Should I Go to a Fertility Clinic?

Hi L.,
I can honestly tell you that my heart goes out to you and your husband. We too when through the same issues for over 6 years.

The question you ask is a good one. I can't tell you more than my opinion. If you have insurance and would like to see what it will cover, I would start at the OB/GYN. They are usually good about recommending tests, etc. Also, if you need a referral, you would want to start there anyway.

However, if you are past that and want to go to a specialist, I would recommend Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine. http://www.colocrm.com/
We worked with Dr. Schoolcraft, and his beside manner isn't the best. Dr. Surrey was amazing and I can tell you that we barely saw the Dr.'s anyway. We dealt the nurses 98% of the time. I would also like to mention that it is a very costly venture. Be prepared because most fertility specialists are particular with insurance. Not a penny was covered by ours. Was it worth it, absolutely! Will I do it again, NO. It’s a hard path to choose for you and your husband.

I truly wish you both the best. Good luck to you and whatever you decide to do.

D.

I completely agree with Dani when she says it's a hard path to take - so emotional. It's a path we're still on, and I hope and pray to be able to say it was worth it! I have a friend who has now had 2 sons after going through a medical trial (she had issues with her uterus) with Dr. Schoolcraft (sp). Our insurance covered the testing for infertility, but not any treatment, so we went to Conceptions Fertility Clinic in Littleton and saw Dr. Albrecht. I have 3 awesome children from a previous marriage and my husband has a very rare disease that has affected our ability to have children. Conceptions did all the testing that we needed and were very honest about our options - IUI would not work for us, so we did IVF. We had 2 A+ embryos, but neither took - we now have 3 precious frozen embryos to try again later this year. We hardly saw the doctor, but when we did he was as good as I think you can expect - he was compassionate, but no fertility doctor can not be clinical, they can't get emotionally involved in things and that's hard because it's such an emotional process. Does that make sense?? The staff at Conceptions were great - just don't be afraid to call and ask questions, a lot of questions through out the process - you pay them a lot of money! I would make some consulting appts. after checking a few out online and go with who you are comfortable with, and then be prepared for the ride of your life!!! There are so many ups and downs. I'm an open book for the most part, so feel free to contact me if you have any other questions!!

Hi L.,
I'd encourage you to try a fertility clinic. We went to Colorado Reproductive Enocrinologists and LOVED them. The doctors and nursing staff were great. I was 42 when we became pregnant with twins. Good luck!

Hi L.,
I'm so sorry that you have to have this worry. It took us 3 years to get pregnant, but we waited for over 2 years before we saw a specialist because I was working with my OB/GYN. I think if we have problems with a second child that I will go directly to the specialist after 6 months of "trying". We went to Colorado Reproductive Enocrinologists and thought they were very nice and it (obviously) worked. We ended up having to have IUI several times, but it was still much less expensive than in-vitro...

Hi L. - You've gotten some great advice already! My husband and I tried to conceive for 2 1/2 years. We resisted going the fertility clinic route during that time and were both getting acpuncture treatments, practicing yoga and stress reduction. We finally decided to seek additional help, first at the OB. I was 39 at the time and my husband was 44. I had some initial tests with the OB (including an HSG, which sounds like what you had) and my husband was tested as well. The OB refered us to Dr. Debra Minjarez at CCRM (http://www.colocrm.com/). She was just wonderful, very understanding and kind. The staff is just great too. I had some further testing done there - some of which they were able to order through my OB so that insurance covered them and some out of pocket. Dr. Minjarez recommended IUI for us and it worked the third time. Our beautiful son was born in April 2008. We were so thankful that IUI worked for us because we had already decided against IVF due to the cost. It was a very emotional journey but completely worth it. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. Good Luck! W.

Not sure if you're still looking, but we went through IVF treatment with great success recently. We started with a fertility clinic (www.ConceptionsRepro.com) and they were able to walk us through every step of the process and lay out the costs at each stage.

Hi L. - I will be 43 in less than a month and have twins who just turned 5 and a darling daughter who is 3 1\2. I too went to see Debra Minjarez ###-###-####). I am so lucky to have found this marvelous doctor, miracle worker, etc. The clinic she works for (Schoolcraft's) actually has the best rates in the country. And they are right here in Denver!! Hard to believe but true. I had given up hope, but with her wonderful expertise and care I have 3 healthy children. My daughter came about unexpectedly (I was later told that pregnancy cures many issues like I had.) So my twins were bought & paid for, in-vitro and my daughter was a happy surprise. I know I never would have had these beautiful little creatures without her intervention and wonderful help. Please call her tomorrow and good luck to you - do not give up hope!!