Anyone from NY area - Columbia Fertility Clinic?

[Lexima]

I already had 3 cycles at Colombia Center for Women's Reproductive Care: 2 medicated, 1 medicated + IUI, all unsuccessful.  I'm about to start my fourth cycle in a few weeks.  I wanted to find out if anyone had any sucess at this clinic or know someone who has?

My main concern is that the clinic works as a conveyour belt and you're constantly being examined by different dr, I'm afraid that they are missing something.

Thank You.

[ms320]

That sounds really frustrating.  Is it that a bunch of drs are really examining you, or is it that different drs are performing the procedure.  I am over at Cornell, and I have a friend who uses RMA.  She mentioned that her place is similar to mine.  I have one RE.  I have seen her a few times, and it is her staff that I deal with.  I am getting ready for my first IVF cycle.  The clinic has >10 MDs who rotate, so when it comes time for my retrieval and trasnfer, I think I get whoever is on the schedule that day.  I think these places are so big taht it would be impossible to stay with only one doc.

[Lexima]

My initial appt was with an RE that I really liked, but their monitorig hours are  7:30-8:30am every morning and all REs that work in this clinic rotate.  So sometime in once cycle I'm examined by 3 differen REs, each day different one.  And they are all so busy that they don't have much time to talk to you or answer questions.  They just blurt out follicle sizes, lining size and if your instructions for meds remain the same .  If something has to change in the meds they tell you to wait and talk to an IVF nurse.  Some nurses are good, but others have no clue what they are talking about.

So there are good things and bad things, the good things are their hours and the location it's walking distance to my office, so very conveniet on the weekdays.

Where is Cornell located?

[ms320]

Cornell also has good hours.  Unfortunately, they are across town at 70th St and York Ave.  RMA is on Madison, somewhere in the 60's

[miky72]

Hi!
I go to RMA and it sound exactly as Columbia..
I think this big clinics are all the same...The thing is they have the best success rate.
I have a friend who got 3 kids (first a singleton and then twins boy and girl)at Columbia so I think you are in a good place.
if you think to switch to RMA let me know and I'll tell you all I know but personally I think they are all the same...
Good luck,
Miky

[ashort]

I also live in NY.  I go to a fertility clinic on Long Island but I know what you mean.  Monitoring is from 6:30-8:00.  I also see different doctors each time.  Well, their are 3 doctors and 2 NP.  Usually the doctors come in around 7:30 or 8 so I usually see a NP.  It's hard b/c they all measure follicles differently.  My RE is more conservative then the NP.  Do you live upstate?

[Lexima]

Hi all, thanks for your input.

Miky - I remember you mentioning your friend few months ago, thanks for reminding.  I guess hearing a real example helps me keep the hopes up.
At least now I know that it's not just columbia, I guess most fertility clinics do busines the same way.  It's just frustrating, bec there are so many questions and REs don't have the time to spend.

ashort - I actually live in Brooklyn but work in midtown, that's why Columbia seems to work for me it's about 15 min walking.  But when I have to go for u/s on a weekend or a holiday I have to beg dh to drive me, or take a subway which is actually an easier choice.  But looks like RMA is in a good location as well.  So if I get really frustrated with columbia I'll look into RMA.

[ms320]

I checked with my friend who has been through IUI and IVF at Cornell.  She said they work the same exact way as they do at Columbia.  (I have not had my first cycle yet, so I wasn't exactly sure.) As Miky said, though, the big clinics have the best success rate.  Good luck

[ashort]

Lexima,
I live in Nassau county.  I go to East Coast Fertility.  They also have good success rates if you ever need to find another doctor.  I'm happy with them but it sounds like much of the same stuff you are going through.  Good Luck!