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IUI with donor

TattooedandCraftyTattooedandCrafty
in Third-Party Reproduction

My husband and I are about to begin our journey toward a baby with donated sperm.  We both have children through previous relationshps (his is 16, mine is 4.5), but he had a vasectomy in 2009.  We'd discussed reversal with a urologist previously, and since it's elective surgery, it wasn't covered at all, and the cost range was 7k-12k. The urologist estimated him at 89% sucess possibilities. The did not, however, offer financing or much in the way of any staggered payment option; it was pay, or don't receive services.  No judgement there, but it was deflating.

We started exploring the route of donor sperm, and have found that our insurance covers more than we were hoping for (we'll pay $171 per insemination, out of pocket), and the ObGyn who will perform my IUI gave us our initial consoltation free of charge. 

My misgivings are this: IUI can be lengthy, just like trying to get pregnant. Unless you're planning on 2-4 inseminations during ovulation, you're really chancing conception.  It's not called a miracle for nothing.  When it comes right down to it; I don't care where my baby comes from.  We will love him or her no matter where they originated from. My DH is trying to be the most pragmatic factor here, which is why the donor sperm is now our 1st runner up. 

My fear is this:  At $400 per sperm batch, plus $171 for insemination, we're committing to the same kinds of odds that we'd have if he just went forward with reversal.  I know these are tremendously personal choices and I'm certainly not asking for the answer that would solve it all.......  

Has anyone had any similar quandries? 

Thank you!

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Re: IUI with donor

  • shellb1978shellb1978 member

    I did IUI with donor back in february, and was successful the first time. I had a few issues myself with low progesterone, so I was put on clomid and did a trigger shot.

    Not all IUI's are successful the first try, some get lucky though.  Good luck to you!

    BFP #1 3/27/07-M/C 8weeks 5/3/07 "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away." 2/4/13 IUI #1+trigger=BFP!!!  DD born Oct. 9, 2013 via c-sectionAnniversary

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  • melkel559melkel559 member
    Hi there,

    I am sorry you find yourself in this position. Not trying to sway you one way or the other, just thought I'd offer up our experience. All background in my siggy but are you thinking about unmedicated IUI and that's why you think so many inseminations are needed per cycle? We only did one insemination per cycle using Clomid days 3 through 7 and then HCG trigger shot 24 to 48 hrs prior to IUI. This resulted in a BFP on our second cycle with IUI being done 27 hours post HCG. Our RE told us with the Clomid he would give it up to 5 tries before throwing in the towel on IUI since Clomid for extended periods of time can be counterproductive on the body. We spent a little less than two thousand between the two IUIs but our vials cost 650 each and shipping was around 200 to 300.

    Like I said, just wanted to share our experience. Best of luck moving forward!
    TTC since June 2011
    DX: DH (30) severe MFI, severely low count & low motility
    Me (32): all clear
    Appt with Urologist 5/21/12: exam, ultrasound, bloodwork all normal.
    Testicular Biopsy with TESE on 6/8/12. good sperm found! (left side only) froze sperm, failed thaw test :(
    Orientation for IVF/ICSI on 6/13/12. Waiting for the green light following biopsy results...results show adequate sperm production both sides.
    2nd SA 6/18/12: sample is "adequate for ICSI"
    Plan: IVF/ICSI July 2012!
    ER: 7/26/12. 15 eggs retrieved, all mature.
    TESE/TESA/aspiration from epididymis, no motile sperm found :(
    froze all eggs, the saga of praying for good sperm continues.
    8/3/12: 2nd opinion from MFI uro on biopsy slides. Suspects "partial late maturation arrest."
    Plan: more SAs, third biopsy/TESE with frozen back-up either from DH or DS.
    SA 8/17/12: Zero sperm
    SA 8/23/12: Zero sperm
    9/26/12: SPERM FOUND! 15 eggs thawed, 12 survived and were ICSI'd, only 3 fertilized normally. Refrozen as embies and will thaw in Nov. Please survive and grow!
    All 3 survived the thaw on 11/15/12!
    FET 11/17/12: transferred 2, one 4B, one 4C. Beta 11/30:BFFN
    moving on to DS
    DIUI#1 2/18/13,50mg Clomid cd 3-7, Ovidrel trigger, Beta 3/4/13: BFN.
    DIUI#2 3/19/13, 50 mg Clomid cd 3-7, Ovidrel trigger, Beta #1 (14dpiui) 4/2/13: BFP!!!! 150. Beta #2 4/4/13: 420 Beta #3 4/8/13: 2691. Beta #4 4/15/13: 15,086
    1st u/s 4/8/13 shows one gestational sac
    2nd u/s 4/15/13 shows yolk sac, fetal pole and early heartbeat
    3rd u/s 4/25/13: measuring right on track. Heart rate 148 bpm
    A/S 7/22/13: IT'S A BOY!!
    PAIF/SAIF Always Welcome
    [IMG]http://i49.tinypic.com/2qmon5u.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd243/laurakat24/turkeybaster-1.jpg"[/IMG]Image and video hosting by TinyPic
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  • shellb1978shellb1978 member

    imagemelkel559:
    Hi there, I am sorry you find yourself in this position. Not trying to sway you one way or the other, just thought I'd offer up our experience. All background in my siggy but are you thinking about unmedicated IUI and that's why you think so many inseminations are needed per cycle? We only did one insemination per cycle using Clomid days 3 through 7 and then HCG trigger shot 24 to 48 hrs prior to IUI. This resulted in a BFP on our second cycle with IUI being done 27 hours post HCG. Our RE told us with the Clomid he would give it up to 5 tries before throwing in the towel on IUI since Clomid for extended periods of time can be counterproductive on the body. We spent a little less than two thousand between the two IUIs but our vials cost 650 each and shipping was around 200 to 300. Like I said, just wanted to share our experience. Best of luck moving forward!

    How much the sperm cost plus the shipping, depends on what sperm bank you use, and being put on clomid is up to your RE who will do the IUI.  I was put on it on cycle days 5-9, and had my trigger shot the day we did the IUI because I had ovulated an hour before my monitoring appointment, and they did it to support my lutel phase.  Everyone is different though.

    BFP #1 3/27/07-M/C 8weeks 5/3/07 "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away." 2/4/13 IUI #1+trigger=BFP!!!  DD born Oct. 9, 2013 via c-sectionAnniversary

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  • ela81ela81
    Hi! It is a personal choice for sure! I will say, while not really common, I did get pregnant with my 1st dIUI and I'm due in a few days. Our older DD is full bio. It's taken me a while to get used to the situation but, I'm so excited for this little guy to get here! Good luck with whatever you decide.
    For DD - IVF/ICSI #1 - BFP / For DS - dIUI #1 - BFP Dx:severe MFI-Y Chromosome Microdeletion Isabel born 10-15-08! / Baby Boy EDD July 2013 imageLily pie Fifth Birthday tickers Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
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  • jdionnejdionne member

    Thank you for everyone sharing their stories.  After TTC for 18 months, my husband and I agreed to move forward with testing.  After about 2 months of doctor appts and blood tests we found out that genetically my husband does not have the reproductive gene.  We have decided to move forward with donor sperm and IUI.  After finding the right fertility clinic, we are starting to feel hopeful.  I go in for my fertility testing this month and if everything goes well we will move forward with IUI in the next couple of months.  MY RE is going to use Clomid and HCG injection when it comes time to do the IUI.  We have been looking at the California Cryobank for the donor.  Fingers cross that we will have success.  Unfortunately my insurance does not cover fertility services, so this is a exciting and nervous time for us.  Please keep sharing your stories as they serve as a place of hope and reality for me.  Good luck to everyone!!!

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  • scorpgirl1120scorpgirl1120 member
    I don't want to be a downer and I'm so happy for the pp's who conceived on their first try.  I am currently in the middle of my 3rd (and last) cycle.  I have phenomenal insurance and still pay $2000 a month for the process (our dr. has us order two vials a month and injects both within two days).  The cost comes from $1500 for sperm and $500 for doctor's visits and medicines.  My husband has also had a surgery to check his sperm count....so overall we've spent $8000 for this process.  The vasectomy, while expensive, may give you the results you're looking for while having a baby biologically both of yours. 

    I'm so very sorry you have to go through with this process but good luck on your endeavor and this process.  I hope it's quick and effective!
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  • orangemell2012orangemell2012 member
    We are out of pocket for all of this too, we did 2 DIUI, but I am guessing this one is negative.

    My insurance did cover the testing but none of the IUI's. So at $400 per IUI and around $550 per sperm. Next cycle may have medications added as well and that will add more cost. 

     We are only doing three, like scorpgirl1120. Good luck!
    Me- Ok as 1/13
    DH- Azoospermia diagnosis
    DIUI #1 7/13 BFN
    DIUI #2 8/31/13 BFN
    DIUI #3 10/26/13 Fingers crossed!




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  • jdionnejdionne member
    @orangemell2012 I hope the medications bring u success. We are planing on doing this 3 times. My RE does an ultrasound, clumid, ultrasound, hcg, then insemination. Hoping for the best!
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