Jul 12, 2011

Second opinion?

I've decided that while I'm working on this FET, I am also going to try to get a second opinion from someone at another clinic. Not so easy because I haven't yet been successful in getting through to a live person on the phone and it will definitely be a schlep for us, but I've decided it's worth it. I've also decided that it makes most sense to do a private consultation and to think of it as a fact-finding mission while I am concurrently cycling in my current clinic - that way there isn't all of the pressure and rush to deal with the logistical issues of trying to switch clinics and setting up a new cycle under time pressure if it comes to that.

I don't feel like I have received bad care at my current clinic and I think my current doctors are very competent and all, but I've been plugging away in the same clinic for a year now and I just feel like they aren't so proactive. It seems to be more of an institutional attitude than a doctor-specific thing - like the general resistance to 5 day transfers and the practice of freezing all embryos on day 3, even those that are obviously not good quality and then pushing as many FETs as possible.

My current clinic was clearly the best place for me to start since it has a good reputation and it's right at the university hospital where my research lab is located. You couldn't ask for a more convenient arrangement. On the other hand, the mixing of my personal and professional life can be disquieting at times and it would be nice to have a clearer separation between those two aspects of my life. I would say that with the passing of time, it has become psychologically a bit more difficult to do treatment essentially at my workplace and not have that division.

We'll see...I do feel a certain loyalty towards my current clinic and I have certainly gotten comfortable in the current arrangement. However, if I want my treatment to be more proactive, I know it's up to me to take that first step. As part of our supplemental insurance through our health fund, we do have great coverage at a private hospital in Tel Aviv that has a great reputation and seems to be more progressive in their lab practices than our current clinic.

One thing that really annoys me is that clinics in Israel aren't required to report success rates so there is really zero transparency in the system and reputation is built mostly upon word-of-mouth and hearsay. I would so love to know what the IVF success rates are actually like for each clinic - I am sure it would be really enlightening!

10 comments:

  1. I don't blame you for wanting a second opinion. Regardless of who you end up with, it couldn't hurt.

    It would be hard to work in the same place as your clinic..you must feel like you never escape it! Good luck with your research...

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  2. Lurker dropping in to comment... I also use the clinic located at the university hospital where I do my research. And right next door to where I have my own clinic. And my RE actually does research with a group in our division. It definitely has potential for awkwardness, despite the convenience. We'll see how things go with IVF #1. I'm hoping to make it through without any awkward encounters.

    Good luck with your 2nd opinion. I think it's a great idea to have another perspective, but I'm strongly crossing my fingers for you that the FET will work!

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  3. I think it's a great idea to get a 2nd opinion. It's helpful just to touch base with someone else, and get some opinions. I got a 2nd opinion late last year, and although I decided to stay with my previous doc, I was very happy that I talked to someone else - it was very informative and made me think! But I hope that you don't need it - this FET is going to work!!!

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  4. I think it's great to get a second opinion as well. I recommend my doctor whole heartedly if your interested in his info (even privately at first). I had also assumed that most of the hospitals used more or less the same technology, but my doctor actually told me that not all the labs use vitrification to freeze the embryos, can you believe it? I would think once the technology was out there and readily available everyone would be on board. Really incredible.

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  5. I think you are very wise to get a second opinion, especially considering the 3 day versus 5 day protocol at your current clinic. Plus, another perspective never hurts.

    Good luck!

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  6. I think it's great that you're getting a second opinion. As for clinics - have you tried asking on the Tapuz forums? It's still hearsay, but at least, it's from a bunch of people. :-)

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  7. Sorry that I've been so slow in commenting... so sorry to hear about your negative and know how you feel about wanting to move into the next cycle. Second opinions are always worthwhile and hope it brings you some answers. Love to you always xoxo

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  8. Here from ICLW! Its so hard making the decision to switch REs, I just switched and when I tried to weigh all the factors between the two I realized that there is too much to assign some weighted benefit to each, basically I just had to go with my gut!

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  9. I would agree that you should get a second opinion. From everything I've heard, it's really best to push to day 5 and I can't imagine why a clinic would refuse to do so. When I started looking at my clinic options, I emailed my OB for his recommendation. I trust him and found his insights really enlightening.

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  10. So I've decided that if this FET is fail, while we pursue FET #2, I will get a second opinion for sure. I think it does make sense for us to give all of our frozen embies a chance, subpar quality and all, at our current clinic but I really don't want to do another fresh cycle at my current clinic. Mo - never heard of the tapuz forums until now, but I'm going to check it out - thanks!

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