Dr Wildra

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for some feedback on Dr Wildra. I was about to start IVF at GW and may need to do a last minute switch to SG because of the shared risk program at GW is kinda sketchy (I posted earlier about the non-refundable $4k/round fee at GW in addition to the $20K for shared risk, plus I got the run around today when I called to ask whether I would get my money back if I dropped out of shared risk). I am really upset about switching clinics since I trust my RE and I feel like I know the drill at GW. But at the same time, IVF is stressful enough without feeling like you are getting totally scr*wed financially. So I called SG and got an appt for this week with Dr Wildra. I need an appt soon because I was about to start and if I don't get started this month (with the lupron phase) then I may have to wait a few months due to stuff going on at my job. So if anyone could share their impressions of Dr Wildra, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!!!!

[Anonymous]

I am a patient of Dr. Widra's. If you search the forums you'll see lots of good and bad. I don't find him to be very warm and fuzzy but he (and all of the doctors at SG) seem to be competent and all about the end result - I don't think any of them are real hand holders, they are there to get us pregnant and out the door. I've heard (after I started seeing Dr. Widra) that Dr. Osborne and Dr. Nair, also both in the DC office, are "nicer." But if you're not looking for handholding and want to just get the show on the road, I think he'd be fine.

[Anonymous]

I am currently attempting a third pregnancy under Dr. Widra's care. I have two children, the pregnancies for which were achieved through cycling at SG, with Dr. Widra as my RE. Suffice it to say, I am a big fan of his. Having read the posts here, though, I can see that his style may not meet the non-medical needs of every patient. Some patients, understandable, desire an extremely supportive manner. Indeed, by the time most patients get to the point where they are consulting with an fertility practice, they understandbly needful of some positive reinforcement, if not all out "handholding." My advice would be to meet with him, and to just check it out. He's got a great record, and in the end, that's what it's all about.

Drs. Osborne and Nair can be warmer, I would agree, but not hugely so.

In my experience, it's Dr. Esposito who needs some help with bedside manner. Gheesh!

[Anonymous]

I am a patient of Dr. Widra - while he is fairly matter of fact and not much of a hand-holder, I don't find him to be uncaring. He knows who I am and has called me several times to tell me that he was sorry that a cycle didn't work out. I do not think Dr. Osborne is any nicer, but she does tend to offer up explanations more often, while Dr. Widra tends to say that he's not worried about something and will only explain why if asked.

FWIW, I find that Dr. Nair has much more of the arrogant doctor vibe - while she is friendly when she comes in, she doesn't seem to like being asked questions or imparting information to a patient.

[Anonymous]

I am a huge fan of Dr. Widra as well. He is a highly skilled clinician but also reassuring and positive. I didn't want someone to hold my hand, just get me pregnant. I agree on the last comment regarding Dr. Nair, arrogant and not nearly as experienced (when I asked her during one cycle regarding follicle count, she said it was "good for my age." I could have slapped her).

[Anonymous]

I just want to add that It seems people are saying you have to trade one for the other i.e. knowledgable or hand holding. I think there are some doctors that deliver both. There is nothng wron gwith wanting some hand holding as well as a doctor who delivers results. For example, I have Dr. greenhouse. I believe he does hand hold but also has EXTREME knowledge. WHy settle for one or the other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a patient of Dr. Widra - while he is fairly matter of fact and not much of a hand-holder, I don't find him to be uncaring. He knows who I am and has called me several times to tell me that he was sorry that a cycle didn't work out. I do not think Dr. Osborne is any nicer, but she does tend to offer up explanations more often, while Dr. Widra tends to say that he's not worried about something and will only explain why if asked.

FWIW, I find that Dr. Nair has much more of the arrogant doctor vibe - while she is friendly when she comes in, she doesn't seem to like being asked questions or imparting information to a patient.

I saw Dr. Nair and felt it was a real "wham-bam-thank you ma'am" experience. I was not at all pleased.

[Anonymous]

21:56 posting again. 09:36, I think that you hit it the nail on the head. Dr. W can be fairly matter of fact, but he is not uncaring.

Also agree with what's written about Dr. Nair. My word -- she actually said that a follicle count was "good for your age." That's right up there with Dr. Esposito, who -- at my transfer -- said that one of my blastocysts "died" and that of the remainder, one was 85 percent alive, 15 percent "dead." Come on, now! There's got to be a gentler way to describe that. I get it, but in the transfer setting, that's not what a girl wants to hear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a huge fan of Dr. Widra as well. He is a highly skilled clinician but also reassuring and positive. I didn't want someone to hold my hand, just get me pregnant. I agree on the last comment regarding Dr. Nair, arrogant and not nearly as experienced (when I asked her during one cycle regarding follicle count, she said it was "good for my age." I could have slapped her).

What's wrong with this?

[Anonymous]

Everything is wrong with it. All she should have said (as Dr. Widra consistently said), was the count looks good and you are doing well. No need to bring in age in what was really a very condescending tone.

[Anonymous]

I'll just add to what PP said. Any patient that is older and is seeing an RE is going to know that her age will be some factor in her treatment, and likely has been counseled before starting treating as to how here age will effect her ability to conceive. So there is no need for anyone to continue to mention it.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the feedback on Dr Wildra. We just met with him and really liked him. I think we are going to switch even though it's kinda crazy to switch so late in the game. If we switch, I start BCPs tomorrow!