Recommendation for doc to perform CVS

[Anonymous]

If you have any recommendations, please let me know. My doctor has recommended Dr. Harvey Stern at GIVF in Fairfax. I am also willing to travel if there are better doctors around. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I had my CVS with Dr. Stern about a month ago and really, really liked him. He is supposedly one of the very best in the field and I felt 100% confident in his ability. He has a funny bedside manner, too, which helped because I admit I was rather nervous (not a big fan of needles)! I also liked our genetic counselor a lot (you meet with her before the procedure). The whole experience we had with GIVF was excellent. I can't recommend them enough.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP - same experience here. OP, if you search the threads, you will find several since July of this year recommending various doctors based on location. If you live anywhere close to VA, then follow the PP's advice.

[Anonymous]

We used Dr. Stern for our first child and I would go to him again (and the IVF Institute) if we have a second. He was kind, fast, honest, and obviously very skilled at having done the procedure so often.

[Anonymous]

I used Dr Larsen at GW and loved him. He told me he has never had a patient have a miscarriage.

[Anonymous]

I saw Dr. Stern a few weeks ago and agree 100% with the PP -- he was really awesome and kept me as relaxed as he could during the procedure. Will say it was a bit more painful than I thought but I had absolutely no side-effects at all which was a huge relief. I would definitely go see him again if I needed to.

[Anonymous]

I just had a CVS with Dr. Stern and he was nice. The genetic counselor I saw there, Emilie, was really terrific, too.

Just FYI, would echo what PP said--it hurt more than I expected. I think every time is different--I had two needles because i am expecting twins. The first needle didn't hurt too much, it was just pressure and this weird pumping twisting action that the doctor made while getting the sample, which surprised me. Second time hurt quite a bit more but he told me it would be over in 10 seconds, so I just breathed and counted slowly to 10 and it was over. Wasn't a leap-out-of-the-chair pain, but I did say "ow" out loud...a few times...but as soon as it was over the discomfort was totally gone, no pain afterwards.

Don't mean to scare you, I just find it's helpful sometimes to know how it could go so one can be prepared.

[Anonymous]

I went to Dr. Stern, also, and loved him!

I wouldn't say mine hurt but it was briefly uncomfortable. The pumping back and forth (to "catch" the villi--or whatever they are called!--) is odd. For me, it was over in less than 10 seconds, though. And like PP said, no pain at all afterwards.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks everyone for your responses. I think I will go to Dr. Stern knowing that no one has had a bad experience with him.

[Anonymous]

I went to Dr. Stern too and really liked him, the genetic counselor, the staff, and the facilities. I had more pain with the procedure than I thought I would but it was very brief.

[Anonymous]

Another Dr. Stern! This was 6 years ago. Picked him although we live noooowhere near there because he has so much experience (which factors heavily into the miscarriage rate).

No pain, no cramping, drove myself home and went to work. GL