IUI 2022

[unCliche]

Anyone looking to pursue IUI treatment in the new year?

I'm currently on cycle 18 with unexplained infertility and waiting for my NHS IVF referral appointment in January. In the meantime DH and I are looking to do some IUI cycles privately while we wait.

I have my baseline scan and consultation with Create Fertility next week.

@unCliche but my doctor is not ready to give me progesterone shots as my Amh is high, she is saying she can’t take risks of multiples.

@Shrut89 Progesterone cannot cause multiple pregnancies. It's produced during the luteal phase after ovulation. It has nothing to do with how many eggs you produce which happens in the follicular phase prior to ovulation. Find another doctor.

Thanks love @unCliche i am in process of sending my referral to a diff referral clinic. I hope you are doing absolutely fine 😊

@Shrut89 Good, definitely get a second opinion. I'm doing ok thanks. I have another scan tomorrow so hoping that'll help me stop feeling worried.

@Shrut89 I'm really sorry to hear this and sending all the best ❤

Hi all! I am joing this thread to have some community. I recently started the IUI process. I am honestly pretty lonely, (no one outside DH to talk to, really, about this stuff!)

I was reading tons of threads on here and decided I should join the convo, not just read from the side lines!

So here is my background:
32yo F. living in Europe. No kids yet, TTC the first one! Tried over 1.5 years naturally.
Had surgery to see if tubes were blocked. Light endometriosis signs, but open tubes (so good news!)
Period is highly irregular (and very short LP) so doctors suggested medicated IUI.
First IUI round not successful ,(clomiphene, trigger shot, progesterone).

Started second round this cycle.
I started clomiphene on my day 3 -7.
Went in today June 8, and 2 eggs are developing! We do a trigger shot on Friday and the IUI!
I am so nervous, I just hope attempt #2 works.

Anyways cross your fingers for me!
PS, not sure who is still active on this thread, but I would love to hear about how it's going for you!

Hey @BritInNZ
I saw your post asking about your body not responding to the meds, this happened to me too.
So my first IUI (medicated) they prescribed 50 mg clomiphene, after 5 days, on day 10, they did the scan and it was not far enough along. They then gave me 100 mg clomiphene for 5 more days. Although I then had 2 eggs ready, and after they did the IUI they gave me progesterone, it still didn't take.

I'm on my second round, and interestingly enough they prescribed 50 mg clomiphene again and this time it worked right off the bat. 2 eggs have developed so we will see what happens.
Honestly I was so worried when they prescribed me 50 again that we would be prolonging all this again, but it turns out my body just needed some time with the drugs. Now let's hope 2nd times a charm?!

@22Mama thanks so much for the message! I actually had another scan on Tuesday and I have two eggs - woohoo! So I responded, but just later than I thought. So I think I will have to stick with the current dosage now we know it works. Currently in the TWW but not holding out much hope for the first go at things. Well I'm not holding out much hope in general seeing as I ovulate anyway and it hasn't happened in 16 months so I don't see why two eggs makes a difference 😂 good luck with round two of IUI!

@BritInNZ

Wow! So yours seems like mine too! Yeah my body didn't want to take it the first time, needed the extra dose!

I hope you don't have to have a second go (I'm on my second), but if you do, don't be surprised if they start you off at your first dosage again. They did that with me and I was nervous, thinking "well it didn't work last time why would we do the lower dosage again" but I guess my body knew what to do this time!

I go in Friday for my second IUI! TWW is so hard! Hope you are staying busy mentally!

I also ovulate and it hasn't happened for years either so I can only hope with medical prodding, and hormones we will be closer?! Honestly I'm in my head about it a lot! I am trying not to be this time.

Me: be calmmmmmmm

Anyways I feel like I lucked out since I am on a vacation week this week and won't have to hurry from work to get the IUI to then go back!

PS: My doctor did tell me that 2 eggs helps to up the statistics of at least 1 being viable. So my fingers are crossed for you and me both!

🤰sending baby dust!

Hi all, can I join you? I'm 35, in the UK, and my DH and I have been TTC#1 for 16 months without even a sniff of a BFP. We've now had all the usual tests and no really big or obvious problem has been found.

However, I find sex painful so we've only ever been able to TTC using home insemination (pot and syringe). I know this method can and does work, and we've got it down to a fine art now! But our consultant is really sceptical and thinks we're wasting our time. So he's recommended we try some rounds of IUI, before considering IVF. It's not certain that we'll be able to get NHS funding for this, so we're now considering going private instead.

Has anyone here had IUI in London? If so, where did you go and would you recommend it? I'm keen to go somewhere that offers natural rather than medicated IUI, at least in the first instance - I have a high AFC and I'm a bit worried about the risk of multiple pregnancy, cancelled cycles and (most of all) OHSS. I have regular cycles and ovulate fine on my own, it's all pretty clockwork and predictable with OPKs. Currently looking at CRGH and CREATE Fertility, but feeling a bit overwhelmed by the different options.

Any recommendations or thoughts would be hugely appreciated! And wishing those of you currently in the process the best of luck! 🍀

Hi @Owl86. I am new to the thread too!

I can't speak for UK - I am in Germany, but I am happy to talk to another lady going through the steps like me!

I also can't speak to natural IUI, because my hormones are all out of wack they have me on hormones to get my ovulation to happen sooner. Mine was happening on day 27, and my leutal phase was only 9 days, so not long enough to let a baby nestle in there!

My first medicated IUI was not a success so I am on round 2!

Are your cycles pretty regular? Have you guys also tested DH?

The options are really overwhelming. I went to a fertility clinic here and they helped talk me through some options. They had also done a surgery for me since they wanted to rule out tubes being closed. I have endometriosis, but early enough stage that my tubes are open!

Anyways, welcome again. Sorry I could help with your situation, but I hope you can find what works for you and DH soon, and that your BFP is around the corner!

I am here if you just wanna chat!

Hi @22Mama, thanks for the reply! Nice to speak to someone else in a similar boat.

Interesting to hear about your IUI experience so far. Sorry Round 1 didn't work out, but fingers crossed for Round 2! How did your insemination go on Friday? And how have you found taking clomiphene? Any problems or all OK?

I keep going round in circles in my head about whether I'd be prepared to try medication or not. I also worry about clomiphene affecting my thyroid, as I'm being treated for mild hypothyroidism and I've read it could affect things. Going to ask my endocrinologist for advice on that.

I have a mini appointment with a fertility clinic tomorrow so will see what more they can tell me about their IUI process and options.

Great that the endometriosis hasn't affected your tubes! I had a HyCoSy procedure in April and it also found my tubes were clear, thankfully.

Yes, my cycles are regular, usually 27-29 days. I've had progesterone tests which show I am ovulating. And DH has had two semen analyses over the last year or so. Results were generally good, but the last test was 6 months ago now so he may need another soon.

Hope all went well on Friday, and good luck for the dreaded TWW! 🤞 Got any plans to keep yourself busy and distracted?

Thanks @Nellie90 and @unCliche for the humble words, ready for another IUI next month before going for IVF. My doc said I had non viable pregnancy that’s why it didn’t stick for long.

@Shrut89 I'm really sorry to hear that. It must have been such an emotional rollercoaster. Try and take your mind off it and do plenty of fun things to distract yourself before going again. Make sure you look after yourself! All the best 💖

@Shrut89.
First off, I am so sorry to hear it was a nonviable pregnancy. I am sure you were heartbroken, I think I would have been in your shoes.
I hope your 3rd IUI works flawlessly! I suppose the statistics play in your favor as chances get better with each one. Well that's what I read and it turns out I am clinging to that knowledge hoping it is true as I start my second round!

I will also only have 3 IUI's before my clinic will recommend IVF, I am pretty nervous overall. When do you start round 3? Will you take a break in-between ? DH and I are in discussion about if we should break or just try the 3rd time if #2 fails.

Hi @Owl86 it is refreshing to be able to talk to people going through same lived experiences. It brings me great peace actually!

As for insemination on Friday, it went really well. DH numbers were up and doctor seemed really positive. I had 2 eggs that developed and I'm hoping at least one is a happy camper in there!

So the first time I took clomiphene I took in in the AM, not really knowing much, and I had HORRIBLE headaches, some bloating and mood swings (crying about nothing). Then it didn't help and they doubled my dose for another 5 days. But I took it at night and that made the difference. The headaches were gone, maybe a little in the mornings or an hour after I took it, but much much better.

Now on IUI #2 and honestly I take it at night and I have very little to no symptoms! So wasn't so bad at all (although still a little emotional haha!)

In regards to you also doing medicated, I think you are on the right path to ask your doctor! Especially because you have to keep other health concerns in mind!

How did your appointment go? I'd love to hear all about it! What did they share with you about IUI?

Yeah the endometriosis thing still has me a bit shook, and worried but I try not to think about it!

Glad to hear cycles are norm and DH is alright! That bodes well for being able to do an IUI especially since you had a procedure saying the tubes were open as well!

Ahh and as for the DREADED TWW.... Well I am on day 4 wishing it was day 14. It can't seem to come soon enough 😅😅😅

I have been reorganizing the house, I redid the bathroom last weekend and now I'm working on redoing all things in my craft room, and I started a sewing project! I also have report card comments to start, so that's not fun, but it is busy work that keeps me distracted!

Let me know about the appointment !

Congratulations @unCliche, I'm so pleased for you that your IVF worked first time and that your first scan went well! How did your second scan go last week?

So sorry to hear about your MC @Shrut89. How are you feeling? I agree with @unCliche about you finding another doctor! Progesterone can help prepare the lining of the uterus so it's more receptive to implant a fertilised egg. It's worth taking anyway even if you're not sure if you need it, as it can only help. I was automatically put on Cyclogest progesterone pessaries on my 2nd IUI for our first child, just in case, and have been on them every cycle since. I just had my MC in April after our 2nd IUI for our second child so feel free to ask me anything about it if you want to?

I wanted to get straight back on it so have just had our 3rd IUI last week so am currently on another 2WW!

@Owl86 even if you can't get NHS funding for free IUI you might still be able to have IUI through the NHS just at a lot cheaper rate than going private! Don't know if it's the same in London but that's what we did in Nottingham. We still went to the Care Fertility and Nurture Fertility open days to find out more info but we ended up going to our GP who referred us to our local NHS hospital and we did all our tests, scans and procedures there. We could choose natural or medicated IUI and ended up doing a few of both!

How are you @EmzieMurf1987? Haven't seen you on this thread for a while, hope everything is ok?

I so hope more of us get a BFP soon, good luck to everyone!

Hi @Nellie90 I am feeling much better now, my mum is here from India so spending some quality time with her, my husband and I we both were devastated for sometime but now getting up back again and not loosing our hopes.

@22Mama thank you for your kind words, it was such a hard time for us but we are recovering from it slowly, yes I think the 3rd IUI static played a great role as they say IUI chances increases as many times you go for it, I will give a chance to IUI once more next month then move to IVF.

@TwoMommies All the best for your 3rd IUI 2WW, yes my doctor agreed to give me progesterone for next IUI I hope that works for me fingers crossed. At how many weeks did you have your MC, what was the reason for you? The unknown reason that happened with me is so frustrating.

Thank you for so much support everyone, I really appreciate all your words.

@Shrut89
That's great your mom is in town! That can sometimes really lighten the load! I hope everything leads up nice and calmly for #3 for you I am thinking only good thoughts for you! Were your 2 IUI's medicated so far? My cycles were too long 37 days +, so that's why they wanted to do medicated IUIs right away for me.

@TwoMommies
Am I right to understand you are in your TWW as well? How many days in are you? I am on day 7, and I'm running out of ways to stay busy! I'm so thankful for this chat room, and for Ikea ! I have bought so many little bins and reorganized all my cabinets🙈🙈🙈!

@everyone: What have you been doing to keep your mind busy during the TWW?

Good that your Mum is over offering you some support @Shrut89.
With our second IUI everything seemed fine until we had our first scan at 6.5 weeks and baby was measuring small, about 5 weeks. We were worried but thought everything would be ok as there was a heartbeat. So had another scan at 8.5 weeks and baby was only measuring 5.5 weeks and there was no heartbeat, so it was a missed miscarriage. I'd had no pain, cramping or bleeding up until that point. No reason was given, so just assume there was a problem with the egg.
I have read that you can be more fertile for the first few months after a MC so wanted to try again ASAP, plus I'm 40 years old so don't want to hang about!
Good luck for your next IUI! It took us 5 IUIs to get our baby daughter!

Hi @22Mama, yes I'm in my 2WW too! I'm 10dpiui today! Had my IUI on cycle day 10 which is the earliest I've ever had by 2 days but I had the thickest lining (13.1mm) I've ever had by 2mm! Follicles were 19mm and 13mm on CD9 when I had my second ever OPK smiley face, which is why they wanted to do IUI the next day. I triggered CD9 and had IUI 26 hours later (normally do it 36 hours after trigger but they didn't want to delay it another day). Had my blood test 7dpiui to check progesterone and it was 54nmol/l, which is the lowest it's been at that point since I've been on the Cyclogest progesterone pessaries.

@TwoMommies
I am 9DP-IUI! So we were right next to each other.
My doctor's office doesn't do any extra checks. I had clomiphene, then trigger shot (this time they did trigger shot (8:30 am) same day as IUI (11:30am)) and then put me on 14 days of progesterone starting on 1 DP-IUI.

Does low progesterone on day 7 indicate implantation, is that a good sign?

I am in my second ever IUI attempt, and last time on progesterone I felt super pregnant, but alas nothing came of that one. (Might have been all in my head 😂)

This time, I don't feel all that different. EXCEPT I am really, really hot. Like I have a fever for days (low grade) lol 😂

I'm perfectly fine and healthy, just hot (minus on day 7 when I was BBT was lower!) I am so hopeful, while trying not to get too hopeful! I hope we will be due date buddies 😊
A girl can wish right?!

PS: How old is your first daughter ?

@22Mama Don't you get any scans to see how big your follicles are then? I was on Gonal-F injections 75IU from cycle days 4-8.

A progesterone reading over 30 on 7dpiui can indicate ovulation, so 54 is a good score, bit it's a lot lower than my other cycles! But on some cycles I had 2 or 3 mature follicles so I think the more follicles that ovulate the more progesterone they will produce.

I've had a few symptoms this cycle but then I think that I would anyway with being on the progesterone pessaries! I haven't felt too well yesterday and today though. I keep going back and forth thinking that this cycle has and then hasn't worked!

Our daughter has just turned 2!

@TwoMommies
Aww a 2 year old ! That's so wonderful😊

They did do ultrasound scans before the IUI, but once they did my IUI they did no more scans, appointments, check ups It's only TWW. Maybe I misunderstood you. Do they do your scans for progesterone levels after your IUI? My doctor just put me on the progesterone and said call in 2 weeks!
I'm at day 11 and anxiously awaiting day 14.
I am also going back and forth between thinking, I am pregnant and I am, not it's in my head 🥹🙈

Feeling a little crazy over here !

Hopefully our TWW comes to a positive culmination, and soon!

Thinking sticky thoughts for us both!

How are you doing @22Mama ? Ours was a BFN 😥 I started spotting 13dpiui (the day before OTD) so didn't think it had worked by then.

Ours just do a simple blood test 7dpiui to check the progesterone, but apart from that we don't have any other scans or appointments during the 2ww either, we just have to do a HPT 2 weeks after IUI and let them know if it worked or not.

How is everyone else doing?

@TwoMommies
Thanks for writing.
Attempt #2 was a BFN. I took this BFN much harder for some reason. I mean it's been years of trying, and this is only the second IUI, but I'll only have 3 before we move to IVF so, I just felt more sad.

Going to call the doctor to ask if trying back to back improves the odds or if we can take a break. I think I need a mental pause.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Also @twomommies sorry to hear about your BFN. Hope you and your partner are hanging in there! Sending all the care I can!

@Shrut89 I took some time offline, im so sorry to come back and read your news, i hope that you are doing ok x

@unCliche how are things going for you, how are you feeling? Hope everything is going really well with the pregnancy.

So an update from me, i had 3 weeks of down reg and then started stims for 11 days with egg collection yesterday! We got 10 eggs, all mature and just got a call to say 7 fertilised!
Next update won’t be until Sunday and all going well 5 day fresh transfer on Monday. Im
hoping some of the 7 will make it to day 5 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 keeping everything crossed for myself!