Does IUI really up your chances?

sechat322

Hi all, We are considering starting to try for our second, since I'm getting close to 35 and our first child just turned one. The short rundown is that I probably have PCOS (always had extremely irregular periods but my glucose and insulin tests have always been normal), but my husband does not have any issues. The first time around, after several cycles not ovulating with Clomid, I was lucky enough to get pregnant on the first round of injectables and IUI. This time, because we'd rather not take our chances with multiples, the doctor recommends that we try a few natural cycles right after I stop taking the pill, but adding Metformin (which I took before during the last go-around, and during early pregnancy). He has suggested that we consider a trigger shot and IUI, even though we don't have any male factor issues, because it improves our chances. (And if all that doesn't work after a couple of cycles, he's recommending we try Femara.) Insurance won't cover IUI, but the cost isn't prohibitive. I think my husband is slightly hostile and wants to do it "the old fashioned way" to the extent possible (i.e., assuming I'm ovulating). To me, if IUI is going to improve our shot, I'm happy to do it, don't think it's a big deal, and it doesn't preclude us from having sex too. What do you guys think? How much does an IUI improve your chances, assuming everything else is on target?

sechat322

Yeesh - the bump ate all my paragraph breaks! Sorry, guys, and thanks for reading.

hoping4more

This is just my own findings but unless you have hostile mucus I think that just timed intercourse is just as good. 

There has been 2 pregnancies from my hubby and both were not IUIs. 1 resulted in a live birth (she's 6 months old now) and the other I miscarried. Funny thing is I have had IUIs in the past and none of those cycles are the cycles we got a bfp. 

Am I saying IUIs are bad and pointless? No.. I am just saying that unless you have a NEED for them (bad sperm, hostile mucus, etc) it likely isn't really worth the money.

We do IUIs when we do injectables since my RE makes us pay for a monitoring package and the IUI is included. On Clomid, Femara or mixed cycles I usually just do TI. Hope that helps! 

TripMomma

I would say it can only up your chances. If you can BD too, all the better. The IUI puts the sperm right where it needs to be, so that's the first way it gives you an advantage.

Usually with an IUI you are going to be monitored, so you will have a much better chance at getting the timing perfect over just using OPKs.

Why not, if $ is not a problem then I would for sure add an IUI in addition to BDing. More chance at success. Good luck!

Sweets11

If you have PCOS, IUI will help.  It gets the sperm where it needs to be while the drugs and monitoring ensure ovulation and proper timing.

IMO, it's worth giving a try before moving on to more expensive and invasive treatments.

tryingyetagain

We've had two IUIs (both unsuccessful unfortunately), but I still think it increases your chances.  I think we just have other issues.  I read an explanation somewhere that basically said a much smaller number of sperm get past your cervix during intercourse.  But with an IUI, they are threaded past your cervix with a catheter, ensuring that they make it into the uterus.  They still have to find the egg in the tube, but it makes half the journey for them, and there are more of them.

My husband was also of the "old fashioned way" school of thought.  I finally told him how much this means to me, and that I really want to do everything we can to make this happen.  It really changed his attitude to a "okay, let's get this thing done" frame of mind.  He was totally on board after that.  We still BD'ed afterwards to increase our chances, plus that way if we got pregnant it might be from BD'ing.

Good luck to you!

jenalena

My RE told me once that IUI was, "giving those swimmers the express route".  IMO it does improve your chances.  But as said in PP, if you've got healthy swimmers already, your % of improvement is less.