IUI Ladies: Give me the lowdown

[PinkPeony]

I just finished a monitored cycle with the FS with a lovely BFN. I'm supposed to go in on Thursday to review everything and talk about the next steps. I'm pretty sure she's going to suggest IUI.

So far we have found nothing to be wrong with me. I used to have slightly odd cycles but I've been doing acupuncture and that all seems to be kosher now. Our issue is with DH's swimmers. His SA results were 17mill count, 42% motility, 24% progressive motility, and 15% morph.

Can you guys help me out with what to expect? I'm a little wary of things being stuck into my uterus after having a sonohysterogram. Is it painful for some people? Since I ovulate on my own am I still going to have to take medication? And finally - the doc had mentioned when we get the SA results that IUI could be an option... but from my googling I haven't found anything that says it's a great option for a couple with low motility. Seems like it could be a lot of $$$$ for not that much of a chance. Plus I'm not sure if I can emotionally handle going through such a big production for something that's likely to end in another bog standard BFN.

.......Thoughts?

 

[karenh]

Mostlikely with IUI they will put you on meds so they can get the timing right for the iui. The IUI puts the sperm right up to where they need to be so they don't have to work to get to the egg. It is an option. However, if it is one you aren't comfortable with talk about it with your doc. There is always IVF but that is much more involved and expensive.

 

[arizonagal]

You can do an unmedicated IUI from what I've heard, it's just harder to schedule since you have to wait for your natural ovulation. If you're very worried about twins then you could ask your DR if meds are right for you.

 

[PinkPeony]

I'm a little nervous about meds mainly bc I've only just recently got my body working how it should be and I'm afraid they're going to throw me off... also I'm afraid of side effects. When I was BC I had every side effect in the book. At this point I actually wouldn't mind having twins at all though.

 

[HearMyPrayers]

I believe they will put you on meds to encourage a strong ovulation (clomid) and trigger you when your ready to ovulate then do a sperm wash and take the best looking swimmers and place them directly into your uterus so they dont have so much of a swim to get to the egg, of course with any of these fertility drugs multiples are always an options. I think given its more affordable its a strong option, but if you are worried about your chances just talk to the doctor and see if they can assure your mind with a little more information that might make your next step an easier decision to make. Its tough but you will make the right choice!

 

[curlygurl]

I agree with HearmyPrayers, they will probably do clomid and a trigger so that they can control your ovulation, plus clomid and a trigger will ensure that you ovulate mature eggs, and have a good progesterone level. I had 3 IUI's one of which I got a BFP but lost it very early. To me it was not a big deal at all, your DH would drop off his sample in the morning then they wash it, and then they insert it using a long catheter. For me it literally took like 2 minutes each time, and it never hurt, just a little cramping but nothing you can't handle if you had a sonohystogram. I understand that is a difficult decison, for me, I thought that this was one of the more natural ways, because it still allows for conception to take place inside your own body - but everyone is different and it is important to weigh all the pros and cons. Pricewise, I would say after the medicine, and co-pays for ultrasounds, and the cost of the procedure it cost us around $1000 each time. Good luck!!!

 

[PinkPeony]

Thanks Curlygirl. That doesn't sound so bad. Maybe I'm building it up in my head. It will cost us around $400/attempt which is nothing to sneeze at but obviously a drop in the bucket compared to IVF.
Do you ov on your own? Do you guys have MF issues? We've been TTC-ing for about the same amount of time! Lol!

 

[PinkPeony]

Ok update ladies... Was at the doc yesterday and she did say that IUI would be a good option. She thinks our chances are pretty good... so looks like we're going to give it a shot - this cycle! We can change our minds at any point but I think we're going to do it. I asked about medication and since we did a monitored cycle already she was able to see that my ovulation was strong and I had a good follicle so she said I won't need any medication. If we try a few times and are unsuccessful then she might recommend meds. So they're basically going to do it like my last monitored cycle where I come in really early every day from CD11 and do bloods and u/s and then when I surge DH has to come in with a sample and we'll do the IUI later in the morning.

I'm trying not to build it up too much in my head. I just think we have a very small chance if we keep trying on our own so this just ups our odds a bit.

 

[karenh]

Good luck! It will be nice to not have the added expence of the meds. I am glad they are going to monitor you though.

 

[PinkPeony]

Ok opinions please.....

I had my IUI last week but I think the timing was bad. I had a lot of ov pains the day before and I when they checked me out they said I was surging and that I had an egg that was 2.0. So next day I went in and had the IUI. Doc said good mucous and my cervix was high and open etc. After the wash we only had 2mill good swimmers. and then wouldn't you know it - the next day my temp didn't go up. So it's looking like I ov'd the day after and my temp shot up 2 days later. What do you guys think... it's a total bust right? I think next month I'll do the trigger thing - seems like they can time it better that way. I had a look at the fertility friend gallery and there are a few preg charts that have the same timing as mine but they're pretty few and far between.

 

[readyformore]

I found timing to be a huge issue with IUI and it seems to take at least a couple of cycles just to get that figured out right.

I would do a trigger and see if that helps out any.

Bummer about the 2 million count. Hopefully next month will be better numbers and better timing.

 

[PinkPeony]

I found timing to be a huge issue with IUI and it seems to take at least a couple of cycles just to get that figured out right.

I would do a trigger and see if that helps out any.

Bummer about the 2 million count. Hopefully next month will be better numbers and better timing.

Thank you hun. It's really frustrating but at least I know early on that this one's a bust so I won't get my hopes up like I usually do. I'm just gonna focus on the next one like you said.

 

[karenh]

Yep, timing is hard. I am in the same boat. Pretty sure I ovulated before my IUI. So now I am just waiting for AF.

 

[PinkPeony]

Yep, timing is hard. I am in the same boat. Pretty sure I ovulated before my IUI. So now I am just waiting for AF.

So does it have to be on the same day? Starting to see why the success rates for this thing are not so great.

 

[karenh]

Sperm can live for a few days, eggs can not. They need to get the sperm in before you ovulate.

 

[readyformore]

Washed sperm lives only about 24-36 hours. Ideally the IUI is scheduled for the time OF ovulation, not before and not after. That's why the timing is so important.

And yeah, the success rate isn't fantastic. It's equivalent to that of normal intercourse. So, if your sperm count is 20 million with 50% motility and you are ovulating at the time of IUI, your chances are at MOST 20%.

We've done it 8 times with one success. Good luck.

 

[subashni]

hi there.seeing you've been put on clomid so many times,plus uif?im very scared cos I've been trying for 3 years now.no luck.i feel like I'm going insane.everyone around me is pregnant.i planned to fall pregnant before all of them but I've been waiting till now for a child.i feel so sad.

 

[tryn4]

Hi Pink, praying u are gonna get your bfp!. We are considering iui as well since hubby has low motility, and we have been trying 5 years no luck! I am in Toronto too, all in all how much did it cost per iui?

 

[PinkPeony]

Thanks Tryn4! It cost something like $450 for the IUI itself and then another $82 for the trigger shot. Just got a bill in the mail for that one which I wasn't expecting. Hope it works for you!

 

[tryn4]

Thanks Tryn4! It cost something like $450 for the IUI itself and then another $82 for the trigger shot. Just got a bill in the mail for that one which I wasn't expecting. Hope it works for you!

Ok! Yikes. I'm not there yet, but I'm getting so frustrated. My husband has an appt with urologist on 17th, but I don't know what will happen there. My period is a day late and I broke down and tested (when I told myself not to) and of course bfn! Grrrrrr! I'm so impatient lol I just want to jump to iui.. are u nearing your test date? I really am praying for you!