IUI stories please!

[Foundmyfeet]

DH and I have just had our first try at IUI after ttc for 3 years. We've had 1 failed IVF, 1 MMC and 1 MC.

There is so much information and personal experiences on IVF but not much about IUI.

I am 4 days into my 2WW and am extremely bloated and feeling lots of twinges. Don't know if this is the effects of the procedure or something else?

I have 3 dc via IUI, the first on attempt two and twins on attempt 6. I found it was pointless symptom spotting because the drugs caused very similar symptoms, in fact I felt little different on the two positive attempts to the 4 negative tries.

I am 10 days into 2ww following first IUI, although clinic have given me a testing date of 2w+2d which I'll probably ignore (already tested once yesterday to see if HCG trigger was out of system yet, and it was).
I don't think I had any last effects from the procedure. I had sharp pains a couple of days afterwards mainly on the right hand side. I've had cramping for the last week like period pains. Boobs are very painful which is uncommon for me. No bloating. My gut feeling is it is AF brewing but who knows. Best of luck.

@Clockingon thank you for sharing. So nice to hear that it was a success for you.
My IUI has been done without medication. It was a very last minute decision. DH and I went abroad for fertility testing and I happened to be ovulating so we went for it at my suggestion.

@Beanybob we're in the same boat with this agonising 2WW! Is this your first try?

It is my first try, I am in a SS couple but I have always wanted a baby so this was our only option really, although wish we had tried before I turned 37 as I suddenly feel really old to be doing this!

@Beanybob 37 is no age! I'm 43 and feeling a little old for this!
Can I ask if your sperm donor was anonymous?

@Foundmyfeet Haha, you're as old as you feel, so we're told! In that case the way my knees creak I feel 62!
Our donor is indeed anonymous, from the US actually, although still with the option of ID later in life to comply with UK law.

@Beanybob how are you doing? You must be testing soon?

@foundmyfeet Good thanks - BFPs all this week, couldn't wait til today! I'm booked in for 6 week scan in a couple of weeks at the clinic to check all is well. How are you doing?

@Beanybob - oh wow!! Many congratulations to you! That's fantastic news! How are you feeling?

I caved and did a test this afternoon. I'm 11 dpo and its BFN. Think I'm going to have to accept defeat. :(

@foundmyfeet Oh I'm sorry to hear that but I have seen repeatedly on here that you're not out until AF says you're out - all fingers crossed for you!
I think even my clinic were surprised that I got a positive on the first attempt - I do keep telling myself it's early days though and anything could happen. I feel ok but have been feeling very sick all week, although it has worn quite a lot today (which has just got me worrying again).

@Beanybob thank you for your kind words. I know that some women get late BFP's, but I just feel like it won't be me.

Well the hardest bit is conception which you've managed to do on your first attempt! That's bloody brilliant! Just keep positive and try not to symptom spot. I know it's a hard thing not to do. Every pregnancy is different so you will not have the same experience/symptoms as someone else.

@Foundmyfeet You're absolutely right, very good advice. I will try very hard to follow it...!
Best of luck with everything and let me know how you get on xx

I have three DC through unmedicated IUI. It’s a roller coaster ride but hang in there. I also didn’t feel different on my “successful” cycles

@Beanybob I will do. And let me know how you get on too! X

@Roonerspismed it's so nice to hear success stories. Can I ask your situation around your IUI's? How old were you and the number of attempts? Please don't feel obliged to answer if I'm being too personal.

@Foundmyfeet I did 2 rounds with DS in greece for genetic reasons. Both failed. I would, without hesitation not bother again and go straight to ivf. I was 30 and was told it was very likely to work within 3 goes. Once the cost of flights, accom etc are added in, 3 or so rounds of iui = 1 round of ivf.
What are your plans next? Another iui round?

@Twinmammaplusone I had the IUI done in Greece! I had 1 round of IVF in 2019 which failed. Consequently had 2 natural pregnancies which ended in an MMC at the end of 2019 and an MC early 2020. No pregnancies since then.
I'm 43 and have a teenage DD.
All assessments have come back fine. Even my egg reserves are good for my age, however I know they can't tell the quality.
DH's swimmers are good too.
If I'm honest, I actually don't know what to do next. At the minute, I feel like I want to give up.

found I’m happy to as I had very little support myself and I found it v stressful.

I was mid to late 30s and had no fertility issues myself. I ovulated normally. We were incredibly lucky and age 39 I conceived my third time.

My main tip - and this is the most annoying thing ever - is to reduce stress. I was so flipping stressed out the first time I did it that my blood tests showed delayed ovulation! I somehow had to let go and put faith in it all. I also reduced my exercise a bit (was a runner), did accupuncture, and made sure my nutrients were optimised (omega 3, zinc, iron levels etc).

I also had one m/c.

Have you had your thyroid checked? I have also heard anecdotal evidence about baby aspirin.

So AF arrived yesterday :( But was expecting so as the test was a BFN. Not even a hint of a line.

@Roonerspismed - I'm trying my best not to stress out. In fact, I've made conscious efforts to reduce stress levels since last year and I feel better for it...just not falling pregnant! Lol!

I've had all my tests done, thyroid, AMH, FSH, Microbiome, Aquascan, Ultrasound. All good. DH has good sperm. There's no particular reason why we can't conceive other than egg quality due to my age.

Funny you should mention baby aspirin, because the last 2 times I conceived, I'd been taking baby aspirin (both resulted in MC). So I tried again but nothing as yet.

Going to Greece worked out quite expensive after paying out hundreds of pounds for Covid tests so whatever we do next will probably be here in the UK. I'm wondering if we should try one more round of IVF.

I'm sorry to hear that @Foundmyfeet!

@Beanybob hope all is going well. what day did you start testing? I’m 10 days post iui, on my first round and I’m not supposed to test until Friday but I caved and had a very faint line. I’m on the joyous progesterone pessaries and I had lots of symptoms from these sore boobs, bloated, hot/cold 😭 but it all stopped yesterday so I don’t think I am this month and this is just the trigger shot working itself out.

I should also say that I feel like af is about to turn up any second. But if I’m not it’s only our first try so I’m not too disappointed. Good luck everyone xx

Hi @dizzysheep, I tested 10dpiui and got a negative, then tested again a few days after that and got a very faint positive. Perhaps try testing again in a few days and see if the line is darker? Horrible waiting isn't it
I did feel different and that's why I tested again though, had nausea and metallic taste. I wasn't on any further medication past the HCG trigger though.

Last Thursday lunchtime at exactly 5 weeks I started spotting and cramping and it hasn't really stopped, as it has been going on 5 days now I don't have much hope for 6 week scan on Thursday this week. Nausea and heartburn has subsided a lot and boobs are a bit less painful. Still getting very dark lines but I am convinced the test I've done this morning is lighter than the one from end of last week. The nurse I spoke to at the clinic was very kind about it but basically said it is likely an early loss. I have about 10% of a shred of hope left but otherwise trying to be matter of fact about things as best I can as it was very early and at least I know I can get pregnant etc!

Best of luck with everything, let us know how you get on!

@Beanybob I just read your post. I don't always get notifications otherwise I'd have reached out to you sooner. I hope everything is ok?

@Dizzysheep - have you tested again?

@Foundmyfeet Oh please don't worry about that - so nice of you to ask, anyway. I am on day 6 or 7 bleeding wise, but scan is at 8 30 tomorrow so we will find out what's what then, although I think it is pretty clear what that will be.

Have you made any decisions about further treatment?

@Beanybob - my fingers and toes are crossed for you. I've read many a story about women who bleed throughout their entire pregnancy and have a healthy baby at 40 weeks.

Spoke to DH about doing another round of IVF but he said no. He still thinks that we will have a baby naturally one day. I wish I had his optimism.