Intro and Question

hurryup&w8 · February 2012

Good morning all. I've been quietly following this board here and there and just wanted to delurk to say hello. My name is Jen, I just turned 32 last week, married almost 2 years, and TTC baby #1 for just about one year. I scheduled an appointment with Shady Grove Fertility Center in Rockville for March and was just wondering if anyone would mind sharing their experience with them. I had an early m/c just after Thanksgiving that crushed us but we're really hopeful that with the help of a little science, we'll be able to grow our family soon. Smile

TIA and I look forward to joining the board "officially" soon!

ch ch ch chia · February 2012

Welcome and good luck! I know others on this board have had great success with Shady Grove.

Sofka · February 2012

welcome and good luck in your TTC journey

mssaint · February 2012

I'm a huge SGF fan here. We had unexplained infertility and TTCed for over two years. We went to SGF in Rockville and I got pregnant on our first IUI cycle.

Not only am I thrilled with the result, but I also really liked my doctors and nurses and felt very well-taken care of. Even though I was only a patient for a relatively short time, I felt they were very invested in my care. What was very meaningful to me was how genuinely excited and emotional the doctors, nurses and sonographers were for me when we got our BFP and saw the heartbeat on the two early ultrasounds. Dr. Sagoskin was my main doctor and I really liked his no-nonsense style. Dr. Stillman did the IUI, and I liked him as well (although it's kind of awkward to meet a doctor for the first time when he's inseminating you, lol).

kafunder · February 2012

Welcome!

We had a wonderful experience with Shady Grove (my siggy pic is the result). Dr. Nair is/was my primary doc in the DC office. At your first appointment, they'll take your history, explain to you the various options in very general terms, and discuss the initial testing to diagnose your issues. This usually includes some bloodwork, an ultrasound, and an HSG exam during your next cycle.

At your first appt, you'll also likely meet your nurse, who will be assigned to you and will likely be a God-send when you go through treatment, and you'll meet your financial advisor to discuss treatment costs, insurance, etc. You'll definitely want to find out if your insurance provides coverages before starting any tests or treatment.

Overall, I can't say enough good things about our experience . Some people have said that b/c SG is so big, they felt like they didn't get personal attention, but we never felt that way. In fact, we're starting back up with them soon to TTC#3, and while I wish we didn't need them, I was so excited to see my doc and nurse a few weeks ago when we went in for our first visit b/c I like them so much.

Good luck!

vtkgirl77 · February 2012

Welcome to the board. I personally haven't used SG but I've only heard very good things about it.

Hey Jellisy · February 2012

Welcome and good luck. I have no experience, but I have heard lots of great things about Shady Grove.

QueSrah · February 2012

Welcome to the board and GL!

hurryup&w8 · February 2012

Thank you ladies so much for the warm welcome and thank you, mssaint and kafunder, for sharing your experience with me. My appointment is with Dr. Chang, who helped my friend/cw with 2 successful IVF procedures. I just wanted to ask the board to get some more feedback since her experience was somewhat unique due to a genetic disorder. I've got everything crossed that a less-invasive/low-tech option will be our answer.

As for insurance, I'm a fed and have CareFirst BCBS, which covers the testing and up to 6 attempts for IUI but nothing for IVF. I'm taking it one step at a time though and I'm thankful that I at least have that much in terms of coverage.

I have such a mix of emotions - hopeful and excited, yet fearful and anxious. I'm a bit sad that we need the help, yet so relieved to know that there *is* help right around the corner (literally - because we live to close to the office! Ha!). Thank you guys so much for allowing me to ask about this process and for sharing! Smile

mcatmay · February 2012

No experience but I did want to say welcome and good luck!!!!

jess08200 · February 2012

Good luck we used SG and were successful. Everyone was always very friendly and helpful.

mssaint · February 2012

I also highly recommend Pulling Diwn the Moon--it's in the SGF building and offers complementary treatments. I did yoga and acupuncture there. I think it was really helpful, especially to ease the stress and anxiety.

smacb · February 2012

Good luck!

We went to Shady Grove after 18 months trying to have #2, multiple pregnancy losses and a lot of frustration with OBs. I only regret we didn't go sooner. I went to the Annandale office and had a very positive experience.

belizeitornot · February 2012

kafunder:

Welcome!

We had a wonderful experience with Shady Grove (my siggy pic is the result). Dr. Nair is/was my primary doc in the DC office. At your first appointment, they'll take your history, explain to you the various options in very general terms, and discuss the initial testing to diagnose your issues. This usually includes some bloodwork, an ultrasound, and an HSG exam during your next cycle.

At your first appt, you'll also likely meet your nurse, who will be assigned to you and will likely be a God-send when you go through treatment, and you'll meet your financial advisor to discuss treatment costs, insurance, etc. You'll definitely want to find out if your insurance provides coverages before starting any tests or treatment.

Overall, I can't say enough good things about our experience . Some people have said that b/c SG is so big, they felt like they didn't get personal attention, but we never felt that way. In fact, we're starting back up with them soon to TTC#3, and while I wish we didn't need them, I was so excited to see my doc and nurse a few weeks ago when we went in for our first visit b/c I like them so much.

Good luck!

This is a superb explanation from kafunder. I went to the Rockville office and Dr. Stillman was my primary doc (and sadly, my amazing nurse is apparently not there any longer) and I loved him! I also saw Dr. Levy for 2 of my IUIs and Dr. Widra once for a monitoring u/s. Everyone I came in to contact with was great. I only had one time where I felt like I wish they'd have taken more time to acknowledge that I was a new patient and not assume I knew what to do. When I had my first u/s appt, they didn't tell me to go ahead and get undressed when I got in the room. So I just sat there clothed like a moron with the door open until finally someone came in and told me the deal. But, hey, now YOU know for your first time. Wink

I had already had an HSG and DH had a SA done with my OB prior to our first appt so we were able to just jump right in and get the last of our tests done (mostly blood tests) and then move on to treatment.

I had similar coverage to you (Carefirst, 6 IUIs covered, no IVF). I did find Dr. Stillman very receptive to the fact that we were scared shiitless of multiples, but also didn't have the option to pursue IVF financially. He adjusted my protocol each cycle, and in the end I got pg on my 3rd IUI cycle with injectibles and Clomid.

Good luck to you!

NJtoMD2011 · February 2012

Edited

hurryup&w8 · February 2012

belizeitornot:
kafunder:

Welcome!

We had a wonderful experience with Shady Grove (my siggy pic is the result). Dr. Nair is/was my primary doc in the DC office. At your first appointment, they'll take your history, explain to you the various options in very general terms, and discuss the initial testing to diagnose your issues. This usually includes some bloodwork, an ultrasound, and an HSG exam during your next cycle.

At your first appt, you'll also likely meet your nurse, who will be assigned to you and will likely be a God-send when you go through treatment, and you'll meet your financial advisor to discuss treatment costs, insurance, etc. You'll definitely want to find out if your insurance provides coverages before starting any tests or treatment.

Overall, I can't say enough good things about our experience . Some people have said that b/c SG is so big, they felt like they didn't get personal attention, but we never felt that way. In fact, we're starting back up with them soon to TTC#3, and while I wish we didn't need them, I was so excited to see my doc and nurse a few weeks ago when we went in for our first visit b/c I like them so much.

Good luck!

This is a superb explanation from kafunder. I went to the Rockville office and Dr. Stillman was my primary doc (and sadly, my amazing nurse is apparently not there any longer) and I loved him! I also saw Dr. Levy for 2 of my IUIs and Dr. Widra once for a monitoring u/s. Everyone I came in to contact with was great. I only had one time where I felt like I wish they'd have taken more time to acknowledge that I was a new patient and not assume I knew what to do. When I had my first u/s appt, they didn't tell me to go ahead and get undressed when I got in the room. So I just sat there clothed like a moron with the door open until finally someone came in and told me the deal. But, hey, now YOU know for your first time.

I had already had an HSG and DH had a SA done with my OB prior to our first appt so we were able to just jump right in and get the last of our tests done (mostly blood tests) and then move on to treatment.

I had similar coverage to you (Carefirst, 6 IUIs covered, no IVF). I did find Dr. Stillman very receptive to the fact that we were scared shiitless of multiples, but also didn't have the option to pursue IVF financially. He adjusted my protocol each cycle, and in the end I got pg on my 3rd IUI cycle with injectibles and Clomid.

Good luck to you!

Thank you for sharing your experience! I feel exactly the same way about multiples/IVF (for financial reasons) and it comforts me to hear that they adjusted your protocol each cycle. Again, I'm walking that line of being optimistic since we're getting help, yet being realistic that it could take a few tries to find the right formula. And I'm not going to lie, even the person I spoke to when I made my appointment in Rockville was so nice that I wanted to ask her to be my new friend. If everyone else is half as nice as she is, I'll be really happy.

Mssaint - I've heard about Pulling Down the Moon and will definitely look into going there. I did acupuncture my last 2 cycles, which I really enjoyed but the place I went didn't really have their act together when it came to billing so I stopped going to that location. Thanks for the rec!

kafunder · February 2012

hurryup&w8:
belizeitornot:
kafunder:

Welcome!

We had a wonderful experience with Shady Grove (my siggy pic is the result). Dr. Nair is/was my primary doc in the DC office. At your first appointment, they'll take your history, explain to you the various options in very general terms, and discuss the initial testing to diagnose your issues. This usually includes some bloodwork, an ultrasound, and an HSG exam during your next cycle.

At your first appt, you'll also likely meet your nurse, who will be assigned to you and will likely be a God-send when you go through treatment, and you'll meet your financial advisor to discuss treatment costs, insurance, etc. You'll definitely want to find out if your insurance provides coverages before starting any tests or treatment.

Overall, I can't say enough good things about our experience . Some people have said that b/c SG is so big, they felt like they didn't get personal attention, but we never felt that way. In fact, we're starting back up with them soon to TTC#3, and while I wish we didn't need them, I was so excited to see my doc and nurse a few weeks ago when we went in for our first visit b/c I like them so much.

Good luck!

This is a superb explanation from kafunder. I went to the Rockville office and Dr. Stillman was my primary doc (and sadly, my amazing nurse is apparently not there any longer) and I loved him! I also saw Dr. Levy for 2 of my IUIs and Dr. Widra once for a monitoring u/s. Everyone I came in to contact with was great. I only had one time where I felt like I wish they'd have taken more time to acknowledge that I was a new patient and not assume I knew what to do. When I had my first u/s appt, they didn't tell me to go ahead and get undressed when I got in the room. So I just sat there clothed like a moron with the door open until finally someone came in and told me the deal. But, hey, now YOU know for your first time.

I had already had an HSG and DH had a SA done with my OB prior to our first appt so we were able to just jump right in and get the last of our tests done (mostly blood tests) and then move on to treatment.

I had similar coverage to you (Carefirst, 6 IUIs covered, no IVF). I did find Dr. Stillman very receptive to the fact that we were scared shiitless of multiples, but also didn't have the option to pursue IVF financially. He adjusted my protocol each cycle, and in the end I got pg on my 3rd IUI cycle with injectibles and Clomid.

Good luck to you!

Thank you for sharing your experience! I feel exactly the same way about multiples/IVF (for financial reasons) and it comforts me to hear that they adjusted your protocol each cycle. Again, I'm walking that line of being optimistic since we're getting help, yet being realistic that it could take a few tries to find the right formula. And I'm not going to lie, even the person I spoke to when I made my appointment in Rockville was so nice that I wanted to ask her to be my new friend. If everyone else is half as nice as she is, I'll be really happy.

Mssaint - I've heard about Pulling Down the Moon and will definitely look into going there. I did acupuncture my last 2 cycles, which I really enjoyed but the place I went didn't really have their act together when it came to billing so I stopped going to that location. Thanks for the rec!

About the bolded part, just wanted to put this out there that Shady Grove told us at our first appt when we asked about the chance of multiples that at most fertility clinics, success for them is one healthy baby. While healthy multiples are a positive outcome, they don't consider them a "success" because clinics strive for having very low multiples rates. All the dr's at SG are very cautious about multiples. They also adjusted our injections to avoid multiples, but they do happen (obviously).

NJtoMD2011 · February 2012

Edit - sorry, thebump keeps logging me into my old acct!

hurryup&w8 · February 2012

I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to seem like I'm anti-twinnies, kafunder! I'm just scared about how we'll be able to pay for them! I'm sure once the "oh sh!t" panic wears off, we would happily survive life with multiples. Sure it's double the work/poop/tantrums/etc., but that can't compete with double the love. = )

That's really interesting that they don't consider multiples as a "success." It would be a success in my book!

Ps - sorry about the edited posts. Starting fresh in 2012 with this SN = )

kafunder · February 2012

hurryup&w8:

I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to seem like I'm anti-twinnies, kafunder! I'm just scared about how we'll be able to pay for them! I'm sure once the "oh sh!t" panic wears off, we would happily survive life with multiples. Sure it's double the work/poop/tantrums/etc., but that can't compete with double the love. = )

That's really interesting that they don't consider multiples as a "success." It would be a success in my book!

Ps - sorry about the edited posts. Starting fresh in 2012 with this SN = )

Hahah! I didn't think you were being anti-twins. Some days, I'm still waiting for the "oh shiiit" panic to wear off. Wink

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