived at my house in time, the nurse took some of the medication from the office and invited me to her home to get the injection there. I couldn't have asked for anything more....I love that place, not just for their staff...but for giving me the best baby ever!

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to add a plug for Dr. Sacks. He is wonderful, and Columbia Fertility is wonderful. At least 5 people I know have been there and every one of them had great success. We also went through a battery of tests and I'm really surprised to hear that they missed something with the patient above. Their reputation is truly stellar and I would never go to anyone else

[Anonymous]

SG push here- Dr Greenhouse is listed as top washingtonian magazine re's for a reason- that's how I decided to go forward- i saw 6 of the top re's in nova- i am so glad i stayed with dr greenhouse since we DID get pregnant after 6 failures..

[Anonymous]

PP- meaning 6 failures at other clinics! GIVF to be specific..

[Anonymous]

OP here. I guess this was the best decision since this morning a got a positive test after just one IUI with injectibles!!!!