New to Board- Tips for first IUI with Clomid

Lizarella82

Hi Ladies, 

I'm a 31 year old woman diagnosed with DOR- first AMH was 0.04, 3 weeks later was 0.28. Initial FSH was 10.2, then 16.5 (yikes!). We've been TTC for 6 months but never used bc before so I knew something was up. Anyway, we decided to give Clomid a try before moving to IVF (which was 2/3 RE's first choice). I finished Clomid last week and Monday I had 2 follicles, one on the right at 12mm and one on the left at 10mm. By Wednesday they had grown to 16mm and 12 mm, and we planned on Ovridel shot tomorrow and IUI Saturday. Well, I've been testing for LH surge like crazy and got a + this morning, confirmed at the RE's. So first IUI is scheduled for tomorrow! I'm so excited and nervous, and I wondered if anyone had any tips on getting through the procedures and the 2ww. I hear some women do back to back IUIs on consecutive days- should I ask for this? Why is it done? Is it safe for me to keep running (3-4 miles 3 times a week with long runs ~8 miles once a week) while we're in the 2ww? The RE said it was fine but I don't want the IUI to fail and blame myself for it. Running has kept me sane though, and I know the 2ww is mentally tough, so unless it poses a real threat to fertilization/implantation I'd rather keep training if I can.

Thanks ladies, any and all input is welcome!

ErinSays

Here is an article I found talking about single vs double IUIs; it doesn't look statistically worth the expense to me: https://albrechtwomenscare.com/blog-title/

And -- welcome! I don't know about running, but we do have some runners in this group.

runforcookies

Welcome and im sorry you have to be here. My RE doesn't have a problem with running but I have scaled back a lot because it makes me nervous. As long as your Dr is okay with it, I think its a personal decision as to if you are comfortable with it.

gsancho

Welcome!  With the running, I think it depends how much you are responding to the meds...I didn't have more than 2 follies until my injects cycle, so I was told it was fine to run.  But this cycle I was told to not run once I started the injects - and after a few days of them, I was so sore and swollen I wouldn't have wanted to, anyways.  But I've been doing some walking.  Every RE gives slightly different advice.

ejrobbi

Welcome - it sounds like we are very similar.  Today is my last day of clomid and I go in tomorrow morning for bw/ultrasound.  I have my ovridel and edometrin ready... as for multiple IUI's, i have ready multiple are not much more successful than one.  I think it depends on your Doctor and their plan for you.  I trust my RE completely (I know.. still naive since this is just my first one).. Anyways, as for running, do what is comfortable for you and just keep you doctor informed.  Best of luck to you!

amyelise25

Thanks for bringing up the double-IUI question.  I have been curious about that myself. 

ErinSays -- thanks for the great link.  I'm a big fan of meta-analyses.  It makes me feel better about the results. 

Lizarella82

@ErinSays: ty for the article! That really put my mind at ease- hard to balance wanting to do everything possible with what's practical/likely to increase odds/affordable.

@NariaDreaming- not overstimmed, just uncomfortable- good to know about implantation-ty. 

@runforcookies: Makes me nervous too, and more nervous than usual means I might spontaneously combust so...

@gsancho: I have been pretty uncomfortable these past few days, even with my 2 follies, so I think I'll take it easy this weekend and see how it goes.

@ejrobbi: I had some serious hot flashes, nightsweats and headaches with Clomid so I hope your cycle was much smoother!

Love4Science

I don't know for sure about running since I strongly dislike it, but before we started seeing an RE 6 months ago, I was going to the gym 5-6 days a week, so I am (was) active as well; Now I'm down to 3-4 days a week and 1 of those is usually yoga.  During the 2WW I'm allowed to continue what I do before ovulation but at a lower intensity.  I wear a heart rate monitor and the agreement I have with my RE is that I keep it below 150.  She told me she doesn't believe in the argument that pregnant women should keep it below 140, since we evolved to be active beings. However, she added that the uterus is not a vital organ, so it receives reduced blood flow during times of physical stress (ie. exercise) so she is concerned that the reduced blood flow will potentially hinder implantation.  But then she added that people run marathons while pregnant and have healthy babies so maybe her recommendation is over-cautious, but why risk it?

ejrobbi

I didn't really have any hot flashes or side effects with clomid, just tired all the time.  It really drained me, but feeling better now that I am done with clomid.  Start the ovridel shot on Monday (pending ultra sound/bloodwork) found out yesterday my lining isn't thick enough.... It's always something but staying positive helps.  Best of luck to you!