Looking for a good clinic in Sacramento area, please help!!!

luckygal · Post by **luckygal** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 6:58 pm

I am so desperate, would like to find a good clinic around Sacramento area in California, we had our first IVF in July, m/c at 8w, i am so afraid to even try again, then i am pushing 40 next year, this is gonna be my last chance to became a mom, i would like to find a really good clinic with high successful rate, please help!!!!!!!!

Many thanks!

Ghost · Post by **Ghost** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 7:37 pm

You're probably aware of this resource for finding the success rates of most American clinics.

http://www.sart.org/find_frm.html#

The closest clinic to you with high success rates might be Russell Foulk's clinic in Reno.

But these statistics might not mean as much as you think. Clinics can increase their numbers through patient selection.

luckygal · Post by **luckygal** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 11:53 pm

Thank you Ghost!

I like the Dr and clinic that i went, it's a small and a friendly place, but the only problem is the clinic was only open two years ago, it is fairly new, can't find any success rates on your site yet.

What's your recommendation? To switch to more established clinic, like Northern California Fertility Medical Center? Reno is over two hrs away from me, it's a little to far to travel there.......

Thanks again for your helps

Luckgal

amy · Post by **amy** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:32 am

Did you go to the clinic in Davis?? Have you found one you are happy with?? I too live in Sacramento and am in the same boat... Let me know what you decided.

k-rose · Post by **k-rose** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:04 am

Luckygal,

I live in Fair Oaks and am going to Northern California Fertility and have been very happy there (although not pregnant yet). But, know quite a few people who have had success there. There is a Dr Murray who I had when he worked at Kaiser who I had my first daughter with via IUI's and he is great. He is there, plus 4 other Dr's. I have met them all, and really feel comfortable with them all. There prices are very comparable to everyone else's. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Kelly

amy · Post by **amy** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:19 am

Thanks Kelly for all the good information. I started at Kaiser and went through them for all my IUIs as it was "free" but then moved to the new clinic in Davis (California IVF) to do my in vitro cycles as the Kaiser clinic wasn't open yet. I technically only did one cycle as they transferred 2 the first time and 4 for the frozen cycle. The last one worked for about a week until my hcg didn't double. Now after spending around 600 on the testing am having difficulty deciding if to do it all one more time with the drugs and if I do - do I continue on with Dr. Zehringue or try someone new. The original reason for not going to Northern California was that it took someone over two weeks to return my phone call which just seemed like a bad omen. Have you had good luck with all the staff?? warm and friendly??

k-rose · Post by **k-rose** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:21 am

Amy,

yes, I have had good luck with them. Everyone has been great and never had a problem with returning phone calls. It's also nice because you can e-mail all the dr's with any questions and they are great about e-mailing back quickly. Who did you need to call you back? The nurses get back to you the same day. It can take a little while to get an appt with a specific Dr for an initial evaluation. If your open to any of their Dr's, then it shouldn't take too long. You can also request to be put on the waiting list if anyone cancels. I can't beleive it took that long for a call back. Who were you trying to talk to? Just curious.

kelly

amy · Post by **amy** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:51 pm

I was referred to Northern California from my ob/gyn and just called to set up an initial appointment. That was when the two week wait began and I still didn't get a call until I called them back. By that point I had already had my consultation with California IVF in Davis and decided that was a better option. Davis was also so new that they were offering discounts on the treatments which made icsi more affordable. Davis has also offered me that same introductory rate if I want to try again - so that is tempting... but I am not sure if changing clinics will help anything.

k-rose · Post by **k-rose** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 9:34 pm

Oh, that wierd. Whenever I call to schedule an appt, they transfer me right to the appointment person and she schedules it right then. Oh well, if you can get it cheaper at Davis, maybe that's better. If you ever have any questions about Norther Calif, just let me know. I'm going to be starting back up in the next couple of weeks to do a frozen cycle for the first time in January.

Kelly

luckygal · Post by **luckygal** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:02 am

Thanks for the replies, Amy & K-rose

I am still trying to decide which clinic i should go for our last try. Yes, i did went to Davis with Dr. Zehringue for our first IVF/ICSI, he is a very nice and sweet guy, its a small and friendly place, family-like atmosphere, i did try to call Northern California for consultation, sounds like i have to wait for two months to get in for an initial evaluation.

Well, at this point, I just want to pick one on successful rate, Davis is so new, they don't have any record of successful rate, the lab is so new too, Deborah Johnson , the embryologist at Davis, used to work for Northern California, she probably get experiences, but again the lab at small clinic, make me feel uneasy, another thing with Davis, they don't send out insurance for me, i have to deal with insurance, it was mess.

I am still debating, i would love to get more information on successful rate, the lab is another key role to successful IVF.

Please share your information with me, i really appreciate.

My first IVF/ICSI, they retrieved 8 embryos, 5 fertilized, 2 8cell, 1 7cell 1 5cell very good grade, one is 10cell, they transfer 3, rest of two never made to frozen. I have to do fresh cycle again, so I do need experience Dr. to help me on fresh cycle. I was using the maximum dose, it was hard on my body, I was testing positive, but never double. Dr. Zehringue told me all the ladies at the same time testing with me, their HCG were all so low, he think something was wrong with the lab for the blood testing

???

I would like to do fresh cycle soon, maybe in January.

I really wish Amy & K-rose all the luck in the world, please keep me updated.

Thanks again, you can PM me if you want.

Luckygal

Enrico's Mommy · Post by **Enrico's Mommy** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:18 am

Hi, guys, I may be a little late posting here, but wanted you to know I've had 5 total IVF cycles...actually, I'm in the middle of my 5th currently. I've cycled 3 times at NCFMC and find the doctors awesome. My favorites are Dr. G and Dr. Lovely. I did have a positive result and would definately cycle there again. The only downfall is the clinic has become very busy and I've felt a bit lost in the process and didn't feel like I knew any of the nurses, nor did they know me. I"m currently cycling in Davis with Dr. Z, and I've been treated very well. The staff is wonderful and very personable. They called me by name the second time I walked through the door. The other thing that makes me feel great about cycling in Davis is that one of NCFMC's embryologists, Deborah, is now in Davis, and I think she's great. I think the REs in this process are important, but not quite as important as the embryologist, who actually "babysits" your embies while they grow and divide.

On another note: I've been to two consults at Sher in Sacramento and would NEVER cycle with Dr. Snowden. After consult, my dh and I left feeling totally uncomfortable about the clinic. I also live in Fair Oaks, and the drive to Davis is simple. The only reason I chose the clinic for this cycle is b/c my new insurance pays 75% of the cost, and it wasn't covered at NCFMC.

Good luck to all of you!

amy · Post by **amy** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:59 pm

What insurance do you have??? I need to know as I have Kaiser and Health Net and was lead to believe IVF wasn't covered by ANYONE in California. I felt the same way about Northern California - after waiting two weeks for a call back and having to call them to get an answer I felt unimportant. When I called Davis they were able to start me right away and were familiar with my previous doctors at Kaiser. This made the transition smooth and comfortable - not to mention they didn't make me retake any expensive tests which really helped.
When did you do your IVF at Davis? I had the low positive test in August. It started off with a 2 and then slowly grew until it stopped doubling. It was very emotional!! I do enjoy the staff at Davis although sometimes he is so kind and patient that I think he is telling me what I want to hear and not wanting to hurt my feelings. This is so great to hear from others around here!

Thanks for the input...

Enrico's Mommy · Post by **Enrico's Mommy** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:01 am

Hi, Amy. I, too came from Kaiser, and absolutely LOVED my OBGYN. I didn't want to switch ins. just b/c of him. We now have Blue Cross/Blue Shield and it's through IBM. I think coverage is very rare and we consider ourselves very lucky. I actually just had my transfer at Davis TODAY. I'm nervous and excited all over again, especially since we transfered 4 embryos

Sorry about your loss in August. I've had that same thing happen on a frozen transfer and it's so unfair, especially when it takes a week or two to figure out the true result. Are you planning another cycle soon?

Take care,
Alicia

amy · Post by **amy** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:58 pm

Congratulations! I can't wait to hear about your outcome. How are you feeling?
How many IVFs have you done? Have all of them been through Davis? How much of that is covered by your insurance?? I am calling Health Net today to see as my husband has them through Sutter Medical. I am just not familiar with how they work as I have had Kaiser my whole life. You are incredibly lucky to have any of it paid for. I am so jealous as the money is what is keeping us from doing it again. After all the free IUIs we were kind of assured that IVF would be a slam dunk and when the first fresh and then frozen cycle didn't work, we were devastated and now feel that it might just be throwing more money down the drain. I wish something was a guarantee! Are you taking a baby aspirin each day? I would! I am kicking myself for not doing it. I just had all the repromedix testing to find out if I had high APAs and I do have a low positive result. They are recommending heparin with aspirin and now I just wish I had at least taken the aspirin each day as it wouldn't have hurt. I can't wait to hear your good news!

Take care!

Enrico's Mommy · Post by **Enrico's Mommy** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:41 pm

Amy: Thanks for the well-wishes. This is my 5th cycle, with 4 fresh and 1 frozen. I have a ds from my 4th IVF fresh cycle. I actually have been to 3 clinics! My ds came from Northern California, and this is our first in Davis. We were really surprised it took 4 cycles, b/c we were told we were prime candidates for IVF. I just KNEW the first cycle would work, and it turned out to be horrible. I AM taking aspirin, and am glad you mentioned that, b/c the Dr. didn't suggest it, buy dh and I felt more comfortable taking it, since we did with our other cycles. Our ins. covers 75%, which is crazy, since we paid out of pocket for the other 4 cycles and meds! After leaving Kaiser, I realized how much I actually enjoyed going there, b/c it makes life so easy. I've heard countless people complain about HMOs, but I've never had a bad experience at Kaiser. We have, however, found a GREAT pediatric Dr. for the kids (I also have a 15 yo step-son). I don't know where you work or what your career is, but I know there are lists of companies that have coverage. If you're flexible enough to get a short-term job to help pay, that might be a good idea. I considered it many times, but you may have to wait until the ins. kicks in.

Alicia

Looking for a good clinic in Sacramento area, please help!!!

Looking for a good clinic in Sacramento area, please help!!!

I've cycled at both clinics

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