Problem with IUI at RE office yesterday

[2happymamas]

I had an IUI yesterday at the RE's office. I looked at the receipt today and it said that they did not wash the sperm b/c it was prewashed. Bull! I pulled out the empty vial and it said ICI ready. I looked at copies of the paperwork and it said non IUI ready. I called the office and spoke to the nurse who did the IUI. She confirmed that she did not wash the vial because it was "already washed." She said that she can look at a vial and tell if it had been previously washed and that this vial was previously washed. Period. She then proceeded to tell me that it did not matter because sperm from heterosexual sex is not washed. I almost fell out of my chair and told her that I am aware of anatomy and that the man's penis does not ejaculate directly into the cervix and, therefore, that was totally not relevant. She had nothing to say. I asked her of the implications of "hypothetically" using unwashed sperm in an IUI and she said it would possibly cause infection, but would not impact the odds of pregnancy occuring. Great, so let's get an infection right where a baby is supposed to be staying. When asked if I should take an antibiotic proactively, she said no because she knew the sperm was washed! :

I called PRS and they said that the sperm was NOT washed. Period.

What do I do? What are the implication for using unwashed for an IUI? The lady at PRS asked what happened and I told her I cramped for 15-20 minutes after the IUI. She said I was lucky that's all that happened. I am so freaking pissed. If I do not get pregnant, I think the RE needs to do another IUI and US free of charge, in addition to purchasing another vial.

UGH!!!!

[kristenok18]

I would be beyond livid in your shoes. I don't know enough about it, but what the lady at your RE's office said and they way she responded to you is unacceptable. Can you speak with someone else there? Can someone from PRS call and talk to them and confirm that the sperm was not washed?

At the very least, you should demand that the clinic pays for another procedure and vial of sperm.

I'm sorry.

[jazcat]

I'm so sorry about your situation. I would be livid as well! Also, I can't say for sure, but if it's true, I think your chances of pregnancy would greatly decrease, if not impossible. I don't think the fluids and environment in the uterus can wash the sperm to make them ready to penetrate an egg. But I would think that washed sperm and non-washed sample would look totally different, no? Perhaps it is just a paperwork mess-up?

[crazyrunningmama]

Originally Posted by 2happymamas

She confirmed that she did not wash the vial because it was "already washed." She said that she can look at a vial and tell if it had been previously washed and that this vial was previously washed. Period. She then proceeded to tell me that it did not matter because sperm from heterosexual sex is not washed.


UGH!!!!

WTF? Don't they label these things and then wouldn't you expect a professional to read the freakin' label???!!!?? I'm so sorry this happened, I hope you get some action on resolving it. And take care of yourself.

[Elowyn]

Call and talk to the RE. The nurse is covering her ass, and is an idiot. And yes, you deserve a free cycle. The major concern is the prostaglandins & cramping, and you're out of the woods for that, so I wouldn't worry too much (infection's possible, just not terribly likely.)