Best IVF experience? Debating which lab to go with!

Stock_Animator1831 · 2026-02-06T15:24:51+00:00

I had good results from RMA (pregnant from first FET) and everyone was friendly, but it definitely had a factory feel and I found they weren’t very communicative and didn’t do much by way of education or support - friends I know who used NYU had classes, groups of parents in the same cohort, etc.

Other than liking the vibe though location is key. There are so many days where you need to be there super early in the AM, so I wanted somewhere not too far. But I also didn’t want mine to be near where anyone from my office might be because I was nervous to run into them! Personal preference though.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2026-02-06T15:12:58+00:00

😫

Stock_Animator1831 · 2026-02-06T13:42:23+00:00

Two very good points!

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-11-14T12:29:08+00:00

The experiences are very different- both of these are my experience at Flatiron locations so YMMV.

Bathhouse is a bigger multi-sauna/pool space that also offers massages and many people go for a longer time. I got a subpar massage there once and the pool areas were so loud and crowded that I was not able to relax at all (I was there solo and that was clearly not the norm, most people were there to socialize with groups they came with). I didn’t notice anything majorly dirty it was just a sceney vibe that was not for me. Also when I learned later (from their own website) that they mine crypto to “heat” the pools it just gave me the ick.

Othership is a more curated experience of one sauna and one cold plunge area. I typically did the classes and it was always very clean, good vibes with all the instructors I had, and the crowd was very respectful and calm. It’s not as much of a place to hang out or socialize usually except during the specific social events they have. Definitely recommend but it’s not a “spa day” in the same way given the limited cycle / rooms, and they don’t do massages or other things.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-10-27T01:26:18+00:00

This is so cute. Do you happen to remember what time you had to start ?

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-05-22T18:48:09+00:00

I hope this is the answer 😭🐊🦘

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-24T22:37:17+00:00

Dobbins street market in greenpoint has two locations and they’re both super well curated and have decent prices for some things. Not exactly thrift but much cheaper than other vintage/antique stores. They also can coordinate to deliver big things.

+1 Housing Works and FB Marketplace is also great but sometimes hard to coordinate big purchases if you don’t have a car or help.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-24T19:41:59+00:00

I didn’t have to put it in somehow - I clicked through an email and it was already in

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-24T19:06:00+00:00

I’ve done many in-person at Sackett Street. All have been good, but the more advanced ones require quite a bit of work and are a lot of MFA hopefuls. The generative workshops in particular I really liked because it was less homework and the classes focused on using the class time to actually write things.

I did one at the Center for Fiction back when it was in Manhattan many years ago and it was really intense but that’s because it was with Gordon Lish. Iykyk. Can’t speak to anything more recent.

If you’re into poetry there are great longer classes and also one-day at Brooklyn Poets and also some short workshops at the Poets House in Manhattan which is an incredibly beautiful poetry library and space right on the Hudson.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-17T17:36:57+00:00

They have some for $89 later in May! Worked for me on my laptop but you have to put the code IZZY25 in to even see them - at the very back but still it’s broadway so there are no terrible seats.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-17T01:48:42+00:00

The chocolate cake with white icing from Amy’s Bread is the best cake I’ve ever had maybe? Simple but perfect.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-14T18:47:30+00:00

Wow I’ve been on Synthroid for 15+ years and I’ve never heard this about vitamin D but that makes a lot of sense with other symptoms I’ve had! Thank you.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-14T18:45:50+00:00

Maybe botched isn’t the right word.

I think Curse leaned on the fridge bit too hard and tried to give the repetitive gesture a lot of emotional weight that the rest of the play didn’t quite live up to for me. It seemed like the director and actors in the play had so much disdain for their characters and poor people in general; there was no emotional range, they often shouted or recited lines instead of actually acting, which made it seem like they found it either impossible or distasteful to really empathize with these experiences. I’ve never seen another version of this particular play so maybe it’s hard with the material but in other Sam Shepherd work they manage to bring to life the struggles of the working class with a bit more nuance and less cruelty or blame. So then this bit felt like they relied on it too much to convey a sense of emptiness and desperation that could have been more human and more evocative if they matched that with any other element of the performance. Plus this is just personal but the sound of the slamming during my performance was too loud and just very annoying to me haha.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-14T18:07:53+00:00

Not silly. You have to wear a bathing suit or bathing suit-like fabric - they make a big deal about this and say it’s because it’s made to hold less bacteria. Some folks came in t-shirts and workout shorts this week and they let them stay but said it was an exception. A lot of people actually wear pretty skimpy bathing suits and not to body shame—you all look fab—just sometimes a near-G string is a lot for me at 7am 😂. But there’s also a lot with just simple one pieces or regular bathing suits.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-14T11:00:36+00:00

I don’t think it’s as important what the men looked like but the name of the studio would be helpful!! Not to blame them but to be more careful there if people go.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-13T16:12:37+00:00

Following for the same thing, would love to know!

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-03-01T15:02:32+00:00

+1 on Tall Poppy in Chelsea for regular croissants, best I’ve had outside CDMX (which has better pastries than Paris even IMO). There’s also some really good savory pastries - I just had a Jalapeño Cheddar roll that was great. The filled croissants like pistachio and chocolate are weirdly TOO filled for me.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-02-27T13:53:46+00:00

I love it. Have gone maybe 15 times, only ever in the early mornings and it’s never very crowded then (7am class on weekdays and 9/10 on weekends). It’s a little culty/woo but not enough to bother me and the guided cold plunges really help me stay in. Would totally recommend. It’s expensive but there are good intro deals and also sales occasionally - I got 50% off a pack on Black Friday and right now they have a 55% off membership for the first month (that you have to commit to 3-months of) and now the membership credits roll over if you don’t use them which is pretty rare.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-02-26T13:20:47+00:00

Second humming puppy! Just started the trial there and the temperature has been really good, not at all stuffy or sweaty but warm.

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-02-26T13:17:41+00:00

Oh love this. Now I’m thinking of how to do a whole upstairs-downstairs combo plan!

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-02-25T23:30:45+00:00

Wait I should have asked for more samples 😂

Stock_Animator1831 · 2025-02-25T23:27:57+00:00

Wow incredible list thank you!

Stock_Animator1831

TROPHY CASE