Fertility treatment- IUI

[csds]

Hi, has anyone had IUI fertility treatment? We've been TTC for 3 years now. Had all the tests. We have a consultation tomorrow at the hospital about moving forward with treatment and we've been given an indication that IUI may be the best option to try first before IVF.

I'm just wondering if there's anyone out there who has been through this or is going through this.

Thanks

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

My husband had to do the jizz in a cup at the clinic then we went for lunch and in that time they had washed it and then I had the procedure. Isn't that what is happening with you?do you take the sample with you?

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

Oh I'm sorry I misunderstood. You mean cos the swimmers have been in there a while they won't be any good? I didn't know that. In that case o think I would get him to do it ASAP and then do it a few times after the procedure too if you can.

[csds]

Oh cobblestones, I wish I could give you a hug.

It's down to the individual (as in you) but if I was in your position if you have 24hrs, providing your husband doesn't have a low sperm count I'd say dtd.

I read this ...For most men, it takes between 24 and 36 hours to “replenish” all the way after ejaculating and get back to their normal sperm count. However, the testicles are producing new sperm all the time. Even five minutes after a man's last ejaculation, there are a few sperm ready to go.

Don't give up hope, plus like toomanydicks said, you can dtd after insemination as well.

[Cobblestones]

That is true! That we can dtd after too.. I didn't think of that. Thank you both of you for being there and for your wise words hug I think we will just go for it and see what happens..

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

Good luck for tmrw.

[csds]

Good luck!!

[orangemonkeysocks]

Best of luck OP. Just thought I'd share my story. I had IUI after two years of TTC. I was 36. Worked first time. I took clomid and I also had some acupuncture afterwards. DS1 is now a toddler! We tried again for 6 months to have a second when I was 39. No luck again so tried IUI. First time bingo again! This time no clomid and no acupuncture. DS2 now a gorgeous chubby 6 month baby. I'll keep everything crossed for you. xx

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

Orangemonkeysocks

That's a brilliant story, congratulations. Good to hear positive IUI stories as a lot of people seem to dismiss it and don't want to try it before IVF. Did you have any diagnosed fertility problems?

[Postagestamppat]

We did iui and i conceived the first and only time of doing it.

[orangemonkeysocks]

Toomany,

We had a lot of tests and they always came back as everything being fine. So we were officially classed as having 'unexplained infertility'. It was incredibly frustrating. I bizarrely found myself desperately wanting them to find something wrong with one of us, so it could be put right. But test after test came back fine. We tried different timing, acupuncture, a special diet, I took up running, did mindfulness, everything really that might help. But nothing did. Except IUI! I fully expected us to do 2 or three rounds and then move onto the waiting list for IVF, but miraculously it worked.

I'll never forget the morning of testing that first time, doing the pregnancy test at 6am in the loo, suffering with (what I thought were) period cramps and feeling really low. My DH was downstairs and ran up taking 3 stairs at a time as I cry shouted 'oh my god!'

I also won't forget the doctor, the second time, doing the IUI and then shaking my hand to wish me good luck as he left the room. So strange!

[Cobblestones]

This is great! Thank you so much for sharing your stories..

I totally get you when you say you wish you had something wrong that could be put right. I've got pcos but other than that nothing major that would result in a big push for IVF. Hence the doctor recommended I try this.. If nothing else it'll prepare me for IVF.

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

Yes you're both right, I felt like that too. At least if you know what is wrong you know what to do to fix it. Fertility seems to have no rules. I didn't conceive after 4 years and then had 3 IUIs but then conceived naturally for my second DD.

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

Cobblestones

Have you had the IUI procedure today?

[csds]

Yes it's so great to hear these successful stories as I was under the impression that the success rate for IUI wasn't that great but now I'm feeling much more hopeful. I'm still prepared to have to try a few times but at least it doesn't feel like a wasted route to be taking.

Cobblestones how have you got on? Did it happen?

[Cobblestones]

Just got done!!! :D

The whole procedure lasted about 15 mins. She first inserted a speculum that was a medium size and it hurt me a bit more than what I've experienced during smear and HSG. I ended up ejecting that (muscles pushed it out). She then went with a small one which didn't hurt at all. Passed the catheter in, injected it and voila it was done! Felt this period like pressure when she inserted the sperm. But that was it. Kept lying down and talking to her for 20 minutes or so afterwards.

Have to take cyclogest from tomorrow.
Toomany - did you take those? Any side effects?

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

What are cyclogest? No I never took anything after. Just went in 14 days after for a pg test. I had the blood test at 8am and then they told me I could phone after 1pm for the results. I started ringing up at 12.30 as I couldn't stand the wait and the line was continually engaged for about an hour until I could get through for the results. They were the longest few hours ever!! These 2 weeks will go slow for you!

I actually thought that the HSG test was much worse than the IUI. Sorry you had a bad experience with the speculum.

I had a LLETZ treatment several years ago (to remove abnormal cells on cervix) and I was so terrified the consultant had issues with the speculum. He ended up using a plastic one and I couldn't believe the difference. He told me to always ask for plastic as most places have them but prefer not to use them as they're not reusable, so presumably more expensive. They just go in a lot easier and not as uncomfortable. Might be something to ask - although fingers crossed there won't be a next time!!

We are all now along for the TWW with you too, it's so exciting! Sending you lots of baby dust (is that a MN saying, can't remember where I read it?)

Xx

[Cobblestones]

Thank you! yes I need to stay occupied! Work should help.. Have taken off tomorrow but will resume on Monday..

Cyclogest pressaries are basically progesterone to help support any pregnancy if one results.

Ah that's great you had a blood test. But I can only imagine how you felt waiting for the results! The hospital doesn't offer one. In the past I've ended up wasting money testing early. Let's see if I can hold out!

Thanks for the tip about the plastic speculum. I'll ask for it if I have to go through it again.

[csds]

Cobblestones how exciting, I hope you manage to keep occupied. I've had cyclogest mentioned with my iui, although it's not been confirmed if I'll be taking it. apparently helps keep the lining thick to help implantation and reduce miscarriage.

As Toomany said, we will be with you through this tww x

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

Csds

Do you have an appointment tomorrow?

Cobblestones

Oh I wonder why they don't give the pessaries to everyone, I suppose policies differ between NHS Trusts. I was treated at Sheffield. Although it's highly possible I did have them and can't remember, my memory is awful.

I found Tesco cheapy tests reliable for both of my pregnancies. I would say try your hardest not to start testing early. I used to be continuously testing in the early months of TTC. And you drive yourself mad looking for lines that aren't there!

You might want to Google it but I think I read that pineapple is good for implantation?? No idea why. (Eat it, don't shove it up your cervix he he).

I actually think I felt implantation. I had 3 really large cramp type pains in the space of 3 minutes about a week after the IUI. But of course everyone is different. And it could have been something different!!

Our hospital also does an early pregnancy scan at 6-7 weeks to check for a heartbeat. That was amazing to hear a heartbeat the first time.

[Cobblestones]

Thanks csds :)

just came home and noticed some bleeding - dry/brown.. Has anyone experienced this?

[Cobblestones]

Haha I'll try the pineapple - thanks!

I've gone private btw. NHS in my area is horrible they made me wait for months to do the HSG and that's when I started looking at options to go private and get some control over the whole situation. Toomany - It sounds like you were lucky with the arrangements at your end with the blood test and the three rounds of IUI. I've read that NHS now don't tend to offer IUI because of the low success rate. Or like you said, could differ between trusts.

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

Cobblestones

The spotting is completely normal, I think one time I had it and another I didn't. Think it lasted a day or 2.

That sucks having to pay yourself. Jesspos here is an amazing fertility centre and because of where we live we were offered 3 IUI followed by 2 IVF. And then something where they freeze extra eggs made during IVF and you can just have them implanted after. So we were very lucky. The cut off here was 40, and I know a lot of places it's 35. It took about 12 months from doctors referral to getting all the test results. But then we got an ACU appointment 2 weeks later and started IUI on the next cycle. Everything moved very fast from going to the ACU. After hearing other stories I recognise We were very fortunate.

[toomanydicksonthedancefloor1]

Hopefully being on here you have more hope of IUI working.

I think it's worth a try if you don't have any other problems. And it's considerably cheaper than IVF if you have to pay.

I have a theory that I have a funny shaped cervix that just stops the swimmers getting up there! This is why I had 2 awful births too. I have based this on no medical knowledge whatsoever ha ha.

[csds]

I had read that about pineapple, it's the core part so don't buy pineapple rings as it's the core that's the important part..... get eating it cobblestones ha ha

Yes toomany, I have a blood test and scan tomorrow (CD10) at 8:00, i will know by 13:00 if we can proceed with insemination in the next few days. Not sure how I'm feeling, to be honest a little numb but then I have moments I feel a little anxious, after TTC for 3 years im kind of always expecting a problem or delay...... but one day, one day it'll happen.

Anyway.... like I say, roll on 13:00 tomorrow, hoping for positive news.

[Cobblestones]

Great csds... Fingers crossed you have some juicy follicles ripening up :) totally get the 'expecting some sort of delay at every step'. Our day will come...

Do you know what the blood test will be for? The scan will tell you instantly about the number and the size of follicles.

and I'll make sure I get some whole pineapple.

Ah Toomany that's quite reassuring hearing about the spotting. And yes right now paying for IUI Isn't too painful. But seeing my hard earned money being spent on IVF will definitely pinch...!