IUI- 1st time (preg, mc ment briefly)

[captiva]

Dear ladies,

This is my first time on this particular baord..My name is Esther, 31 years old. A quick background: started TTC August 2006- quickly realized that I was not ovulating- now I know that it was due to excessive workouts- I was spinning too much and even though I was in the healthy BMi range and weigth, my body fat was too low, around 13-15%. So, doc put me on Clomig 50mg- we succeeded the second month. Unfortunately, the little one decided to go to Heaven at 10 weeks. That was February 20th of 2007.

Now, I gained some weight and I do not need Clomid anymore to ovulate. HOwever, we discovered that my hubby's sperm count is lower, it was 22 million with 60% motility. We've been trying and timing for 4 months now with no success. I ovulate fine, we even do ultrasounds to check for follicles. The good news is that he did father our little angel in Heaven....

Doc recommended to try IUIs. We are all for it and we'll do our first round this cycle. TOday is CD1 for me.

I wanted to see if you ladies have any suggestions on IUIs in general, or in particular, with a lower sperm count? I read that in this case, they should do the IUI 48 hours after the HCG shot? I appreciate your thoughts and good luck to all of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Esther

[melnzai]

Hi Esther! I am so sorry for your loss. I am not sure about the timing of an IUI for your body. For me, 48 hours would totally miss the egg. I O between 12 and 20 hours after the HCG shot. My body knows it is there and releases the egg really fast. We are not doing an IUI and I am starting to wonder if we should be since I O so fast after the trigger. Best of luck to you with the IUI.

[captiva]

Hi Melanie!

Can I ask you please? How do you exactly when you ovulate after the HCG shot? Based on the OPKs? I tried to figure this out the past cycle when I did get the HCG shot....

Thanks!

Esther

[mamimo]

Hi Esther, I just had my 2nd IUI this morning. We decided to go the IUI route because DH has lower motility (33%) and poor progression when we tested back in May. We did the IUI inconjunction with injectables to maximize our chances even though I do ovualte regularly on my own. We did our 1st IUI in July which resulted in the BFN. We hope the 2nd try would be successful.

With injectables IUI, I inject myself with FSH every night from CD3 on, and starting on CD8 I'll go in for u/s and b/w to monitor my follicles growth every morning. Once the RE determined that I have one or more mature follies (over 16mm) I'll do an HCG shot in the evening and go back 36 hours later for the IUI. So for example I triggered at 9:30pm on Sunday and my IUI was 10am this morning. Some doctor will do 2 IUIs- one 12 hours after trigger and the other 36 hours after. Usually you'll O w/in 24-36 hours after trigger and washed sperm would only survive 6-12 hours so timing is key for IUI.

On a side note, my DH started getting acupuncture sessions weekly since June to improve his sperm and we've seen his motility improved from 33% in May to 41% in July and 52% today. So if you DH only has slight sperm issues and you're not sure about the IUI it may be worth it to consider giving acupuncture a try. Our acupuncturist said 100% of his male patients will see improvements after 10 weekly sessions.

Good luck and KUP!

[captiva]

Thank you for the replies- good luck to you too!

One more question: is it necessary to get Clomid or FSH injections if I do ovulate on my own now? I never developed multiple follicles even on Clomid, so I do not see the difference that it would make for me. There only seems to be one mature follicle every month.

What did your docs say about that?

Also, I am thinking of going to an RE to do this instead of my OB- he does not do as many IUIs as the RE- I know that I can get insurance approved in the next 14 days or so...Good idea, right?

:)

Esther

[Beertje]

When I had my IUI, they gave it to me 24 hours after the hcg trigger shot. I think they wouldn't need to necessarily give you injections if you O on your own, but they would need to monitor you closely to know when to time the IUI as you want it done before you O so they're where they need to be as soon as you O. I'm moving on to injections and they totally will be manipulating my entire cycle and measuring the follies intensely to ensure everything goes smoothly and is timed right. I only just started going to an RE as I've been very satisfied with my ob/gyn who did my first IUI. The only reason I changed is because of the injectables.

[melnzai]

Hi Melanie!

Can I ask you please? How do you exactly when you ovulate after the HCG shot? Based on the OPKs? I tried to figure this out the past cycle when I did get the HCG shot....

Thanks!

Esther

The first time I triggered O, I felt a couple of pinches in my L side (where I had the mature egg) about 16 hours after the HCG shot. This past cycle, my temp rose enough the next day for my RE to say I O'd btw the time I got the shot and about 5 am the next day. Timing of IUI can be tricky, so I say an RE is your best bet. They do dozens of IUIs a week. They know what they are doing. JMO though. Best of luck to you this cycle. I am sending baby dust your way. :blowingdustpink:


Oh, and don't use OPKs after you get the trigger. You body thinks HCG and LH are the same, so you will get a positive OPK for days after the trigger shot, but it doesn't mean you are ovulating right away.

[two_love]

Hi Melanie and Good Luck....I'm not sure when I "O" after my HCG shot :eek:

[sweetsun]

Hi there! Welcome!

The other gals have given you some great advice. If you watch your body, in conjunction with monitoring u/s, your doctor should be able to time your IUI pretty well. That being said, I would HIGHLY recommend that you see an RE, especially if your insurance will cover it. Infertility is their specialty, and most take very good, sensitive care of their patients.

Best of luck!

~Brooke
Co-Mod Infertility Treatments

[mishella69]

When I did my IUI last cycle, I went in on day 12 to measure my follies and they were 14. so I came back 3 days later and the RE did an opk test there at the office & there was a line but it wasnt quite positive yet and then they measured my follies again and it was a size 24!! So the RE gave me a HCG trigger shot. That night i did an opk test and it came out positive. the next day the dr went ahead and did the IUI. My dh sperm motility was only 25% and Also I was crying all day cause of the trigger shot and I lost my job so low and behold I did not conceive last month. I dont even know why they went ahead with it with everything working against it. OH well!! oh by the way I take femara instead of clomid. Clomid didnt work for me. I was Oing very late (cd21) and I did not like the side effects. While on Femara I have been oing on day 14-18 and there have not been many side effects.

This cycle I am Oing next week and we are going to do an IUI again. This time my dh is going to do the *deed* at the office instead of home so they can get his sperm quicker and I have no job and my fil is taking my dd camping for 2 weeks this sunday so I shouldnt have any stress! So I am hoping this is our month!!!!

GL with the IUI!!