IUI - what to ask/what are my options?

graphicgranite

My 4th round of clomid has just proven to be a bust, so I think we will be moving on to IUI. I was wondering if I could get some advice from those who have gone through IUI already about what questions I should be asking at our upcoming appointment when we discuss our next steps - e.g. what type of monitoring to ask for, risks to be concerned about, etc. Also, I know different people take different routes, but what is the "typical" number of times to try IUI before moving on to IVF?
Thanks for any info!

P.S. I don't have a signature but my situation is probable PCOS, everything else looks ok as far as we know

GoldenKeys

Are you seeing an RE or an OBGYN?   Have you done all of your testing (including an SA for your husband), and are you being monitored?   I'm asking because IUI will not significantly raise your chances of success if everything else is ok.   If you haven't been monitored or completely tested, my advice would be to STOP taking the Clomid immediately until you are.   You might have thinned your lining too much (a common side effect of Clomid) which would make implantation impossible, and I've seen this happen many times.

There isn't a 'typical' number of IUI's before IVF because it's more dependent on your diagnosis and other factors.   IUI's are very low risk and the monitoring is to see your response to the fertility meds, not for  the IUI procedure.....   good luck! 

  

riveridgional

I agree with @GoldenKeys. Relevant factors would be your DH's sperm analysis and the results of any postcoital test (PCT). In case you don't know, the PCT will show if your environment is "welcoming" to the sperm and if there are enough the morning after sex. Clomid can decrease your postcoital results because a side effect is reduced CM. This test (and SA if your PCT is not 10/10) and ultrasounds are important in determining whether an IUI is preferable. For example, our PCT came back great, so there is no measurable increase in my chances with IUI over TI.

Also, to encourage you to seek monitoring on Clomid if you haven't already, I took 2 rounds of Clomid unmonitored with my OB. Had I been monitored, I would have found out much sooner that I actually don't respond any better to it, and it thinned my lining, reducing my chances of pregnancy signficantly. Had I seen my RE before doing Clomid, I would have only wasted 1 cycle instead of 3. With my RE, I did CD3 bloodwork and ultrasound to get my baseline levels and to ensure no cysts were present. I then went back 2 or 3 more times befote ovulation for additional bloodwork and/or ultrasounds.

Mrymntgrl

When you say unmonitored @riveridgional do you mean ultrasound, bloodwork, or both?  I have had 4 rounds of Clomid with bloodwork only.  We have been seeing OBGYN for this and have an appt to see RE at the end of March (earliest appt we could get).  We are in the TWW of this 4th cycle right now, and we were going to do another if this cycle was a BFN again in the meantime, but not sure what to do now. TIA