Hi! I'm in Beta hell right now where my RE has been pressuring me since last week to terminate my pregnancy because my beta levels are low but increasing and they haven't seen anything on the u/s (even if my last beta was only 641 they have done 3 sonograms already). I desperately need a second opinion and would appreciate it if anyone can recommend a good RE in the Philadelphia area. I am currently going to Mainline Fertility and it has been hell since my main RE went on vacation a few days after my IVF transfer and I've been seeing another RE on the practice instead.
I just need a second opinion before doing anything with this pregnancy as I haven't experienced any bleeding, pain or any symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage but the RE has been insisting since last week that I don't have a viable pregnancy. I want a second opinion and I tried contacting Abington fertility already but all their REs are also on vacation this week.
I cannot recommend any, but I would say to call them to see who would be able to get you in for a second opinion.
I asked her to check out the thread. She is going to the same clinic. SO sorry. I wish I could help you more. I would go to someone else just for a second opinion. Even if you do not like them, you do not need to see them again.
__________________ Me
DSS 5/30/04 (always will be mine)
Aww hon. I am the one she PM'd but shoot I go to MLF too. I can't believe ...wait yes I can....I am so so sorry. Have you tried (wish I new your zip code as I am looking in a provider directory under RE using my zip 19134)
Sorry I don't any one doctor's name to give you as there are many and like I said...i go to MLF.
I am sorry they are doing this to you. I just had an ectopic where I started bleeding on 10/19 Dr. O was not in so dr. G gave me cytotec and when that didn't work fast enough he did a D & C w/o anes. had me screaming and crying in the office. That still did not do that trick and Dr. O gave me the mex shot. Which thank goodness after all this time my HCG is 4.2. At a beta of 600 you would not see anything on u/s they usually say at 1000-1500....how far along are you....have you tried confiding in your ob/gyn??
Also do you mind me asking which doctor you are seeing?
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05/08 ~ 5w
10/08 ~ 6w
06/09 ~ 10w
RPL testing and hysteroscopy...coming soon.
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Linaa, I remember you! I lost my twins last July to PTL and I used to go to Jeff but had problems there and actually went to MLF because of recommendations here. Anyway, I was seeing Dr. G but he was on vacation a few days after my IVF transfer until today so had to see Dr. P. Dr. P has been pressuring me since last week to terminate my pregnancy but with all the mix-ups with my records and the nurses never calling me back with my results even if Dr. O once gave instructions on increasing my PIO dosage, I don't trust their numbers. Supposedly, my betas went down last Monday to 77 but has been going back up again and my last beta was 641 last Sunday and they haven't found a sac yet (5w5d) but Dr. P did a pelvic exam and they had me on ultrasound for 30 minutes and they couldn't see any ectopic. Dr. O was really nice, he did my transfer and when my DH called him (he was the one on call) after Dr. P called me Monday night about stopping my meds, he told us to continue our meds and just go back for more bloodwork Friday. Dr. O also told us that it is too early to see anything with an u/s but Dr. P has me go through 3 u/s already and using the fact that they don't see any sac as basis for terminating my pregnancy. I will have to wait what Dr. G would recommend, but if he's like Dr. P I would definitely go for a second opinion.
Dr. G called me a few minutes ago and he wants to see me this Wednesday at Paoli. I will talk to him first but I will probably schedule something with HUP if possible although I might just wait for next week when the Abington doctors are back.
And Sandv, thanks for doing the research! I really appreciate it.
Last edited by truebluebeliever; 01-05-2009 at 06:47 PM.
True ~ I have never seen Dr. P I think he deals more w/ the IVF part of the clinic. I am glad your experience w/ Dr. O has not been a bad one, I was telling SandV I was scared to come back and read incase the doctor trying to get you to terminate was Dr. O. I can't even believe what you are saying about the nurses...You have to PM who, I really thought they are were so on top of things. My only issue ever was the u/s tech. Only one of them can ever find my 'stuff' right away, the other 2 always have trouble and hurt me. Have you calculated your increase rate to see if it is in range?? My heart just brakes for you. I am sorry for the loss of your twins. And just can't believe what MLF is putting you throught. (((((((((((((huggs))))))))
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05/08 ~ 5w
10/08 ~ 6w
06/09 ~ 10w
RPL testing and hysteroscopy...coming soon.
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I have had horrible experiences with ML and U Penn Fertility Clinic. We went to RSI www.rsiinfertility.com and Dr. Sobel was fantastic, as well as all of the staff. They are in Chesterbrook, near Wayne, PA. He has gotten be pregnant both times. Good luck to you, I hope you can get some answers.
__________________ Happy stay at home mommy to an amazing 2.5 year old Prince and 6 week old Peanut!
Linaa, sorry to scare you! I think the mess up has more to do with the Holidays (half the staff I believe went on vacation and only came back yesterday) and not with the regular nurses. Dr. O has been very nice so far and I worry that I got him in trouble as Dr. P was definitely not happy when he found out Dr. O sent us to Paoli last Friday for b/w when the only RE available that day was Dr. P at Bryn Mawr.
Danni, thanks for giving me info about Cooper. I heard good things about them in an IVF board but didn't know that their clinic is actually nearer to my place than MLF. I will probably call them for a second opinion if Dr. G will pressure me as well to terminate my pregnancy this Wednesday even if he doesn't find an ectopic.
Afoster, Chesterbrook is a little far from me. I really don't want to switch clinics as my frozen embryos are with MLF and I just wish Dr. G can straighten things out. It was nice of him to call me yesterday the first day he got off vacation but his voice was grim (he's usually upbeat and cocky) so I'm just expecting the worst.
I can't schedule anything in the immediate future. All the clinics would not schedule me for a second opinion and only accomodates new patients. Worse, my family doctor is also on vacation for the week so I will have to evaluate again what to do after my appointment tomorrow.
Linaa, I noticed that a lot of the nurses are shuttling between MLF locations and even OB clinics at Lankenau. I remember I saw a nurse at Lankenau for a prospective consult with a high-risk OB (to make sure we have a plan in case I get pregnant) also at Paoli and later at Bryn Mawr. I believe MLF shares staff with the Women's Health Group of Mainline Health system as there is always a new face I see everytime I visit. This might be why they are having all of these mix-ups as the lower level nurses are shuttling from one clinic to another. The regular IVF nurses like Danielle and Patti are nice but I haven't seen them since after Christmas.
RE in Philly 
