Boston IVF, Reproductive Science Ctr ???

jdenormandie · November 2011

HI-I'm new to the bump, so please excuse me if something like this has been discussed already....

My husband and I have been trying for 8 months to get pregnant. I decided to call my primary today to see if we should be seen as she had told me during my yearly exam to try for at least 6 months before getting worried. She had the nurse call me back and recommend Boston IVF or Reproductive Science Ctr.; I should make an appointment and call to let her know how it goes.

So, aside from being annoyed with my primary (and I'll address that), I feel completely lost. What does this mean and what is the "normal" procedure? I also recently moved Westford so I'm not sure these offices are even convenient for me. Ug. Any and all advice is welcomed. Thanks.

lynchy326 · November 2011

Hi, I was in a similar situation as you several months ago (had been trying for 12months and no success) My ob-gyn suggested Fertility Centers of New England in Reading. This was a convenient location for me, and I also researched the statistics as well (it was comparable to Brigham and Womens in Boston, actually a little bit better, so I felt confident). I think this website has the official stats:https://www.sart.org/find_frm.html

I think its still kind of early - i'm surprised they are sending you after only 6 months, but I know this can sometimes depend on age. If your primary hasn't done any kind of testing, then the clinic would mostly likely start with testing both you and your husband. For me, I first went through bloodwork and a HCG (its where they insert a dye through your uterus and watch on x-ray to see that your fallopian tubes are open), (all this was actually through my ob-gyn - but the clinics would most likely have you do them first as well) then husband had seman analysis.

We ended up having to do IVF and luckily for us it worked on the first try and I'll be 12 wks tomorrow If you ever have questions don't hesitate to ask, it can be a very overwhelming process, but your just in the beginning so I wouldn't worry too much. best of luck!

niccole_e · November 2011

When you are saying Primary are you referring to an OB or an internist? I had to go through IVF after my OB did a number of tests and exams due to multiple miscarriages. I went to Fertility Centers of New England and have 2 beautiful sons. They were fantastic. It's overwhelming but nothing to be afraid or ashamed of. If you haven't seen an OB yet I'd start there, and have them refer you to an IVF clinic, if it is an OB, then schedule a consult, they are very caring and understanding.They'll talk with you about the process and what the steps are.

Good Luck.

KlovesG · November 2011

Reproductive Science Center is in Lexington, which I don't think is a particularly bad commute from Westford. I have nothing but great things to say about them. I'm not sure what normal procedure is for referrals because my DH and I tried for a year, researched on our own, and then requested the referral, once we'd already decided to go with RSC... I think there is some leeway to interview potential REs before making a decision, to see whether or not you feel comfortable with the office, their approach, etc. Depending on how things go, you could end up visiting the office almost daily, so I wouldn't pick one that is TOO far of a drive, either. RSC was 20 minutes for me at that time, and I would probably still go back, even though I've moved farther away, just because I felt comfortable with them. Hope this helps a little bit.

luvboston · November 2011

I wouldn't go to RSC they have some horrible docs there, however also have some good ones but they are hard to get a hold of on the phone when I called to possibly get an appt. I see Dr.Huang who used to be there and opened her own shop Fertility Solutions of NE, she is great and her staff rock!

I have heard Boston IVF is a baby factory and impersonal. Fertility Solutions is also cheaper if you OOP. Gl

snoangel79 · November 2011

Don't go to Boston IVF. I live in Groton and went to Brigham in Boston for all of my care. If you don't have any "known" issues I think trying a year is normal before seeking an RE. I had a known issue (premature ovarian failure due to cancer tx at 23). When you do go they will test you and your husband. He will have to leave a sample, just a heads up <: kinda made my husband uncomfortable...

BostonGayGal · November 2011

I tried Boston IVF and hated it there. I then went to Fertility Solutions and received the best medical care of my life. It was a commute for me, but it was so incredibly worth it to be able to trust my doctor (Dr. Anania) without reserve.

Euince · December 2011

luvboston:

I wouldn't go to RSC they have some horrible docs there, however also have some good ones but they are hard to get a hold of on the phone when I called to possibly get an appt. I see Dr.Huang who used to be there and opened her own shop Fertility Solutions of NE, she is great and her staff rock!

I have heard Boston IVF is a baby factory and impersonal. Fertility Solutions is also cheaper if you OOP. Gl

Way to make a blanket statement at RSC! I had a great expereince with Dr. Pang at RSC and I've never had a problem reaching anyone there. I did no like Dr. Huang when she was at RSC. She was my first RE there.

Oh and I live in Chelmsford (up Rte 27 near Westford) and getting to lexington takes me 15 minutes going 225 through Bedford.

KlovesG · January 2012

BostonGayGal:
I tried Boston IVF and hated it there. I then went to Fertility Solutions and received the best medical care of my life. It was a commute for me, but it was so incredibly worth it to be able to trust my doctor (Dr. Anania) without reserve.

P .S. I can also recommend Dr. Anania- she was my doc at RSC but she left the practice during one of my IUI cycles so I opted to stay at RSC to finish that cycle, just so I wouldn't have to wait, and switched to Dr. Pang. Both were compassionate, intelligent, and informative.

kathryncm@gmail.com · February 2012

I went to Boston IVF in the Waltham location and was pleased with the service. I am now 30 weeks pregnant with a baby girl.

I liked my doctor and nurses and felt that the quality of the service was good. The equipment and technology was top notch and my IVF procedure was handled very well there in their surgery center in Waltham.

I also liked the fact that I could do acupuncture there as well. I supplemented my IVF treatment with acupuncture which helped me to relax a bit.

Going through fertility treatments was definitely challenging for me. But to be honest I felt a huge support knowing how many others were going through the same thing. Since Boston IVF is such a large facility there are so many people coming in and out of the office while you're there, hence the "factory feeling." I can certainly understand why some ppl don't like that. But for me it helped me realize that I wasn't alone in my 2 1/2 year struggle to get pregnant.

fruitpunch1128 · May 2012

I'm a patient at RSC in Lexington and I have had mostly positive experiences. The only negative would be that it's hard to get in touch with your nurse, you always have to leave a message but they are GREAT about getting back to you the same day. Also, I think whichever clinic you choose, you wouldn't be meeting mostly with your doctors unless something goes wrong or you request to do so.

I think you can go and interview the places if you want, it seems like there are lot of mixed reviews here anyways.

AnonnAni · May 2012

I was a patient of Boston IVF. Cant speak for all the doctors but Kim Thornton is renowned and award winning in the field for reproduction.

I noticed someone stated it was a baby factory (lol). I don't totally agree with that in all terms of a negative meaning but in terms of success rate YES, they are way higher in success then other clinics.

They provide good service, good education and training for your care and are very responsive to emails and phone calls. They also have several satellite offices, and a delivery service for your meds if you need it (even in blizzards they will get you your meds), they are open weekends for certain procedures and tests and only close for 4 major holiday's. They also offer other services, like counseling and acupuncture for those going through treatments.

Normal procedures in terms of fertility centers normally means to make sure you are ovulating, don't have blocked tubes, check uterine lining and check a sperm count an motility for your partner. They check all that prior to any treatments then go from there. B/c for instance if you ovulate but have blocked tubes then cant get pregnant, kwim? So they do a whole fertility health work up to assess what may or may not be any underlying issues.

jdenormandie · May 2012

Thanks everyone!

eaconstantineslp · July 2012

I am a Boston IVF success story. 26 weeks pregnant with a Frozen transfer. I saw Dr. Brian Berger.

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Boston IVF, Reproductive Science Ctr ???

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