#makeithappen TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF or just undecided – all welcome! Thread #6

[kwick]

This thread is for anyone trying to conceive... or thinking about doing so through donor IUI or donor IVF. Nothing TMI - feel free to join, we are a lovely group here to support and help keep the cray-cray away!

Here is the link to the previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2832207--makeithappen-TTC-through-Donor-IUI-or-Donor-IVF-or-just-undecided-all-welcome
Here is the link to the one before that one: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2769549-TTC-through-Donor-IUI-or-Donor-IVF-or-just-undecided-all-welcome-makeithappen-loadsofBFPs
Here is the link to the thread before that: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2688511-TTC-through-Donor-IUI-or-Donor-IVF-or-just-undecided-all-welcome-makeithappen
Here is the link to the one before that one: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2587046-TTC-through-Donor-IUI-or-Donor-IVF-or-just-undecided-all-welcome
And the one before that!: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1877198-Donor-IUI

Ooh I'll be interested to see what your AMH level is pez( so I can compare to mine 😁)

Pez I think we paid around £1,500 for my drugs as it went up according to age

Pickle your AMH being 9 and not producing enough eggs to share has hit home for me how unlikely I was (in reality) to get any eggs at all with an AMH of less than 1

Hello all
I've read some of your posts and wanted to join!
I'm 32, my DH has kleinfelters syndrome meaning he has no sperm.
We have been waiting 4yrs for donor IUI on the NHS.
Today I had my hycosy, which was not pleasant.
We should start our IUI next cycle now.
Can anyone tell me if IUI is similar experience to the hycosy?

Welcome munro!!!

Having a hycosy has been the most bally (sorry have been watching back episodes of "Call the Midwife") painful procedure I have had. Why the fcuk they do not give you some form if pain relief I have NO idea!! Will you be having scans on the lead up to the IUI?
The IUI itself: a speculum is inserted whilst you have a full bladder, a catheter is inserted, then magic potion and then catheter and speculum removed and you get to lie back with your legs crossed for a while. Not so plesant when bladder very full or they scan at the same time - but way way better than a hycosy.
Best of luck! 🤞🏼

If I may be so bold munro - how many cycles are you getting on the NHS?

The thing is tcc3 they don't know I'm not producing enough eggs (' I've not had any scans (they've only done AMH so it's all a guessing game, a few years back they didn't even test for AMH) but for egg share like they like to get best of the best like they do with donor sperm, I was quite shocked too and was devastated when the nurse told me that I wouldn't be able to donate my eggs BUT when I saw the consultant he was like AMH is fine it's in normal range should get good results with iui. I'm doing medicated iui but no full dose of meds (as far as I'm aware) but Just to help nudge in right direction....which I'm so pleased about what with AF dates playing up and really late LH surge this month
Had a really nice chat with my manager about dates etc and she said we'll just take 2nd cycle as it comes if 1st cycle doesn't work and will start keeping an eye out for any signs I'm struggling with it all. Very lucky to have her

Welcome munro congratulations on finally being able to start on this journey, next cycle will be here before you know it :) good luck 💐

Welcome munro. Wow you guys are patient! I don't count for iui on NHS but I'm not sure I could have waited four years if I was eligible!

I haven't had a hycosy but I had my second iui yesterday. I find smears quite uncomfortable/ painful but not the iuis and luckily the catheter slips inside cervix easy enough. I think procedure only took five minutes if that this time . Best of luck xx

Hi all
Well we wouldn't have chosen to wait that long...we were originally told 6-12 months and gradually it's gone up! So angry as we would have gone private had we known.

We get 8 cycles on the NHS. So fingers crossed.
No scan, I've been given pee sticks to test surge and then go for iui between day12-16. Only thing is, our clinic is nearly 3hrs drive away. So it's a whole day off work everything we go.

Thanks for the reassurance re: hycosy vs iui. Of course, I'd still do the iui if it was the same pain but it's reassuring that it shouldn't be as bad. I felt totally unprepared for today. Told to take a paracetamol and it would be fine. Huh!

Please see below hoping for my "patent pending" 2ww tips best if luck!!!

When do u get ur blood test results Kwick

Wow 3 hours away munro that's crazy!! But good that you have 8 goes

Kwick, love your 2ww tips...can I ask what people think about exercise? I run, do circuits, HIIT workouts, boxing , surf, hike and mountain bike.....do I need to stop when I'm in the 2ww?
Pickle....that's what happens when you live in a rural location!

My nearest clinic is 25miles away but as I found out the other day it can still take me 2hours to get there 🙄 At least it limits the likelihood of me bumping into people I know

I think in about 2 weeks pickle... always 2 week waits...

Welcome Munro!
You need to avoid anything that raises your body temperature during tww so only really light exercise is fine, such as walking... I don't even go to my yoga classes during the TWW as it is a tough one, really dynamic and hard on the core! For the same reason you should avoid hot baths. No hot water bottles on the tummy either! You should also avoid lifting anything heavy.
I know women get pregnant everyday without following any of the above recommendations but with the emotional and financial investment put in fertility treatment, I'd personally prefer to be safe than sorry

And for the rest, follow kwick's tips, I'm doing all of them, apart from drinking blue milk as I don't like milk (I do full fat Greek yogurts instead)

Ah and also don't drink or eat anything too cold! Ice creams are a no no. Very important to keep all the blood activity in your uterus and not divert it to your stomach!

Welcome munro. 3 hours....long drive. I always cramped after an iui and depending on the person doing it I either felt hardly a thing or found it quite uncomfortable. It varies greatly. I wish you luck!

Twot for everything!!!
I've got just over 2/52 to the nurses appointment which means just over 3/52 till pay day yipeeeee

I always heard not to go beyond your usual exercise routine... so given that I never do any, I just keep that up

By the way I followed kwicks rules. Slept every night with thick socks to keep my feet warm. Are the pineapple. Stayed away from heat. Still nervous about bloodwork tomorrow but I did a clear blue digital last night and got 2-3 weeks. My internet cheapies were getting slightly darker but I wanted something a bit more concrete. Feel a bit better that my levels are hopefully where they should be.

That's great Karen!
Kwicks rules should be patented 😀

Great news karen 😊

kwick thanks for your tips I've not done 🍍 this month but following your other tips. :)

How are you cherry? Pez I'm waiting for you to join us :)

Really interesting experiences about ivf thanks everyone for sharing - I'm still hoping I might be able to convince a friend stranger/anyone to maybe do the injections for me if I move onto ivf.

Gee whiz only one day past iui... hoping time speeds up a bit.

I did see another message on another thread which said: ' Breathe. Right now you are exactly where you are suppose to be. Enjoy the journey' what a lovely phrase- I just have to keep repeating it x

Looking good Karen. Everything crossed for a good beta tomorrow

Hoping, just another few days and I'll join you in the TWOT

How exciting karen 🤞🏻for the test results tomorrow.

Does anyone have advice on what to eat on the lead up to treatment to improve your chances?

Also anyone doing iui did you have to go for daily scans the week of treatment or just do home opks until you got a positive?

That is a lively affirmation hoping - thanks for sharing.

bear I recommend that copious amounts of blue milk are consumed from AF to ovulation (but not beyond) - this is what I do as I read one of the leading clinics actually prescribe it!
Make sure it is organic.
If you would like me to send you nutrition advice then PM me so I can email it to you.
My FC does scans at baseline and then from about day 9 (depending on your cycle). When I did natural IUI I used OPKs but any medication interferes with this so when doing medicated the FC check my LH through my bloods.