5 failed IUI's

Bailey2468 · January 2013

Hi there. I'm new to the bump. My husband and I have been trying to conceive with some help since last June. I am 34 and he is 42. I've had 5 failed IUI's. 3 rounds were with clomid and 2 with injectables. We are now trying to decide if we should get another iui with injectables or jump into the invasive IVF. We have a doctors appt next Friday to discuss what we should do. I just don't think I can have another iui since I haven't had any luck with them! My husband and I are not getting any younger and I need some encouraging words! I'm really scared about the IVF but doesn't that have greater success rates than the IUI?

Dstevens429 · January 2013

I have no experience with IUI but my personal experience with IVF was great. The PIO injections are horrible but some people are lucky enough not to experience them. If I had to do IVF all over again (which I probably will if I want more children) I wouldn't think twice. What is your diagnosis? IVF is a lot scarier to think about than to experience. You could also get a second opinion from another RE in the area. Good Luck with whatever you decide and I hope to see you around here soon.

Bailey2468 · January 2013

Thanks everyone for your replys! I did all my testing last year. I had an HSG test to see if my tubes were blocked and they were fine. I also had an MRI done and the only thing they found out if that were prolactin levels were raises so they put me on medicine I take 2x a week to control my levels. My husband had a sperm analysis done and his levels are on the low end of normal. He's concerned his levels are low cuz he used to smoke a pack and a half of cigarettes a day. He quit smoking maybe 4 years ago? He also had the chicken pix when he was 26 so I'm wondering if that has anything to do with his levels.

Fortunately we have great insurance!! Our insurance covers unlimited IUIs. But the doc told us once we do IVF we can't go backwards and do an IUI. I just can't take the bad news each month after our iui. I am feeling better about the IVF bec I want that grand prize and ill go through whatever I have to to get it.

I guess we will see what our doctor recommends next Friday!!

schnena77 · January 2013

I am the same age as you (turned 35 in December) and my DH turned 40 this year - so we can relate to the pressure of aging and trying to conceive. The one thing you did not mention is whether you have unexplained infertility. I know our RE coursed out the same plan as you - we surprising got pg w/ IUI #3 (even our RE was shocked). I know you have gone through more treatments then me which proves the fact that you have courage and strength. And as you know the one thing about infertility treatment; you learn more about yourself and what you are capiable of. I have faith that you will find the strength; stay positive and keep the faith and know you have a wonderful support system around you.

Whales124 · January 2013

I would try to get a more concrete dx from your RE, even if it is unexplained IF that is something to go on. We originally were going to do IUI, but after an exploratory lap, they dx me with severe endometriosis. At that point they told us our best option was IVF and that IUI would be a waste of time. I hope your RE has some more insight and wish you lots of luck in your journey going forward!

LuvWIfootball · January 2013

I also have no experience with IUI, but will say the IVF was not as bad as some had made it seem to be. Is it invasive? Sure. But it was our only option, so none of the testing, injections, procedures mattered to me. In the end, it was pretty easy. The hardest part of injections was the very first one. The ER was actually very easy for me with no pain afterwards, and the transfer was quick and painless too.

From what my RE said, IUI (with DS) would have given us a 20% shot, which is basically the same as "normal" people having sex every month. With IVF, she guessed our odds were 50%, although that was only based on my history and did not factor in DH's IF, since we weren't sure he was even producing healthy sperm. Luckily, he was.

andy71781 · January 2013

After numerous rounds of IUIs we chose IVF. My doctor said that she could do a couple more IUIs with us but that IVF would be our best option. I have PCOS and we had a slight motility issue.

I am so grateful that we did IVF. Not only did it work, I have 8 frozen embryos. It was trying physically at points, but totally worth the payoff. If you are already doing injectibles it isn't that much worse. Ok maybe near the end it is - but again, totally worth it.

GL to you!

Gregermis · January 2013

I had 4 IUIs.. the first was a c/p and the other three were all BFNs (and all 4 with clomid). We went right to IVF as an injectible cycle was almost as much as a FET at my clinic. I'm really glad we did.

IVF#1 = c/p
FET#1 = m/c 5w5d
FET#2 = BFN
FET#3 = my current pg.

It still took awhile, but getting +HPTs again really helped me have hope even through all the losses.

dimples128 · January 2013

IVF has a much better success rate than IUIs and personally, I found the entire IVF process was not that bad. I did not have as bad of mood swings during the stims as a I did with The IUI stims and was much more relaxed through the process. Maybe it was the thought of them actually putting the embryo in me and the hope of some to freeze that helped as opposed to the unknown of conception even occurring. Check out sart.org for success rates for your clinic. Good luck with your decision!

notquiteblushing · January 2013

I don't think IVF was much more invasive than an injectable IUI cycle. The egg retrieval was weird but didn't hurt. The transfer was almost the same exact thing as an IUI except it happened in a fancier room. For me my chances were something like 12% for the IUIs and 38% for the IVF. I got pregnant on my first IVF cycle. Good luck to you!

genmalone · January 2013

I did 7 medicated cycles. 3 were IUIs, 3 were cancelled due to no response, and 1 was converted to TI because I over responded. Never 1 BFP. We decided to move to IVF right before I turned 35. Our 1st IVF was successful but I m/c. FET #1 is my current pregnancy. I actually regret not moving to IVF sooner although I wasn't emotionally ready before. My info is in my siggy. I had a terrible reaction to IVF but it was all certainly worth it.

Good luck! Also, don't worry too much about the big 3-5. It all depends on your diagnosis but I responded to IVF like a 20 year old. It's not like the day you turn 35 your ovaries shut down. Hang in there!

Killer Tomato · January 2013

We did 4 IUIs before moving on to IVF, and by the end of the fourth, I was worn out emotionally and physically, and not very optimistic, so we took a two month break and skipped doing an IUI with injects, opting to move straight to IVF. (For background, I am 38 and we were unexplained.) In retrospect, I wish we had skipped one or two of the IUIs, but I wasn't ready at the time. We were given a 20% IUI success stat, and 50-60% for IVF. (A lot of potential success rates depend on your diagnosis as well as the clinic and lab quality.)

I expected my IVF cycle to be difficult, with all the meds and monitoring. A few of my IUI cycles were kind of rough, and I thought IVF could only be worse. My experience is my own, of course, but I found the IVF cycle to actually be easier on me than the IUIs. And, like PP said, if you have already done injects, it isn't that much different. The ER is kind of sucky, mostly b/c it is scary with the anesthesia, but physically it wasn't so bad for me, and the ET was pretty much a fancied up IUI with a full bladder.

The decision to move to IVF has a lot of factors: your RE's opinion, your comfort level, your insurance coverage and finances, and your gut instinct about what is the right path for you. IVF will likely give you much better odds, especially after that many IUIs, but you have to be ready to go that route.

My only other advice is to look into the circle+bloom meditation program if you do IVF...it really helped me relax during the cycle. Also, you might want to introduce yourself over on the IF board...they are great, and it is great being able to connect with people in similar situation, and the support of others during cycles can make a world of difference. (Also, you can ask all sorts of weird, kind of embarrassing questions to put your mind at ease!)

good luck in your decision, and I wish you lots of success!

AmCheri · January 2013

Hi Bailey. Welcome. As others have said, it would be most helpful if you had a more concrete idea of your issues(s). There are steps that can be taken prior to IVF that may help increase your chance of success. Also, knowing your diagnosis can help you be more realistic about your chances.

IVF is not nearly as scary as some may say. The hardest part for me wasn't physical, but the daily mental struggle. But you can do this if you keep perspective and take it one injection, one day at a time. Sometimes you just have to jump in and go for it! After 5 failed IUIs it is entirely reasonable to explore another option. When we started, we decided that we'd give any treatment three chances, and failing that, we'd move on to the next most aggressive option.

Are you working with an RE?

JCWhitey · January 2013

While we never had to go through either methods to get PG I was given a lot of literature on both by my doctor and it does seem like IVF has greater odds of success. Which considering the price difference I would hope there would be!

Have you talked to your RE about IVF yet? I know some people may not even be candidates so if this is something you're considering I'd get on it as quickly as possible. 34 isn't old by any means, but after that many failed IUIs I'd personally be feeling very anxious to move to the next level. Good luck!

nhamilton1008 · January 2013

I also ha 5 iui's with all BFN. We decided at that point to move onto IVF. It was a scary decision but we knew it was right. No sugar coating it, it is an emotional process and physically exhausting. But every step of the way I just pushed myself to keep moving forward and we ended up pregnant on our first try with three frosties waiting for us. I know it's scary but it's worth it. I would do the whole thing over again if I needed to.
Good luck to you! Hope to see you here soon with a success!

Bailey2468 · January 2013

Omgosh!!! Thank you all for your advice! You all are soooo kind!! I have not been diagnosed with anything. All my tests have come back normal and I ovulate on my own. I went to Chicago IVF today and my bloodwork came back normal so they will put me on birth control starting tonight. Ill will let all of you know Friday on what my next step is!

Thanks for all your support!!!! :

angela2004 · January 2013

We did 7 iui's and 1 IVF. We also are a mature age. Our issues are most likely different.. But we got pregnant with our first IVF. IUI never worked for us. The success rates with IVF is much higher. GL!

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