Suggestions for fertility clinics in Toronto?

jcb · 02-13-2009, 12:03 PM

Anyone have any recommendations for fertility clinics in Toronto? I work near Bay/College and understand there may be a couple nearby. Would be curious to hear anyone's experiences.

I am currently seeing Dr.Laredo in the PCOS clinic at Women's College Hospital. She is wonderful, but I think I might need some closer monitoring in my TTC efforts. I have been on Clomid for 4 months now and have to take a break this month due to cysts on both my ovaries. So I'm thinking if I do go back on Clomid I might want to be monitored more closely.

Thanks in advance!

Jane

Diablita · 02-18-2009, 04:01 AM

I'd be interested to know as well. I am also one of Sheila's patients but never went back for my follow up as I'm just bad that way and am not in a hurry yet as am not yet trying to conceive (though will want to, in the next year or two).

I love her, when I have gone to see her but she seems like a busy doctor who doesn't have a lot of time for micromanaging results with patients. I wish I knew of others sorry I can't help you, just wanted to say I'm one of her patients too. I actually really like her.

jcb · 02-18-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diablita

I'd be interested to know as well. I am also one of Sheila's patients but never went back for my follow up as I'm just bad that way and am not in a hurry yet as am not yet trying to conceive (though will want to, in the next year or two).

I love her, when I have gone to see her but she seems like a busy doctor who doesn't have a lot of time for micromanaging results with patients. I wish I knew of others sorry I can't help you, just wanted to say I'm one of her patients too. I actually really like her.

Hi Diablita!

I love Dr.Laredo too, she is so supportive and reassuring, and really seems to know her stuff. I have also never had a Dr. that responds to emails, we often correspond that way and it is great.

My problem is more with the other supports I get through the hospital....we have recently had difficulty getting my ultrasound results from almost 4 weeks ago! Still don't have them! If I weren't getting side effects (cysts) from the Clomid I probably wouldn't care but now that this has happened, if I go back on Clomid after the cysts are gone I will be worried about that happening again. And I could go for ultrasounds at Women's College Hospital, but sometimes you have difficulty getting in there, the ultrasound techs are not particularly nice, and this problem getting results in a timely fashion is concerning. Pre-TTC it wasn't so much an issue.

Dr.Laredo recommends Dr.Greenblatt over at Mount Sinai hospital. Problem is that you wait 6-8 weeks minimum to see her. I looked into another clinic, the CReATe clinic at Bay/College and they seem quite good. May only take 2-3 weeks to get in to see one of their newer Dr's and they have ultrasound and blood labs right on site...open daily. I have heard good things about them.

I guess for me, months are going by and I don't want to waste any more time if I don't have to, especially if there are other factors at play for me in my TTC efforts. But I don't want to lose Dr.Laredo as a Dr.....I am so torn!!!

Am waiting to hear back from her today or tomorrow and will make a decision then I guess.

Jane

BeetleGirl · 02-18-2009, 12:41 PM

Just because the wait to a clinic is short doesn't mean it's a better clinic. Sometimes there isn't the demand because the clinic isn't reputable and patients don't want to go there or the clinic could be run as a money mill seeing more patients than they should compromising your care. Both which I have experienced first hand.
Having been a patient at many clinics across Canada, I have learned asking the recommended clinic question isn't always a good idea.
Many people are naive and depending where they are in TTC journey, they will have different imputs to their clinics. The reason why this bad is so much is based on pure luck.
If anything go to a website like this one, sign up and read the Canadian TTC forum for each clinic. Read first hand how the patients are treated for their circumstances. Then meet with not just one but multiple clinics. Just because a clinic is good for what I need, doesn't mean it's best suited for you.
TTC can be a very expensive journey and learning from your mistakes after the fact can be devestating so make sure the clinic you pick is right for you.

Novgirl · 02-18-2009, 03:56 PM

Did you need a referral to get into the PCOS clinic at Women's College? I'd love to get in somewhere like that.

jcb · 02-18-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novgirl

Did you need a referral to get into the PCOS clinic at Women's College? I'd love to get in somewhere like that.

Yep, just a referral from your GP....info on clinic here:
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/ce...ram/index.html

Ask for a referral to Dr.Laredo specifically. Because it is a teaching hospital you often have to see a resident as well, but I haven't had any problems with that. Plan on being there 1-2 hours after your scheduled appointment time.

Novgirl · 02-19-2009, 10:04 AM

thank you, jcb!!

bkb2008 · 02-24-2009, 06:30 PM

Hi jcb,

Just tot to add my 2 cents worth. Just started with First Steps Fertility which I got referred to through my GP. My present RE is pretty good - very understanding and soft-spoken. She's going on mat leave though and will likely be transferred to another dr soon.

Clinic-wise, it's nice and new though it can be disorganised coz they're so busy. (E.g. I called to make an appointment for a Day 3 test and they took my OHIP number and assigned me a date. When I showed up, they aparently forgot to book me afterall. Was pretty frustrated since it had to be done on Day 3 and missing it means another cycle of waiting for procedure, then waiting for apt with dr to review results. Given my irregular cycles, the wait seems forever.)

Consultations-wise, I do like that they give out pamphlets/ info sheets for patients to read more. They do rely a bit too much on the pamphlets sometimes though. Coz consultations are cut short and they tell you to read the pamphlets when you go back. It just felt impersonal and factory- like to me. (Maybe it's just a tad sour coz in the few times I've been there, they messed up the order of seeing pts. I.e. patients who arrive after and whose apts are scheduled after are seen first).

Overall it's not entirely bad and am still relatively early on in my tx so can't comment too much on success rates. But would like to see some improvement on operations and bed-side manner from my newbie point of view. :-P

bkb2008 · 02-24-2009, 06:34 PM

Sorry jcb forgot to ask, and this is a little irrelevant in this post. But saw from your signature you do acupuncture. Can I ask where you do it or where you might heard good things about? Am intrigued and am keen to try it out.

Also, do you know if it is covered by insurance? (Am guessing the consults and txs are but not the herbs?) Thanks!

cici1979 · 03-04-2009, 01:04 AM

Hey there,
I've heard good things about MountSinai and Create. I think you just have to see what fits best for you. I agree a short wait list may mean less demand, or maybe they are more efficient?

jcb · 03-04-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cici1979

Hey there,
I've heard good things about MountSinai and Create. I think you just have to see what fits best for you. I agree a short wait list may mean less demand, or maybe they are more efficient?

Heya!

Mt Sinai and Create are the two I think I'll be deciding between...I think the shorter wait are for the younger 'less experienced' RE's. Dr.Greenblatt (Mt.Sinai) and Dr.Librach (Create) are the most experienced (and hence longest waits) from what I've read.

I have an appointment with Dr. Laredo next week to see what the status of things are with me...and will be discussing referrals then.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

Jane

Novgirl · 03-05-2009, 10:46 AM

Hi Ladies - can you clarify? From what I understand:

Dr. Laredo is not an RE but specializes in the treatement of PCOS

Dr.Greenblatt (Mt.Sinai) and Dr.Librach (Create) are RE's who specialize in TTC w/ PCOS

Is this right?

I have an appt w/ my DH's GP tomorrow and I'm going to ask her for a referral. I just want to make sure I'm asking to see the right DR.

Thanks!

jcb · 03-05-2009, 08:06 PM

Dr.Laredo is an RE. If you aren't TTC yet she is a great person to see, and could refer you on to Dr.Librach or Dr.Greenblatt when you are ready to TTC, or need further intervention.