Question #12

12.Talk about how you chose your RE.

Shannon:
The first person (Dr S) I was referred to by my regular doctor. She gave me two shots at clomid then quickly recommended me to a RE only facility. I lost the note but remembered the names. When we decided to try again I asked my regular doctor who she recommended because Dr S was impossible to get ahold of. She recommended two facilities, one of which was the same one Dr S recommended. I did my research and actually looked around at other places more local. Like Steph, I would automatically eliminate places that were rude or unfriendly on the phone. I ended up LOVING the CARE center that was recommended to me. It has just been too expensive to work with further, at this time.

Mrs Red:
My gyn office recommended a place that had specialists but not RE's. so I started researching offices. First I went by website presentation and stats from their sites. Then I went by receptionist. I literally hung up and never called one back just because they answered the phone rudely. This is a sensitive issue and I want a whole staff that is dedicated to the patient care, not justly the main doctors. Then I went by who was most forthcoming and detailed with information. Lastly, distance to home and earliest appointment. Then when I finally went, I was not disappointed. My first appointment was 4 hrs (they warned me ahead of time.) I met the whole staff and everyone was super nice and supportive. I love my RE office. :-)

Ashley:
My journey was a little different because of my occupation. I am a sonographer so I knew within the first two months of being off OCPs that I had PCOS. I work with infertility patients and then found myself being one of them! I knew many of the REs (in my geographic) and their staff from scanning infertility patients. I also knew a great deal about PCOS from school and working with patients who have it everyday, but as soon as I knew I had it I just dug into reading as much as I could to learn even more, which has helped me better understand and do my job :) So I knew infertility treatments were expensive so I decided to see a GYN who is a provider at my hospital who works with an RE that comes to my hospital as a satellite location from 3 hours away. I thought by going to the GYN she could help me start the smaller steps - clomid/femara, and that would help me save money, and I could help manage my care at that point. After 12 months of Metformin and 4 months of not responding to clomid and 1 month not responding to femara I was seeking an RE. I did a ton of research online. I read testimonials, looked at pricing, called clinics to get more info..etc. I had it narrowed down to two facilities but wasn't sure who to see. Then I spoke with a friend who recently just started seeing an RE and she chose one of the clinics that was my top two. So I just decided to go with that one because she really like the RE. I've seen Dr. L for 10 months now, he has been wonderful. We've tried several different doses of Femara but I am unresponsive to it and the past three months I have done Follistim with IUI, which has not resulted in a pregnancy. So we are moving onto IVF. I again "shopped" online to see facility pricing, guarantees, location, etc. I didn't really think the facility I'm currently going to offers the best package for IVF at the most reasonable cost. So I called two other places that I was inquiring about and that have comparable packages and I went with the one where the staff was most helpful and kind. It gives you comfort through this journey when you have caring people who are kind and sweet. So we are in the process of establishing care with a new RE - because of $$$.