Possible Negligence - WWYD?

[ericaz]

Bear with me here...

I left an RE practice a few months ago for several reasons - at the time the biggest reasons were because I felt like I was just a number (they see hundreds of women in a VERY affluent area about 20 minutes from where I live so appts were abrupts and return phone calls took forever) and they seem relatively clueless about pelvic pain, which I have and might potentially be compromising my situation.
Well, now I'm wondering if this practice was negligent. I had an IUI three times through them and they didn't do that long procedure to wash/separate sperm. From what I gather injecting raw sperm into the uterus cannot only be extemely painful but potentially damaging. All I know is that on all three occasions I only waited about 15 minutes from the time I brought in the sperm to the time I was inseminated. At my new practice it took them TWO HOURS.
Also, this practice charged almost 4x as much money ($495) what other local practices charge for an IUI.

Now there's another thing that's scaring me. One of the 3 inseminations took place on New Years Eve day. The doc who did the procedure (a lesser partner that I rarely saw) said that he *got the sperm just where he wanted it* in the endometrial lining. Um, is that where it should go? I don't know. What I do know is that it hurt so incredibly bad I was doubled over. He told me the reason was because I have scar tissue on my cervix from a prior LEEP (I've been told this for years now but my current RE said it's not true at all...my cervix is just in a weird spot) and that normally excess sperm drips out of women but it wasn't with me hence the pain. Well, I had pretty bad cramping the rest of the day and through the night.

My current RE has been in practice for years and knows the head honcho at the former practice well. I told him about the issue with their not washing the sperm and their exorbatant cost for IUI the other day (it didn't occur to me at that point to mention the painful IUI because I just assumed that can happen....but can it?) at an appointment and my doc offered to call my former doc and have a little chat. I'm supposed to call him on Friday to find out what he found out.

I'm not out to make a buck here. I just want to make sure that I'm not being bilked for botched IUIs.
Am I overreacting? Anyone have a similar experience?

[kristenok18]

Oh, wow, ericaz, that sounds horrible. I hope your new RE is able to get some answers for you. The other office sounds highly suspicious. I haven't had an IUI done yet (we're planning to do it as soon as my cysts subside), so I don't know what the norm is, either. Did your insurance cover any of the procedures? If so, I'll bet they would be interested to hear that they were being overcharged and that the clinic was sagotaging the procedure by not washing the sperm. Where I'm at, they said it is standard procedure to wash the sperm regardless of what the if factors are.

I wish I had more answers for you. Please keep us updated. I'm anxious to hear what they have to say for themselves.

[girlie1125]

Holy cow! s

I can't give you the answers to all your questions, but maybe I can shed a tiny bit of light.

My RE charges $350 for IUI's (we're paying out of pocket) So while your $495 does seem a bit high, its not 4x as much, at least from what I've heard others say their IUI's cost. Also, I'm in the midwest, not a typically very affluent or expensive part of the country.

I have heard some gals say that their IUI's were a bit painful, but I don't think as bad as what you're describing. Definitely worth getting your records from the former RE's office checked over by the new RE.

I really hope he was wrong about the LEEP! Though if true, that would explain why I'd rather go through 8 root canals than to do an HSG again...that hurt like a witch with a capital B!

As far as whether I'd sue...if you find out from your doc (and might be wise to get a third opinion before filing any suits) that your former RE performed procedure incorrectly, I would sue in a heartbeat. I don't think you'll get very far on overcharging, it seems pretty subjective, and $495 for an IUI is really not that far from the norm.

I hope you get some answers soon, and that your future of ttc'ing isn't nearly as traumatic.

[Leslie in Chicago]

ericaz -- so sorry to hear about what you went through! I'm glad you're at a new practice. I too had a horrible experience with a Clinic that I stayed at for three years (saw two different docs). In my case the RE performed an "extra" procedure I hadn't consented to while I was under anesthesia.

I've had 7 IUI's. All were covered by insurance, so I don't know how much they really cost. Most did NOT hurt. We usually waited about 45 minutes after my husband produced a sample -- they did wash and measure the sample.

You are absolutely right that the sample must go through a procedure before insemination. Not only can it be very painful if this is not done, but I think you also run the risk of infection.

Two of my IUI's were accompanied by cramping. None of the technicians talked about putting the sperm in my endometrium. In all cases I had to lay on the table, hips elevated, for about 20 minutes after the insemination.

I agree with the other ladies -- if you did get any coverage through insurance, talk to someone at the insurance company. They'll want to know. My one consolation is that BlueCross/BlueShield no longer has a contract with the Clinic I went to.

Leslie

[ericaz]

Hi Leslie,
Thanks for writing. Our new insurance carrier (also BC/BS) does not cover IUIs so I assume I wouldn't have any recourse through them, right?
When you cramped with your IUIs what was the reason they gave you? And, how long did the cramping last?

[Isis]

Gosh, that sounds horrible! I've had numerous IUIs and none of them hurt at all. He usually took about 45 min after getting the insemination done to wash it. He put it in the catheter and injects the sperm onto the tip of my uterus. I don't need to lay down there, I can get up immediately because of how high he puts it. He charges $300. I absolutely adore my RE, I can't imagine being treated the way you were. (((hug))) I hope you find something out SOON!!!

[Leslie in Chicago]

One of the really nice nurses told me that the speed can make a difference. She said that a quick injection can cause cramping, so she always released the sperm slowly. Others said sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.

I also found out later that I had a huge septum, creating a deep "u" shape in my uterus. I wonder if once or twice they just knocked in to it.

Wishing you painless and productive IUIs in the future!

L.