Switching Fertility Clinics

[Anonymous]

Hi all! Has anyone had experience moving to a new fertility clinic (specifically Dominion) after testing but before starting any treatments? Do they make you repeat the pre-screening tests?

We did all of our testing at Shady Grove and we haven’t had a follow-up with the doctor yet, but I’m so frustrated dealing with their staff and I get the impression that the doctor won’t communicate with me directly. For context, I just had my long-awaited follow up appointment pushed back for a completely stupid reason that I’m sure wouldn’t have happened if I could speak directly with the doctor.

[Anonymous]

I say this with honestly as much kindness as possible, but this whole process can very much be a “hurry up and wait” experience. I’m not saying you shouldn’t switch clinics (and you’re right, you rarely talk directly to your docs during monitoring at SGF but, then, that never bothered me because I absolutely adore my nurses) but...it would probably serve you well to lower your expectations of speed in getting things done. One, because it’s a pandemic and two, there will almost always be hiccups or your period will be late or early or someone will have to travel or etc etc That’s true of OBs and REs in my experience!

Personally, I chose our clinic (SG) because of their medical competencies, not their bedside manner or speed in seeing me. If you have to have IVF, go to the clinic with the best embryo lab. If you have DOR, go to a clinic that specializes in that. If you want to do 6 IUIs, just choose one (though if you would consider doing more treatments, see my above comment). I know it can be frustrating, but as someone who has been doing this for a long time, and has three beautiful children because of it, that’s my two cents you didn’t really ask for.

[Anonymous]

I highly doubt you will have more contact with doctors at any area clinics. I’ve been treated at two and consulted at four. They all run communication 95-100% through the nurses. This can be hard to get used to, and you should see if another clinic seems to be a better option, but that is not a great reason to switch. You should look at treatment plans, success rates for your diagnosis, and cost.

[Anonymous]

I say go with your instincts and once you are in treatment you are committed for awhile. Most clinics will take transferred records and do a consult so you can compare at least recommendations. It might be a bit inconvenient but I switched recently and only wish I did it earlier. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say this with honestly as much kindness as possible, but this whole process can very much be a “hurry up and wait” experience. I’m not saying you shouldn’t switch clinics (and you’re right, you rarely talk directly to your docs during monitoring at SGF but, then, that never bothered me because I absolutely adore my nurses) but...it would probably serve you well to lower your expectations of speed in getting things done. One, because it’s a pandemic and two, there will almost always be hiccups or your period will be late or early or someone will have to travel or etc etc That’s true of OBs and REs in my experience!

Personally, I chose our clinic (SG) because of their medical competencies, not their bedside manner or speed in seeing me. If you have to have IVF, go to the clinic with the best embryo lab. If you have DOR, go to a clinic that specializes in that. If you want to do 6 IUIs, just choose one (though if you would consider doing more treatments, see my above comment). I know it can be frustrating, but as someone who has been doing this for a long time, and has three beautiful children because of it, that’s my two cents you didn’t really ask for.

+1. This could not have been said any better. I've also been at this a long time and I completely agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I say this with honestly as much kindness as possible, but this whole process can very much be a “hurry up and wait” experience. I’m not saying you shouldn’t switch clinics (and you’re right, you rarely talk directly to your docs during monitoring at SGF but, then, that never bothered me because I absolutely adore my nurses) but...it would probably serve you well to lower your expectations of speed in getting things done. One, because it’s a pandemic and two, there will almost always be hiccups or your period will be late or early or someone will have to travel or etc etc That’s true of OBs and REs in my experience!

Personally, I chose our clinic (SG) because of their medical competencies, not their bedside manner or speed in seeing me. If you have to have IVF, go to the clinic with the best embryo lab. If you have DOR, go to a clinic that specializes in that. If you want to do 6 IUIs, just choose one (though if you would consider doing more treatments, see my above comment). I know it can be frustrating, but as someone who has been doing this for a long time, and has three beautiful children because of it, that’s my two cents you didn’t really ask for.

+1. This could not have been said any better. I've also been at this a long time and I completely agree.

Unfortunately I must agree. It SUCKS. But if I could go back in time I’d tell myself to have lower expectations.

FWIW I switched from Shady Grove to Columbia and SGF was very accommodating in getting all my stuff sent over.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. I was in your place 3 years ago right now, except that I started with GW. I did all my testing and then happened to conceive naturally twice, one was a chemical and the other ended as a miscarriage at 6-7 weeks. Due to a series of things that happened (actually moreso, things that didn't happen), I lost all trust in GW and eventually did consults with Columbia and Dominion. Dominion turned out to be a great fit for me; my daughter is almost 2. When I transferred there, they went through my records and let me know what additional tests they wanted, which in my case it wasn't much. I went back to Dominion again this fall for a repeat fertility workup because we are thinking of trying for #2. I find it to be very personalized and easy to schedule with the doctor you chose.

It doesn't hurt anything to get a second opinion, for whatever reason. I say call Dominion to talk to them.

[Anonymous]

I used Dominion. They had no problem accepting my bloodwork and partner’s sperm analysis from a combination of Shady Grove and my obgyn. I think they said as long as it was dated within the past 12 months, they would accept it. I agree with the others that you are only going to get one-on-one time with a doctor if you request a consult. At Dominion, my selected doctor did the remaining tests I needed, like an ultrasound and mock embryo transfer. Those appointments gave me a little bit of time to ask questions and gain comfort, but felt rushed. I will say that the two times I had questions and concerns the nurse could not answer to my satisfaction, they had the doctor call me-even after hours one time, which meant a great deal to me. If you have the time and money, get your protocol or diagnosis from one clinic and a second opinion from the other clinic perhaps. I think the clinics are all very similar and favtoey-like aka time is money and at the end of the day it is about your protocol and trust in the doctor/lab.