Dr Ginsburg herself was lovely and although she's not the warmest doctor I've encountered, she certainly cares (she's just not touchy-feely, and that was okay for me). She is brilliant and experienced, but she also sees hundreds of patients and she practices at one of the biggest hospitals in the world, so it's hard not to sometimes feel like a number, even if it's not intentional.... Dr. Ginsburg had seen other women in my situation (severe endometriosis and multiple ectopic pregnancies) and she was able to give me clear direction and guidance. It was refreshing to hear someone make the call for me, when all I had experienced was "sure, we can try that if you want".
The Center for Infertility is deep inside BWH. It's a huge pain to drive to (you have to pay $8 in the parking garage each and every time you go for monitoring) and it's not an in-and-out type of place....When you go for monitoring at BWH, you are quite literally a number and you're there waiting for blood/ultrasound with 20 other people who are also there for a million other things, pregnancy monitoring included. For this reason, if you are particularly sensitive or triggered by women with big bellies, this is not the clinic for you.
How was your experience with Elizabeth Ginsburg at Brigham & Women's Hospital?
Before coming BWH and seeing Dr. Ginsburg, I was a patient at a much smaller fertility clinic called Fertility Solutions. The difference between the two clinics was considerable. At FS, there are just 3 doctors and over the course of my two year treatment there, I got to know each doctor very well and all the nurses as well. Dr. Ginsburg is one of about 12 (this is just a guess) Reproductive Endocrinologists at BWH and she sees hundreds of patients. This does not mean she cares less about each individual, it just means (in my opinion) she has a more streamlined and matter of fact approach simply due to the volume of people she sees. I came to her because my treatment at FS came to a screeching halt due to having to make incredibly difficult decisions. The doctors wanted to help, but I just felt like they didn't have the experience or knowledge at this point to help me make important choices. They were willing to try new things, but it was all up to me. Dr. Ginsburg had seen other women in my situation (severe endometriosis and multiple ectopic pregnancies) and she was able to give me clear direction and guidance. It was refreshing to hear someone make the call for me, when all I had experienced was "sure, we can try that if you want". Sometimes you just want someone to tell you what to do. Dr. Ginsburg is not warm and fuzzy, but she's brilliant and confident, and she shows her true compassion in her own special way.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Elizabeth Ginsburg at Brigham & Women's Hospital?
If you're okay with a direct approach and matter of fact guidance, Dr. Ginsburg is the doctor for you. I would recommend her to anyone because of how brilliant she is at her job, but I would absolutely warn them that they will not be seeing her much (only for initial consultations or meetings to discuss big decisions) and make sure they are okay with very little handholding.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Elizabeth Ginsburg at Brigham & Women's Hospital?
Dr Ginsburg herself was lovely and although she's not the warmest doctor I've encountered, she certainly cares (she's just not touchy-feely, and that was okay for me). She is brilliant and experienced, but she also sees hundreds of patients and she practices at one of the biggest hospitals in the world, so it's hard not to sometimes feel like a number, even if it's not intentional.
Describe the protocols Elizabeth Ginsburg used in your cycles at Brigham & Women's Hospital and their degree of success.
Unlike my other two cycles, Dr. G had me on menopur and much less progesterone in oil. She also increased my Gonal F a considerable amount. I produced about 20% more eggs with her protocol.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Brigham & Women's Hospital. (Assigned nurse: Pam Whitney)
Pam echoes Dr. Ginsburg's approach in her directness. She is warm in her own way, but you won't get endless hugs or handholding. She is matter of fact and quick in her delivery. I often felt a little silly asking her a million questions and although I was worried I was bothering her, she never acted that way. She was very quick to respond, which I appreciated.
Describe your experience with Brigham & Women's Hospital.
The Center for Infertility is deep inside BWH. It's a huge pain to drive to (you have to pay $8 in the parking garage each and every time you go for monitoring) and it's not an in-and-out type of place. My last clinic had a parking lot and everything was fast and simple, so switching to BWH was a major adjustment. When you go for monitoring at BWH, you are quite literally a number and you're there waiting for blood/ultrasound with 20 other people who are also there for a million other things, pregnancy monitoring included. For this reason, if you are particularly sensitive or triggered by women with big bellies, this is not the clinic for you.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Brigham & Women's Hospital.
I shared this in my review of the clinic itself, but monitoring is very impersonal here. It didn't bother me because I have fairly thick skin, but for those who are more nervous and triggered by the site of pregnant women literally everywhere, the monitoring experience would be difficult. Your ultrasound will be done by a different person every time so becoming comfortable with the process is necessary
Describe the costs associated with your care under Elizabeth Ginsburg at Brigham & Women's Hospital.
My insurance covered most of the costs of my IVF treatment here, but we are moving on to using a gestational carrier and insurance does not cover this at all.
Describe Elizabeth Ginsburg's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Brigham & Women's Hospital.
I did not end up transferring at BWH
9
Clinic
Brigham & Women's Hospital
Boston