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?

[Slainte]

Hi all

Still here tilly I completely know what you mean about the worry of having a sibling for my DD, it haunts me. I've been having a few sleepless nights myself. How are you?

All went grand with the scan, started injecting my gonal-f today. depending on next week's scans I'll hopefully be in UK end of next week for a final scan and then IVF the following week.

It's such great news for you Art I'm sure you're still on cloud nine.

[Happilymarried155]

Hi everyone!
Glad the scan went ok.
I had some blood tests done again in time for my appointment and got them back they said everything was normal, but I got my fertility book out to have a look and it says my TSH levels are high, mine are 4 but in order to concieve they need to be under 2. Has anyone had any experience in this? Obviously I googled like crazy and read all sorts about people having raised levels have a higher risk of miscarriage and doctors won't do fertility treatment unless they can get your level below 2. I think it's something to do with your thyroid.

It's all so complicated!

[Artesia]

Still here too! Really pleased all went well with the scan Slainte, and hope injections don't have too many side effects.

Afraid I don't know anything about TSH levels Happily, but do they vary depending on where you are in the cycle? Sounds as if doctors are confident all is in order- hopefully they can explain all at your appointment. When are you due to see them? I found as soon as i was signed up and underway, i felt much better as there were so many appointments to distract me, and it felt like we were making some progress.

I absolutely agree though- had no idea how complicated it all was til we embarked on this journey. Quite frankly it seems a miracle that anyone ever manages to get pregnant without help.

All good here, but trying very hard not to get carried away as is such early days, and still so much that could go wrong. Going for blood test to confirm pregnancy on Monday - still convinced they will say I'm not, despite 6 positive tests! Then scan in two weeks- one of the joys of e treatment I suppose, not having to wait for normal 12 week scan, especially as have a couple of friends who have gone to 12 wk thinking all was well, then found out they had miscarried.

But enough doom and gloom- is my birthday today, so going to celebrate with tea and lots of cake!

Xx

[Happilymarried155]

That's lovely happy birthday :) keep us posted! X

[Slainte]

I don't know about the TSH levels happily do you have an appointment with anyone to interpret the results?

Happy birthday Artesia

[Artesia]

Thank you so much for my birthday wishes and first ever mumsnet flowers ladies!

How are you getting on with the gonal-f Slainte? Hope not too many side effects.

Tilly are you back on the treadmill for the next round yet?

Have woken up to a lovely sunny day here. Nope is the same for all of you, and we can all enjoy some lovely spring sunshine for once

[Happilymarried155]

AF arrived this morning :( was our last chance this month so will definitely be needing that appointment. Trying to stay positive but feel so depressed.

[Artesia]

Huge hugs Happily. Felt exactly the same with my last AF before the iui. Was convinced the prospect of the iui would shock my body into getting on with it and conceiving.

Hopefully though you can put it into the hands of the experts now and let them get on with it. Not sure what the others think, but I actually found it quite liberating not feeling so responsible for trying to make things happen any more.

Hope you can put your feet up and indulge self today?

X

[Happilymarried155]

That's exactly it. I'm trying to stay positive, we have been waiting for this appointment for 6 months and now it's only 3 weeks away but I was so hoping if would happen before then and I suppose it's the realisation that it isn't going. I'm really nervous about the treatment and I'm so worried how il cope of it doesn't work. What a nightmare!

Going to keep busy today to try and keep my mind off it! Did you have a nice birthday? :)

[Slainte]

Oh Happily I know exactly how you feel, we conceived naturally whilst waiting for AF before going for IVF a few years ago so I had myself convinced it would happen again and when it didn't I was so depressed.

I really wouldn't worry about the IUI treatment, it really is a walk in the park. A few scans, taking your medication then sperm transfer (which is easier than a smear test!) and it's all over in 2 weeks. It really is that easy. I remember my good friend (who has a lot of IUI and IVF experience) telling me just to worry about today and prepare for tomorrow and don't think any further than that on a daily basis. If you think about the whole experience you can feel overwhelmed and I promise you that IUI really isn't too bad at all.

Gonal-F isn't too bad at the moment, felt nauseous yesterday but that could have been for any reason. My skin is in an awful way, this is my 3rd month in a row to be injecting it (2xIUI and now IVF) so that's not really surprising.

How are you tilly?

Enjoy the sunshine Artesia. It's lovely over here too, hopefully Spring has sprung

[Slainte]

Actually happily following on from my post above I really didn't want to sound dismissive of your worries, sorry if it read like that. What I meant was don't worry about the physical aspect of the treatment.

The emotional process is of course difficult, we all pin our hopes on every stage of the treatment and I know for me it's been a rollercoaster. Everyday we're worrying about getting pregnant, staying pregnant etc so you are right to be nervous and apologies again if I sounded dismissive above, I really didn't mean to minimise your emotions.

[Happilymarried155]

Don't worry slainte, you didn't sound dismissive at all, it was good to read that it's not too stressful and invasive I don't really know what to expect so it's good to know!
I feel abit better this afternoon, been keeping busy and then sun being out has helped! Hope your enjoying your day!

[WeeNoggi]

Hello all,

I'd love to join! Congrats Artesia - hope it works out


I had my first gonal-f injection injection last night and we're off at a very ungodly hour for our first treatment tomorrow morning.

Also had a hysterosalpingogram (had to look up spelling of that!) recently & hoping Dr Google is right that that also has a positive impact on ttc.

Are any of you exercising? I'm sure losing weight would benefit me & DH but I'm not sure whether a gym visit today is wise

[Artesia]

Hello WeeNoggi welcome aboard!

Hope all went well with your appointment today?

Not sure about the others, but I didn't do anything specific re exercise. Am normal build (except perhaps my slightly large bottom!), so wasn't told I needed to lose weight specifically. I walk quite a bit, but otherwise fairly idle. Most of the advice I have seen is. Of to start anything too radical during treatment, but the others might have better advice.

[Happilymarried155]

I exercise generally but I'm not sure if you should start doing anything you wouldn't normally do. Maybe discuss this at the fertilty clinic. Wishing you lots of luck!

I'm much more emotionally stable today thank goodness, I've had my monthly wobble and now I'm ready and raring to go for my appointment!

Hope everyone else is ok :)

[Artesia]

Really pleased you are feeling better today Happily. Have you got long to wait til your appointment?

How's everything going with the injections Slainte? Hope still not TOO bad. How much longer have you got to go on it?

[tillyann2013]

Sorry I've been AWOL, busy weekend. Will catch up this evening. Hope you're all well xxx

[Slainte]

Hi all
Welcome aboard WeeNoggi How was your appointment on Sunday? What was done?

Glad to hear you're feeling better happily

How are you Artesia? Any symptoms yet?

Gonal-F not too bad. Started on the Cetrotide as well this morning, had forgotten what a faff that is, mixing solutions etc. My skin is awful (like a teenage boy!), have flu like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting (all of which I had last time too) other than that I'm grand

Have a scan Weds morning and depending on those results I will go to the UK on Thursday for a final scan and hopefully egg collection on Monday. Fingers crossed.

When do you start again tillyann?

[tillyann2013]

Hello everyone and welcome wee noggi too, sorry I haven't been around the last few days. I am feeling a bit down at the mo as 2 of my closest friends have just announced their second pregnancies. Of course I'm delighted for them but sad for us too, selfish I know
I am thinking of having a break for a couple of months and stopping the drugs and going au natural. I think I'll make another appointment with the consultant and see what he says.

On day 28 so af due any day now.

Sorry to hear you aren't well

[tillyann2013]

Ooops, posted too soon. Sorry you're not well slainte, is that a usual side effect for you? Hope it eases off for you, let us know how the scan goes on wed.

Art, did you have the blood test today? Hope all well x

Hope everyone okay xxxx

[Artesia]

Hello Tilly. Really sorry to hear you have had a rough few days. Have been there myself- sobbing In the toilet at work after yet another pregnancy announcement, so I know how tough it can be, especially if you are feeling hormonal. Don't be too hard on yourself- is a totally understandable reaction. Have a tonight and be kind to self.

Slainte - that's some roll call of symptoms! You are sounding v perky considering! Fingers crossed for Wednesday. What's the best possible find at the next scan?

Had the blood test today- BFP confirmed, and hormone levels all look right for this stage, which is great news. Now counting down to scan, 2 weeks tomorrow. If they can spot a heart beat then, I might actually relax and start to believe it's real rather than fretting all the time and waiting for something to go wrong. I am actually enjoying when any symptoms (mainly sore boobs, exhaustion and shameful, shameful amounts of wind) kick in as they make me feel as though is actually happening, and I haven't made it all up.

[tillyann2013]

Great news Artesia, congratulations again, you must be thrilled!
I hope the next two weeks go quickly for you.

Im feeling a bit brighter now, been out for a nice long walk and am trying to get my pma back! Thanks for the encouragement, nice to be able to see each other through the darker days. Xx

[Artesia]

Great to hear you are feeling brighter Tilly.

WeeNoggi, hope we haven't scared you off! Promise we are a very friendly bunch. Really hope all went well with your appointment the other day

[Happilymarried155]

Nope not long only 3 weeks, he said we can start iui straight away so il expecting to start it around 6th may.

Glad your feeling better Tilly, it is nice to have someone else to talk too that understand isn't it!

Artesia, any advice you can give me for my first iui?

[Artesia]

Not sure about advice, but was a lot more straightforward than I expected. Side effects from meds weren't too bad at all, the biggest pain was how many appointments for scans/ blood tests I seemed to have to work out when prime time to trigger was.

Think I mentioned it before, but the only real tip I have is to give DP/DH some attention during the process. It's all about the woman until the bloke is summoned in to perform, so think it would be quite easy for blokes to feel a bit on the outside.

Only other thing is to try (although it's impossible) to relax during 2ww and plan something as a distraction. Although would advise planning nothing that involves being in public- the progesterone suppositories you use after the iui can give you vicious wind. I am not safe to be out in public at the moment- DP not sure whether to be horrified or slightly in awe!!!

Lastly, don't despair if you feel as though you are getting period pains during 2ww. I had period type back cramps for a few days before I tested, so was convinced was due on any day.