IUI Buddies

[Smille24]

Hello ladies! Mind if I join? I am currently on cd7 and this is my first IUI cycle. I just completed my first round of 100mg clomid and go in on Saturday for an ultrasound. I'm to start opks Fri.

We've been ttc #2 (my 2nd, dh's 1st) since Sept 2013 and found that dh has low count, low motility and a high % of abnormal sperm. I have a high egg reserve but my follicles are not maturing the way that they should. I am really nervous because I don't know what to expect.

 

[KatieSweet]

Hi Smille! Welcome!
I'm an IUI noob myself as well, just had my first 9 days ago and I also had no idea what to expect. I basically just let it all happen, and surrendered to the process while also trying to use it as a learning opportunity.
It's good that you're on meds, they'll give your follicles a boost Your clinic / RE / similar will be able to tell you more about how your follies are doing (e.g. how many, one or both ovaries, initial size) once you go in for your ultrasound. I was to come in for ultrasounds multiple times, to monitor follicle growth and to check for extreme multiples. I looked at the screen during my ultrasounds, it really allowed me to learn a lot about the process. We were also told to have timed intercourse once it was clear I didn't have Octomom's amount of follicles. (I had two, maybe three - but all it takes is one!)
Regarding your DH's numbers, they'll do a sperm wash some time before IUI which will hopefully boost up his numbers, too.
I had a trigger shot instead of OPK's, so I can't be of any help there.

 

[Smille24]

Hi Smille! Welcome!
I'm an IUI noob myself as well, just had my first 9 days ago and I also had no idea what to expect. I basically just let it all happen, and surrendered to the process while also trying to use it as a learning opportunity.
It's good that you're on meds, they'll give your follicles a boost Your clinic / RE / similar will be able to tell you more about how your follies are doing (e.g. how many, one or both ovaries, initial size) once you go in for your ultrasound. I was to come in for ultrasounds multiple times, to monitor follicle growth and to check for extreme multiples. I looked at the screen during my ultrasounds, it really allowed me to learn a lot about the process. We were also told to have timed intercourse once it was clear I didn't have Octomom's amount of follicles. (I had two, maybe three - but all it takes is one!)
Regarding your DH's numbers, they'll do a sperm wash some time before IUI which will hopefully boost up his numbers, too.
I had a trigger shot instead of OPK's, so I can't be of any help there.

I have 30+ follicles to work with according to my day 2 u/s and will find out Sat how many are maturing. I'm using opks bc I've never used clomid and they don't want to miss my surge. Once they determine I'm ready, I'm doing the trigger shot. They did a trial run for the sperm washing b4 they gave us our treatment options. Postwash he had 5mil to work with. It's on the low end, but they are confident it'll work.

Question, do you have to abstain from sex any length of time b4 iui?

 

[Hope16]

smile....my RE tells me to hold off on sex for 48 hours before the IUI.

 

[KatieSweet]

We were told to glove up until they were sure no more than 3 follicles would stand a chance of maturing enough to ovulate. You don't want to risk sextuplets. When they saw I was in the clear there, we were encouraged to have timed IC (without glove) on CD13, 14 (trigger day), 15 (we chose not to) and 16 (in the evening, after IUI).
After your ultrasound you could ask what they'd recommend for you guys.

 

[Smille24]

Thanks for the input ladies!

 

[coopecla]

Anyone have prolonged discomfort after their trigger shot? I am now 5 days post shot and still having some nagging discomfort on the left side where my mature follicle was. Not really sharp pain

 

[ILoveme29]

@smile welcome and I wish you the best of luck with your scan, and just like Katie said they will do a wash and use the best sperm for the iui

@katie your getting close to testing time, what day do you plan to test

@coopleca yes it is normal , one iui I had pain all the way up to about 10 days post iui , a lot of bloating and constipation

 

[Smille24]

Any of you ladies who has taken clomid experience really bad acne? I broke out the last 2 days with a bunch of deep sore pimples all down my jawline. It's awful.

 

[Hope16]

smille....it's the hormones! I wasn't taking clomid but all these fertility medications have the ability to wreck havoc on us....I'm on progesterone right now and I have a huge pimple on my forehead! thank goodness my hair sorta covers it. My advice is to drink LOTS of water.

 

[Smille24]

smille....it's the hormones! I wasn't taking clomid but all these fertility medications have the ability to wreck havoc on us....I'm on progesterone right now and I have a huge pimple on my forehead! thank goodness my hair sorta covers it. My advice is to drink LOTS of water.

Thanks. I feel like a teenager again .

 

[KatieSweet]

Anyone have prolonged discomfort after their trigger shot?

Yup! Felt both my ovaries, had that heavy/full abdomen feeling too. I've heard it's totally normal.

@katie your getting close to testing time, what day do you plan to test

I was going to start testing tomorrow or Friday, but then I started spotting slightly this morning when wiping. So I don't know at the moment. AF might be coming. I have short cycles.
I did do a cheapie today to at least see if the trigger was out of my system and that seems to be the case.

Any of you ladies who has taken clomid experience really bad acne?

Not acne as much but I did get one of those really deep, under the skin ones, too. It's still not completely gone.

 

[Smille24]

Any of you ladies who has taken clomid experience really bad acne?

Not acne as much but I did get one of those really deep, under the skin ones, too. It's still not completely gone.

Yes, those are the kind I'm experiencing. I got 5 of them in the past 2 days and they hurt! Hopefully I don't get anymore.

I'm sorry about the spotting. Fxd af doesn't show.

 

[TTC_Monsie]

Hi all u gorgeous ladies! How are all of you? I was at the gynie yesterday and had one follicle at 20 mm but Dr said I should see him tomorrow again so we can give it more time to grow...the tomorrow I'm gona get a trigger shot and then doing iui Friday morning....any news from u gals? All ovulation tests show negative so I'm sure the follicle will still be there tomorrow. I'm so worried it will be gone or something but ovulation test will pick it up if I'm gona ovulate right? So negative tests now is a good thing heheheh

 

[ILoveme29]

@TTC if you are being monitored it lets them know through blood work if you are surging. Opk will def pick it up. Any reason why they wait so long to trigger 20mm is big enough, this cycle I triggered at 20mm,17mm. Good luck to you wishing you the best

 

[Hope16]

ILoveme when do you test??!!

 

[Hope16]

I wanted to share good news with all of my IUI buddies. Third time was a charm as I finally got my BFP yesterday! I am in total shock. I was almost certain I would have to move onto IVF. I go back in tomorrow morning to see if my hcg levels double.

I am still praying you all get your bfps soon. I hope this gives you ladies some hope that your bfp is right around the corner!

 

[Smille24]

I wanted to share good news with all of my IUI buddies. Third time was a charm as I finally got my BFP yesterday! I am in total shock. I was almost certain I would have to move onto IVF. I go back in tomorrow morning to see if my hcg levels double.

I am still praying you all get your bfps soon. I hope this gives you ladies some hope that your bfp is right around the corner!

That is wonderful!!!! Congrats!!! Fxd your numbers double.

 

[amanda1235]

Congrats!!!!! That's amazing!

 

[KatieSweet]

Congrats Hope!!

My update is not so great.
IUI round 1 is officially a bust. AF showed up at midnight.

Calling the clinic this afternoon to set round 2 in motion. Edited: appointment set for Monday morning!