Dominion Fertility vs. Shady Grove Fertility

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10/23/2009 16:42

Subject: Dominion Fertility vs. Shady Grove Fertility

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Anonymous

Our experience with Dominion Fertility vs. Shady Grove Fertility

Having tried unsuccessfully for years to get pregnant, my wife and I began researching fertility clinics in the DC area. Our doctor recommended Dominion Fertility (DF). We scheduled a consultation, met with Dr. Gordon and were pleased with our visit. As a result, we decided to pursue treatments at DF. My wife was diagnosed almost immediately with PCOS. Someone as slender as my wife wouldn’t normally fall into the PCOS category, yet Dr. G was adamant about his diagnosis. And thus we began our journey through fertility treatments. As we explored our insurance options we discovered IVF would only be covered at certain clinics, and unfortunately DF was not one of them. Reluctantly, we researched clinics within our insurance network. We found Shady Grove (SG) in Rockville and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Stillman. Our first impression of Dr. S was quite good, given his resume, certifications, awards, etc., and consequently we decided to go with SG. After Dr. S reviewed my wife’s file, he shared with us his strong opinion that in fact my wife did not suffer from PCOS. This was contradictory to the diagnosis offered by Dr. G and quite frankly we were relieved. Dr. S was convincing about the potential success with IVF, but we still felt uneasy and overwhelmed. We had become accustomed to receiving explanations from Dr. G in simple, easy-to-understand terms and now it was all medical jargon, but still we began our first IVF cycle. Suddenly, we felt as though we had been branded with a number and were now part of an enormous cattle call. We were attended to by doctors we had never met and missed the personal attention afforded us at DF but we pushed forward. As the IVF treatment progressed, my wife began showing signs of hyper-stimulation. The doctors reassured us things were fine and to continue the medications. The retrieval date arrived and yet another unknown doctor performed the procedure retrieving 45 eggs from my wife. That’s right, 45 eggs (If you’re familiar with IVF, you know that’s way too many). As a sports fanatic, I thought a high number equated to great success and I wasn’t informed otherwise by the doctors so I was excited. Then I saw my wife in the operating room shaking, feverish, nauseous and bleeding. Something wasn’t right and it just didn’t add up, but again not knowing how these things work I figured this was normal. Everyone in the room appeared to be doing business as usual while my wife was crying and bleeding all over the bed sheets. After an hour recuperating time, I picked up my wife and walked her out of the clinic, hoping that this had all been worth the emotional and physical toll. Due to hyper-stimulation, the cycle was cancelled, meaning we were unable to move forward with a fresh transfer. Only 7 embryos were cryopreserved (not many for retrieving 45 eggs, but not surprising now that we understand how it works). We experienced 2 unsuccessful transfers using all of the cryopreserved embryos. It was disheartening to receive the news that we weren’t pregnant. Nearly a year had passed, and after enduring multiple fertility treatments at SG, without blinking an eye, Dr. S shared with us his medical opinion that my wife did in fact suffer from PCOS. Rage doesn’t begin to describe my feelings of frustration and anger at the lack of consideration and personal attention given to our case by Dr. S and the SG warehouse. But we didn’t truly realize just how poorly our case had been handled until many months later.

After much thought, we figured it wasn’t worth the insurance coverage to have to endure another IVF round with a profit-centered fertility business such as SG. We were seeking a fertility clinic that would provide not only the latest technology and finest medical care, but one that would literally hold our hand throughout the process. To us it was worth it to pay out-of-pocket for a comfortable, intimate setting, receiving personal attention from Dr. G and the nurses of DF. So, we returned to DF for IVF and they have handled us with the utmost respect and care throughout the entire process. This time we were well-informed and aware of each step and how my wife was responding. Finally, the day for the beta HCG (pregnancy) test arrived. Not knowing yet the outcome of the test, my wife thanked Dr. G for all he and his staff had done on our behalf. We were overwhelmed with gratitude since the experience was so different this time around. Dr. G. later recounted that he thought my wife had taken a home pregnancy test prior to that visit because she was so optimistic and thankful. Suffice it to say, the results were positive. We are now pregnant!

If you’re looking for a fertility clinic in the DC area, we highly recommend Dr. Gordon and Dr. DiMattina at Dominion Fertility. You won’t find a more capable and caring group of people!