Looks like it is IUI for us

herewegoagain3rd

So, I just couldn'the wait anymore and took a hpt this morning. Of course, it was negative, again. So now we have to do a blood test on Monday and once we get the official results I will ask the RE to schedule us for an IUI. 

I am curious what the exact process is. Could anyone explain it? Thank you ladies. This definitely wasn'the what I wanted but I am happy we are moving forward. 

jkd2388

For me, I had to take femara for 5 days, then have an ultrasound or two until the follicle(s) are big enough. That's when you give yourself the trigger shot and schedule the IUI. Mine was Friday morning after triggering Wednesday night. For the IUI itself the sample has to be brought in the morning and they wash it, which takes 45 minutes or so. Then they insert a catheter into you with the washed sample and that's pretty much it. Hope that helps, and good luck to you with your IUI!!

bpfeiff1984

@jkd2388 broke it down really well.  I will add that my RE also had us have intercourse the day before our IUI since there were no male factor issues.  Our office does require the "specimen" to be procured in the office although my previous RE said you could bring it to the office rather than doing the deed there.  Best of luck!

herewegoagain3rd

We do have a low sperm count issue. Does that mean he will have to "go without" before giving the sample?

Also, I know this sounds really silly but I am really nervous about the trigger shot. Was it painful??

I am trying to stay positive and just think this is just the little boost we need, but at the same time, I know we have agreed to only 3 times and then that's it . It scares me that this is our last shot. 

herewegoagain3rd

Oh, I should mention I have never had a problem ovulating, although I do ovulate late. Usually around cd 17-19, sometimes even later. I am hoping (praying) that it is just not enough sperm. 

bai-by2019

*BFP mentioned* @Ttcnumber2withhypo I'm really sorry about the BFN. That's so heartbreaking. I totally understand the feeling about doing IUI. I remember when my RE sprung that on me. We had never discussed it because my DH has great spern. So when the RE told me "...then you'll come in Monday for the IUI...We'll do 3 rounds and if it doesn't work by then we'll move on to IVF." I was like "Wait. What? We're doing IUI this cycle?" I cried when I got in the car. I felt like it made us THAT much closer to IVF, which we can't afford. Not to make this about me...just saying I know how you feel there. But I got pregnant the first time with IUI so that counts for something.

The ladies above explained it very well. The only thing I would add is that you should lay there for 10 minutes after the procedure. It literally only takes like a minute (literally 60 seconds) for the procedure. It's very similar to a pap, only shorter, except for the laying still for 10 minutes part. I was honestly really surprised at what NOT a big deal it was. It was over and I was like "Is that it?" Big, bang, done!

The trigger shot is no big deal at all. The needle is really skinny and pretty short. The worst part for me was knowing HOW to do it. I didnt want to mess it up. There are great videos online to show you exactly what to do. I asked my hubby to do it to get him involved. It was his little part in the process and he really seemed to start enjoying them....maybe a little too much. LOL! 

Please let us know what a the beta on Monday shows. FX!

bai-by2019

Here's the "how to" video used by my RE's office.

https://www.freedommedteach.com/eng/videos.html?play=ovidrel

herewegoagain3rd

Thank you for the information! We have already agreed that we won'the be going the IVF route. Even though we have really good insurance, the cost is just too much burden for us. So, it does really feel like this is it. Although, I am sure we would keep trying on our own. DH is still hesitant about IUI, but is completely supportive. 

I hope we are one of the lucky ones like you Bai-by2016 and it takes on the first try!

herewegoagain3rd

Oh, one more question, did you chart or use opk sticks? Or did your RE just have you come on for regular US?

bai-by2019

*loss mentioned* @Ttcnumber2withhypo I do ultrasounds since I have PCOS and don't ovulate on my own. The cycle that got the BFP (it ended in a loss but I got pregnant; my first and only) was Femara for 5 days then 2 days without anything, then Gonal-f injections for 4 days  (because I didn't respond to the Femara like I used to). I did the trigger shot once I had a couple good follies (determined by the u/s), then IUI and intercourse.

Have you ever tried acupuncture? I used to but the cost was just too much and I had to stop, but it really helped me. I started having periods on my own and everything. If I have another loss (I pray I don't) I will go back to it and just put it on my credit card if I have to. (It was costing me about $400 a month but I know I can find someone cheaper). It's supposed to really help make the uterus a nice, happy home. If you haven't done it, it could help. 

Also, why did they limit you to 3 IUIs? I think most REs will give you a choice to do more if you want to, but I know they are all different. If we end up having to do 3, I don't know if we'd do IVF or try again. I think the RE recommended only 3 for us mostly because of my age (I'm 36) so he's being aggressive. Idk. If you ask about the option to do more (if needed) that might take some of the pressure off. That's the last thing you need.

I know a lot of the gals on here have temp'd and done OPKs so hopefully they can help.

herewegoagain3rd

*Child mentioned* We limited to three between DH and myself. I am about to turn 37 and we have been doing this for awhile. I just think this is all we can take. If that makes sense. Just being happy we were blessed with our daughter and move on. 

I have both tempted and used opk sticks before but have not recently with all the monitoring my RE does (plus progesterone raises Temps anyways). 

I have not tried acupuncture yet. I don'the think our insurance covers it and we just can'take afford it. 

BrightenMySky

@Ttcnumber2withhypo, I have done 6 IUIs (all with Clomid + Ovidrel trigger shot) and am happy to share what I've learned.  We have a (debatable) MFI issue, morphology, so I took Clomid, even though I ovulate on my own, to increase the number of eggs available to increase the chances that a healthy sperm will make its way to an egg.  Do you know if you'll be taking any stims?  

The trigger shot is not awful.  It is a small gauge needle that isn't too long.  Make sure a nurse at your clinic does a demo for you, and then you can also find videos online.  Don't be afraid to ask for another demo or if you have questions.  If you're feeling a little squeamish, you can have your DH do the shot.  Sometimes I find it's easier for my DH to do a fast & steady shot than me trying to give it to myself.  

We were always told to BD the night I took the trigger shot and the night after the IUI, but abstain the day before IUI.  I typically went in for baseline u/s and bloodwork, and then u/s and bloodwork a few days after finishing Clomid, and then the IUI itself, then progesterone bw 7dpiui, then beta.  My clinic has not mentioned the option of sample collection at home--DH will go in at 7:30 the morning we are doing the IUI, then we'll go back at 9:30 for the IUI after they've prepped it.  

jwg9101

Hi! I'm new here and in the same boat as you. We are starting the IUI process (CD2 on Femara today). I'm having the same thing - anxiety and fear because we decided to do 3 cycles and that's it. I'm 39 and I don't think I can deal with the stress of multiple failures so I'm going in limiting myself. If it doesn't work, it wasn't meant to be and we will move forward into adoption or foster care. I don't want to do IVF for that same reason (too much stress). 
At least you'll have a buddy who knows how you feel!

herewegoagain3rd

BrightenMySky: I don'the know what we are doing yet. When the RE had said we need to do IUI, DH stopped him and said we want to do natural for a few more months before we do the IUI. So we never got into what the process will entail. I am not sure if he will just start it or if I will have to make an apt. To talk it over first. 

Jwg9101: Glad there are others that can understand! I want to feel like this will be the magic bullet but I am afraid to get my hopes up. We will have to keep each other updated . 

LadyMillil

I ovulate on my own but took Clomid to increase the number of eggs and induce a stronger ovulation to try to help,with my luteal phase problems. I also took vaginal progesterone starting 2 days post IUI.
All my meds were out of pocket so I didn't do a trigger shot. I used opks to detect my LH surge and had my IUIthe day after a positive. My DH has low morph so we were advised to abstain from when I got my positive opk until after the IUI.
My clinic has the man collect his specimen onsite. They scheduled DH for one appointment and then me for an appointment 2 hours later. The IUI felt similar to a pap. I had some cramping when they put the sperm in. I would recommend bringing a panty liner in case you have some spotting (I did) and some Tylenol in case you have some cramping. 
My RE schedules a a blood pregnancy test 16 days post-IUI. 

herewegoagain3rd

So blood test confirmed the negative. The nurse said to call back in on my first day of my cycle to schedule blood work and an ultrasound for my cd 2-3. Then they will put me on cloud and go from there. 

Isthisthereallife

@Ttcnumber2withhypo I'm sorry for your BFN. Good luck on your next cycle! Sending you positive thoughts!