Sorry for the break from exciting modern products and cupcake recipes. (Kelli here.)I know this is an unusual (and quite personal request), but hey.. we're a women's/mother's blog and what better place for me to ask for help? I wasn't necessarily going to ever bring this topic up, but I'm a little stuck: As you know, I moved to Midway, Utah (the Park City area) from Boston nearly 2 years ago. And with every move comes that search for new doctors. (I dread it!) I initially found a recommended OB/GYN office about 45 minutes away from me, which I've been to once for a routine checkup and all was fine. But, 2 years later, due to issues (not ovulating, extremely irregular cycles, etc.) that take me a long time to get pregnant (I've only had one pregnancy.. but that was a feat) , I've recently started a cycle of Clomid with the help of that same office. For those of you have have been there done that, that's another story/post all together and I'm feeling it today. But since I'm the last in my family to experience infertility (one of my sisters is going on 3 1/2 years of trying and treatments), I get Clomid. And I know that although it's considered a safe drug, it should be monitored. I'm only mid-cycle (of my first round), but my doctor's office is already extremely unaccommodating and not only doesn't require an ultrasound or blood test (other than to check progesterone levels on day 21 of the cycle), they won't (can't?) get me in for an appointment this month. As a matter of fact, they simply need me to fax in my chart for a nurse to get back to me at the end of my cycle. I've called several times with typical questions for the doctor to only talk to a medical assistant. None of this sounds right. A lot of red flags. Plenty of frustration and a little fear that my health/success is in the hands of an office that is treating me as though I'm just another number. I'm not one of those do as you please type of women when it comes to my body/my future/my family. (Oh, how I loved living in the medical mecca called Boston!)
So, my call for help is this: please send in any recommendations for a thorough and brilliant OB/GYN that has knowledge of infertility. I'm not necessarily looking for a fertility specialist (because I don't think I'll pursue this beyond Clomid right now due to infertility currently not being covered by our insurance), but I just want to feel safe and respected. And if I do get pregnant, that I'll be happy to see her/him through a pregnancy. I honestly don't have a gender preference and I'm willing (and even anxious, given my options) to travel to Salt Lake. Some love the U, some St. Mark's. Where do you go? And If you're not in Utah, maybe you just have advice of how your doctor handled all of this? I don't think I'm being dramatic, but maybe I'm just being overly.. sensitive? After all, I'm no expert.
Feel free to email me at tangledandtrue@gmail.com if you would prefer over commenting. Thanks for the help!
i struggled with infertility with my first baby and had an EXCELLENT doctor at LDS hospital, and clomid worked great! after 2 years I got my Isaac, and then no trouble with #2 (I was lucky). I was in Provo at the time so the drive to LDS was not convenient, but it was definitely worth it. He may have moved with Maternal-Fetal Medicine to the new IHC hospital in Murray when it opened, I'm not sure. Nope, just checked, he's still at LDS and the U. Dr. Robert Silver is his name, you can go hereto see how to contact him.
ReplyDeleteI am up north (kaysville) so you probably don't want
ReplyDeleteto come all the way up here. But I have found if you are uncomfortable SWITCH! All my fam and sisters
live in slc, I have heard that Dr. Howard Sharp up at the U is excellent, & my sisters go to Dr. Larkin at the new IHC hospital. Also I have found the Doctor to be more attentive if you some how have a personal connection with him... know someone that knows him.
(sad but true) Anyway good luck, I am in the same boat but with pediatricians right now!
My sister had problems to and was on clomid for months...eventually she went down to the University of Utah to do some testing and it turned out it was her husband who was the reason they were concieving... her husband had been tested at her locally but obviously the tests weren't done enough... all three of my sisters have gotten pregnant doing UV's at the UofU...
ReplyDeletewere=weren't
ReplyDeleteI worked as an L&D nurse in California, but I did go to nursing school at BYU so I know a little bit of the area. I would say the best thing to do is call the L&D unit where you want to deliver and ask the nurses who they would recommend. You can't go wrong! They know the in's and out's way more than even the patients and they have a good pulse for doctors since they work with them everyday. We'd have people call in occasionally for that reason and I think it's a really smart thing to do, go to the source! I did the same thing when I moved to Texas and now that I'm 15 weeks, I am so happy I did! Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI have had the rounds of OB/GYN's in Utah! Due to infertility treatments myself (due to PCOS), I've been to a few offices. I'm now in Virginia, but here a few a recommend:
ReplyDeleteDr. Howard Sharp at the U of U
Dr. Catherine Wheeler at St. Marks
If you want any more help, feel free to email me!
Ashley
I live in Park City and I travel to Alta View Hospital all for my doctor. I was recommended to him and LOVE him. i didn;t have any fertility problems but I know a friend who did and she said it went well with our doctor. His name is Dr. Russell Smith at Alta View. Good luck!
ReplyDeletej
I am so sorry. How frustrating. I hope you find someone. I live in the Ogden area, so you don't want to travel up here, but I'm sure you can find someone.
ReplyDeleteI've heard GREAT things about Dr. Sharp, at the U as well. He was my sisters doctor and is nationally renowned. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteMy cousin Abbie referred me to your blog. It took me 3 years to have my first baby but only two months to get pregnant with my 2nd (due in 8 wks.). I was living in OKC, OK for the first and am now in Heber. I go to Heber Valley Medical Center to visit Dr. Gary (?) Sharp and have been pleased overall with him; very friendly, spends a lot of time with you, lots of experience, etc. I'll see if I can get my SIL who's an M.D. in SLC to comment on here as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you feel about Utah County but I like my doctor Jae Baxter. I am not sure about his fertility experieince. And I know tons of people who LOVE Ryan Jones. (He actually was in a past ward of mine before it split.) I know he works with high risk pregnancies and such. His office is in AF by the hospital.
ReplyDeleteWow... these comments and several emails have been SO helpful. I've gone from zero direction to needing to do plenty of research (which I was hoping for)! Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI can't say enough good about my guy, Michael Twede. He is so dedicated to his patients - he births every single baby unless he is out of town - no unknown colleagues poking around down there on such an important day! His practice is well-established and I found him through about 5 different people's recommendation. He's so patient with even the stupidest questions I may have, I never have trouble getting an appt., his offices are right off the freeway, his nursing staff are so great and he births at Alta View Hospital, which is like the cadillac of birthing centers here in Utah (I've worked in 3 hospitals in the valley - I should know). If you have any questions about him further, feel free to email me. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm in California so don't have any specific doctor recommendations but I would strongly suggest you still go to a fertility doctor even "just" for the clomid rounds. They are much more equipped to deal with that treatment, the nurses typically are wonderful and hands on and you get much more monitoring and upfront testing to make sure everything is correct for you.
ReplyDeleteDr Gale Stewart 801-521-2640, Alpine Medical Group, I love her, Downtown SLC
ReplyDeleteOne last dr for you to look in to. My friend Kimber is pregnant with her 3rd with thanks to her dr. Dr. Petersen out of the U of U's endocrinology department (801-581-3834).
ReplyDeleteDownside is that she says he takes a long time to get in to see.
I am sorry things have worked out so badly with the dr you had been seeing--with all this input I am sure you will find just the right dr.
Sorry I don't live in Utah (live in Hawaii), but you really do need to get a doctor with care and concern for your body/baby. I was on Clomid for 2 cycles and my doctor insisted that I come in every time to do tests. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI just moved to Utah from the Boston area (Amesbury) too! I had a great fertiliy doctor in Boston, have not needed one here in Utah, but will keep my ears open for something.
ReplyDelete-Vanessa
www.inevergrewup.net
I wanted to second the comment of the anonymous person who recommended Dr. Russell Smith at Alta View. He delivered two of my babies. He is very personable and willing to answer any questions. H never seems too busy and always seems genuinely interested in how you are doing. His office staff is very helpful and always accomodated the neurotic questions and concerns I had. My sister dealt with infertility and worked with him and just had her 2nd. He was very thorough, even though they were pretty sure the problem was with her husband, she had a number of tests just to make sure that nothing was left undetected. I've recommended Dr. Smith to everyone I know and anyone who has gone to him has just loved him.
ReplyDeleteI would really recommend my obgyn his name is Dr. Ron Larkin he specializes in infertility and high risk pregnancies. He is so great and attentive to all of your needs. My sister is the one earlier that recommened him also. He works out at the new IHC hospital. Good Luck, that is frusterating!
ReplyDeleteI too recommend Dr Ron Larkin. I have been through two rounds of pregnancies with him, one infertility round, and he's amazing, but as amazing as he is, his nurse Sid is even more so. She makes you feel like family, always calls you back, and NO question goes without a return phone call.. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWow! You've had a lot of response, but I would like to give my doc a shout out as well. I also have done the Clomid thing along with many IUI's and a few rounds of IVF. I have recently moved back to the Salt Lake area and was lucky enough to see my old doc (Steven Terry) who is at the new IMC. He is the best there is and I just had my first child two months ago.....
ReplyDeleteI believe Dr. Larkin is in his practice as well, and they all come very highly recommended.
Good luck!
I agree Dr Stephen Terry is the best! I have known him for years and am having my first baby in August and he has been great through the whole thing. But I truely think you cannot go wrong with any of the Drs at his practice.
ReplyDeleteDr. Ron Larkin, Cottonwood OB/GYN at the new Intermountain Hospital at 5063 S. Cottonwood, Suite 400. Phone number 801-507-1950.
ReplyDeleteAmazing person, amazing doctor. I personally have not struggled with infertility, but know of others who do/have that have seen him and have nothing but good things to say. He does "specialize" in high risk pregnancies and infertility, but does not practice as a specialist. I hope he's taking new patients because I know you would love him. Thirteen years and three babies in his care... I still fly from the east coast to see him for my annual visits. That's how much I love him and his staff. Our oldest is named after his nurse. ;0)
That said, any of the doctors at that practice would be wonderful. You will have a dedicated doctor (won't be shuffled from one to the next) and be well taken care of. Plus, you can deliver at the fanciest hospital Utah has ever seen.
Thanks again! This has all been incredibly helpful. I have an appointment with a new doctor and am anxious to see how all goes at the end of the month.
ReplyDeleteWe have the best readers!!
Dr. Watabi in american fork is WONDERFUL! i loved him and i will never switch unless i move. he is very considerate of every single need
ReplyDeleteand concern.
I also am a patient of Dr. Russell Smith's at Alta View. He is THE BEST! I also have an excellent pediatrician. Feel free to email me.
ReplyDeleteRebekkah
hualani_1@yahoo.com
I too like Dr. Larkin. I've been with him for many years. He is very personable and answers all my questions. One of the main reasons I really like him is because of his fabulous nurse Cyd. She is like a second mom to me. She is so caring and helpful.
ReplyDeleteI strongly recommend Ryan Jones and Darrin Watts, Both amazing OBs, both personable and high risk. Jones is IHC/AFH, Watts is BCBS/St Marks (I think they were in school together too). I had to change due to insurance and Val (Jones's nurse, who is also amazing) suggested Watts. Watts has TTTS twins and when I was diagnosed with TTTS could not have had a more understanding doctor (like a Jones w/ personal TTTS experience). Now I am looking to have #5 and am looking to see what insurance they both take and get insured again...ugg, gotta love the insurance game.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that Dr. David Richards is the most experienced in vitro doctor in the state. He has helped women conceive thousands of IVF babies over the past 25 years and has amazing bed side manner. If you're looking for a Utah Fertility doctor, he's the best!
ReplyDeleteI had success at Reproductive Care Center for my first baby. But recently I returned for help with a sibling, and have found new, inexperienced nurses are making the decisions, and twice completely compromised this IVF cycle by putting me on medication too soon, and telling me not to take others that could have promoted a successful outcome. Each time the doctor was surprised to hear the protocol the nurses made for me. I'm torn on whether to try with them again after this emotional and costly experience.
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