Is anyone doing treatments at Boston IVF?

[Jelinifer]

Stemming from a post I made a few weeks ago about going to a clinic vs. seeing an RE at my OB-GYNs office, DH and I think we're going to try for Boston IVF when we get our referral from my OB-GYN. That's being said.... if anyone has gone there- spam me! Tell me anything you want about the place- good docs & nurses vs. ones that weren't so great... things you loved about the place vs. things you didn't. I have a coworker who used them for her IVF and gave them reviews that were nothing short of stellar, but I'd like to have feedback from more folks if possible...

[DaisyMae08]

Hi there,
I go to Boston IVF and see Dr. Ryley, who I absolutely adore. I will write more about my experiences there later, but I would absolutely recommend it. They have a very well-organized and well-run operation. There is one nurse that I didn't particularly care for and when I told Dr. Ryley he was very supportive and switched me right away. Couldn't ask for more than that! Got to run, but more later.

[ladylaura]

I'm intrigued by Boston IVF, but I can't go there because my insurance (Aetna) doesn't cover it. We're at RSC and I'm a little annoyed at the largeness of it. I don't need my hand held, but I would like to be shown how to do the injections so I don't mess them up! They only showed me at my consultation back in December.

I have heard good things about Boston IVF, though, so if things don't work out at RSC, I might see what we can do about changing our insurance plan to be able to check it out!

[Jelinifer]

LadyLaura:Anything else to note about RSC: good vs. bad docs and RNs? Our two choices are RSC and Boston IVF, and apparently I may be denied ins. coverage through a loophole in MA state laws. We'd love to go w/Boston IVF, but if RSC can work things so my ins. will pay for coverage I will be going to them...

[ladylaura]

RSC is a big operation. Dr Kowalik, who I see, is nice and straightforward. I don't have any problems with her. Every nurse that I've spoken to is very nice and friendly. It's a little strange going in for blood work and ultrasounds and seeing a lot of other women doing the same thing, but it would be a little different at the satellite offices (I go to the main one in Lexington). It can feel a little impersonal at times, but everyone I've dealt with is nice.

However, if you're looking for a place that will hold your hand, I am not sure it's the right place. That said, I have called my nurse and left voicemails with stupid questions and she always responds the same day and with a great answer!

I only wish I had more face to face meetings with people.

[Mosaic]

Thanks for keeping this conversation nice and positive! Since MDC cannot host negative comments about health care practitioners due to defamation/libel concerns, it's always refreshing to see so many people with good things to say about their providers.

[Jelinifer]

Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry- I didn't know I shouldn't have been asking about things like specific doctors and nurses. The longer you're on here, the more you learn. I completely agree though- I've already found that people here are so much more supportive and positive than the usual snarkiness that I've seen on other forum websites. It's a refreshing change!

[MrsReady2bMama]

My DD is a BIVF babe. I couldn't love that practice more!! I worked with Dr. Penzias, and both he and his nurse coordinator were wonderful. I really appreciate when things run smoothly, and they do things over there like a well-oiled machine. I also found the nurse and even the folks who do your blood draws and ultrasounds really kind and caring. They always, always return calls same-day (unless after 4pm I think), and are never slow to call you with blood or u/s results. As you can tell, we were pleased as punch

Best of luck to you!!

[kittykorat]

I have had 3 IVF's at Boston IVF. I've never been to another clinic, so I don't have anything to compare it to.
(I have endometriosis with blocked tubes, pretty straightforward case)

IVF is extremely stressful. I think that will be true at any clinic.
But overall my experience with Boston IVF was positive.

I see Dr. Thornton at the Worcester satellite office- mostly because of the convenient location.
My first IVF resulted in DS#2.
My second IVF was a BFN
I am currently 13 weeks pg after IVF #3.
Dr. Zimon did my retrieval and transfer for this last round, and I have to say her manner was excellent.

Good luck to you!

[Jelinifer]

Awesome! I work in Worcester so being able to hop over to St. Vincent's for appointments would be amazing!!! Have you been able to have all of your treatments and consult visits at the Worcester office or did you have to go to Waltham for anything?

[kittykorat]

I only had to go out to Waltham for the retrievals and transfers.
The consults and all monitoring is done in Worcester, at St. V's during the week (early am). If you have to go in on Saturday you have to go to Gold star for the U/S and Plantation St for the blood work.

[lifelove]

Bivf

Did you end up going to Boston IVF? I think they are great but would like to chat with others who go there as well.

L

[msgoodbuns]

I found that most of the IVF centers in the Boston area are very expensive and somewhat impersonal. I had 3 consults at different facilities, and liked Mass General the best. That said, I found a great clinic in La Jolla, CA (San Diego area) that is less expensive and more of a boutique. (Dr. Smotrich at La Jolla IVF). I am using an Egg Donor, and she lives in CA, so I'm more than happy to travel to a clinic that I'm more comfortable with, personally and financially. I think that most of the facilities in Boston were not very sensitive when they delivered the message about my needing an egg donor. Two of them turned me off completely while they took my $200 bucks for the consult.

Is anyone else using an egg donor? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

[india]

Go with Boston IVF if you can. If you are in Waltham, try Dr. Bayer- I have never met him but I have 3 friends who work with him and love him. In Brookline, you can't miss with Riley or Oskowitz (my RE). In Quincy, go with Dr. Zimon. I have been part of an IF support group for the past year and we have collectively done a lot of shopping around- so for every doctor I know someone who has had him/her.

[DaisyMae08]

I go to Boston IVF as well, and see Dr. Ryley. LOVE him. He has been truly wonderful through the whole process.

[GrG]

We went to Boston IVF for nearly 2 years. The doctors were actually quite competent. However, we had better results at Brigham and Women's, where we actually got our baby, which produced 14 out of 15 embryos out of eggs transferred, compared with about 2/3 at Boston IVF. In addition, we had some significant problems with the insurance and billing departments, who made blatant and obvious mistakes, and which resulted in a very lengthy dispute over payment. Consequently, we advise you to consider going elsewhere if you are relying on insurance to pay for your IVF treatment

[megincl]

Another vote of for Dr. Ryley at BIVF.

[Autumnlaughing]

I'm in Western Mass and don't know much about Boston area hospitals, but I wanted to share my Grandmother's perspective on them!

Upon hearing about my difficulties, told my Mom that I should head down to Brigham and Women's - they solved her fertility issues 60 years ago. My Mom and her twin brother are the result! (The 6 babies afterward were more of a surprise...)

[FtMPapa]

I had good experiences with BIVF.

One thing that's not obvious from their website is they will work with you if you're at a distance. I'm 2+ hours from them, and I've had to go there for my initial consult and procedures, but I've had all my cycle monitoring done at the OBGYN two miles from my house.

Dr. Ryley did my retrieval, he's hilarious. Dr. Penzias is who I met with, and he's a very compassionate, but also has a get 'er done kind of attitude, which I appreciate.

I like that they assign you to one specific nurse. It is a big place, but I like my nurse, we talk almost every day on the phone during the active phases of my cycle, she gets back to me ASAP, and always answers my questions, etc. She's been nothing short of amazing.

And I got my in my first IVF with them, so it's hard to complain, but I did have problems with billing and insurance, though I think the problems I had were specific to me. My advice is if insurance is supposed to pay for it, but they're pressuring you to pay out of pocket in advance, don't, unless you can afford to wait 3-4 months for the refund. I'm still waiting on a refund for a consult I had about 3 months ago.

[DaisyMae08]

I've had no problems with insurance paying at Boston IVF, but I have an amazing insurance plan through Harvard Pilgrim so I'm not sure if it's BIVF, HP, or both that has done well by me in that department.