LGBT Physicians, Obgyns and Reproductive Endocrinologists

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

I just moved here from FL and I'm looking for LGBT friendly doctors from physicians, Obgyns to Reproductive Endocrinologists. I saw Dr. Emily Gottlieb in Rockville, and while she was very nice and prompt with her care, I found myself a little aggravated having to remind her more than once that I was gay when answering her questions. I got the impression I might have been her first ever LGBT patient, and while this isn't an unusual occurence as a gay person, I would like someone who will be a little more sensitive and familiar with LGBT couples.

My wife and I are also considering doing reciprocal IVF would appreciate a reccomendation for a doctor that has either done it before or is at least familiar enough with it to try and steer us away from it. I'm coming from a place where there is little understanding of the dynamics of LGBT couples (especially in the reproductive and parenting aspect) and I'm looking for doctors that will make us both feel just like anyone else wanting to have a baby.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

to not try and steer us away*

[Anonymous]

I find it rude to call out this doctor and name her on DCUM because you didn’t feel she was LGBT friendly enough. If she had made a statement against it - ok - but you admit she’s friendly and responsive. You certainly could have asked the question just as clearly without naming her personally. You sound very high maintenance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi there,

I just moved here from FL and I'm looking for LGBT friendly doctors from physicians, Obgyns to Reproductive Endocrinologists. I saw Dr. Emily Gottlieb in Rockville, and while she was very nice and prompt with her care, I found myself a little aggravated having to remind her more than once that I was gay when answering her questions. I got the impression I might have been her first ever LGBT patient, and while this isn't an unusual occurrence as a gay person, I would like someone who will be a little more sensitive and familiar with LGBT couples.

My wife and I are also considering doing reciprocal IVF would appreciate a recommendation for a doctor that has either done it before or is at least familiar enough with it to try and steer us away from it. I'm coming from a place where there is little understanding of the dynamics of LGBT couples (especially in the reproductive and parenting aspect) and I'm looking for doctors that will make us both feel just like anyone else wanting to have a baby.

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to D.C.! Try One Medical. Best of luck to you guys

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it rude to call out this doctor and name her on DCUM because you didn’t feel she was LGBT friendly enough. If she had made a statement against it - ok - but you admit she’s friendly and responsive. You certainly could have asked the question just as clearly without naming her personally. You sound very high maintenance.

Said like someone who doesn’t have to deal with this issue.

I’ve had some medical issues and a pregnancy. Saw numerous doctors at Reiter, Johnson , and Hill with no issues. For basic stuff Radecki is wonderful, so is Nevin who also delivers babies. I went to GW for my pregnancy and saw a lot of doctors and there were no weird or redundant questions save for a post partum follow up with a doctor who I’d never seen before who asked about birth control very early in visit then was super apologetic when I told her I was married to a woman. Dr Nelson was my favorite there. Lesbian friends also go to GW and have had no issues.

Welcome to the area and good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it rude to call out this doctor and name her on DCUM because you didn’t feel she was LGBT friendly enough. If she had made a statement against it - ok - but you admit she’s friendly and responsive. You certainly could have asked the question just as clearly without naming her personally. You sound very high maintenance.

Said like someone who doesn’t have to deal with this issue.

I’ve had some medical issues and a pregnancy. Saw numerous doctors at Reiter, Johnson , and Hill with no issues. For basic stuff Radecki is wonderful, so is Nevin who also delivers babies. I went to GW for my pregnancy and saw a lot of doctors and there were no weird or redundant questions save for a post partum follow up with a doctor who I’d never seen before who asked about birth control very early in visit then was super apologetic when I told her I was married to a woman. Dr Nelson was my favorite there. Lesbian friends also go to GW and have had no issues.

Welcome to the area and good luck!

pp here - forgot to add that we did reciprocal IVF at Columbia Fertility Associates with Dr. Abbasi. She is a straight shooter but very thoughtful and creative. I’m convinced that we wouldn’t have a kid without her. Friends did both IUI and reciprocal IVF with Dr. Sacks and he’s super nice. Not sure about other doctor lbs there though I’d avoid Butler - that may be a personality thing though. I just didn’t like his vibe, he wasn’t compassionate and was really short and I was only seeing him briefly for a procedure because Abbasi was on vacation.

We also tried Shady Grove but they tried to talk us out of reciprocal IVF and would not treat us like a couple if we went that route and said that they would only bill insurance for one of us. Also the “egg” part of our couple would have to literally go through the egg donor program. Seemed both a little offensive and stupid to us and I wasn’t going to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to be treated questionably — the process is rough enough without that.

[Anonymous]

Not sure where you’re located, but if you find yourself needing a pediatrician, I highly recommend Silver Spring Pediatrics—specifically Dr. Sarah Schooler (though they’re all great).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it rude to call out this doctor and name her on DCUM because you didn’t feel she was LGBT friendly enough. If she had made a statement against it - ok - but you admit she’s friendly and responsive. You certainly could have asked the question just as clearly without naming her personally. You sound very high maintenance.

Said like someone who doesn’t have to deal with this issue.

I’ve had some medical issues and a pregnancy. Saw numerous doctors at Reiter, Johnson , and Hill with no issues. For basic stuff Radecki is wonderful, so is Nevin who also delivers babies. I went to GW for my pregnancy and saw a lot of doctors and there were no weird or redundant questions save for a post partum follow up with a doctor who I’d never seen before who asked about birth control very early in visit then was super apologetic when I told her I was married to a woman. Dr Nelson was my favorite there. Lesbian friends also go to GW and have had no issues.

Welcome to the area and good luck!

pp here - forgot to add that we did reciprocal IVF at Columbia Fertility Associates with Dr. Abbasi. She is a straight shooter but very thoughtful and creative. I’m convinced that we wouldn’t have a kid without her. Friends did both IUI and reciprocal IVF with Dr. Sacks and he’s super nice. Not sure about other doctor lbs there though I’d avoid Butler - that may be a personality thing though. I just didn’t like his vibe, he wasn’t compassionate and was really short and I was only seeing him briefly for a procedure because Abbasi was on vacation.

We also tried Shady Grove but they tried to talk us out of reciprocal IVF and would not treat us like a couple if we went that route and said that they would only bill insurance for one of us. Also the “egg” part of our couple would have to literally go through the egg donor program. Seemed both a little offensive and stupid to us and I wasn’t going to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to be treated questionably — the process is rough enough without that.

What is reciprocal IVF?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it rude to call out this doctor and name her on DCUM because you didn’t feel she was LGBT friendly enough. If she had made a statement against it - ok - but you admit she’s friendly and responsive. You certainly could have asked the question just as clearly without naming her personally. You sound very high maintenance.

And you sound like a typical bigoted asshole. Grow up and get off your priveleged high horse and be THANKFUL you don’t have to deal with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it rude to call out this doctor and name her on DCUM because you didn’t feel she was LGBT friendly enough. If she had made a statement against it - ok - but you admit she’s friendly and responsive. You certainly could have asked the question just as clearly without naming her personally. You sound very high maintenance.

And you sound like a typical bigoted asshole. Grow up and get off your priveleged high horse and be THANKFUL you don’t have to deal with this.

NP +1

--

OP, don't forget an LGBT friendly midwife and/or doula. They can be super helpful, especially in the hospital and in the postpartum period, because their main job is to advocate for you in the hospital, and to make you feel like you have an extra aunt once at home. Unfortunately, I don't have any local recommendations, but the GWU midwifery program has a great reputation. I used a Momease doula, but we're not a LGBT couple so I can't speak to that part directly; you could try emailing them and see if they can recommend someone: https://momease.com/labor-doula-services/

On a quick search, I found this link, which seems promising:
http://www.rainbowfamilies.org/

I also came across a few random names that might be helpful:

This person:
https://lgbt.columbian.gwu.edu/kaity-mol%C3%A9

Plus, presenters in this 2016 seminar held in DC, and entitled "Bending the Arc Toward Justice: From Health Disparities to Health Equity," the description of which mentions support to LGBT people. They are probably not based in DC but may know someone:

http://www.midwife.org/acnm/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000005448/AM2015-FP-FullVersion-FINAL-061115.pdf

[Anonymous]

GW MFA overall is very LGBT-friendly. I and many lesbian friends have gone to their Fertility and IVF clinic (Dr. Humm is our fave!) for IUI and IVF. They're respectful, and I never had to remind them that I was married to a woman. And, in terms of reciprocal IVF, they're certainly open to all options as long as they're safe and viable (I also had friends considering this). They're straightforward and will provide you with realistic expectations given your personal medical circumstances.
I also second Dr. Nelson at GW - super friendly, knowledgeable, and LGBT-friendly! She's currently our OB!

[Anonymous]

Capital Women’s Care.

[Anonymous]

Thank you to those who responded...this is really helpful. I wish there was some kind of centralized index for lgbt couples in this area to research. Someday soon I'm sure. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it rude to call out this doctor and name her on DCUM because you didn’t feel she was LGBT friendly enough. If she had made a statement against it - ok - but you admit she’s friendly and responsive. You certainly could have asked the question just as clearly without naming her personally. You sound very high maintenance.

And you sound like a typical bigoted asshole. Grow up and get off your priveleged high horse and be THANKFUL you don’t have to deal with this.

NP +1

--

OP, don't forget an LGBT friendly midwife and/or doula. They can be super helpful, especially in the hospital and in the postpartum period, because their main job is to advocate for you in the hospital, and to make you feel like you have an extra aunt once at home. Unfortunately, I don't have any local recommendations, but the GWU midwifery program has a great reputation. I used a Momease doula, but we're not a LGBT couple so I can't speak to that part directly; you could try emailing them and see if they can recommend someone: https://momease.com/labor-doula-services/

On a quick search, I found this link, which seems promising:
http://www.rainbowfamilies.org/

I also came across a few random names that might be helpful:

This person:
https://lgbt.columbian.gwu.edu/kaity-mol%C3%A9

Plus, presenters in this 2016 seminar held in DC, and entitled "Bending the Arc Toward Justice: From Health Disparities to Health Equity," the description of which mentions support to LGBT people. They are probably not based in DC but may know someone:

http://www.midwife.org/acnm/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000005448/AM2015-FP-FullVersion-FINAL-061115.pdf

Great ideas...I completely forgot about the midwife. Thank you for all the references!!

[Anonymous]

Just to give you another perspective, I am a woman married to a man, but I have no ovaries and used donor eggs for all my pregnancies. I routinely need to remind OBs and other doctors that I can’t randomly get pregnant, don’t need birth control, have children who don’t share my genes, and clarify a myriad of other questions that don’t apply to me. I even have to remind my regular OB of this and I’ve had three children with her. What you are experiencing might have nothing to do with being LGBT and more to do with the fact that doctors have a series of standard questions they ask. I just clarify or ignore the ones that don’t apply to me.