I am disgusted

Sorry I am just venting!  I asked GIVf is they would consider my doctor as a collaborator and they said no- because of the proximity of my clinic to their clinic.  It is all about COMPETITION and $$ instead of the patient.  Then at the end, she said also they are wrapping up the study and don't want to add new collaborators at this time but that they would never consider my clinic due to the proximity (They are only 20 some miles away).  Basically, they are threatened as my clinic has better success rates, more popular etc .  except they don't due gender selection unless you are a genetic carrier.  So frustrating- I have just had the WORST experience at GIVF- the only positive experience was my wonderful nurse Janie who is no longer working there :(

Thanks for listening!!!!  I think my husband is tired of listening to me go on and on!!!

Welcome to the world of Microsort.  They have the WORST customer service around and only seem to care about the $$.

They really don't seem to care b/c they have the monopoly on the technology.  I think they know very well that if patients had the choice of cycling at other clinics, they would which is why no other clinic (except HRC or GIVF) is allowed to have a machine on site to do fresh cycles.

PM me anytime to vent.  I could tell you some experiences that would make your toes curl.

I thought once the trial was over than the technology would become available to anyone to use?

We used Microsort and are now expecting. I figure if you're going to spend the $$$ then do it right! Go to them because they know what they are doing! It was not convenient for me and i too looked into a collaborator in the beginning. But i decided the 3 and a half hour drive one way (so 7 hours in the car a day) for 3 weeks straight and here and there for a total of 2 1/2 months was so worth our out come. I am just thankful that we had such an incredible opportunity. If you'd like to view our entire journey from start to finish you can read my blog and see pics: www.ourmicrosortstory.blogspot.com P.S. GIVF will do microsort also if you already have a child and want the other gender. I hope things work out for you! I know how stressful this can be!

sarahdaugherty:

We used Microsort and are now expecting. I figure if you're going to spend the $$$ then do it right! Go to them because they know what they are doing!

I beg to differ.  Not one of our IUI's was monitored or timed correctly and we spent (wasted) $12,000 for nothing. Not to mention the horrible customer service we received. We also very nearly ended up with someone elses sperm sort (an experience which quickly soured my DH into even considering doing hi-tec again)... I wish we had done better research before jumping head first into Microsort.

You almost got someone elses sperm? Yikes.

IVF is the only real guarantee in my opinion! Like i said, if you're going to spend the money......go for the gold! I had to know in my mind, because we could only do this once, that i took all the right steps. I know there is so much controversial things involving this subject. But i really believe this. BUT i have thought about the mix up thing.....i've thought what if i have someone els embryos in me. LOL Not funny i know, but......i guess it could happen=0

sarahdaugherty:

We used Microsort and are now expecting. I figure if you're going to spend the $$$ then do it right! Go to them because they know what they are doing!

 

Same here!  I'm from eastern Canada and HRC is across the continent from us.  At first I was looking at clinics in New York state because it's closer.

But in the end, I decided to go directly to the experts.  No dicking around trying to find closer/cheaper.  So I chose Dr. Potter and HRC.  Dr. Potter specifically because he seems to truly support the GS cause.

I know MyDreamBabi and probably a few others have had bad experiences.  But many others here, myself included, have had positive experiences and/or BFP success.

I am very satisifed with our choice and am mostly just glad I decided to get over my HT issues and try at all!!

GL!

GZ

GreenZelda:

 Dr. Potter specifically because he seems to truly support the GS cause.

I'll beg to differ with this statement also.

I think Dr. Potter saw an opportunity for his clinic to get in on the ground floor of a money making enterprize that no other clinic (aka. his competitors) can offer in the whole western hemisphere.  If it was all about "supporting GS" and enabling women to realize a lifelong dream I dare say he would have taken more care in ensuring our experience with Microsort had been a pleasant one.

Furthermore, I have been diligently researching IVF clinics for my upcoming PGD cycle and use the opportunity to question the RE on their opinions of Microsorted sperm.  More than one clinic has informed me that when they queeried with Microsort in an attempt to have their own machine on site, they were denied by GIVF and only given the option to use frozen MS sperm (which is of inferior quality).

If Microsort was really about making gender dreams come true then they would be offering the umbrella of sub-licencing to other clinics (as they did with Potter/HRC in 2002)... not forcing people to use the facilities at HRC and GIVF only.  

MDB

Out of curiosity what were their opinions on MS? Not the fact that they couldn't have a machine on-site but the technology itself.

Did they suggest doing frozen MS sperm? There seems to be alot of concern on frozen.

In regards to where to go I agree with GZ. HRC (I am not as familiar with GIVF) has worked with MS and understands it the most so if you are spending that much money and emotional investment go to the source.

MyDreamBabi:

GreenZelda:

 Dr. Potter specifically because he seems to truly support the GS cause.

I'll beg to differ with this statement also.

I think Dr. Potter saw an opportunity for his clinic to get in on the ground floor of a money making enterprize that no other clinic (aka. his competitors) can offer in the whole western hemisphere.  If it was all about "supporting GS" and enabling women to realize a lifelong dream I dare say he would have taken more care in ensuring our experience with Microsort had been a pleasant one.

Furthermore, I have been diligently researching IVF clinics for my upcoming PGD cycle and use the opportunity to question the RE on their opinions of Microsorted sperm.  More than one clinic has informed me that when they queeried with Microsort in an attempt to have their own machine on site, they were denied by GIVF and only given the option to use frozen MS sperm (which is of inferior quality).

If Microsort was really about making gender dreams come true then they would be offering the umbrella of sub-licencing to other clinics (as they did with Potter/HRC in 2002)... not forcing people to use the facilities at HRC and GIVF only.  

 

MDB, I know you have had bad experiences.  I know you are doubtful and skeptical.

I can only tell you what *I* think, and what *my* experiences were like.  MY EXPERIENCE WITH DR. POTTER AND HRC WAS OVERALL VERY GOOD.  I HAPPEN TO RECOMMEND THEM.  YOU MAY NOT AND THAT'S OKAY.

Yes, I agree that REs and IVF clinics are out to make money.  To me, this is normal - they are businesses too and need to make a profit.  Yes, I believe part of Dr. Potter's GS speciality is niche marketing.  BUT, I also believe he genuinely supports the GS cause.  You don't share this opinion, and that's okay.  But I met him, worked with him, and that's that conclusion I personally came to.

I felt comfortable in his hands, and most importantly, his experience and skills *worked* for us.  I went into my cycle with an elevated FSH, and we ended up being a OHW, now pregnant with twin girls.  Some of that is luck/chance, some of that is my own body, but I do credit a big part of it to Dr. Potter and his team's skill in GS/MS/IVF arena.

So overall I consider myself a happy MS/HRC/Dr.Potter camper.  You do not, and that's fine too.  Others will need to make up their own minds.

GZ

 

steffani:

You almost got someone elses sperm? Yikes.

I am sorry to say that this is not true. I really do not like to poke in here but when someone is going around saying stuff like this I must.

I know you don't like it when people point out the bad stuff that happens at your HRC clinic...but I'm quite certain your nurse would not even fess up to you for doing this to us in fear of losing her job...