Natural IUI experience - round 2

[Mizzy19]

Hi guys,

I'm 37, first time did my natural IUI with donor at Create clinic. Donor from European spermbank.I think the clinic wants me to do IVF, keep saying my saying is out of the norm range for IUI success.

After my first IUI, for the two weeks, had weird strange things happen. I'm always cold at night, hands and feet especially, but since then I'm getting a heat wave going through my body, so now, hands and feet have been hot/warm ever since. Weird.
Experienced really bad cramps over the two weeks, even on my time of the month, very rare I get cramps, usually only bad migraines is my only symptom. So that was strange.
Then I suffered with insomnia in that tww. I was automatically getting up at 2am and couldn't sleep till 5am for most nights, just really strange. Felt really bloated all the way through the two weeks.
I was convinced I was pregnant. All these new signs etc. Never had them before.

Well, went in for my blood test after tww and got told later that day, I'm not pregnant, was sooo disappointed lol maybe next month. And two days later, time of the month came. Even that was strange. Usually I get light periods, rarely heavy. But this time round, in two days they were really heavy, I was suffering with lower back pains and cramping, after that, it stopped on third day. Was getting worried.

Now I'm on cycle two of natural IUI. So let's see how that goes.
Clinic was pushing me to go IVF, but nope, wasn't having it yet until I've tried at least 3 IUIs. What are your opinions on that? I guess it's an IVF clinic moreso, so they pushy. Sometimes I feel clinic don't like doing IUI or not doing it correctly and so pushing to go IVF as they more experienced in that field. Don't know, just a feeling I get.
Have no known fertility issues. Dr said antral follicle count was right ovary 7 and left ovary 12 on scan.
Ang good recommendation of clinics in the West Mids / Bham area?

Quick question, how many hours after testing positive on opk urine strips with LH surge did you have IUI treatment exactly ??

Any experiences to share.

Good luck to everyone

I fell pregnant on my 4th IUI cycle so I definitely wouldn't despair if you don't want to go down the IVF route just yet.
When you say you are having natural cycles are you having any drugs at all?
I had 2 cycles with Clomid and 2 cycles with injectable Gonal-f. For all cycles I was regularly scanned and monitored and when my eggs were ready I was given an injection to trigger ovulation and insemination was done within 24hrs afterwards so there was no need to use any ovulation sticks myself as it was all done for me at the clinic.

Number 4 was the lucky one for me too.

I also got the feeling from my first clinic that they weren’t keen on doing IUIs either and that IVF would have been easier for them. I did three cycles there then switched to another clinic and was successful first time.

With my successful cycle I first detected an LH surge on waking up at 5am (it wasn’t there the night before). The IUI was at 11:45am the following day.

Great. Thanks guys for that.

So I'll do three to four iui and then consider IVF.
Went in for my scan yesterday. Follicle was 16mm. Booked in for Wednesday for another scan if I didn't surge and they'd trigger shot on Wednesday.

Luckily, I've had my surge this morning at 7am. Wasn't there evening before. So called the clinic this morning and going in tomorrow at 10.30am.
This is my second iui. Let's see. Fingers crossed.

My first one, I had surge at 7am and they called the next day but was at 2.55pm. Which I thought was late, especially if you ovulate 24-36hrs.

0DimSumMum0
When I say natural, I mean no meds/drugs or injections, just on natural cycle.
The clinic never mentioned drugs and I'm not sure how it works with drugs.

Good luck! For the record, my plan was to do 7 IUIs then review with the consultant.

Hey just wanted to drop in and say I hope things are going well and sending you baby dust!

Definitely need good luck. Tww is over. Went in for my blood test today and hopefully should get results of my second natural cycle iui results before 6pm. Fingers crossed.🤞
It's tiring running back and forth to the clinic lol. 🤣 😂 😅.
Thank you for the baby dust 😊.

It's another bfn this time round. Disappointing.
Looks like cycle 3 is next. 🤞🤞🤞🤞.

@Mizzy19 I'm about to start IUI with Create. Natural cycle. Did you have success in the end? X

Sorry this is a bit off topic but what does IUI feel like when it's happening?

I feel a bit freaked out about it!

I had my second iui earlier this week - I have DC1 from an iui I did a couple of years ago. My successful iui was on a natural cycle and it worked first time.

In terms of how it feels - I found it less painful than a smear but more of a shock to the system (I think it is just a bit of a shock to the body) and therefore quite unpleasant and I felt a bit tender afterwards, mainly a bloated feeling and soreness from the speculum. As for a smear you can request the smaller speculum. You can't feel the catheter in the cervix so that part is alright.

I took a paracetamol an hour or so before the procedure this time which made it more comfortable.

I was very nervous about what it would be like beforehand, given how unpleasant I find smear tests, so I hope that helps a little.

@Cchka thanks for sharing your experience. If you dont mind me asking, was it completely natural or did you take a trigger shot? I'm due my first go this cycle and still haven't decided on the trigger shot. Good luck to you x

Thanks @Cchka that's helpful. I've had one smear test and it was really traumatic, I bled heavily afterwards. But no pain no gain as they say. I might ask for the smaller speculum and take painkillers before just in case!

Really appreciate you sharing.

@Bloomers58 I had the same struggle with the trigger shot! The first time I didn't have it. My cycle is super regular and I had tracked it for a couple of months before treatment so knew the timing should be right. I didn't have it this time either, although the clinic recommended it. If you're in the UK the clinic will track everything for you and make a recommendation. All you can do is balance it with your own knowledge of your cycle. At least that's what I did. Everyone I know in my situation (under 35 same sex relationship) has gotten pregnant very easily with iui whether through a clinic or doing it at home, but that is only anecdote, not data!

@Alysskea my last smear was horrific but this was nowhere near as bad as that! Once you know about the smaller speculum you can always ask. I do every time!