IUI discussion...

Eliz77

SOOO, after a few drinks, my dear H and I embarked on the,"Where are we in TTCAL?" We are in agreement to be benched this cycle, since I am sorting out results of recent testing, and a month from now, we go to Chicago for a long weekend (didn't want to deal with any chance I could be pregnant and worry about another EP while out of state at 5 wks...). I then brought up the discussion I had last week with RE, how we can try on our own, do medicated cycles with Clomid or move on to IUI, natural or medicated. H asked me what does it means to move onto IUI, as in, what would make that our choice of action? For once, I was silent. I really don't know. Since I apparently can get pregnant and ovulate on my own, I am thinking medicated cycles aren't necessary (RE also said medicated cycles may actually increase risk of another EP). But at what point do we turn to IUI? Sperm analysis turned up all good. Just unsure how to answer that question!

Any insight is appreciated, and if I am posting on the wrong forum, please direct me to where this would be a better discussion! 

Thanks ladies!!

KMW08

I really have no advice on this as I don't know an answer to this. I'm sure there a few ladies here who can answer this for you, I think of @lindsebert , she just went through an iui (((still more hugs to you linds))).  My other suggestion would be to visit the 3T board, there's a checkin there for IUI ladies (https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12045628/iui-check-in-08-21-13#latest)

 

 

ball.and.chain

I had 9 IUIs but we were in a different situation -- same-sex marriage so that was where we started.  I have to say I'm not really sure what advantage an unmedicated IUI offers to a couple with good sperm and the ability to get pregnant on their own, but hopefully someone who has been in your position can answer.

In other words, I'm useless here!   But I wish you luck with your decision.

MsAmandaPants

For us, I think the improvement in success rates of an unmedicated cycle with IUI over TI at home was marginal, but I can't remember the exact numbers. I think IUI+fertility meds (Femara+injectables) increased our chance of success by something like 10%.  

A couple of possible benefits with IUI is that they might monitor you more closely and watch your follicle size and bloodwork to tell you exactly when to have TI at home to up your chances (this will depend on your clinic, though). I'm not sure if that is more reliable than OPKs . . .  The only other benefit is if you partner has any performance issues with the pressure of TI . . . 

ETA: Changed phrasing to make it clear that I was relaying my experience/success rates.  @veganlady raises really good points about the additional benefits of IUI if your partner has motility issues or you have a CM issue. 

Eliz77

Thanks all who have responded! I guess I do need to talk to my Dr some more, but all in all, I think we're going to just keep working on TI when it's FW and see what happens. If come December, no BFPs, then I am thinking I may need to get some extra help. I was wondering if being down a tube was why my RE suggested IUI in the 1st place, or if she was just outlining various options. We know DH's sperm is not the issue, and I do get pregnant, so I was confused by what my RE was really recommending.

lindsebert

So sorry I am just now seeing this. For us, it was a pretty simple decision. Nothing else was working. I mean, yes it had in the past, but it wasn't now, for whatever reason. I do ovulate on my own and was able to get pg on my own. However, since I started seeing the RE, and he diagnosed me with unexplained IF, DH and I decided doing femara/IUI was the next step for us (which is what RE recommended). I responded well to the femara, and had a nice big follie the day before IUI. However, it didn't work. We go this weekend for IUI #2 and I was taking femara again. As for the actual procedure, it was mostly painless, just slightly uncomfortable. I hope you're able to come to the right decision for you.

Eliz77

Thank you for sharing your story! I hope IUI#2 ends up with your rainbow baby! FX!

Like I said-we're going to start trying again next month, and if no success by end of the year, we'll move on to IUI in January. I'm comfortable with this plan. I guess I just want a specific answer as to when you should give up naturally and proceed with medicated cycles or IUI or what not. In my head, I think I should give it 4 cycles and then move on. My RE didn't really advice what to do, just said we have some things to discuss and should proceed however we feel is best for us.