IUI -anyone wanna chat? This is my medicated round 2!

[22Mama]

Hello!
Background:
32yo F. 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 round not successful ,(clomiphene, trigger shot, progesterone).
Started second round this cycle.
I started clomiphene on my day 3, May 30 till day 7, June 3. Now waiting till my scan to see if any eggs are growing!
Anyways, I'm here if anyone wants to chat about their IUI process as well, I am here.
Honestly, it all feels very lonely on my end having no one to talk to about all of this! (Minus DH, but I mean someone going through the same stuff)

All of my family and friends are concieving and sharing the wonderful news and asking (always asking) when we are having kids. I want nothing more than to share that I am as well, it just isn't as easy for my body.

Question:
I do have one question: I was on 50 mg comid last time then bumped up to 100mg. 2 eggs developed but nothing came about. Now second cycle. And they gave me 50 mg again. Does that seem pretty typical?

Hi there! Unfortunately I cannot answer any of your questions but would like to pick your brain if that's alright. DH and I have been ttc for two years (i'm 34) and we're just now considering going down this road. Are IUIs common instead of IVF for the first try? Are costs cheaper with IUIs? haven't seen any specialist yet so my questions may be a little dumb. Hope that's alright!

Hi! So I am based in Europe so I'm not sure where you are based. For me personally I had a surgery to determine if my tubes were open or not.

As they were the clinic decided it was better to try IUI before IVF since it should be possible. The surgery isn't so typical I think, but oftentimes clinics will offer to start with IUI if they don't know what is wrong fertility wise but they assume your tubes are open.

My friend based from America said when she went in, they told her to not waste her money on IUI, since if you don't know your infertility issue, you may not be able to successfully complete an IUI (with closed tubes etc), so they recommended to her to start with IVF as the statistics were higher for this. This being said, it is harder on the female body though since for IUI they can do it where they just do the IUI, or they can do it medicated where they support your hormones to ensure an egg is dropping and time it exactly. But even a medicated IUI is less hormones overall than the IVF process since they are hoping to harvest many eggs with IVF and with IUI (medicated) they just want to make enough eggs to make the timing happen. 1-2 eggs and no more than that.
Where I am based, IUI is usually covered by 50% from your insurance up to 8 times, and only 3 times when it is a medicated IUI.
So this will be my second go, keep your fingers crossed for me huh ?!
First step is def go to your doctor/specialist and get them to take some blood panels. I was tracking my cycle days with an app, I was monitoring cervical mucus, and tracking my LH with little strips to see if I was releasing an egg.
Turns out, I was but always wayyyyy to late in the cycle (like day 27), meaning first off it's too late, and second off not enough time in the leutal phase! Anyways, the horrible period cramps, the weird periods (and irregular) led me to believe something was off, and here we are.
I hope this helped and you get some answers for your own journey!

Thinking of you on your second try! Thank you for all your in depth info. I am also in Europe so this was super useful. I'll look into it more for sure and finally get me an appointment. Your comments on IUI vs IVF are my main reasons for hoping IUI will work for me. IVF stresses me out a little but we will see what the doctors say. Best of luck! Fingers crossed!

@Minamina,
Thanks for your reply! Glad you are making an appointment! Great first step and honestly the one I found the hardest (even though I want a baby, I wanted so badly for my body to do it without the magic of science)

Alas that is not the path for all to take!
Anyways, Europe tends to have better/more affordable coverage so I hope they help you with checking out hormones and blood panel and can get you on a good and safe and hopefully not to emotionally draining pathway to having a baby!

I am sitting in my TTW. It is truly rough waiting, hoping and knowing that none of the signs I notice mean I am pregnant.

On the medicated IUI, they put you on progesterone after the IUI itself and exactly that hormone can cause change in breasts, temperature spikes, cervical mucus, to be tired etc. So on all the forums I read before this, they said if your on Progesterone and feeling symptoms, you really have to wait the full 2 weeks to test. So, I am on day 4 and wishing it was already 14 😫😅😆!

Goodness the longest 2 weeks of my life (I say now the second time!)

Anyways, let me know how the appointment goes!

Keep in touch
-22Mama

Day 14 will be here before you know it! Hope you're not feeling too terrible. Ill definitely let you know about my appointment and you keep me updated as well! sending so many good vibes your way. xx

@Minamina

Can't wait to hear about your appointment. Is that coming up soon?
Have you done any temping or cycle watching, or will your doctor not really care, and just want to talk about treatment options? My obgyn did care, and fertility clinic cared a little, but mostly just went into options and paths and things we should do.

I am currently temping, although idk if I should be since I'm taking progesterone. That can cause lots of pregnant like symptoms even if you are not (found that out first IUI cycle). But today I had a dip in my temp. I went from 98.27 to 97.69. I am so hoping it's implantation. I've also been a bit crampy so I'm thinking sticky thoughts all day! AND I'm hoping it goes back up tomorrow! Today is day 7 past ovulation and day 21 in my cycle.

I hope your appointment comes soon and you find out lots of info and can make choices asap! I think it helps bring some calm!

I feel like it's so hard to stay hopeful, but not too hopeful, and happy, but not stressed at all 😂🫣 I am trying to not be a basket case!

Anyways happy to hear from you soon

Hi again! Had a busy weekend and was not able to hop online. So I've been tracking ovulation I think just as soon as we started trying, because due to my PCOS diagnosis I was already quite paranoid. My obgyn and I are jumping into different treatments and we just met today actually! So now my husband and I are trying to see which clinic we will be going to. We live in Greece so there are many good options in the country but also around Europe, I know Spain is great and also Cyprus. Where are you based any tips on what to look for in a clinic? I've heard some real horror stories. Sticky thoughts all the way for you dear.It's been a few days! Hope you have had some good signs! What a journey!!!!
The best of wishes!
xx

@Minamina

So glad to hear the OBGYN is already all over it! We are in Germany. I like my clinic a lot. But I think here in Germany it's pretty the same wherever you go. I really looked for a clinic where I would get to know my doctor, or if I would see 1-3 doctors get to know them all. I wanted a place where they talked me through options and really explain things to me. My doctors even write down my steps for me when we are just talking about verbal steps for little things because they noticed I take notes lol 😂!

As for TWW - Day 11 and I am going crazy. The progesterone is really making me think I am pregnant, but I know to just wait till day 14 and test! So, so hard to wait! Thank you for the sticky thoughts!

I hope you are on your way to a great clinic and plan swiftly!
☺️🥰

Omg you're so close! Glad I'm here for your tww!
That's great you have found a great clinic and like your doctor. It's so important to feel comfortable, I really hope i find something similar. Might leave Greece for it though, Im booking consultations with a few so we'll see! Talk to you soon!!! Keep in touch xx

@22Mama Hey ! How are you doing? I have covid so I've been a little out of it. and not online much. Here if you'd like to talk though!
much love
xx

@Minamina
Sorry I wasn't on for a bit. On Friday we did the HPT and attempt #2 led to a BFN as well💔.

I took this negative much harder than the first one. I guess in the first one I was sad but had realistically thought it's a bit improbable that it would work, but I had such high hopes for #2. On Friday after the HPT I just fell apart.

Anyway, how go your consultations ? I hope you are well.

I am so sorry to hear 💔
I wish I could say something to make you feel better. I'm here for a chat whenever you need to step away from the 'real world'. Have you considered going with IVF? From what it seems I will be going straight to IVF and not IUI as I initially thought. Is this something you have discussed with your doctor?
I hope you feel better soon xx

@Minamina
Hi friend. Been reading a lot this week! It has shockingly helped! Fantasy world has taken me a bit away from real world sadness. I look forward to chatting here really! Thank you for your reply.
There is only one IUI attempt left because mine are medicated so I'll just try and if it's a bfn again, it's straight to IVF.

I am taking a break for July though. I need it mentally (physically is also nice but I NEED the break for my mental stability!)

So you and your partner will move straight to IVF. Sounds like a pretty smart plan. I had just so hoped it would work with IUI since my tubes were open and I had done the surgery to see that and I guess that's just another reason why it's so difficult
Anyways when do you begin?

Hey there!
Any good book suggestions?? I would really enjoy a good page turner.
I think your break now in July is a very good idea. It's also summer so maybe just take this time for yourself and enjoy the weather. I also go to therapy and I find it very helpful, (not sure if you're open to this but I suggest it!) I am also starting after July towards mid August, but don't have a set date yet. I wanted to enjoy the summer tbh without any injections and appointments ( i heard there many) I really have no idea what the plan is, what I'll be on or anything like that but I'm sure I'll learn during the process.. For now lets just enjoy July! I hope you have planned some relaxing stuff!
xx

@Minamina

Hi!
Alright, so first off I am sorry I haven't written. I teach and it's last week(s) and this is the final 2 days so it's been nuts on my end. Another reason I waited this cycle. Way too much stress. I am hoping in my summer I can chill, read some more and just get ready for a great cycle!
As for some book recommendations, I am not sure what genre you like but I'll give you some of my spread!

Love& Romance:
"This Time Next Year" & "Just Haven't Met You Yet" both by Sophie Cousens. They are a love story. I am also reading all of the Bridgerton series.

Young Adult/coming of age:
I also just started "13 blue envelopes" but it seems so sad so far, like a great read but heavy so I may wait a bit to finish it! LOL, I'm very emotional so it may be easiest to wait! For a young adult read- "Killing Hemingway" was cute and fast!

Mystery/murder/detective:
If you like murder mystery Agatha Christie books are great BTW!

Heart Strings (laugh, cry, read it again) :
I read "A Man named Ove" I thought was such a great read, really a heart strings cry, laugh, make you fall in love kind of book, but... It does have some triggery topics-- look up synopsis before jumping into that one! "The art of racing in the rain" was a total tear jerker, and I loved "Eleanor and Park"(that's also partially love story ish!)

What kind of books are your favorite? Do you have any good recommendations for me?

I'd love some! Always adding books to the cue!

TTYL ☺️

I love reading when I can actually focus and do it but it does take me a while. I think Agatha Christie is a great idea, I love murder mysteries and my guilty pleasure is true crime from time to time.
I'm currently reading little fires everywhere. Its based in my hometown in the US and is also a tv show now. Next I want to start the seven husbands of evelyn hugo.
You're a teacher? My mother is a teacher so I completely understand what those last weeks of school feel like. CRAZY!
I just started with some bloodwork and testing here in Greece and then after the fertility clinic assesses it I'll go with my husband to cyprus to start the process. Not sure if i have to stay there the whole time or if I can go back and forth? Looks like I'll be starting in September though.
I hope you use this time to rest and take care of yourself!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
xx

@Minamina
I haven't read either rod those books, but have immediately added them to my list !

And yes I am a teacher, the end of the year was killer. I just ended my vacation with my husband, I've got another week off, then a camp I host and one more week off before we go to PD and back to school starts!
I am actually happy about next school year. Last year was very very difficult for me. I think a lot of it has to do with getting diagnosed with endometriosis, and refered to the fertility clinics and knowing that I have infertility issues. I think it put a damper on my whole school year sadly + the fact that it was a difficult group of kids, and the classroom is a different place since corona.
I think although I'm still struggling to conceive, next school year will be a big improvement since I've been using things like this online community to talk with others and get things off my chest, and writing, and allowing myself off a cycle etc.

As an update: I started IUI #3 cycle and today was insemination! I'm hoping all good things come in 3 !!!! Or 3rd times a charm huh?

I had 2 eggs develop, ripe and big so that's good, and DH sperm was in better shape than ever before and so I'm deeply hoping sticky thoughts!

Last 2 times I checked with pregnancy tests to monitor the HCG leaving my system (from the shot) to see if it would come back (I read it in a stupid blog) and I think I just hoped I'd see the soonest signs and testing on day 14 was always really awful because I had already seen day 13 was nothing yet so I always kinda knew.

This time I decided not to torture myself, although I was truly interested to see it the first time the second time was too much for me 🫣. So this time I'm just gonna wait the wait. Get things ready for my classroom, do some sewing, reorganize my garage lol!

Hope your doing well, August is already here so you must be excited for September!

Best, and hope to hear from you soon

@Minamina
Hey girl, hope all is going well for you.

I kinda fell off the forums out of a bit of depression.

3rd IUI was a failure, I did IVF we got 19 eggs, and when we tried to put everything together my eggs just wouldn't do it. All 19 down the tube. It was hard to hear not a single one had come. I had been so freaking hopeful. So now after 2 more months of waiting, (one for my period after all the egg retrieval and OHSS, and one that was normal). We will be starting second egg retrieval tomorrow, and then trying ICSI. The shots start again and hopefully we watch for the dosage so I don't get OHSS so bad or at all this time. It was really rough having all the side effects and nothing to show for it. A total mindboggle

Anyways I hope you are alright. Have you guys started yet? I remember you saying you guys would start soon!!

Sending my best

Hi there 22Mama,

I know your thread is from a little while ago, but I was wondering how you're getting on? xx

@mushroomushroom thanks for asking

Hiya! So I have a long update! (Feel free to fill us in on your journey)

I'm 33 weeks pregnant last Friday. 3 failed medical IUI's a total fertilization failure (TFF) for IVF after harvesting 19 eggs, and a finally successful ICSI round that is bringing in my little ray of sunshine. DD coming soon.

We had a big complication in my pregnancy. It's called placenta previa totalis. My placenta attached itself to the back wall and on top of my cervix so my baby cannot come out vaginally. It also is very dangerous because when your tummy is growing it stretches, which also stretches my placenta and this can cause rips and tears which have allowed me to bleed insane amounts. It's completely painless which is freaky in its own way. The first time we were 22 weeks and she was kicking the whole time so at least I knew she was still ok, but I filled an overnight pad in literally 15 minutes on the way to the doctor. They told me if we didn't stop bleeding she wouldn't be viable, they would deliver her to save me. We were lucky and I did stop bleeding. After a 4 night stay we went home. Then had a second bleed 2 weeks later at 24 weeks it was more blood faster, and really scary, they told me I was on the edge for needing a transfusion.
They gave me lung steroids to prepare to take her within 7 days. I was nervous beyond words to have a micropreemie. But we again stopped bleeding. Her CTG's were a bit all over due to steroids so we had to stay at the hospital for 9 days so it was a long go.

Now we have been so lucky. No bleeds for over a month now. Met with doctors they said we go into live at the hospital starting at 34 weeks (so only 4 more days at home 🙈😆).

The will do a check up, and if my cervix has opened they will aim to deliver at 36 weeks and if not we deliver at 37. We are nervous because it's earlier than 40 but calmer than before because at least now that we are in the 30's baby girl has a great chance of not needing surgeries or having lots of problems. I can still bleed before then but baby and I talked and we agreed no more bleeding 😂.

I've also been on bed rest for over 10 weeks, and that has been a bit of a bitch. I've gained only 10 kgs I was at 28 BMI before pregnancy so I thought pretty good, and I have been eating so well, and we also still got gestational diabetes due to my placenta being it's lovely self and me not being allowed to move or do any sport. So that's also been no fun. Also I deeply miss things like mangos. We aren't using insulin because me watching my diet has seemed to be helpful it's my fasting rates I just can't seem to fix.

But positives, after years of trying we have never been closer, she kicks so much and is a little wild child 😂 which brings me comfort that she is ok 🤍 , I got to see her 3D ultrasound for a bit and they gave me a photo, and I think she's just beautiful.

So we are now at the 2-3 weeks before she will be delivered, and hospital move in is this Friday. Not exactly stoked about it, but I'm bringing things to make a baby blanket and mobile etc. Pretty crazy really!

Hope to hear more stories! Crossing my fingers for you all, and baby dust to those still waiting. 🩷

@22Mama thank you for the update!

First things first, congratulations on your pregnancy!! I am absolutely delighted for you that you dear little daughter is on her way to you!

You have certainly gone through the mill on this havent you, you poor thing! That must have been beyond terrifying to have such big bleeds. Thank god the bleeding stopped at 22 weeks, and that she is still with you. I'm so glad you're at a stage where if she arrives now she is much less likely to have issue from being premature.

It's crap that you've put on weight and developed GD, but it actually sounds like you've been managing it really well. You can start making a list of things to eat when DD is here, starting with mangoes!

I'm sure she is absolutely beautiful 🥰 I'm glad she's a wild little thing to and is giving you plenty of kicks! It's a good idea to take things with you to the hospital to make some keepsakes. Will you be knitting or crocheting or something else?

I wrote as I am beginning to go down the path of treatments. I have an appointment with the doctor again in three weeks time and we will be discussing the next steps, which I expect will be IUI at first! I had a loss last year and nothing since, so it feels good to be getting the ball rolling, even though I know that nothing is assured, it feels to at least be taking some sort of "action". We haven't been trying as long as you were, but given our ages (36 and 39) and my endometriosis (stage 4) we are eager to get going! I'm so glad to hear that you have a happy update (even though of course you have had difficulties!) xx