Is IUI possible for us?

[Sussexbysea]

Hi,

We’ve been trying for baby number 2 for two years with no success.

The docs won’t even look at us because we have a child already.

Will IUI by a private clinic be our answer? Any feedback is much Appreciated

I wouldn't bother with IUI - the science says that you have to factor in up to 10 rounds of IUI to have the same success rate as 1 cycle of IVF so in the long run it's more expensive and isn't appropriate anyway if the problem is with your husbands sperm. I'd go straight to IVF - I'm suffering secondary infertility and IVF has shown my egg quality is pretty poor for my age. Lots of clinics are offering reduced price deals at the moment for new patients x

Have you had any tests done by your GP, bloods for you and sperm analysis for your husband, do identify if there's a reason why you might not be conceiving this time round? Even if you already have a child your GP might do those tests, then you'll be better placed to know how to go forward. I don't know much about IUI, but I think IVF/ICSI is more successful if you have male factor issues. We have MFI and are waiting on IVF/ICSI.

The docs won’t even consider us. They offered a sperm test for my partner but that won’t help us as even if there was a problem the docs wouldn’t do anything to help us anyway.

I was thinking of going to a clinic and taking to them and going from there. The thought scares me but I’m desperate for number 2.

Whether or not IUI can help depends on what the problem is. Considering the cost of IVF it is worth it to have some tests done, either nhs or private if you can afford it.

IVF has overall better success rates. But it's also a lot more expensive and a lot more agressive on your body. It would be too bad to skip IUI if it has a chance of working for you.

Typically IUI is a good idea if the problem is :

• not great sperm (but not completely hopeless either). As it bypasses the cervix and brings sperm closer to egg.

• poor/acidic cervical mucus as the cervix is entirely bypassed

• or if you're using donor sperm due to mfi

On the other hand it will not help with :

• completely hopeless sperm (motility/morphology too low). I can't tell you how low is too low but a consultant could

• ovulation issues (you may have a shot with clomid though)

• egg quality (IVF produces more eggs so it improves your chances that a few in the bunch are decent.)

If I were you I'd have some investigations done. You said :

They offered a sperm test for my partner but that won’t help us as even if there was a problem the docs wouldn’t do anything to help us anyway.

You shoud have it done anyway as this will give you valuable information about what may be the cause of your fertility issues and whether IUI might help.

Odds are that if you just walk into a clinic they will ask you to get those tests done anyway.