Intro- Newbie - 1st IUI Journey

ktberry2003

Hello. My name is Katie. I am 29 and my husband is 39 and we have been TTC for about a year and a half. We fall into the “unexplained infertility” category. Some history-   I had a HSG and pelvic u/s completed prior to starting IUI journey and all looked well. My husband had a SA and his count was on the low side, but not too much for the RE to be worried with moving forward with IUI. I went in for blood work to begin an IUI and was told my FSH was 13.4 and AMH 1.16. My RE suggested to be as aggressive as possible with IUI, so we decided to proceed with injections.

I started my first cycle of IUI with Gonal-f and a trigger shot about 2 weeks ago. I was scheduled to have b2b IUI’s. The first IUI did go through, about 16-17 hours after the trigger,  with the following post wash numbers: volume .5mL; concentration 145 mil/mL; Motility 20.72%; Total Motile Sperm 1.5 mil; total # of sperm 7.25mil. 

The second was cancelled as the doctor said my husbands numbers were too low post wash. I dont remember the numbers the doctor gave because I just could not believe this was happening. He said he didn’t want us to waste the $ doing the second IUI given the low numbers. After leaving the office, I felt like I should have told the doctor  to do the second IUI anyway as my insurance covers IUIs, but i was just in shock.

My hubby and I BD the day before the first IUI so I feel like his low numbers were a result of this and I should have known better. Following the 2nd visit, my hubby took things a little hard after hearing the #s. I was hoping to BD that evening, but since he took things a little hard, he just didnt seem to want to try. 

I know this is only our first IUI, but I am trying to stay positive. I have been secretly reading other discussions to find encouragement and advice, but I wanted to share where others would understand and have been through this before. Sorry for the length of this, but thanks for listening.  Any advice is always welcomed. Thanks!

megrae12

Welcome. I am sorry for the low numbers. I hope your stay here is short and sweet. 

mshandlebar

Welcome! The first IUI is so overwhelming without last minute complications. I am really sorry about the numbers. Hopefully it will work anyway. If not, remember that each time gives you more information on how to improve your treatment and protocol for the next round. I hope your stay here is short and sweet! Good luck!

pinkdoggie

Good luck on your journey. We are going to be doing IUI next month is the Letrozole doesn't work. Sorry about the low mobility - it sucks when you're having problems on your own and another different issue arises. 

BandM14

Welcome, and good luck! You will find this to be a great community. I hope your stay here is short!

SND1231

Sorry for the change of plans. I haven't done IUIs but if you were already dealing with low numbers I am surprised that they didn't have you abstain prior to IUI. I know most ladies around here stick with the SA rules of 2-5 days I believe. Hopefully next round (if even necessary) you will be more comfortable and know more of what to expect. The first of everything is always the hardest! Good luck!

deelopi9

Hi and welcome! Our 1st iui resulted in low post wash numbers and re recommended against doing the iui the 2nd day, the next month his post wash was better but she recommended drinking a red bull 30 mins before he gives his 2nd iui sample and Abstaining 3 days before 1st iui. Good luck

MustangChic

Welcome! Sorry about the cancellation. You've found a great place for advice and support. GL! I hope your stay is short!

BunnyBerry

Welcome! Hopefully the first IUI is all it took and you don't have to stay here much longer.

I also want to welcome you to join in the weekly MFI thread. 

MH believes he has his best numbers after several days of abstaining, but the RE and nurses always tell us to BD at time of trigger (36 hours before IUI). This time we compromised by BDing 48 hours before IUI. (We also have MFI.)

Perhaps you could ask your RE about abstaining for a couple days and then doing a single IUI at the most ideal time (typically 35-36 hours post-trigger) to give YH time to build up his numbers? We've found it's tricky because you can't always be sure when you will O, but on injects you should be getting enough bloodwork and ultrasounds to predict it closely enough and not end up with too many days of abstention. 

@deelopi9 Whoa, what's this about Red Bull? Never heard of this one. MH would be thrilled - I don't let him have caffeine!!

ktberry2003

Thank you ladies for all the encouragement and support. I am happy to find a place where I can share with others who are going through or have gone through the same thing.  I will continue with fingers crossed and postive thoughts.

 

Interesting on the Red Bull.

deelopi9

@BunnyBerry RE says Redbull ingredients of Vitamin B group along with Caffeine & Taurine (amino acid) helps increase count and to make sure he drinks it between 30 mins to 1 hour before collection. DH post wash numbers for IUI Day 1 were at 900,000 and Day 2 were at 3 million. Ask your RE just in case.  

dancerspose

I don't have any advice for you, sorry, but I just wanted to say welcome and good luck!