Second Opinion (Second Thoughts)

I have to preface this by saying that when we started fertility treatments, we did our research and asked around before we settled on our original choice of RE. We didn't take cost into consideration at all. The clinic we just visited for our second opinion was presented to us a few times as being a really excellent and less expensive option (and my acupuncturist went so far as to say it was better than our original choice), so we were confident that we chose the best for the first go around, but had this highly recommended back-up for our second opinion.

The best word to describe the second opinion is BIZARRE. If nothing else, the experience highlighted the fact that for the last twelve months, we have been in treatment at the premiere fertility clinic in our area.

Y'all. The place is a spa. That's the only way to describe it. It looks from the outside like a boutique hotel with beautifully landscaped grounds. When we walked in the door, we were standing in front of a hostess desk boasting ads for specials on Ave.da make-up and could see a huge glossy display of OPI nail polish in the room down the hall.

All I could think was "WTF?"

Things just got weirder from there. The receptionist offered us coffee from the new coffee shop they had just opened downstairs and seated us in what looked like a living room with a roaring fireplace and a huge display of self-help books and even oracle cards for sale.

My records still hadn't been entered in the system, even though they'd had them for over a week. The doctor wasn't on the premises yet and it was already nine o'clock. When they finally got my info in the system and the doctor came in for the consult, things seemed to start looking up a bit. Until it became clear that he hadn't really looked at my records. The first thing he said after a quick glance over our treatment history was "You've really been through the ringer!" He asked the right questions and gave good answers to the questions we asked, but still. He briefly reviewed our treatment history and jumped straight to the IVF talk. He was enthusiastic about getting me the AMH test and a couple of other basics that haven't been done. He also was quite clear that for someone my age, he would transfer 3-4 embryos in IVF. Y'all, I'm not comfortable with that!

All of the decor was a posh mixture of Mediterranean/Asian/ShabbyChic (even in the ultrasound rooms). It was like going for a facial and getting wanded instead. They left Professor and I alone a few times throughout the appointment, and we both just kept looking at each other with wide eyes. It was really kinda hard to believe it was for real. And TWICE before we left, the nurse mentioned all of the workshops, yoga classes, massage and acupuncture services, etc. that they also offer onsite. I'm sure that for some people, this would be a very warm, relaxing, comforting environment, and I hope those people can find this place and can make all their dreams come true. I, however, am definitely not one of those people.

BIZARRE.

At the very least, we will get the tests this new guy suggested and since today just happened to be CD1, they were even able to do a blood draw for those. We'll then be comfortable going back to our original RE and placing ourselves and our finances unreservedly in his care. I think I'm ready now for a final IUI in December.

*Bonus update: We have achieved yet another unmedicated 14 day luteal phase! Yippee!