First failed IVF with Shady Grove

[Anonymous]

I did my first IVF cycle at SG with Dr. Khan. I had a poor response to the stims, which is odd, and only had 6 retrieved with 1 PGS normal embie. It was AA quality, but I miscarried on Tuesday at 6 weeks. So much for the 10% MC rate with PGS embies. I had my first US on Monday...everything looked great and my blood work was fine. The next day, I started bleeding and cramping at work and knew it was over.

I have a consult with Dr. Khan, who I like very much, next month to discuss my next IVF cycle. However, the clinic seems very stubborn and set in their ways at trying new things.

I feel the birth control may have oversupressed me prior to the stims cycle . I did IUIs with another clinic in NY (we recently moved down to VA) and always had a good response to stims. I also don't like how the clinic is so against giving patients steroids or antibiotics before the FET. If anything, I would like to change it up next time for peace of mind.

Any SG patients out there think the doc will change up my protocol or are they too damn stubborn? I would really at least like to try a cycle without using BC, but I have a feeling that's not an option. Thank goodness I did shared risk.

[Anonymous]

What's your diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

Shady Grove IS very stubborn about changing protocol. I'm sure their argument is that you produced a normal embryo and it was just bad luck. However, if you responded poorly to stims, you should advocate for a change. I'm so sorry for your loss, OP.

[Anonymous]

I'm unexplained. My husband and I are fine on paper. I know they are stubborn. At my first consult I asked for additional tests to be done before my FET and Dr. Khan said they've been doing this for 25 years and they know best blah blah...i don't additional tests at this point.

I'm not ready to go to another clinic at this point. I had a good experience with the staff...just sucked that this happened. Glad it happened sooner than later, though.

[Anonymous]

Give it a chance and see what they say... come with questions, like your preference to skip BCPs. I'd guess that they actually will alter the protocol somewhat based on your low response.

In regards to the miscarriage... have you ever had a loss before? Are you on baby aspirin or anything like that? I'd do some research about steps you can take and come prepared to ask about those as well.

[Anonymous]

SO weird... I'm with Dr. Mottla at SGFC in Annapolis and he is constantly changing my protocol... put me on CoQq10 (said cant hurt, may help), told me he would put me on steroids and baby aspirin before FET.. I'm banking embryos, so not sure how it will all turn out. But anyway, I highly recommend Mottla.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I already have a million questions written down so I'm ready. I've been on Q10 for years for migraines already and they recommend it anyway. They only put me on PIO and estrogen for the FET. I asked the nurse about other meds and baby aspirin prior to the FET and she said Dr. Khan doesn't recommend anything else bc studies haven't shown that these things work blah blah.

I don't want to change doctor either at this point and I am not in the mood to hear negative things about SG. I was a nervous, anxious disaster during the whole IVF process. I'm trying to be more postive and calm down during my next cycle. My anxiety was just so bad and I'm sure it didn't help anything!

I'm just hoping the doctor listens to me and will change things up. He obviously will change my stim dosage - I'm not worried about that. I just want something changed during my next FET.

[Anonymous]

I went through 2 years of treatment with SG, specifically with Dr Khan. He did tweak several protocols (IUI and FET) based on my wishes. I think it would be worth talking to him about it in your follow-up appointment. My requested changes were pretty straightforward, though.

I'm so sorry for your loss, OP.

[Anonymous]

Oh, I'm SO happy to hear you say that about Dr. Khan. Thank you. That makes me happy. I like him very much. He's very honest, blunt, and doesn't sugarcoat things, which I really like.

SG has been really great. I never just felt like a #, everyone knew my name. My first clinic in NY was HELL. I couldn't wait to get out of there and try a new clinic. The doctor was horrible. My second clinic in NY was much better, but I never saw the doc. I met with him at my consult and that was it. He was always available by phone but I saw him few times and he had no idea who the hell I was. The nurses were nice but they were always in such a hurry to move on to the next patient...it never felt personal.

[Anonymous]

I always liked SG too, despite the amount of hate it gets on here. I think you have a good plan for next steps - and just press further re: the baby aspirin etc and say even if it doesn't help, it can't hurt right?

[Anonymous]

When I first started researching clinic, this page gave it so much hate, so I was nervous. I loved the clinic instantly. They were SO on top of every little detail and I NEVER felt like I was a bother to anyone, unlike in NY.

I have a feeling the doc will listen to me. They don't want to lose a patient. Plus, if adding some baby asprin or antibiotics doesn't hurt, what's the harm? Adding something extra will put me at ease. I don't think he's going to budge on the BC pills though

[Anonymous]

What is the benefit of antibiotics for an FET?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I'm SO happy to hear you say that about Dr. Khan. Thank you. That makes me happy. I like him very much. He's very honest, blunt, and doesn't sugarcoat things, which I really like.

SG has been really great. I never just felt like a #, everyone knew my name. My first clinic in NY was HELL. I couldn't wait to get out of there and try a new clinic. The doctor was horrible. My second clinic in NY was much better, but I never saw the doc. I met with him at my consult and that was it. He was always available by phone but I saw him few times and he had no idea who the hell I was. The nurses were nice but they were always in such a hurry to move on to the next patient...it never felt personal.

I'm the PP at 12:35. I loved the Leesburg office for this reason. I had some tough days in there, and the staff of that office (and Dr. Khan) were just as supportive as I could have hoped for. I felt like they truly cared about me, and I can't say that about other locations.

[Anonymous]

12:35 - I'm at the Leesburg office and could not agree any more. I love all of the staff. When I went in for my scan on Tuesday when I had the MC everyone was truly concerned. The nurse called me that afternoon and talked to me forever. They are wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Response to 13:40 - some clinic give antibiotics so your body doesn't reject the egg. The steroids are supposed to do The same thing. They reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system so your body doesn't try to attack the egg. Even if it doesn't work, either med would give me peace of mind.