IUI - questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2009
IUI - questions
6
Tue, 07-14-2009 - 4:19pm

Hi ladies,

After seeing my doc today for my post-op appointment, I was very surprised when he suggested that we immediately do IUI. I've been trying to conceive for about 5 months, and recently found out that my cervix was obstructed and that played a huge role in why we weren't conceiving. I had surgery to correct that, as well as remove some cysts from my tubes, and quite honestly I was expecting him to tell me today that we could start trying again next cycle. Instead, he said that my cervix is still situated in such a way that I might have a hard time conceiving, and he wants to do IUI!!!

I have a couple of weeks to consider this, and of course I want to make sure I won't have any insurance issues. Part of me is wondering if it's really necessary...if we tried on our own, would we EVENTUALLY conceive? Is the doc trying to get me to do an unnecessary procedure? Yet, my fear is that six months down the road I'll be frustrated and upset and wish I'd just done it. My husband is totally supportive and says he'll be on board no matter what I decide.

ANYWAY....for those of you who have experience with IUI, I'm wondering....(I was too overwhelmed at the office to ask any questions):
1) What was your experience with the drugs they give you beforehand? What kind of drugs did you get?

2) What is the success rate, if you happen to know? Am I looking at possibly having to do this procedure 10 times or is every experience unique?

3) Do I have an increased chance to have multiples? (All I could think on the way home was Kate Gosselin, Kate Gosselin, Kate Gosselin...)

4) If the first round does not work, do you have to wait before doing another round, or do you just do it every cycle until it works?

Thats it for now. Any responses would be SO appreciated!!!!!

*********************************************************************
Cycle 1 - BFN. Was told I have polycystic ovaries. The fertility obession begins. Day 3 Blood Work - Appears to be normal, with slightly high prolactin. Must re-do next cycle.
Cycle 2 - DH's s/a came back normal. BFN - AF arrived early.
Cycle 3 - Day 3 Blood Work re-do is normal. Could not do HSG...long story. Have an appt. with the local fertility genius in mid-May. O'ed early, no chance for a BFP this cycle, which was my first 28 day cycle in YEARS!
Cycle 4 - Day 3 b/w is normal yet again. Back to my regular cycle length. Using CBEFM and OPKs, not temping. Learned that I DO NOT have PCOS, but do have an obstructed cervix. Surgery to correct in early July.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/221fba

Avatar for Cmmelissa
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2008
In reply to: ambinsi
Wed, 07-15-2009 - 11:33am

I'm glad that you are asking these questions, it's good to be your own advocate with medical procedures.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2009
In reply to: ambinsi
Wed, 07-15-2009 - 3:16pm
Yes, thanks. I've posted on there as well and have received some responses.

*********************************************************************
Cycle 1 - BFN. Was told I have polycystic ovaries. The fertility obession begins. Day 3 Blood Work - Appears to be normal, with slightly high prolactin. Must re-do next cycle.
Cycle 2 - DH's s/a came back normal. BFN - AF arrived early.
Cycle 3 - Day 3 Blood Work re-do is normal. Could not do HSG...long story. Have an appt. with the local fertility genius in mid-May. O'ed early, no chance for a BFP this cycle, which was my first 28 day cycle in YEARS!
Cycle 4 - Day 3 b/w is normal yet again. Back to my regular cycle length. Using CBEFM and OPKs, not temping. Learned that I DO NOT have PCOS, but do have an obstructed cervix. Surgery to correct in early July.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/221fba

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2008
In reply to: ambinsi
Wed, 07-15-2009 - 11:11pm

Hi!
I agree with the other poster. The IUI board is a great source of information.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2008
In reply to: ambinsi
Thu, 07-16-2009 - 10:15am

Hi,


As much a IF and TTC issues suck, I'm glad yours got caught pretty early on. I don't have too much experience with IUI - I just did my first one.


1) What was your experience with the drugs they give you beforehand? What kind of drugs did you get?
I was on 50mg Clomid. RE wanted to give me 100mg but I O fine on my own and started with a lower dose. I also took a trigger shot - Ovidrel. Overall, the side-effects were minor and the shot was easier than I expected. Simple overall.


2) What is the success rate, if you happen to know? Am I looking at possibly having to do this procedure 10 times or is every experience unique?
Still waiting to see if my first one worked so no comment on success rates. I'm sure it depends on your situation. We're doing it primarily for MFI. As for how long to do it. When we first met our RE, she said she recommends no more than 6 cycles of IUI. At that point, you can continue but the lilkelihood of it working is lower. At that point she would discuss other options.


3) Do I have an increased chance to have multiples? (All I could think on the way home was Kate Gosselin, Kate Gosselin, Kate Gosselin...)
Technically, yes. The whole point of a medicated IUI in my case was produce multiple eggs so teh swimmers have more targets to hit. So, there is a chance. But a good RE would monitor your egg production and proceed accordingly. My RE will not do an IUI if there are more than 3 follicles. This way, the worst case scenario is triplets and the chances for all 3 eggs being fertilzed are low. Chances of twins are higher. With good ovulation to start with, I had 2 follicles on 50mg of Clomid.


4) If the first round does not work, do you have to wait before doing another round, or do you just do it every cycle until it works?
I believe you can do the cycles one after another without waiting. DH and I had decided to do 4 and take a month off before doing the last 2 -- if it comes to that.


Hope this helps. And pls come to the IUI board. I've been asking a million questions there for the last month and the girls are very helpful and comforting.

********************************************
TTC #1
Cycle #21
1st IUI cycle


Unexplained IF with Mild MFI


http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1d4641


********************************************
FINALLY PG with #1 after TTC for over a year and half.  After
22 cycles and 2 IUIs we finally beat IF

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2009
In reply to: ambinsi
Thu, 07-16-2009 - 11:04am

Thanks everyone!!

When I posted this initially I was still on the fence, not sure if it was necessary. After a lot of discussion with my husband, we've decided to do it! But...speaking of the drugs (which is really the part that scares me the most), they are not giving me Clomid. Instead they're talking about injections and vaginal suppositories?????? I'm so nervous about the injections. I'm a big baby.

*********************************************************************
Cycle 1 - BFN. Was told I have polycystic ovaries. The fertility obession begins. Day 3 Blood Work - Appears to be normal, with slightly high prolactin. Must re-do next cycle.
Cycle 2 - DH's s/a came back normal. BFN - AF arrived early.
Cycle 3 - Day 3 Blood Work re-do is normal. Could not do HSG...long story. Have an appt. with the local fertility genius in mid-May. O'ed early, no chance for a BFP this cycle, which was my first 28 day cycle in YEARS!
Cycle 4 - Day 3 b/w is normal yet again. Back to my regular cycle length. Using CBEFM and OPKs, not temping. Learned that I DO NOT have PCOS, but do have an obstructed cervix. Surgery to correct in early July.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/221fba

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2008
In reply to: ambinsi
Fri, 07-17-2009 - 2:06pm

Hi,


I haven't done injectable meds but if they're anything like the Ovidrel trigger shot, you'll be fine. I am scared to death of needles and it took me

********************************************
FINALLY PG with #1 after TTC for over a year and half.  After
22 cycles and 2 IUIs we finally beat IF