IUI

brokensoul

Hi all,

Long term tcc. Had a op for uterine fibroids in Feb. Was told to start trying again in June and go back to clinic if not pregnant by october.

So, it is oct and im not pregnant so back to the clinic on the 15th next.

The secretary mentioned on the phone that the next step would probably be IUI. I have read up on what it is, but just wondering if anyone here has been through it and how they found the procedure, is it painful, etc.

Apart from the fibroids, not of the tests showed up anything. unexplained infertility. Apparently I have the eggs of a 30 year old (i'm 37), for all the f***king good they are doing me!

barbiegirl

I've had 3 rounds of IUI, got pregnant on the last round, but unfortunately we lost it. IUI is not painful, it's some internal scans, clomid pills and the trigger injection. It really is pretty straightforward though scary to consider when you first start the whole intervention process.
The very best of luck, I really hope it works out for you.

brokensoul

Thanks for the reply barbiegirl. I was wondering is there much of a wait between rounds?

Sorry to hear you lost your baby.

barbiegirl

Nope no wait between rounds. Thanks for the sympathy. It was the first loss of 3 but reasons now known, hopefully sorted and on the ivf journey now. Round 2 :-)

Roustabout

I've had IUI and am currently 27 weeks pregnant from the second round! I was on a stimulated cycle so apart from the injections, there's nothing to it really. It just takes a bit of planning your life/work around the scans/IUI cos there's no real wriggle room once you've started down the road of a cycle. It is painless though. I'm the same age as you and also have good egg reserves and had no explanation for infertility.
It's an emotional roller coaster but you know yourself best. I wish you the very best of luck and encourage you not be get disheartened if things don't go to plan initially.

brokensoul

Roustabout wrote: »

I've had IUI and am currently 27 weeks pregnant from the second round! I was on a stimulated cycle so apart from the injections, there's nothing to it really. It just takes a bit of planning your life/work around the scans/IUI cos there's no real wriggle room once you've started down the road of a cycle. It is painless though. I'm the same age as you and also have good egg reserves and had no explanation for infertility.
It's an emotional roller coaster but you know yourself best. I wish you the very best of luck and encourage you not be get disheartened if things don't go to plan initially.

Thanks for that. Lovely to hear a good news story!

I'm self employed so thank God I can control my diary around appointments.

brokensoul

So had my appointment today. They did a scan just to check that all was ok (post operation and all that) and they were able to see that I was about to ovulate. Consultant decided to give me a trigger shot and send me home to have sex!

Fingers crossed ;-)

If it doesn't work then I will have a round of IUI before Christmas. Scary in one way, but in another it is comforting to have a plan.

brokensoul

So much for that ;-(

DH got completely stressed at the doctors orders and couldn't preform and so we haven't been able to have sex either last night or today. I know it is not his fault but I am so p***ed off.

We are heading on holidays tomorrow, and now we are both miserable. He is really angry at himself and defensive and I am trying to pretend that it is ok when really all I feel like doing is crying.

I feel really alone in this. Spent lots of today wanting to go and get drunk. This would not be a good idea as I am a recovering alcoholic, haven't drank in over 7 years. Today was bloody hard though.

cinloom

Hi i was wondering if you decide to try IUI, how long it takes to have an appointement and get it started ?

brokensoul

cinloom wrote: »

Hi i was wondering if you decide to try IUI, how long it takes to have an appointement and get it started ?

Are you with a clinic already?

If not, they will have to get bloods and other screenings done so it can easily take 2 months.

Had my pre period scan this morning to prepare for IUI, only to find out I have a cyst so they can't go ahead with the IUI in December. To add to the general misery they won't be able to do it in January either as they will be closed for Christmas at the time that I would need my next scan so it will be February before it can go ahead.

Gutted is the only word I can think of to describe it.

cinloom

brokensoul wrote: »

Are you with a clinic already?

If not, they will have to get bloods and other screenings done so it can easily take 2 months.

Had my pre period scan this morning to prepare for IUI, only to find out I have a cyst so they can't go ahead with the IUI in December. To add to the general misery they won't be able to do it in January either as they will be closed for Christmas at the time that I would need my next scan so it will be February before it can go ahead.

Gutted is the only word I can think of to describe it.

I am not in a clinic but with an gynae who put me on clomid and monitor me.

First was thinking to do IUI but with price difference am thinking to go straight to IVF next year

brokensoul

Sorry for bumping thread, but figured it was better than starting another IUI thread.

I went for my baseline scan this morning and there was a cyst there so no IUI next month either.

The nurse that scanned me said that she would discuss it with the doc and ring me back, which she did this afternoon.

When she rang she said that the doc wants me to take the contraceptive pill next month to clear up the cyst and that they will so a baseline scan to make sure that it has worked. All fine, all makes sense to me.

I asked her what would happen if the cyst was still there next month when they scanned and she said that it would mean that it was a permanent cyst and they would just ignore it.

I am wondering if anyone else has experience of this? I didn't know there was a difference between temporary and permanent cyst to be honest!

Not looking for medical advice, just wondering if I picked her up right. I suppose my thinking is that from what she is saying they can go ahead with IUI one way or another in March - which would be lovely as a thing to aim towards. Just a bit concerned that I might be missing something.

Any advice would be appreciated.

brokensoul

Had my IUI procedure this afternoon.

Now begins the wait...

I thought I might post up a description of the process, just cos it might be useful for someone else if they were starting it, but just checking if that ok with mods?

No icky details, I promise!

Neyite

Please do.

And icky is fine too. That's what spoiler tags are for.

cinloom

brokensoul wrote: »

Had my IUI procedure this afternoon.

Now begins the wait...

I thought I might post up a description of the process, just cos it might be useful for someone else if they were starting it, but just checking if that ok with mods?

No icky details, I promise!

how did it go. i might try that in a few months

brokensoul

Neyite wrote: »

Please do.

And icky is fine too. That's what spoiler tags are for.

Thanks.

Ok, the starting point is a baseline scan. Taken either just before your period or on the first day of your period. i have never found these scans to be painful, though I know a friend of mine found them very uncomfortable so I guess it depends from person to person.

I first baseline scan I had uncovered a cyst so the IUI couldn't go ahead. The next month, the baseline scan showed the cyst again so they put me on the pill for a month. The next month the baseline scan showed the cyst much reduced so they were happy to go ahead with IUI.

I was given a perscription for purogen injections and pregnal.

I was really nervous at the thought of having to self inject (as DH is terrified of needles and would faint if he had to do it!) but actually it is fine.

There is a procedure to it, in terms of preparing the injection pen and the dosage but the nurse in the clinic (I am with the Cork Fertility Clinic) explained it in detail. For me, it was important that DH was with me when I did it, just for the first few anyway, so that I had someone to double check what I was doing but maybe that was my paranoia! I did not notice any side effects from the injections.

I started the injections on a Saturday and the following Friday morning I had another scan. This showed normal follicle development. The booked in another scan for the following Monday. Again the scan showed normal development so the booked another scan for the Wednesday morning. At that scan they told me that the IUI would be the following day. I had continued the daily injections until Tuesday night.

At the Wednesday scan when they confirmed the IUI for Thursday they told me that the daily injections were now finished. They injected me with the Pregnal in the clinic. The nurse warned me that some people found the injection painful and found the injection site was itchy or irritated afterwards, but thankfully I didn't experience pain or irritation. Again I noticed no side effect to the pregnal injection.

I was booked in for IUI at 2 on the Thursday. DH had to produce semen sample between 11.30 and 12.30 and drop it to the clinic. All went fine, until he got a call from the clinic at 1pm to say the sample was not of sufficient quality to use. He had previously gone through semen analysis and there were no issues so this was a complete shock.

Horrible situation for DH as he then had to hightail it to the clinic and produce another sample on demand, as it were. Thankfully we was able to perform and the second sample was fine. The nurse mentioned that maybe some of the first sample was spilled and he didn't notice or something like that.

This meant that I didn't know until 5 to 2 whether or not the IUI was going ahead. Safe to say that if stress stops IUI from being effective this month will be a washout!

For the IUI itself, I was brought into a scan room and met with a technician. Same procedure as a scan, strip to the waist, legs in stirrups (all that lovely dignified stuff!)

They checked both my name and DOB and DH's name and DOB a number of times, as I guess they need to be absolutely certain they are using the right sample for the right person.

The procedure begins with the technician inserting a speculum. Not pleasant, but no worse than a smear test. She then inserted a catheter in order to insert the prepared semen. To be honest, I didn't feel that at all.

That was the end of the process. She removed the speculum and I was able to get redressed and head home.

As for aftercare, I was advised to take it easy for a week. No gym and no long long walks, but apart from that I can work and get on with life as normal.

I have felt quite crampy since. I am not sure if this is just a side effect of the procedure or a sign of other better news, but I am guessing the former.

I have a baseline scan booked for Thursday week as, if this doesn't work, I intend to go for IUI again next month. If I don't get my period by that weekend then it will be time for a pregnancy test.

For now it is all crossed fingers and novenas ;-)

brokensoul

Just to update for the sake of completeness. Got my period this morning, so that is the end of that for this month ;-(

have a scan tomorrow morning and if there are no cysts we will try another round of IUI in April.

Disappointed of course, but trying to stay positive. Maybe next month will be my month.

stickybean

Sorry to hear that brokensoul xxx

cinloom

sorry to hear that. dont loose hope

bilbot79

Any updates brokensoul?

Ciarrai76

I couldn't see another thread on IUI, this being the most recent I thought I would post here.

I have been TCC for over 6 years, I'm 38 (39 in 6 weeks!! Eeek!) and neither hubby nor I have any issues so it's all unexplained.

Went to our local clinic today for our drugs demo! Starting injections probably at weekend, just waiting on cycle to start! Im getting nervous now but feeling positive too! I hope this works!!

Ciarrai76

Started injections this evening. My cycle was late starting, so delayed it!
I was actually quite upset when my husband went to do the injection for me! There was no way I could do it myself, I can't even look at a needle when getting a blood test, so there wasn't a hope I was going to do it to myself! So hubby got the job and I kept saying wait, wait...then got upset and was in tears over it all! 9 more days of this...give me strength!

Did anyone else think it felt a bit weird inside after, like it was stinging or like you could feel it going through? it was an odd feeling!
Have my first scan on Tuesday!

brokensoul

Ciarrai76 wrote: »

Started injections this evening. My cycle was late starting, so delayed it!
I was actually quite upset when my husband went to do the injection for me! There was no way I could do it myself, I can't even look at a needle when getting a blood test, so there wasn't a hope I was going to do it to myself! So hubby got the job and I kept saying wait, wait...then got upset and was in tears over it all! 9 more days of this...give me strength!

Did anyone else think it felt a bit weird inside after, like it was stinging or like you could feel it going through? it was an odd feeling!
Have my first scan on Tuesday!

Sorry the injection was manky for you. We had the opposite, I didn't mind the injection but my husband couldn't stand to be around it at all!

Are you icing the injection site before hand? That might help with the pain maybe?

I remember stinging post injection, but for me I assumed that was the alcohol wipe. It only lasted a few seconds though.

Best of luck with it. My feeling with injections is that you do get more used to them and then less phased by them.

Ciarrai76

I had the IUI procedure yesterday! It went fine, albeit a little uncomfortable, but in general it was grand. I have felt fine since, no cramps or anything. Feeling very tired, although that's been the case since the injections started, so I've been pretty wrecked from it this week.

I have to go for a day 21 blood test next week and in the meantime I'm using progesterone suppositories for the next 2 weeks.

The 2 week wait will be nerve wracking!!

Anyone else in the same boat at the moment?

bilbot79

Ciarrai76 wrote: »

I had the IUI procedure yesterday! It went fine, albeit a little uncomfortable, but in general it was grand. I have felt fine since, no cramps or anything. Feeling very tired, although that's been the case since the injections started, so I've been pretty wrecked from it this week.

I have to go for a day 21 blood test next week and in the meantime I'm using progesterone suppositories for the next 2 weeks.

The 2 week wait will be nerve wracking!!

Anyone else in the same boat at the moment?

Hi

My wife just got her period last night after going through the same as you(iui). We don't know what to do, she's 35 so maybe some time still but we've been trying for over 2 years now it's a little bit despairing. We half decided maybe just to take letrozole for a months and have sex everyday 2 days just to give us a break from all the hospital crap and then in say March or April go for ivf. It's so frustrating because everything they've checked is a1 so I don't understand. I guess it's just bad luck given that's it's a 25% chance even when things go right. If you are in a casino trying to win a 4 to 1 shot you could easily go 20 times before getting it. We're just so tired of it and feel like we can't move on with our lives. If anyone suggested to me they plan to wait till their 30s I'd be like no way just do it while your young

Macker2001

Hi sorry I know this is an older thread but just hoping someone would be able to let me know what pre testing is required to begin IUI. Thanks.

bee06

I haven't done IUI but am doing ovulation induction at them moment and I'd imagine it's similar. Bloods 3 and 21 days, AMH and semen analysis for himself. I had a HSG to check my Fallopian tubes weren't blocked. Trans vaginal ultrasound to check for cysts etc. Basically try and narrow down what could be causing the infertility and then determine what the best option is based on that. No point in starting IUI if your tubes are blocked for example.

Macker2001

Thank you for your reply I really appreciate it. After consultation felt like some tests maybe unnecessary unless it doesn't work after a few cycles but sounds like it's just to make sure before it starts. Thanks again

koriko

bee06 wrote: »

I haven't done IUI but am doing ovulation induction at them moment and I'd imagine it's similar. Bloods 3 and 21 days, AMH and semen analysis for himself. I had a HSG to check my Fallopian tubes weren't blocked. Trans vaginal ultrasound to check for cysts etc. Basically try and narrow down what could be causing the infertility and then determine what the best option is based on that. No point in starting IUI if your tubes are blocked for example.

I am at the HSG stage and have one booked for WEDS 27th in the Bons in Cork. Hoping to start straight into IUI providing this goes ok.
I'm really anxious to get pregnant- we've been trying a long time and turned 32 this month so getting worried I wont have the big family I always thought I'd have. Agreed that all tests need to be done before starting IUI....

It's worrying to read IUI can be unsuccessful aswel though- before I read this thread I stupidly thought IUI would almost definitely work.

Thanks for the info

Ciarrai76

koriko wrote: »

I am at the HSG stage and have one booked for WEDS 27th in the Bons in Cork. Hoping to start straight into IUI providing this goes ok.
I'm really anxious to get pregnant- we've been trying a long time and turned 32 this month so getting worried I wont have the big family I always thought I'd have. Agreed that all tests need to be done before starting IUI....

It's worrying to read IUI can be unsuccessful aswel though- before I read this thread I stupidly thought IUI would almost definitely work.

Thanks for the info

It worked for us first time last year! I was 38 when we did it & my husband 42. I gave birth to a boy 6 weeksago!
I kept positive & believed it would work, so don't give up hope!

koriko

Ciarrai76 wrote: »

It worked for us first time last year! I was 38 when we did it & my husband 42. I gave birth to a boy 6 weeksago!
I kept positive & believed it would work, so don't give up hope!

That's really positive to hear, thanks Ciarraí. I'm deflated when it comes to being positive because we're trying so long but this is a new step that we haven't taken before so fingers crossed.

More to the point

---

Congratulations on your new baby!!- I'm sure you are a very busy woman with him and that he's adorable xx

Ciarrai76

koriko wrote: »

That's really positive to hear, thanks Ciarraí. I'm deflated when it comes to being positive because we're trying so long but this is a new step that we haven't taken before so fingers crossed.

More to the point

---

Congratulations on your new baby!!- I'm sure you are a very busy woman with him and that he's adorable xx

I know how you feel. We tried for 6 & 1/2 years before we started IUI. it was a hard road but I never gave up hope. Even my husband keeps saying how I wouldn't give up and it all worked out. I did acupuncture & reflexology I before too & just tried to get myself healthy in both body & mind & I think it made a huge difference.

It's definitely busy now & tiring, but he is worth it!