WWIF do - choosing an IF clinic -UPDATE

badrianne · December 2013

We are moving onto IVF and changing IF clinics. I have an appointment for a local clinic. However, I looked into their success numbers using the CDC website (https://nccd.cdc.gov/DRH_ART/Apps/FertilityClinicReport.aspx). Their live birth per transfer numbers are 30% when the national average is 40%. I found some clinics in another town (where I have relatives) that have a rate of 60%. Per the IVF insiders blog, you should never pick a IF center with below average success rates because it's likely due to the lab/doctor being subpar . What would you do or have you done? Travel to a more successful clinic. Or take a chance with the convenient IF clinic with lower then average success rate for my age group. BTW, I have 3 months off school and flexible work so I can travel but it would be hard for DH. He'd only be there during the retrieval and maybe transfer and I'd have my sister-in law to help me with injections etc.

What's annoying is that the local clinic has already charged me for my initial visit visit which is scheduled next week and I've had many of my records transferred.

UPDATE: Found a clinic within an 1.5 hr drive that has good CDC SART rates (66% live births per transfer in my age group). So I scheduled two initial appointments to figure out which clinic to go to.

Local clinic with low rates - The MD spent 2 hours with me but wouldn't show me his newest SART number (2012) and showed me slides with numbers that I wasn't asking for and tried to say that since the donor cycles were successful then their lab was good. They also don't monitor blood work during stimming and don't allow you to shop for your own medications.

The 1.5 hr away clinic with high rates - The doctor tailored the appointment to me instead of having a set speech like the other two RE's I've seen. He realized I had done a lot of research. The office felt like doctors office instead of an office space. He immediately got out their 2012 SART numbers which are even higher then 2011. Although they don't offer 2 for 1 deals, if you qualify and choose only transfer 1 embroyo they will do up to 3 FET for free. Ideally, we want eSET anyway. Also, I love that the doctors switch off IVF weeks. I can go on and on but the point is we picked the second clinic. I have some labs to get and I will start BCP at the start of my next period (jan) and I'll cycle during the first week of March (my bday). Yippee! I am so happy to finally pick a place.

Thanks for all your encouragement to go to the better clinic even though it is not convenient.

LilSip0611 · December 2013

I would personally travel to the clinic that has better success rates. I think a lot of what makes a clinic successful is their lab and I wouldn't want to waste time or money on a lab that has a pretty low success rate, 30% is not very good. It's easy to be swayed by convenience but this isn't something I would feel comfortable taking a chance on. I wish you lots of luck in your decision!

Twinkie0612 · December 2013

They charge you in advanced for an initial consult? That wouldn't sit well with me. I've been to two top clinics in my area and neither charge in advance for consults.

I would probably go to the better clinic. Since you have already paid for your consult with the local clinic, I would go to the consult (unless you can get your money back) and I would ask why their success rates are lower than the national average. They might have a reasonable explanation.

One thing to remember about success rates is that there are also ways to pad the numbers. Some clinics turn away the tougher cases or push DOR ladies straight to DE to try to improve their success rates. Also some clinics are quick to cancel cycles to keep their success rates higher.

However it is likely that the difference in success rates could be due to a sub par lab or doctor.

chucktgirl · December 2013

Having had such poor results from two in-state clinics, both with good reputations/stats, I moved to a big name clinic out of state. It was a disaster. I wouldn't recommend them for anything! Worst experience of my IVF life! So, I guess it's hard to say. I definitely look at updated labs, since they have so much to do with success. Good luck!

sarahvvv · December 2013

Throwing in another anecdote. I was seeing an RE who works at a clinic that does IVFs, but he himself doesn't do the IVFs. Did a few rounds with him, wanted to proceed to IVF quickly, and decided to try another clinic in town because they have a higher success rate. As I see it, the costs appear to be the same at both locations, so go with the one with the higher rate. In this case, they are both good rates, but my new clinic is 10% higher on average.

Well, I am only just getting started with the new place and I'm already wondering if I made the wrong decision. Every step of the way is inconvenient. They bungled up receiving my medical records, they didn't call me to schedule IVF when they said they would, they weren't able to give me convenient appointment times for my first couple of tests, I had a blood draw yesterday morning and why hasn't anyone called me with my results yet? Literally right before I clicked on this thread I was sitting here thinking, I have not been stressed out about ANY part of this process until just now, thinking about the fact that they apparently can't call to tell me test results.

Which is all to say, see if you can find out any further info on the location besides just the results. (Didn't help in my case as I have seen nothing but positive comments online about this place and don't know anyone IRL with experience at either.)

badrianne · December 2013

chucktgirl said:

I definitely look at updated labs, since they have so much to do with success. Good luck!

Any suggestions on how to assess if their lab is updated? Anyone have questions to ask?
I know that there is a newer quick thaw procedure that is better then the long but what about for fresh cycles?

badrianne · December 2013

Twinkie0612 said:

They charge you in advanced for an initial consult? That wouldn't sit well with me. I

I know it was weird. However, the first appointment I scheduled with them I had to cancel. Way in advance mind, you but then when I called to reschedule they charge me to book the second. If I go with the other clinic, I am going to request my money back. I don't think they can get away with charging me with services not rendered. ugg

badrianne · December 2013

Also for those you who have traveled, was your partner able to come with you the whole time? I know I could probably do monitoring/labs at home but I hate to have to pay twice. Pay for the IVF package and then the local provider.

poohniki · December 2013

Just a hint- when looking at the CDC results I always look at the number of patients with unexplained fertility. My clinic has next to zero for unexplained and many will tell you, having a correct diagnosis is the key to success. Good luck!

CameraBug131 · December 2013

I would without a doubt travel to the better clinic. The travel is worth it. My husband doesn't come with me to anything really anyway, but he'll be at the ER. He came to the initial meeting, but I do all of the monitoring on my way to work by myself.

violetmarie61516 · December 2013

I would travel to a better clinic without a question. With that being said, 30% doesn't seem right. There are different ways to read the success rates though like @poohniki said. Make sure you are really reading into the correct rates.

Plus, I would NEVER pay for services if I haven't stepped foot into an office yet. That would be a big red flag for me! And as for billing you for a cancellation charge, at least in Michigan, they are not legally allowed to unless you have signed a waiver that says they can.

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WWIF do - choosing an IF clinic -UPDATE

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