IUI- anyone else?

[Artesia]

After 18 months ttc with no joy, DP and I had a full battery of tests, but came back as a very frustrating case of unexplained infertility.

Given DP's age, we decided we didn't want to just wait and see if we got lucky naturally, so we're now in our first cycle of IUI- had my trigger shot yesterday, and going in for insemination this afternoon. Am ridiculously nervous - way more than I thought I would be- but trying not to get my hopes up as I know the stats for IUI.

Anyone else going through IUI at the moment and fancy some mutual support and hand holding?

I am starting in about six weeks, same situation as you all normal test results. I'm a mixture of emotions for my iui, so much hope, nerves, excitement that it might actually work and a huge amount if doubt given the low success rates. Such a mix of emotions!

I have read about lots of people concieving with iui so I have my fingers crossed and for you too!!
Good luck this afternoon, keep us posted on the procedure and how your getting on! :)

Hello Happily!

Pleased to report that all went well this afternoon- was really straight forward and all over in about 10 mins, so there was no need for me to have been quite so nervous. Now just got to sit tight for the agonising 2 week wait......and try VERY hard not to get obsessive and start symptom spotting!

Fingers firmly crossed that all works out for you. Overall, I have found the process ok, although was tricky this week being on standby and going in for daily scans to check progress. It means your life is put on hold a bit, and is hard to plan anything.

To be honest though, think has almost been harder for DP than me up til now- I think he felt a bit hopeless watching from the sidelines while I have seemingly endless scans, blood tests, take clomid etc, only to be wheeled in like a prize bull to perform on demand! Have tried really hard to make sure he feels involved, rather than just a bit player in the whole thing.

I don't know about you, but I don't know anyone in real life who has been through this, so finding it really helpful to read up on here about other people's experiences of infertility and iui. Otherwise I swear I might think I was going mad!

So pleased it went ok! It's going to be a long two weeks, you will have to make sure you have lots planned to keep your mind off it! Easier said than done I know! :)

That's the bit I'm worried about, getting to the scans etc..each day! Did you have the medicated cycle? No one knows at work so I'm going to have to come up with alot of excuses! Was it internal scans you had to have?

I hadn't really thought about dh feeling not involved in the iui process. Must be be quite hard for them. I'm going to take that on board when it's my turn! :)

Room for a little one?
We are just about to do iui #3. We have a ds aged 3 and gave been trying for #2 for almost 2 years now. Also unexplained which is so incredibly frustrating as we were only about 7 months trying first time round. I'm on 75ml of gonal f with ovitrelle trigger. Although I went today, day 10 and there's lots if follicles but all only around 10mm so he's asked me to reduce the dose to 50 till Monday.
No one in work knows either and I'm struggling to come up with excuses too, so hard. Might have to just come clean without boss if it goes on much longer. Worse thing is, my colleague told me the others had been gossiping and saying that I'm def preg as I keep having appointments. I wish!!!
Def up for some hand holding xx

Welcome #Tillyann#- the more the merrier! Fingers firmly crossed your follicles do some growing over the next few days.

I am on a medicated cycle- ended up with two decent sized follicles. Had internal scans on days 3, 8, 10 and 11, then they gave me the trigger injection and did the iui today (day 12). Luckily they were fairly good about appointment times, so I fitted them in on the way to work, other than today (when I just snuck out an hour earlier than normal!)

Have either of you tried acupuncture to help the process? I wanted to, but hard enough to fit the iui appointments in, let alone trying to get to acupuncture as well. The fertility clinic does recommend it though, so would be keen to give it a go for the next couple of cycles (assuming this one doesn't work- trying not to get my hopes up too high!)

Evening all. I've got achy ovaries so def something going on. What meds are you on?
I tried acupuncture a wee while ago but she wanted to see me twice a week at £55 a pop so couldn't afford it. I might look into it again and see if once a week even would be sufficient. Have had a few reflexology treatments too, I'm willing to give anything a shot to be fair!

Just an update from me. Had a scan this morning and my follicles are only 13 and 14mm after reducing the dose of gonal f.
So now increasing the dose to 75 again today and tomorrow and scan again wed with the hope of doing iui thurs.

How are you girls doing?

Fingers crossed for your scan tomorrow Tillyann - hope the follicles have got nice and big!

Am now five days into my first 2ww, and going slightly mad. Trying desperately not to symptom spot, and swinging between ridiculously optimistic and really negative. Can't believe how frustrating the whole process is. And worst of all, the progesterone I'm now taking has made me really bloated, so I look pregnant at the moment - had a few raised eyebrowns and knowing looks among the more observant people at work.

DP is being lovely - planning some treats for after the 2ww, so we've got something nice to take our minds off it if it doesn't work this time, although if that's the case we will be straight back in for round two of scans and clomid. Feel as if our lives are just on hold at the moment.

But positive thoughts all round ladies - the iui WILL work for us all!!!

Oh Art, the 2ww is a killer, hopefully it passes quickly for you. How lovely of your dp, that's half the battle isn't it?

I have no idea what's going on with me as I've got some spotting today but I'm only on day 15??? Any ideas? Maybe it's the drugs. Will mention it tomorrow and see what they say.

I'm on my last tww before I start iui, I think it's the first month since I started ttc that I haven't been symptom spotting! I think I'm more chilled because I feel like I'm just waiting for our iui.
I know what you mean about your life being on hold though, been invited to lots of weddings away etc...don't know whether to accept or not as I think il be in the middle of iui, dh says we can't put our life on hold!

Good luck you guys!!! :)

Happily- my new theory is to accept all invitations, the further away the better (especially if we have to book expensive no refundable flights) as sod's law will hopefully then mean we can't go cos am pregnant! Was two clicks away from booking a holiday to the Carribbean for next Christmas, as that's when I'd be due if this iui cycle has worked!

I definitely felt the same as you in my last 2ww before iui. DP and I pretty much gave up on the last cycle - no more "come on, come on, I'm ovulating. Can we just get on with it"!

Tilly, thinking of you today. Not sure what time your appointment is, but sending positive, follicle-growing vibes your way. Spotting does sound v mysterious, but hopefully they can put your mind at rest today. As you say, may well be the drugs. They seem to have all sorts of wierd and wonderful effects.....

Hi everyone, not good news I'm afraid. Have to abandon this cycle as I have lots of follies but all still quite small, around 10 or 12 mm. Boo flipping hoo

So sorry to hear that Tilly- sending you huge un-mumsnetty hugs.

Hope you are going to put your feet up tonight and have a big glass of wine. Did you get any answers on what might have caused the spotting? And are they going to try again next cycle?

I had a major fertility induced rage this afternoon. You know the feeling when everyone around you seems to be pregnant? Well was having my hair cut and hairdresser was chatting away about his recent hols. Then announced he wouldn't be going away again for a while as his girlfriend was pregnant "we weren't even trying. Was a real surprise, blah blah blah". I sat there with a rictus grin on my face, feigning excitement for him and inwardly seething and thinking " Gaaaaaaah- just shut up- i do NOT need to hear about that". Unreasonable and irrational I know, but just feels so unfair.....

Hi all

Just found this thread. I had my 2nd IUI last Wednesday (same as you Art ?) so think I'll test on Saturday ie 10 DPO. When do you plan to test?

I've already paid for IVF for next month if it doesn't work - not showing much PMA am I?

tilly sorry to hear you had to abandon.

Just realised I was actually the day before you Art

Hello and welcome Slainte!

Was told to wait til next Friday to test. Not sure I can hold out that long, but will try to wait til the middle of next week if I can. Not feeling optimistic though- starred getting pmt type cramps and back ache today. Trying not to read too much into it, especially as am on daily progesterone, which seems to be sending everything haywire, but like you am already gearing self up for iui round 2.

Fingers crossed for your test.

I'm sure my period is on it's way too.

I was told to wait til next Thursday to test too but impatience will get the better of me I'm sure

With the progesterone be aware that you can feel very low when you stop using it.

Excellent - alongside the bloating, indigestion and other lovely side effects i've had, a good bout of miserable sobbing will be just perfect! Honestly, am surprised DP can bear to be in the same room as me at the moment- the man deserves a medal!

Fancy acting as a "don't test yet" support group- maybe see if can hold out til after the bank holiday?! Am working on he basis that is too early to be positive, and I don't want to see a BFN, so going to spend the weekend distracting self with Easter choc. Gave it up for Lent, and has been a long few weeks getting through the iui without a sneaky Twirl or seven in the evening!

Morning ladies. Im not going through the same process as you but just wanted to send you all good luck and my best wishes.

Sorry to hear that Tilly :( what's your next step?

Good luck with the wait everyone else, try and wait as long as you can!!!! :)

Just gotta call them on first day of next cycle and start again

Good luck next time tilly.

Art I'm currently pretending I haven't read your "don't test yet group" idea

How are you all? Has the Easter choc been a distraction from the 2ww?
I can't wait for af to arrive so we can get going again, hate this waiting malarkey!

Hope you're all enjoying a lovely long weekend.

I shouldn't have wasted those pregnancy tests as AF arrived this afternoon. So, it looks like I'm off for a spot of IVF, it's my second time so I know the drill. I hated it first time around the chemicals made me like a mad PMT x 100 loon. Skin, hair etc looked awful which got me down too.

However, IVF worked the last time though I had a MC at about 9 weeks

I really wish you all well on your IUI journey.

Oh no Slainte, so sorry to hear that. Hope DP/DH is looking after you today. Do you know when you will start on the Ivf? Doesn't sound fun at all, but just have to keep the faith tht is all in a good cause. I know it isn't iui, but if you want moral support, do stay on thread- there is plenty of hand holding and positive vibes to go round.

No news here, but awful cramps and feel really premenstrual (even though not due til end if the week- usually get a good 10 days of feeling awful before it starts) so not feeling at all hopeful. When was pregnant with DS (6.5 years ago, with ex-h), I had symptoms, but nothing now, so just waiting for AF.

Not helped by me forgetting to take progesterone with me when we went away on Thursday. Back home now, but suspect am better to leave it and let nature take its course than start using it again now. So cross with self, but trying to be fatalistic about it.

How are you getting on Tilly? Any sign of AF yet? And Happily still 2ww-ing
?