How do you choose your RE?

mamaheatherl · January 2014

There are two that my ob/gyn recommends. I researched both and they both seem to be really good. How do you choose? Do I try to meet with both of them...? Any advice would be appreciated.

WA1215 · January 2014

Do you have a local board you could ask to see what others personal experiences are/were? I lucked out, my Midwife used the same RE personally. GL!

hope2bmom83 · January 2014

Honestly, I read all of the doctor bios, the stats on the clinics, everything I could find. I couldn't decide either so I just looked at each doctor and picked the one that just gave me a good feeling. It sounds stupid, but I have been very happy with my decision.

ky29 · January 2014

I was only given one recommendation from my obgyn. But she did say all the doctors at the practice were great. When I called, I was tempted to go with the one that had the first consultation opening - but the doctor she referred had an opening the next week (I was expecting a couple months!).

When I met with him, I just knew he would be perfect for me.

You could meet with them both, but are you paying for things OOP? Because my consultations are like $190 (I think?). I would really try and go with my gut, and then if you aren't happy check out the second one.

Lizarella82 · January 2014

*********SIGNATURE WARNING*********

We met with three different REs. The first scared me with his doom and gloom ("the chance of success without IVF is 1%"), the second talked to me as if I was a 10 year old, and the third was our current RE. If you can afford it and you have the time, I would recommend going to consultations with at least 2. Current RE won me over with his no-bs approach, meaning he told us it wouldn't be easy but we would take a sort of middle path to try and balance degree of intervention and cost with effectiveness (3 IUIs then IVF if no success) and he would be honest with us at every step.

If you're looking at IVF specifically you can check out success rates at https://www.sart.org/

jaytee16 · January 2014

I asked my GP for a recommendation for someone close by, since I knew there would be a lot of monitoring appts, turns out the one she had in mind is only 10 minutes away, which is perfect considering how often I have to be there. I really liked the clinic, it's nice and small, and I really liked the RE during our initial visit so we didn't look any further. If I had not liked them, or not got a good feeling, I probably would have inquired about other practices. Good luck!

DreadGamerWife · January 2014

My OB recommended the local big clinic and they had someone whose field of interest/speciality is treating women with PCOS. So, we are going to that clinic/her.

ksgsmu · January 2014

Well I had a lot to choose from being from a large city. My OBGYN did my basic first tests and actually sent me to my now RE to do my HSG. When I was ready to move to an RE, I still did all my research using the SART data, all the internet info I could find etc... He had the reputation in as being "the best" and has one many awards but I wasn't sure if it was all hype etc. His SART data actually tied another local RE for the best. ( I later found out they were partners for several years). I was conflicted as both were also very close distance wise. I then went with my gut and since I had a good experience with him initially at my testing I went with him.

RE's aren't all created equal so it doesn't hurt to get 2 consults! Also the truth is you see your RE's nurses WAY more than the RE so make sure you like them and they are good.

Twinkie0612 · January 2014

I looked at RE websites, SART data, patient reviews etc. I also made sure that any RE I picked was in network for my insurance (I don't have coverage for infertility, but I want to have coverage for u/s, etc if I get pregnant). I ended up making an appointment for a consultation with one of the REs recommended by my OB/GYN. I hated that RE. I went back to the drawing board and ended up finding my current RE and love him.

Kam10 · January 2014

I researched REs in my area that were part of my network for insurance. It turns out that there was a very reputable one within 5 minutes of my work, and a less known one within 10 minutes. I made appointments at both, but after the first one went so well I didn't think it was necessary to go through with the second.

gsancho · January 2014

I started out choosing based off a combination of success rates and distance from work. But then once I went to the place I picked, I hated the staff and felt rushed by my RE. Since we are out about IF, we got a recommendation on where we are now, which I love. In hind sight, I would have gone to more than one place from the get-go to get a feel for it and made a decision after consult. But if the consults are pricey, you can just choose one and go with it. I feel like the benefit regularly being on this board is you get to see how other REs follow protocol, so you'll still kind of have something to compare your RE to (if you eventually start to question things or just tend to over analyze things).

ronniesgirl1981 · January 2014

Mine was easy: best stats in my state and they had just moved to a new office about .25 miles from my job. I took it as a sign. I got an appt with whichever RE was available first, however since then my regular endocrinologist and my gyn have both commented that they think he is an excellent physician.

pcrumley · January 2014

@ronniesgirl1981 you are so lucky that your RE is that close! Jealous! @heaterlynn once I came public on this forum I was working with a nurse practitioner,and got yelled at lol.. By these ladies saying "get your butt to an RE"

) so I googled ones close to me. And it turns out we had been to one of their satellite offices for hubby's SA a few times so I felt comfortable. And after failed after failed attempt with my NP I asked for a referral !

so like any normal functioning human being I googled the SH!T out of the available RE's at that practice. And the one I liked was the ONLY woman! (That factor is very important to my husband and I) I also looked up her reviews on RATEMYMD.COM lol I was so nervous until a fellow 3t bumpie found out that we have the same RE and put me at such ease! She let me know how the appt would go and let me know what her personality is like #:-S I'm lucky to have gotten the push from my 3t ladies to go, and I'm blessed we found her. . You never know, there might be someone on here fairly close to you who cam give you a recommendation! :P but I always recommend dr google for referrals haha \m/ BEST OF LUCK B-)

kallygirlie · January 2014

My OB only recommended 1. When I called to make an appointment I had decided I wanted a lady doc. I've always felt more comfortable with ladies. Well both lady doctors had a 2 month wait, where as the male had a 3 wk wait. I was to anxious to wait 2 months so I went with the male. Honestly, I'm really glad I did. He's been a great doc. Sometimes the right doc just falls on your lap. I say read all you can about each and see which one you are drawn to

sheluvs2travel · January 2014

We are lucky. In Michigan there are a ton of great REs and multiple IVF centers.

Personally, I wanted a RE/OBGYN practice that did IVF (and wouldn't send me out to someone else). I looked at the SART data on IVF success, the practice website (for how long each doctor was practicing medicine and doing IVFs), and patient reviews. I also googled the IVF centers to see what the reviews said.

I also made sure that any RE I picked was in network for my insurance (because if we are successful in achieving a pregnancy, I want to deliver at the same hospital as the RE/OBGYN practice I am going to).

I asked for several referrals from my OB/GYN. Some of them were at IVF centers that I knew I didn't want to use, so I narrowed down from there. I also didn't like the first RE I saw, so I got a second opinion. Now we are with a RE that we really like. Fingers crossed for success.

DharmaChick · January 2014

I spent a while making sure that I selected a great OB/GYN when I switched to a new one last year, and have been very happy with her, so I trust her recommendations. She gave referred me to group of REs, so we just went with the one who could schedule an appointment as soon as possible. So far, she seems good. My u/s appointments have been with the other REs in the group as well, and they have all been informative and encouraging.

brittneyandadam · January 2014

***siggy warning***

There are 2 clinics in the area...and the're about 15 minutes away from each other, so location didn't play a big part. I looked at success rates, what else was offered at the clinic, and read doctor bios. Clinic #1 had a more holistic approach and I was really impressed by the amount of services they offered...like acupuncture, massage, prenatal yoga, spa services, etc. It sounded right up my alley. However, Clinic #2 had higher success rates and were more no-nonsense. They had a support group and could refer you to a local total wellness center if you wanted acupuncture and massage. I went with Clinic #2 and was so glad that I did.

There are 2 girls I work with who went to Clinic #1 and I hear stories about crazy wait times and questions not getting answered. My clinic is all about patient education and involvement.

So, I'd suggest looking at the success rates and maybe see if there's any patients who can let you in on how the clinics work. If you can't narrow down a choice, I'd second PP's and go for consults at your top choices. This will give you a better idea of who you're working with and if you click.

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How do you choose your RE?

Re: How do you choose your RE?

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

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Want a personalized experience?

How do you choose your RE?

Re: How do you choose your RE?

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Choose Another Board

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Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!