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Dr. Mary Stephenson for RPL, anyone?

BookishMommaBookishMomma member
in TTC After a Loss
XP on PGAL and PAL

Has anyone seen Dr. Mary Stephenson in Chicago? She's one of the leading recurrent pregnancy loss doctors in the US and has an RPL clinic in Chicago. I've read a lot of her articles & research and finally just decided to bite the bullet and make an appointment to see her. The appointment is set for Feb 23 and apparently I'll be sent an 8-page questionnaire in the mail about my medical history. I'm already starting to compile my records.

Chicago is a 3 hour drive from where I live and my brother and his partner live there, so the travel is not a huge deal. More importantly, I've gotten DH on board to go to the appointment with me. The cost of seeing her will be out of pocket, but then again, so are my RE visits, and I feel like I've reached the end of my RE's considerable well of knowledge at this point. I realize that when all is said and done, the answer for our 4 losses might still be "no answer," but I feel like I owe it to myself to at least see what she has to say and whether there's any additional testing or treatment she recommends. 

Any shared experience from other AL bumpies with Dr. S, good or bad, would be much appreciated. TIA! 
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DX: I'm a Recurrent Loser
Me (35) + DH (37) - Married Sept. 2007
BFP #1 - DS born 7/11/11
BFP#2 11/13/13 - EDD 7/29/14 - M/C at 5w3d
BFP #3 12/28/13 - EDD 9/7/14 - M/C at 4w6d
BFP#4 3/27/14 -  EDD 12/5/14 - Girl lost to 45X at 8w6d - D&C 
BFP#5 10/15/14 - EDD 6/30/15 - M/C at 7w2d
BFP #6 1/5/15 - EDD 9.16.14 [CLICKY for progress]
In search of a image


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Re: Dr. Mary Stephenson for RPL, anyone?

  • meredithcarolemeredithcarole member
    I don't have any experience with her, but I think from what you said that if you were going to get a second opinion this would be the doctor to see. FX she gives you something more than "unexplained."
    TTCAL January Siggy Challenge: Animals in the Snow

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    About Me: 

    AMA 35 :  DH 33
    BFP#1 1/26/14 (EDD: 10/7/14).  MMC 3/10/14 D&C 3/14/14
    RE Consult 11/3/14 - AMH 2.25 "great" . FSH 7.10 . Low Vitamin D
    Myomectomy 12/17/14.  Benched until March.

    image

    My Ovulation Chart
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  • NOBB14NOBB14 member
    I don't know anything about that doctor, but good for you for being your own advocate and getting a second opinion- it definitely can't hurt! Hoping you get the answers you need. Keep us posted. Xoxo
    started TTC 3/2014 & got hitched 4/2014
    husbter's a 38 y/o smarty pants phD/me? a 27 y/o cat lady extraordinaire
    & we're missing our darling barnacles:
    May 2014 loss @ 9 weeks, MMC, no hb found at first appointment | edd dec 4 2014
    October 2014 loss @ 12 weeks, MMC measuring 10w after hearing hb @ 8w | edd apr 15, 2015
    image
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  • rubysirubysi member
    I have no experience. I just wanted to wish you good luck. I hope the dr can give you some answers.

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                ***TTCAL January siggy challenge ***
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  • eliidaeliida member
    @BookishMomma I see one of the doctors in this office and am smitten. (And I am very picky about doctors. Over the years I’ve seen probably seen 5 or 6 different OBGYNs around CHI before landing on someone I liked.)

    Their connection to UIC gives them a TON of resources. For example, I had my SIS the day after my initial consultation and was able to schedule my HSG very soon thereafter. They’ve also been great about using the tests run by other doctors. (Let’s face it, there’s a lot of money to be made in this business and I wouldn’t be surprised if some practices prefer to repeat tests completed elsewhere.)

    I’ve never felt rushed and all the employees I’ve met so far have been kind and efficient. I’ve also never received “sad eyes” from anyone there - this is a big one with me.

    To mentally prepare yourself for the visit, although the OBGYNs are in a different office, keep in mind that the REIs share space with the Maternal Fetal Specialists. You may see very pregnant women. The waiting room is a decent size, though, and clearly they make a real effort to protect their patients emotionally. There are no baby pictures hanging around and you usually get moved out of the waiting room within just a few minutes.

    If you plan to have a SIS/HSG they may be able to do them the day of or day after your appointment. (They can schedule them while you are there.) If YH plans on getting a SA, it’s done in the same office but needs to be scheduled ahead of time. Do you have any specific questions? YGPM with some further details.
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  • kreardon11kreardon11 member
    @BOOKISHMOMMA! YES! I'm in Chicago and I have an appt with her!!!

    If you come we should do a meet up!
    ________________________
    Married my partner in crime 06/11/11
    DH: 29, Me: 28
    Started TTC 10/01/2013
    BFP#1: 03/05/14 | EDD: 11/11/14 | MC: 04/10/14 | D&C 05/01/14 [Molar]
    BFP#2: 10/15/14 | EDD: 06/25/14 | MC: 12/02/14 | D&C 12/04/14 [MMC]
    Current Status: RE appt 01/20/15 & Cleared to TTC
    Plan: Baby Aspirin, More (raw) folate, PNP, Iron, diet
    DX: MTHFR hetero C677T, ANA+ Homogeneous, Anemia. Ige sensitivities: gluten, egg, dairy
    All AL Welcome<3
    “Once you are real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
    We will never forgot our angels<3


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  • kreardon11kreardon11 member
    Omg...can't read....you are coming! I go to Northwestern, and I've gotten MANY recommendations to see her! I literally bounced out of my seat when I saw this!
    ________________________
    Married my partner in crime 06/11/11
    DH: 29, Me: 28
    Started TTC 10/01/2013
    BFP#1: 03/05/14 | EDD: 11/11/14 | MC: 04/10/14 | D&C 05/01/14 [Molar]
    BFP#2: 10/15/14 | EDD: 06/25/14 | MC: 12/02/14 | D&C 12/04/14 [MMC]
    Current Status: RE appt 01/20/15 & Cleared to TTC
    Plan: Baby Aspirin, More (raw) folate, PNP, Iron, diet
    DX: MTHFR hetero C677T, ANA+ Homogeneous, Anemia. Ige sensitivities: gluten, egg, dairy
    All AL Welcome<3
    “Once you are real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
    We will never forgot our angels<3


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  • ellebelle2384ellebelle2384 member
    I've never heard of her but it sounds like a great idea to get a second opinion, especially from someone with these resources.  Hope you get some answers and I hope you'll share with us!
    Me: 31     DH: 33
    Dx: Me: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss; DH: Low Morphology (2%)
    BFP#1: MC 3/1/11 at 6w1d - EDD 10/21/11
    BFP#2: 5/3/11 - EDD 1/9/12 - DD Born 1/6/12
    image
    TTC #2 since 12/13
    BFP#3: MC 2/8/14 at 4w5d - EDD 10/13/14
    BFP#4: MC 5/6/14 at 4w4d - EDD 1/9/15
    BFP#5: MMC discovered 8/4/14 at 9w1d - D&C 8/5/14 - Baby Boy with Trisomy 16 (maternal origin) - EDD 3/8/15
    BFP#6: CP 11/6/14 at 4w2d - EDD 7/14/15
    IVF #1 with ICSI & PGS: May/June 2015, ER 6/3/15, 17R/17M/15F
    IVF #2 with ICSI & PGS: July 2015, ER 7/16/15, 16R/11M/9F
    PGS results = 6 normal embryos (4 boys, 2 girls)
    FET 9/23/15 = BFFN
    Natural FET 11/4/15 = BFP!
    Beta 9dp5dt = 92

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  • megrae12megrae12 member
    I have zero experience, but I'm so happy your got an appointment with her. I'm glad your are being proactive and hopefully she will be able to give you some answers. :heart:
    Multiple TTCAL 1IF 3
    imageimage
    DX: stage 2 Endo 2012, PCOS 7/2/14,  HSG 6/11/14, Lefty open!!
    BFP#1, EDD: 4/27/14, Missed EP confirmed: 9/23/13, R tube removal: 9/25/13 
    Clomid/TI #1=BFN, 
    Clomid/TI#2=BFN, Clomid/TI #3=CP
    BFP #2 CP, EDD 7/12/15
    On a treatment break: 2 natural cycles. Saving money, sigh*

    Goodbye my sweet babies. We miss you so much. 
    All Welcome


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  • MSU_Girl1202MSU_Girl1202 member
    Although I have no personal experience, I've read so many wonderful things about her. This is actually my next step if my next FET doesn't work or ends in loss. Please keep us posted on how it goes!
    Married 07/2006, TTC since 2010
    08/2011: Clomid 50mg, IUI --> BFN  ,
    10/2011: Clomid 100mg, IUI --> BFN
    04/13: Clomid, IUI BFP --> MC at 6w1d
    05/13: Femara 2.5mg, IUI --> BFN  , 08/13: Femara 2.5mg --> BFN
    03/14: Femara 5mg, IUI --> 1 follicle @ 27d --> BFP! EDD 12/02/14--> blighted ovum, missed MC 6w6d --> D&C
    4/23: D&C...starting over again, with a little part of my heart broken off
    5/31: Femara 7.5mg --> cancelled cycle, no follies
    7/14: Femara 5mg + brevelle + menopur + IUI --> converted to IVF, ER 7/28 --> ET cancelled due to severe OHSS.
    9/20/14:  Frozen Embryo Transfer --> BFP--> EDD 6/6/15 --> MC at 5w3d      
    10/16/14: Frozen Embryo Transfer --> BFN
    2/6/15: Frozen Embryo Transfer --> BFP --> MC at 5w4d
    3/20/16: PGS-tested Frozen Embryo Transfer --> BFP, Living Child born 12/1/15
    6/6/17: Fresh IVF Cycle --> Severe OHSS, 5 PGS-tested embryos frozen
    2/23/18: PGS-tested FET --> BFN
    3/30/18: Cancelled cycle due to lining 4.2mm
    6/21/18: PGS-tested FET --> BFN
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  • Nikolie93Nikolie93 member
    No experience here but I think it's great you have an appointment with her! I have my FX for you :D
    I am not sure how to say this without getting a "solicitation" warning so I guess I just say that I am not longer active on THIS site. 



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  • ashlee113085ashlee113085 member
    I'm glad you got an appt with her! My SIL went to her! I haven't really talked much to her about the doctor necessarily, but I can say that she loves her! I will see if I can get more specifics from her and PM you with any details I get!

    FX for a great experience with her!!



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    My Ovulation Chart
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  • rslh10rslh10 member
    I wish you all the luck with your appt, Bookish <3
    image
    Hubs & I -29 • Met 5/18/04 • Married 5/8/10
    BFP #1 DS 2/7/11 (Born @ 34 wks via ECS due to Pre-e) TTC #2 since Aug '13
    DX Low AMH (.58) March '14 • FSH-7.5 • E2-35.5 (Nov '14)
    SA- Great numbers • SIS- Clear (Nov '14)
     Cycle 1- Clomid CD3-7 & Trigger-BFP • EDD 1/12/15 
    Ectopic @ 5w6d • Methotrexate Shot 5/18/14
    Cycle 2,3,4- Clomid CD3-7 & Trigger-- BFN
    Cycle 5- Letrozole CD3-7 & Trigger BFFN
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    • Everyone Welcome •
    TTCAL January Siggy Challenge • Animal Snow Interactions
    image


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  • purplehaze11purplehaze11 member
    No experience with the doctor, but good for getting a second opinion! I pushed hard for mine, and got much better treatment and really felt like I was heard.

    DD 15.07.2012

    BFP #2 01.18.2014, MMC 04.10.2014 15w5d

    BFP #3 07.18.2014, MC 07.31.2014 5w6d

    DX: RPL due to submucosal uterine fibroid. Hysteroscopy 12/16. All clear!

    image</a

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  • catvaughn5002catvaughn5002 member
    I don't have any experience but wanted to wish you good luck on your appointment.  :x
    Me: 26 DH:28
    TTC - Sept 2014
    # 1 BFP - October 5, 2014 EDD June 5, 2015 CP - October 14, 2014


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    TTCAL January Siggy Challenge: Animal Interactions in the Snow
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  • Km380Km380 member
    No experience either but I'm glad you're being proactive. Good luck w the appt!!

    PgAL welcome


    Married 6/11/2011

    Me & Hubby: 34

    TTC journey started 12/2012

    BFP #1 6/5/2013, MC confirmed 6/26/2013 @ 7 wks

    BFP#2 8/25/2013 MC confirmed 10/16/2013 @ 12 wks (D&C 10/18)

    Diagnosis: unexplained RPL, unexplained IF.

    Also have hypothyroidism

    Started TTC again 12/2013

     

    IUI#1:Clomid CD 3-7, Trigger'ed CD 12. IUI CD 14. BFN

    IUI #2:Letrozole CD 3 - 7, Follistim CD 9, Trigger CD 10, IUI CD12. BFN

    Current plan: IVF with PGD. Antagonist - Vivelle Protocal. Stim start 12/1. ER 12/14.

    http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/502498

    image imageimage

    image


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  • RachaeleighRachaeleigh member
    edited December 2014
    I'd love to hear about your appt.

    Also, for ladies that have seen her...What does she do differently than other REs?

    Eta: or is she an RI?

    4 Losses (2003, 2008, Apr 2012, & Oct 2012)
    All RPL and IF testing with multiple REs = normal

    5 IUIs = BFN

    All AL are welcome
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic

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  • BookishMommaBookishMomma member
    edited December 2014
    @rachaeleigh She is an RE and OBGYN who specializes in recurrent pregnancy loss. From what I understand, she is willing to consider some RI type of approaches and has done some research on immune stuff, but she is conservative in her approach. Thus, she's not likely to venture into some of the more experimental RI stuff that you might get with someone like Braverman or Beer. I think. That's what I have gleaned from my reading, anyway.

    eta: I don't mean to disparage Braverman or Beer, as I have looked at their info, too. Stephenson's approach is more in line with what I think my DH will be willing to go along with. Plus, her clinic is closer.
    image
    image
    DX: I'm a Recurrent Loser
    Me (35) + DH (37) - Married Sept. 2007
    BFP #1 - DS born 7/11/11
    BFP#2 11/13/13 - EDD 7/29/14 - M/C at 5w3d
    BFP #3 12/28/13 - EDD 9/7/14 - M/C at 4w6d
    BFP#4 3/27/14 -  EDD 12/5/14 - Girl lost to 45X at 8w6d - D&C 
    BFP#5 10/15/14 - EDD 6/30/15 - M/C at 7w2d
    BFP #6 1/5/15 - EDD 9.16.14 [CLICKY for progress]
    In search of a image


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  • RachaeleighRachaeleigh member
    BookishMomma said:

    @rachaeleigh She is an RE and OBGYN who specializes in recurrent pregnancy loss. From what I understand, she is willing to consider some RI type of approaches and has done some research on immune stuff, but she is conservative in her approach. Thus, she's not likely to venture into some of the more experimental RI stuff that you might get with someone like Braverman or Beer. I think. That's what I have gleaned from my reading, anyway.


    eta: I don't mean to disparage Braverman or Beer, as I have looked at their info, too. Stephenson's approach is more in line with what I think my DH will be willing to go along with. Plus, her clinic is closer.
    I hope the appointment goes well and please update us!

    4 Losses (2003, 2008, Apr 2012, & Oct 2012)
    All RPL and IF testing with multiple REs = normal

    5 IUIs = BFN

    All AL are welcome
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic

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  • stephy1221stephy1221 member
    FX for you! Sounds like seeing her is a great next step.
     Daisypath Anniversary tickers        Daisypath Happy Birthday tickers

    Oct Angel*BFP 1/25/14 * EDD 10/6/14 * US#1 2/26/14 *US#2 3/3/14 no heartbeat*d&c 3/12/14*

    BFP 1/17/15 * EDD 9/30/15

    image







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