IUI success

[hopefulmum27]

Hi mums, I'm hoping to try for another baby with IUI (previous conceived naturally several years ago). Everything I've read about it seems mostly negative - it would be lovely to hear of some success stories and also for those who had pcos did they find it to work well for them?

I think you won't find too many 'success stories' here. Most of us have tried (and failed) to conceive with IUIs, so we're on the IVF long-haul train.

At best, there's only around 15% likelihood of it working per cycle - and only if there's specifically something that an IUI can circumvent. Higher success rates are often including women who're using donor sperm and have no underlying infertility issues. Not sure how old you are, but they can eat up time you don't have.

I had 3 medicated IUIs using Gonal-F - all failed, before moving on to IVF. I resent the 6 months I wasted on it - but had to do them to qualify for IVF in my country.

Have you had any fertility check-ups done to see if there's a reason behind your current infertility?

I did get pregnant on my second attempt at IUI, it sadly ended in a MMC at 8 weeks. I tried once more and when that didn't work decided to move on to IVF (starting next month).

In our case the doctor recommended it as we had conceived twice naturally in the past (one DC and one CP) and I have low egg reserve and we have mild male factor so all those things together meant our doc thought we had about the same odds getting pregnant on IUI as with IVF.

I am pleased we tried it as it did actually work 1/3 times for us, but I found it incredibly stressful - mainly because of trying to time the procedure for the moment you ovulate. I am convinced it was done too early the first time, too late the third time and perfect time the second (and successful time). I would never do it again as I was almost having panic attacks checking for ovulation and freaking out I would ovulate at an inconveinet time.

But whether it is worth it, will really depend on your individual situation

Appreciate the honesty, you're right to say the statistics speak for themselves. My current situation is I'm now 34 (previously had at 26 and 29). My husband is in a high stress job and travels a lot so it's becoming tricky to time it and stressful to try naturally for this reason. Hence I thought we could do with a helping hand..I do worry as well as my husband vapes and is in a very high stress job- waiting to get semen analysis results. I suspect all this won't work in our favour :(

@AnnieStar12 I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I can imagine it must have been very stressful. Did you go for a medicated or non medicated cycle all three times?

@hopefulmum27 medicated with Letrozole each time. I would recommend that as it’s a bit of a wonder drug and ensures you release more than one egg to increase the chances.
The first cycle i also did a trigger shot but that was probably unnecessary and also made my period come 4 days early.

hey,

I would say it’s important to see that your clinic advise this is worth a shot and also that you are happy with all the info to make an informed decision to go ahead. Including myself I know 3 people who have had IUI:

one friend - PCOS, worked first time
another friend - nil known issues, worked first time
myself - nil known issues, failed twice and have moved to IVF, which has been a BFP first time (4+6 atm)

My small experience is that 50% of the 4 attempts worked so personally if you have the finances I would say it’s worth a shot (if the clinic agree). But like me, be prepared that you may need to escalate to full IVF and know when to quit with IUI.

Hope this helps x

@hopefulmum27 just stumbled across this! I had a successful IUI pregnancy and am wondering whether to use it again or whether to do IVF but I'm leaning more towards trying IUI again.

The main reason I would say it's worth a shot is it's non invasive and a lot less stress than I imagine/ hear IVF can be. However, 3 rounds of IUI is the same price as IVF so it may be worth going straight to IVF. This is assume you are also paying for treatment.

There's a lot to consider but feel free to ask any questions if you'd like!

Hi OP. I'm sorry not to have a more positive story as I know that's what you wanted, but I want to share because I feel it might be helpful for you.

I am a healthy, fertile female with no diagnosed issues, and I was in my early-mid 30's when I started IUI with donor sperm.

I did 9 rounds altogether and none of them worked. No pregnancies at all.

It was honestly a huge investment both emotionally and financially. It was stressful and relentless as I did one each month for 9 months without a break.

I've lost pretty much a year of my life to IUI and a lot of money and I regret it.

I've done IVF as well and even though it is more stress on the body it's so much more effective.