Shady Grove - what were they thinking

[Anonymous]

I received that Happy Mothers Day email and immediately replied to SG by email saying I couldn't believe they had sent such a thing. I've been with them since 2012 with unexplained and have just come off a chemical pregnancy from my 2nd FET. Mothers day was brutal this year as it was, and this email was unbelievable. When I opened it I half expected a note of encouragement or praise for my bravery in the journey to motherhood. NOT the stupid a Happy Mothers Day graphic with the tiny fine print at the bottom saying sorry if you've just experienced a loss.

This morning I got a personal call from SG apologizing profusely. This was followed with an apologetic email. I guess it's damage control now.

[Anonymous]

Unbelievable. I cycled once with SG and hightailed it to CCRM after realizing that, while my SG doctor was good, the rest of the operation was disorganized and amateurish.

Is Cleveland the financial guy? I don't recall names, but I do remember thinking he was an idiot.

[Anonymous]

I am having a nightmare sorting out the final bill with SG. And yet they were able to find an email address of mine I never use. Wow! Great way to spend money marketing vs. financial management.

I also question their numbers - they were more than happy to take my money and run tests but then said I couldn't get preggo. Funny Dominion felt differently and I'm 4 months.

word to those trying - avoid companies that heavily market. obvious they are covering up for something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. I cycled once with SG and hightailed it to CCRM after realizing that, while my SG doctor was good, the rest of the operation was disorganized and amateurish.

Is Cleveland the financial guy? I don't recall names, but I do remember thinking he was an idiot.

Yes, the financial guy in the DC office. He was a mess, as in completely incompetent, even back when I cycled there in 2008-2009 (before I wised up and left for an out-of-state clinic).

[Anonymous]

They should give every current patient who received that e-mail one free cycle. It's a ridiculous mistake. Calling and apologizing doesn't cut it Shady Grove.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the email address of the ED at SG

[e-mail]

And the new VP of Development
[e-mail]

They both told me they read these boards but because they are no unique identifiers, so it allows them to believe its the same person constantly posting bad things. Yeah!

This is the team thought that email was a good idea; hasn't fired Cleveland and will constantly say the staff really do care and it's just random if staff act like assholes.

Yes, this is their line. All patronizing: "she really is a great nurse". So between the lines, it must just be you. I had a HORRIBLE bitch of a nurse there and I just pray for others' sake that she was fired.

[Anonymous]

The marketing machine there IS something--I HATE having to hear their radio ads when I'm driving--seriously, how many people choose their fertility clinic through advertising?

Shady Grove's advertisement is its sheer size. I can't tell you how many people have told me "You have to go to my friend's clinic, it worked for her"--and it will be Shady Grove. With their volume, of course they have successes, and everyone (including me) seems to know someone, but they've made costly mistakes with me, and with friends. Before I knew better, they went forward with a costly IUI while I had a lead follicle at baseline. I have heard of horror stories with FET--one woman caught that they were about to transfer the wrong embryo--no apology while she was understandably crying in shock while they thawed the one that was supposed to be tranferred. Another had frozen eggs there, scheduled an FET, took the meds, AFTER she had started the progesterone, the lab called her and told her they "made a mistake" and didn't thaw her eggs--the whole cycle had to be cancelled because she was now out of sync with any embryos created. Both cases the doctor didn't transfer instructions to the lab--I REALLY think the doctors need to be on these meds and then see what we go through when cycles are cancelled. A friend got no eggs one retrieval because the doctor was too late. She couldn't leave because it was too late to qualify for shared risk anywhere else.

I would no longer even recommend SG is if your case is straightforward.

It is sad that in the Washington DC area, given the demand, there are not better fertility clinics.

[Anonymous]

"Yes, this is their line. All patronizing: "she really is a great nurse". "

I got this when my nurse screwed up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The marketing machine there IS something--I HATE having to hear their radio ads when I'm driving--seriously, how many people choose their fertility clinic through advertising?

Shady Grove's advertisement is its sheer size. I can't tell you how many people have told me "You have to go to my friend's clinic, it worked for her"--and it will be Shady Grove. With their volume, of course they have successes, and everyone (including me) seems to know someone, but they've made costly mistakes with me, and with friends. Before I knew better, they went forward with a costly IUI while I had a lead follicle at baseline. I have heard of horror stories with FET--one woman caught that they were about to transfer the wrong embryo--no apology while she was understandably crying in shock while they thawed the one that was supposed to be tranferred. Another had frozen eggs there, scheduled an FET, took the meds, AFTER she had started the progesterone, the lab called her and told her they "made a mistake" and didn't thaw her eggs--the whole cycle had to be cancelled because she was now out of sync with any embryos created. Both cases the doctor didn't transfer instructions to the lab--I REALLY think the doctors need to be on these meds and then see what we go through when cycles are cancelled. A friend got no eggs one retrieval because the doctor was too late. She couldn't leave because it was too late to qualify for shared risk anywhere else.

I would no longer even recommend SG is if your case is straightforward.

It is sad that in the Washington DC area, given the demand, there are not better fertility clinics.

Wait, they almost transferred the wrong embryo??? WTF. Did they almost transfer someone else's embryo or one of hers that was the wrong one? How did your friend know? Did they just say oh, wait, we thawed the wrong one? This is insanely disturbing to me as I'm about to start doing FETs. This administrative mistake does make you wonder.

[Anonymous]

Ridiculous. Makes me question their judgment and the shallowness of their understanding of what their patients go through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous. Makes me question their judgment and the shallowness of their understanding of what their patients go through.

A man with no clue probably came up with the ridiculous e-mail.

[Anonymous]

Nope - the ridiculous email came from the team of women who went to a for profit, on line university to get an MBA.

The head of their office was the former office manager. Seriously - they didn't think to hire an MPH.

I'm surprised they aren't more diligent - this is DC - turn your head and you will see an attorney.

If anyone is up for a class-action - I bet we will get hundreds (if not thousands) of women.

[Anonymous]

And so many women feel grateful after years of trying they don't want to "jinx" it and complain. They have no idea that bedside manner doesn't need to be rude, confused or just plain bad.

I got pregnant with one cycle - badda bing badda boom - I knew I would (sperm donor; no medical problems, young age, etc). But SG acted like they committed a miracle. I refuse to thank them. My son is perfect - but that was because of me and an anonymous donor and good insurance. They were just the car mechanic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should give every current patient who received that e-mail one free cycle. It's a ridiculous mistake. Calling and apologizing doesn't cut it Shady Grove.

That is exactly what I said to my friend who received an email! One free cycle for anyone who received the email and has not yet conceived.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope - the ridiculous email came from the team of women who went to a for profit, on line university to get an MBA.

The head of their office was the former office manager. Seriously - they didn't think to hire an MPH.

I'm surprised they aren't more diligent - this is DC - turn your head and you will see an attorney.

If anyone is up for a class-action - I bet we will get hundreds (if not thousands) of women.

A lawyer would take the case in an instant. I'm not sure what the basis of the claim would be - maybe infliction of emotional distress of some sort - but it really doesn't matter because SG is so scared of negative publicity and has so much money they would pay for it to disappear.