I feel totally anonymous at SG

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure I'm having such a good experience at SG.

I've had one treatment cycle (currently in the 2ww) and one cancelled cycle. I have seen "my" doctor only for the initial consult in July and for one other consult to review our test results. I feel like I see a different Dr. every time I go. In principle this is ok with me, and I knew it was a big practice and that's how they work, but I find myself wondering if my doctor is even following me at all.

One doctor cancelled my cycle (and then my dr. called me later in the day; the only time we have ever spoken by phone). The next cycle, a different doctor reviewed my u/s and told me to trigger and a different one did the IUI. Again, I know they are all qualified and this is how the practice works, but I didn't realize I would feel like I really don't have a particular doctor since it doesn't seem like "my" doctor is even making the decisions about my care, and we never see each other so we aren't developing any kind of rapport.

Does anyone else feel like they have more of a relationship with their doctor at SG? I don't need a lot of hand-holding, I just want to feel like one person is thoughtfully looking at my file and making considered recommendations, and I'm not getting that feeling.

[Anonymous]

I felt the exact same way at SG probably because we were doing "low tech" treatment which doesn't affect their stats and they don't make as much money on it. I did 3 failed cycles then moved on to another practice and got pregnant the first try. There are better options than SG so if it doesn't feel right, look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

I felt this way even though I had alot of communication with my doctor over the course of 3 IUIs i did w/SG . Whenever I would see another MD there (like for an u/s during the stimming period) they would never make a decision but say that my primary MD would be contacting me. Even with this communication, I never felt like she was on top of things, and she made 2 pretty big mistakes that were caught by me. After going for a 2nd and 3rd opinion elsewhere, both new MDs told me that they thought 2 of the 3 IUIs shouldn't have really "counted" because they didnt seem to be done under the best circumstances (probably should have cancelled them instead of going forward). I would seek a 2nd opinion if you don't like how you have been treated.

[Anonymous]

I went to SG and felt like my doctor (Widra) was 100% on top of my case and I was in regular communication with him. But I was doing IVF, I think that in generaly clinics seem to pay less attention to patients doing IUIs. I did 3 IUIs at GW and they wouldn't even do weekend monitoring for IUI/Clomid patients (on a Friday they just guestimated that I should trigger on Sunday).

[Anonymous]

Even with this communication, I never felt like she was on top of things, and she made 2 pretty big mistakes that were caught by me.

Do you mind revealing which dr, or which office? It's ok if you don't, but my dr. is female also, and now I'm curious if we have the same dr. I don't think we've had any major mistakes, but it hasn't been smooth sailing either.

[Anonymous]

I felt like this, too, at least for the IUIs. By the time I got to IVF, I did feel like my doc was more involved and that he knew me. I'm not sure whether it was because I switched to IVF or whether I'd been around long enough that he finally remembered who I was! I was the one in the waiting area in Rockville on the weekends with the surly look on my face, but, as the pp said, at least they have weekend hours.

[Anonymous]

As soon as I decided to do IVF it was a different story! Esp. if I did the shared risk program and wrote a check for a HUGE amount! I found that quite upsetting. SG is all about IVF and their outstanding lab. I tell you, IVF is where tha $ is at!!!

[Anonymous]

13:25 -my MD was in the DC office.

[Anonymous]

I am going to guess Dr. Nair--she makes many mistakes. I had a terrible experience with her.

[Anonymous]

My experience was the same. Meet with my DR at the initial consultation and then only saw her if she was doing monitoring on a day I was in and spoke to her on the phone to make the decision about how many embryos to transfer. It may not be the ideal dr-patient relationship but I went with SG because they have the best lab (results) in the area and I now how a 2 month old so I feel it was the right decision for me. I spoke and emailed with my nurse all the time and she was very responsive so I never felt as if I needed more attention from the dr. If I had a question she would get the answer for me. I was very proactive if questioning things, etc and always found someone responsive.

[Anonymous]

It's like any place- it depends on the dr- Dr Greenhouse was responsive- actively invloed in all our IUIs and then we went to IVF (after 5 failed IUIs) - OUR choice. Picking an RE is critical- if you don't feel that your RE is working- you need to interview others- but putting everything on SG is not the right approach.. I don't need Dr Greenhouse to tell me my antral follicle count or call me with blood results.. I didn't find any doctor that handled each of the many steps of IUI and IVF with one doctor doing everything.. I personally would raher thave my RE focus on the big picture- plan, results, concerns etc..

[Anonymous]

PP here- clarification - we had 3 failed IUIS (bomb disasters with incompetence) from GIVF- 2 more attempts at SG..

[Anonymous]

what kind of issues did you have with Dr. Nair? Yes, that is who I used to see, I'm not an SG patient anymore.

[Anonymous]

I personally would raher thave my RE focus on the big picture- plan, results, concerns etc..

OP here. This is exactly what I'm talking about. I don't mind being treated by multiple doctors, one doctor giving my u/s results, another doing the IUI, etc. But I just don't have the feeling anyone is captaining the ship.

MAYBE my doctor IS actively reviewing & monitoring me - but we have had no contact at all since mid-October, so I have no way of knowing. I know they are all following the same protocols, and I'm a good responder to the drugs so I don't think I'm considered a difficult case, so maybe it doesn't matter, but just from an emotional/psychological standpoint, it would be nice to feel that one doctor was in charge of my treatment.

[Anonymous]

Have you asked your nurse to have your doctor call you to discuss how your case is going? I did that a couple times during my IVF cycles (I am poster 13:11). Even though I didn't have any specific questions, it was nice to hear my REs thoughts on how my cycle was going (better/worse than last time? how did the change in drug dosage affect things?). I just emailed my nurse and asked her to have my RE call sometime over the next couple days to check in. I tried to not be high-maintenance about it (ie I did not demand to be called back immediately). My RE always seemed happy to take the time to talk. I found it encouraging to hear that my RE really was thinking hard about my case, even if I couldn't tell that from just getting calls from the nurse. But then again, my case was not an easy one (I was a poor responder for a 32 year-old) so it demanded my of my RE's attention than an IUI from someone who responds well. But if you want reassurance that your RE is thinking about your case, I would just ask him/her to call you. You are paying a lot of money to SG and deserve to feel comfortable with your treatment. Good luck!!!