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

Csds fingers crossed, hope it’s good news for you today!

Cobblestones - the ‘popping’ procedure is not bad. I was given 2 Tamazepam before and had gas and air throughout. I can’t remember much. There was a sting when the thingy goes in your cervix and then some sharp cramps which I presume was the eggs being pulled out. I am also a scaredy cat, I had a very bad experience having a coil fitted ages ago and it made me scared. After now having given birth to an almost 10 pound baby, and having ventouse and forceps, and 2 episiotomies with just gas and air, that seems a bit silly ha ha.

Have you had a HSG test? To be honest I found the HSG worse!

Yes. Had 3 cycles of IUI last year, conceived ds on 3rd cycle 😊 I had IUI as I have a same sex partner & was therefore required donor sperm.

Slapmy- congratulations to you and your partner! Maybe be worked the 3rd time too.

Is it available to same sex couples on the NHS? Hope I don’t cause any offence asking, just interested, as I saw a lot of same sex couples in the waiting room at the clinic.

That's amazing slapmy! Great to hear this.

Toomany - thanks for the explanation. I'll keep that in mind :) and yes I did have the HSG test last year and didn't feel much.

Csds - hope you got the call you were waiting for! I'm heading for a scan now. Will update you on how it goes..

Congratulations slapmy, I really hold on to the hope that IUI works for us.

I’ve had the call, can start clomid today, same dosage, back in on Monday for cd10 scan.

Thinking of you cobblestones 🤞

That's great csds!

So things are improving albeit slowly. My lining has improved substantially which is great news. The vagifem (estrogen) is working.

Of the many follies two have slightly grown to about 14 mm. So still a long way to go. It was day 11 yesterday.

Have been called for another scan tomorrow..

Improvement is good, it’s great that it looks like you have two dominant ones rather than 13 all the same size.

You must be thrilled to know the retro gem is working too! Hope your scan goes well tomorrow.

I’ve got a different trigger injection this time, the pharmacy couldn’t get their hands on pregnyl in time so I’ve had to have ovitrelle. I’ve read that one is urinary where the other is synthetic.

Do you feel drained at all? I just feel constantly tiered and I look drained. I did last cycle. I’m trying to remain as stress free as possible, I even put a bit of lavender on my temples to chill and relax me. X

Oh what is the difference between urinary and synthetic? I was given ovitrelle for trigger last time.

I do feel very drained yes!! Especially this cycle. Probably because my ovaries are working quite hard. And I have a constant back ache. Didn't feel any of this last cycle. And work is pretty quiet at the moment so definitely nothing to do with work that I feel drained.... Helps to know it's possibly related to the meds... My goodness I wonder how women going through IVF deal with it all.. It's so much worse..

I’m so glad you’re feeling drained to, there’s some reassurance in you saying that. only I now I’m not ill, not coming down with anything yet feel drained and exhausted. I’ve been exercising and having early nights but that doesn’t help.

Yes I agree, only today is thought, gosh if I’m feeling like this now and it’s down to treatment what would I be like if going through IVF.

Have you had your scan cobblestones?

I have a question for you all that have had IUI, this one is aimed at those of you that had more than one cycle.

Was your cycle length the same every month? The meds’ stimulate the follicles and as I’ve found out on this thread the way our bodies react to the meds is no given I.e two follicles, 13 follicles and also the speed at which they grow.... and I guess it’s that part really, because I’d the docs think they are big enough they will get us to trigger right?

I’m trying to figure out when to have sex with hubby prior to insemination you see.

Last cycle cd5 I was not told the size of my follicles, on cd10 they didn’t tell me my follicle size so cobblestones I actually think I was small like 8mm or something because they were 15mm on cd13 (I’ve just been working it out, going to start recording the info for future cycles) cd15 they were 21mm and I was told to trigger.

This cycle cd5 I was told I have one follicle that was 12mm. Do you think it’s likely that I’ll still go until cd15 before triggering? I understand there’s no given to how fast a follicle will grow (average being 1-2mm a day).

Like I say, I was just wondering so we can try and plan a bit so that we have the best little men for the important day.

Cobblestones hope you’re ok x

Hi csds. Good question eager to hear answers from others out there.

I was quite bummed out yesterday. It's quite likely that this cycle will be cancelled. I have four follicles about 14 mm and no single one showing prospects of increasing to the required size. It seems like 3-4 are increasing slowly but that's not good Coz we need 1 or 2 max.

My ovaries seem to be working too hard and I don't feel very good. Had a good cry with mum on the phone yesterday. Went to dinner with dh. I'm ok now but just blah and low thinking about this. I have one last scan on Monday but I think it's just delayed the inevitable ie the decision to cancel this cycle.

Btw I'm going to look at options for counselling. After yesterday I feel like I really need someone neutral to hear me out now and then. Once I had a good cry yest I felt better but I made my mum upset in the process. She lives on a different continent and I don't want to upset her long distance..

Hey cobblestones how you feeling today?

I’m so sorry to hear that you think this cycle could be cancelled. I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling. But I offer you all the hugs going in the universe.

I know exactly what you mean with having your mother overseas. You need her to cry to, but after the cry you become completely aware that they are then left upset and worrying about you. I’m constantly having to reassure my mom I’m ok.

Fertility treatment is a big thing, although IUI is not as invasive as IVF it is still treatment, there’s poking, prodding, tablets, injections..... there’s having your legs open to a new face every few days. It’s a lot to go through and that’s just physically never mind mentally and emotionally. Counselling might be a good idea. I know my hospital offer it, enquirer at yours. You need to do and have whatever is needed to get you through this, for you to feel supported. There is no shame in it and I only state that as people can feel there is, and there ‘so’ isn’t. X

You write so well csds. So empathetic. You must have heard that before. You should write a blog..

I'm doing okay today. Had a fun evening with friends yest. Trying not to think about tomorrow..

Ha ha blog writer, my old English teacher would be blown down with that statement.

Glad you enjoyed your evening out, things like that do wonders.

Have you had your scan today? How have things gone?

I’ve had mine and my one follicle is 19mm so they want me to trigger this evening at 8pm and we will go in for insemination on Wednesday. So this cycle is going to be very short for me. X

That's great csds all the best!!

Cobblestones how have you got on? What’s happened today? X

Omggggg csdssssss I just had my scan!! I was all ready for a cancelled cycle!! And guess whatttttt I have two large follicles 18 and 20 mm and all the others have shrunk!!!!!!!! So we are good to go yipeeeee waiting to see nurse now

Whoop whoop 🎉

That fantastic news, I am so chuffed for you. See anything can happen. It’s not over until you’re told it’s over. OMG this is brilliant x

Thanks! 😘

Insemination tomorrow afternoon

Exciting!! I’ve got mine Wednesday. I’ve not long done my trigger shot. We are really in this tww together 🤞

I know!!!! How amazing would it be if we both made it to BFPs together fingers crossed!

Hope you managed fine with the trigger. Second time was easier I imagine?

Cobblestones and csds

Congratulations! Glad you’re both having a successful cycle this time. I hope you both get on well today and tomorrow.

This could be it!

X