New in town; 42 and trying again

[Anonymous]

I'm 42 and had an IVF baby at 38, out on the West Coast. I loved my doctor and clinic but, of course, they're not an option for me now. I had an excellent response to stimulation then, but at this age it may be different. I need an ob/gyn and a fertility specialist, and a good lab is paramount. I tried the search function to check out what women here have to say about Shady Grove, but the search function kind of sucks. So, ladies, do you recommend SG? I live in Silver Spring, very close in, and I'm open to anything in MoCo or DC. And as I said, I need a garden-variety OB practice too. And success stories from women my age Any and all recommendations would be terrific. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I think you will get a variety of opinions here. I am with Columbia Fertility Associates, Dr. Rifka. I have done all the testing with them and I am now doing injectables with timed intercourse. (I'm 40) I've been very happy with the practice and the attentiveness. You will find complaints here too. They have 3 offices in Bethesda, DC and Arlington. I think it is a smaller practice than Shady Grove. I also know lots of people who have gone to Shady Grove and been happy there. Shady Grove has more offices and is a bigger practice. I think that the consensus is that you will get a more individualized approach at CFA. I don't know for sure, so someone else feel free to chime in.

I use Dr. Melody Abraham at Reiter, Hill and Johnson downtown. They also have a Chevy Chase office and a Falls Church office. It is a big practice, so you might feel like a number. On the plus side, I was pregnant and was having issues and was always able to get in with someone. We had to terminate that pregnancy for an unrelated reason and they were absolutely wonderful with the whole thing. I've had some insurance issues related to the termination and again, my doctor has been nothing but supportive and helpful.

[Anonymous]

I think Shady Grove is the best. Since you are near their Rockville Office, I highly recommend Dr. Levy. He was not my RE (I live in VA), but I've seen him a few times for various procedures and found him very kind and reassuring.

[Anonymous]

I love Shady Grove and firmly believe their lab is the best in the area. Have you checked out the CDC's website where the clinics are required to report their success rates? I found it very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love Shady Grove and firmly believe their lab is the best in the area. Have you checked out the CDC's website where the clinics are required to report their success rates? I found it very helpful.

OP here. Thanks; yes, I'm looking at the stats now. I'm worried that I will need donor eggs; does SG do that as well? I thought this was hard the first time around, but at 42 it feels . . . well, harder. And I admit it: I'm suffering separation anxiety because I was attached to my doctor and clinic. Magical thinking, I know, but they gave me my first child and I have faith that they could do it again. I may be crazy, trying this again at my age. So thank you and please keep the suggestions coming.

[Anonymous]

OP again. God, the stats aren't hopeful for women my age, are they?

[Anonymous]

Shady Grove definitely does donor eggs! They now have a new shared donor program to help reduce your cost, if that becomes an issue. Of course, you can do a traditional donor egg cycle, if that is your preference.

(I just realized I sound like I work for them, I don't, I am just a big fan. After years of trying, they finally were the ones to get me pregnant.)

Here is a direct link to their Rockville office:
http://www.shadygrovefertility.com/officelocation/rockville

[Anonymous]

Thanks, 15:47. Did you get pregnant with a donor egg? Guess that's a question for a separate thread. . . .

[Anonymous]

No, I got pregnant through traditional IVF. I just read everything in their office and on the website while going through the process. I handle my nervous energy by over-researching things.

I had several people that told me "don't give up hope, if you do it won't work." That just made me feel like the only reason I wasn't pregnant was because I didn't want it badly enough. Finally, I just started asking them to hope for me. It really hoped knowing that there were people out there hoping/praying/wanting the very best for us throughout this journey.

I wish you all the best.

[Anonymous]

there's lots of fodder on this board about Shady Grove (many claim it feels like a factory and doesn't take unlikely candidates; also veers towards 5 day transfers) versus CFA (much more individualized attention prefers 3 day transfers and willing to take on older women versus Dominion (smaller than SG does almost only 3 day transfers). i think if you just go back a few pages you'll see the relevant posts because i agree, the archives have always proved fruitless for me, too. i also know they'll tellyou you have a much better chance having had a child before as opposed to a 42 year old who has never been pregnant so keep that positive thought in mind too -- good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm 42 and now pg with my second. Had my first through IVF at 37. So I'm in a similar situation to you. I totally understand your fears.

I went to SG (Dr. Chang). My third attempt at IVF resulted in this pregnancy.

As far as recommendations go, I hear the very best fertility clinic in the country with the best stats for older women is Colordo Center for Reproductive Medicine. Google 'CCRM' and check out their statistics. They are very good. SG does not break down statistics after the age of 40 but CCRM does. This allows you to evaluate their pregnancy and live birth rates for 41-42 year olds. It's fairly impressive. They also do extensive testing that I understand SG may not do such as PGD, screening out embies that might have chromo abnormalities.

I didn't know about CCRM before so I went to SG. I found out about them after my second failed IVF. I was already inthe middle of my third IVF at SG. IF it had failed, I was going to CCRM.

If you can not go to CCRM, then I'd go wtih SG. They're fairly competent. Dr. Chang was very professional and competent and polite...but don't look to him for warmth and hand holding.

Good luck. I know how we 42 yo's feel - anxious and nervous. I did alot of acupuncture two times per week three months prior to the successful IVF. It was very relaxing for me. I also met with a fertility nutritionist, Shelly Mudd in Rockville, who put me on a strict diet plan a few months prior also. Acu and nutrition doesn't work for everybody but it works for some. At our age I think it's best to just try everything. Pray alot too!

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant with twins at SG at age 41. We did IVF with PGD. We are very happy with our brood.