This post is in response to a reader comment/question. I know a lot of you bloggers choose to not name doctor or practice names in your blogs. I personally have no rule against it. I figure this is my experience, and since this country blesses me with freedom of speech, I'm happy to share my experience. Of course it is just that -- one person's experience. But isn't that part of why we read blogs -- to know other people's experiences? To not just see a number on the CDC website, but to know other women and what they went through. So for that valuable benefit, here you are.
Why I went to Conceptions instead of CCRM for my fourth cycle:
1. A woman I met at a Christmas party last year told me she had twins at age 42 with Dr. Swanson with her own eggs after 4 IVFs. Her boys were at the party with her, they were about two years old, and adorable, and she was a very happy mom. She told me about Dr. Swanson and how he used to be partners with Dr. Schoolcraft and how wonderful he was.
2. I know another woman -- another blogger -- who went to Conceptions, is a little older than me, and had success. So that inspired me. She told me how their embryologists are A++ and pointed out that the stats are similar to CCRM. I looked it up and sure enough they are.
3. I was severly frustrated with the way CCRM was handling some of my finances, as they owed (and still owe) me about $2K from my cycle Oct/Nov 2007. I have an attorney working to get me my money back.
4. CCRM had made my husband and I upset during our first try at IVF #3. I had converted to IUI after taking the requisite $5K worth of fertility drugs for a typical low-responder IVF cycle. On the planned IUI day, my husband was waiting in the waiting room at CCRM with his contribution on a weekend day, and they had called me and said he hadn't shown up. Apparently they expected him to know he had to go down to the basement floor, even though there was nobody at the front desk who told him that. So they sent him home and said we couldn't do the procedure due to time constraints in their lab. When my husband got home, we were both in shock that we couldn't go through with the procedure after all the expense and effort of taking the fertility drugs. They did call me at home about 90 minutes later, apologized, and said they could do it afterall, which they did. But the initial turn-away put a bad taste in our mouths.
5. I consulted with Dr. Swanson at Conceptions and I really liked him. He is smart and personable and direct and offered intriguing ways that he could change my protocol to help me out. I liked how he recommended Human Growth Hormone. I liked how he referenced studies and had printouts of them piled up behind his desk and pulled out specific ones to show me as we spoke.
6. A few days after consulting with Dr. Swanson, I asked Dr. Surrey if he would be willing to give me Human Growth Hormone and he said no, reason being that the FDA hadn't approved it for use for infertility. But after researching it, I very much wanted to use it. And it was very clear which doctor would give me the drug and which would not.
7. Everyone at Conceptions is super nice. It's a small, personal practice. Their office is a friendly and comfortable place -- not fancy or expensive, but welcoming. I didn't feel like a number or a nuisance like I did sometimes at CCRM. Although there were some really sweet people at CCRM, in general, the health care workers at CCRM seemed overworked and stressed and didn't have sufficient time to answer questions. On the other hand, the nurse at Conceptions seemed happy and had time to answer my questions and didn't seem hurried or stressed at all. In my opinion, if health care workers at a practice are kind and happy and spend quality time with patients, then their bosses -- the docs -- are probably very nice to them and make it a priority to make their staffs happy. Which in turn makes the patients happy and provides for a much more positive experience.
8. Last but not least -- I think it's a good idea to try a different clinic if you're not having success with your clinic -- even if your clinic is world-renowned. Sometimes just a different pair of eyes looking at your chart and tweaking your protocol is the difference between a heartbreak and a world of happiness.

I'm glad you found success with Conceptions. I've known others who have as well. There are definitely frustrations dealing with a bigger clinic like CCRM. I somehow stumbled upon a great nurse there who really took a personal interest in my cycles and that made all the difference.
Posted by: Denise | November 24, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Hi Heidi,
Glad to see you are finally feeling better!
I just looked up Swanson and he is in network for me! I'm thinking I should give him a call before I pursue egg donor with my RE in Colorado Springs. What do you think? You can respond on my blog if you like.
Thanks!
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Posted by: Denise | November 29, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Thanks for the info ... I too was wondering why you went Conceptions over CCRM. You look wonderful in your belly pic! So glowing!!
Posted by: Polly | December 01, 2008 at 03:59 PM
I read today on a thread on IVF Connections that Dr. Schoolcraft is putting Saizen back in his protocols. Go figure.
Posted by: Phoebe | December 02, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Heidi, Thank you, thank you, thank you for answering my question!!! I checked Conception stats and it is indeed comparable to CCRM! Hmmm....
Posted by: Arpee | December 03, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Thanks for this post. After a disastrous cycle with a doctor in Colorado Springs I too have chosen Dr. Swanson and Conceptions over CCRM. Everyone that I talk to that has been both there and CCRM says such wonderful things about Swanson and sometimes not such wonderful things about CCRM. I feel reassured everytime I hear personal experiences like this yours
Posted by: Larissa | December 03, 2008 at 03:22 PM
I am so grateful that you posted this blog. I am now seeing Dr. Swanson at Conceptions largely because of what you'd written. If things work out with him, it has a little bit to do with you and the information you put.
Posted by: Fahti | June 13, 2009 at 08:52 PM
What a good recommendation - I am about to interview each Conceptions and CCRM. I to having used CCRM for 4 IUI's have noticed their lack of humanity in an already difficult situation. They scare me with their lack of attention to our visits. They cant seem to get the birthdate of my husband correct, lost 2 orders for andrology, and have not once been nice at reception desk. I find the lab workers nice enough but twice they forgot I was out there waiting for my husbands sample to self deliver for IUI! I had to call and ask. I just know I will have a better experience with Dr. Swanson but I will still interview both for IVF to be sure.
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