Posted by Lisa on July 24, 19100 at 12:54:21:
In Reply to: In a Perfect World - addendum to Liz's beta thread below posted by debi on July 24, 19100 at 11:51:52:
I have been to two of the larger programs, NYU and St. Barnabas and was able to get the best of having access to the top labs, as well as have my doctor around for all my scans and phone calls.
By using one of the satellite offices, Drs. Copperman and Mukherjee for NYU, or Grunfeld and Sandler for Barnabas, (there are others as well), you can avoid dealing directly with the large clinic.
I went through 5 IVF cycles and always had my RE call me with my beta results. I was able to have a follow-up immediately, and was able to speak with my RE anytime I needed. This was very important for me, which is why I always chose a satellite office. I know it is a small part of the picture, but it meant so much to have my RE call me with the beta results himself.
I know this is not standard practice in the big clinics, but I always wondered why it is not. No doctor in any clinic has more than a few women getting a beta result for her IVF cycle in any given day. The phone calls take only a few minutes, and I think this should be a priority. It makes a huge difference for us, and just a few minutes out of any "busy" doctor's schedule. Speaking with my RE immediately on the phone after a failed cycle gave me some relief, rather than having to bite my nails and wait days or possible weeks for a chance to have a follow up appointment. I think the doctors at the big clinics need to understand how much that phone call means to us.
Not to be disrespectful to the doctors at the large clinics, I do realize they are very busy and in demand, but I think that they need to give a little more compassion to their patients, especially during an IVF cycle.