completely obsessed with timing of trigger shot/IUI

lhcooper

So as I noted in an earlier post, my RE's office has me trigger at 3 pm, and then IUI the next morning around 9-10 am, or 18 hours after the trigger.  The trigger itself makes you ovulate about 36 hours after you do it (though I've found stuff online that says 24-36 and 36-40). We did this last cycle with frozen sperm (BFN) and are about to do it again this weekend (trigger Saturday afternoon, IUI Sunday morning).

I get what my RE's office is doing--they're slotting the IUI at the exact midpoint between trigger and ovulation, assuming 36 hours from trigger to ovulation.  This makes sense, I guess, especially if one might ovulate just 6 hours after the IUI (i.e., 24 hours after the trigger); in fact, that would be pretty ideal.  But if one doesn't ovulate for another 18 hours (which I think is what happened to me last time), it means the sperm is sitting around for 18 hours with nothing to inseminate.  I know that in some ways this is ideal too--there they'll be, just waiting to pounce on the egg(s).  But that's IF they live that long; I'm concerned that last time the frozen sperm just didn't.  Supposedly washed fresh sperm will live for 72 hrs (according to my RE).  So we should be ok this time, given that we're able to do a fresh sample this weekend followed by BD after the IUI.  But I find it VERY UNSETTLING to read again and again on different websites that most women get their IUI at 36 hours after the trigger.  I know I can't use my random internet searching as "research" and that my highly educated RE probably does know what he's doing.  On top of that, I did ask him about his scheduling today, and he stuck to his guns.  But I can't help second-guessing all this with what I'm seeing online, and so am already starting to feel glum about our chances before I've even given myself the shot.  I could give myself the shot earlier in the day tomorrow, of course, but then I worry I won't be giving my follicles enough time to grow.  As I say, I did ask my RE why not trigger tonight, putting the Sunday morning IUI at 36 hours, and what he said was he'd rather give the follicles more chance to grow before the trigger.  So....agggghhhhh, I am probably just wasting time and driving myself nuts reading all this other stuff online.  I promised myself I'd write this venting post and then STOP the Googling.

Anyone out there with positive stories to share about IUIs done less than 24 hours after the trigger, please share.

kbrodie06

my schedule says 36-41 hours after trigger? I did not question it, just went with it. We trigger between 8 and 10 pm

 

babyhopes2010

I triggered with my IUI's the day before for an early morning implantation. I can't remember the times exactly but it was similar, I know because I obsessed too. Maybe his strategy is to give you a better chance with bigger follies : )

You're right - You don't get to be an RE without years and years of training. Undoubtedly the timing of the trigger and ovulation is probably a skill they have to master pretty early : )

 I think you might be obsessing a little.  I've been there believe me!! Stop consulting Dr. Google and do something good for yourself today so that you go in tomorrow relaxed and positive. That's what's important.

HeatherIcon

I know how you feel. My experience was a Thursday night trigger at 9pm--then IUI on Saturday morning. I only had the one chance this month b/c the dh suffers from ed and it was a no go for any more swimmers that time.....I was so upset!!!!!

I hope this IUI #3 is different....I keep feeling like it is a complete waste of time and money. I only want one baby, is it that hard?? I feel like that is all I have been saying for the last three years....

So, maybe obsessing isn't healthy, but I completely understand your thought pattern....shots, visits, timing, waiting is all very stressful!! If you need to vent feel free...I have been doing a little too much stress relieving with my old friends, ben&jerry....bad idea!!! 

So I am trying to be healthy again too....best wishes, I hope this one works for you!!! 

If you can try to relax and remember you are so not alone in this!!!

amcrd

I was 36 hrs too...triggered 9pm Wedneday and IUI Friday morning.

GL!! Sending good vibes

lhcooper

See, this is what I mean....almost everyone seems to do IUI at 36 hours after the trigger, except my RE.  I did a bunch more internet surfing this afternoon, even reading medical journal articles (which all say there's no difference between 24 hours after trigger and 36 hours after trigger, but none mention less than 24 hours). 

I certainly plan to ask about this AGAIN at the RE's office tomorrow when we do the IUI.  It won't be my RE doing it, but another one at the practice (whom I don't like very much).  This time around we have no choice anyway because DH has to leave tomorrow night...so our plan is to try to BD right before he leaves, 7-8 hours or so after the IUI and presumably about 12 hrs before O if it takes my body the 36-40 hours it did after the last trigger.

This is so frustrating.  I can't help but feel that I'm being set up for either more IUIs or the expense of IVF.  ::takes deep breath, tries to stay positive::

ougrad1

My RE was doing the same thing to me during my first two IUI's.  The third time he did it 36 hours past the trigger and bam...I got my twins.

Go with your instinct.  It's your time, money and emotion involved, imo.  Tell him what you want if it doesn't work this time.  I wish you the best...

: ) 

 

lhcooper

Thanks.  I don't know what it is but for some reason it's so hard to argue with/question these doctors.  I asked *again* yesterday with the doctor doing my IUI and he said "well, we want the sperm waiting for the egg"--as if I didn't know that basic fact.  I said yes, I know, but what about this 18 hour thing? Apparently it's what they do (the nurse reassured me they have everyone at the clinic on this schedule, not just me), but he did at least say that if I want to do something different next time (if there is a next time, he wasn't implying that there would definitely be one), they'll do it.  Especially if we have to use frozen sperm the next cycle, I will try to put my foot down and demand two back-to-back IUIs; I'm willing to pay the extra $500 so what's the problem?

Anyway: we did manage to BD about 8 hours after the IUI, and then going by the cramping I think I O'd this morning about 14 hours later, so about 40 hours after the trigger shot and 22 hours after the IUI. At least some of those 25 million sperm had better have survived....

manny506

One strategy you may consider is to ask your RE if you can do two IUI's -- one at 18 hours as he wants to do and a 2nd at 36 hours (assuming DH doesn't have too low a count for this). I've read some sites that recommend 2 IUI's to maximize the chances.

 

Good luck!

lhcooper

Yes, this is exactly what I'm thinking of doing; all the more so since probably the next time we will have to use DH's frozen samples which have less sperm and less motility anyway.  We have a few extra vials on ice so that will be ok, and I'll just have to pay an additional $500.  IF my RE will let me.  I did ask about doing two in a row, and he's all "research has shown it's really not cost effective." Well, it's not emotionally effective for me to keep not getting pregnant.

Here's hoping I am, though.