Those of you who have done multiple IUI's

JadziaDax · November 2013

This question is for those of you who have done multiple IUI's. How many have you done and did you take any breaks in between? I'm preparing for #5 and I've done all back to back. The only break i've had was two weeks after I suffered OHSS and had to be on birth control pills. My husband and close family are all urging me to take a break and I agree with them completely...but I know it will be hard once the time comes. What is your opinion on this? (posting in the IUI check in thread led me to start this thread).

Also, at what point do you feel you will move onto IVF and quit the IUI's? I have so much on my mind and figured i'd ask for feedback from others going through the same thing. I don't know anyone in person, right now, who is experiencing this and it's hard when there's no one "in the same boat" to talk to.

leavehouse · November 2013

I did two IUIs two cycles in a row. I was a slow responder and spent $8,000 on meds for those two cycles. My insurance covered the IUIs, but not the meds. I refused to waste any more money on an IUI cycle and opted to do IVF.

Good luck!

TammyDoubleB · November 2013

I did 2 consecutive IUI cycles, took a 6 month break from meds and IUIs (though we were still TTC naturally), and did 2 more IUIs...I'm in the 2WW now of IUI #4. If this cycle is a bust, I'm changing REs. So, I'll probably take a one cycle break since my appointment with the new RE is about the time I would be O'ing if I have a next cycle. Still praying this is the one though...trying my best to stay positive.

ErinSays · November 2013

I did 3 back-to-back IUIs and immediately went into an IVF cycle from IUI3. If you and your DH want to take a break, take it. This is a difficult, emotional, stressful journey and if you need to catch your breath, it's completely fine.

We went to IVF after 3 IUIs because my insurance covers 3 IUIs and $15,000 in IVF. I wanted to move on to IVF after 2; the odds are better with IVF, I was doing a lot of injects anyway, and mentally I was done. I'm on BCPs for 19 days in preparation to start injects, and it's been great. A lot of my stress has melted away.

jszy10 · November 2013

I am getting ready to have IUI#3 and am considering a break too if this cycle doesn't work. It really is emotional, and I struggle with stopping once I've started too...so I'm not sure when the time comes what I will really decide.

I don't have the choice to move on to IVF with my current insurance (I just can't spend $15,000), so I just hold out hope that the IUIs will eventually work.

I wish you luck with whatever you decide. It's definitely a tough decision that only you can make.

Sunni01 · November 2013

For me, I took 2 cycles off between the first 3 IUI's and went straight into IUI #4 after 3rd IUI-m/c. Wish I had of taken a break cause my body really was not ready. I will skip again 2 cycles this time. Start again end of Dec/ beg Jan. Your body and your mind really need a break from this. But that's just me. You need some since of normalcy. Don't make IF your life.

IVF is not covered by my insurance nor are the IUI's. I am completely OOP. so unless I hit the lottery, IUI's are the way for me right now.

Good luck...

JadziaDax · November 2013

Thanks for your responses. I appreciate everyone's feedback. I can definitely understand moving to IVF if insurance covers it, or if you're spending thousands on each IUI cycle. I wish everyone luck this cycle.

@jszy10 My insurance covers IUI's but doesn't cover any IVF as well so i'm hoping that IUI works for us. If this next one doesn't work, i'm going to take a break. I think the OHSS really wore me out.

badrianne · November 2013

After my first IUI, we took a break because my RE was going out of town and the next month we were out of town. Then we restarted and did the second and third IUI back to back. We are 100% out of pocket and I am convinced medicated IUI's aren't fixing our problem. So we are moving on IVF.
After our first IUI failed, I was disappointed to have to wait 2 months to try again. But doing 2 IUI's back to back wore me out emotionally. I got to the point were I was crying every time we went to the clinic. Taking alittle time off isn't that bad. Although, I understand how it can feel like you are missing a chance that month. Let us know what you decide.

katib77 · November 2013

I did five IUIs spread far between starting spring of 2011 to spring of 2013 because of oop costs. We moved on to IVF when I got new coverage because it was for only $7k and figured a) ot was our best shot after five IUIs and b) was the only was we could afford it so why waste that limited coverage on a sixth one.

RunCC37 · November 2013

We have been full steam ahead ever since starting with the RE. Three IUIs, a laparoscopy, injects & a canceled IUI (downgraded to TI due to over stim), and then onto IVF. It is such a personal decision, but for us it just made sense to go, go, go. The thought of a break makes me more upset than anything. Good luck!

gsancho · November 2013

We are stopping after this 3rd IUI and moving on to IVF next year, just b/c the injects are so pricey and I'd rather save for IVF. Sometimes IF and all the cycling takes ahold of you brain more than you realize. I couldn't confirm any dates or events without thinking about where I'd be in my cycle, my workout schedule was all out of whack, it's just no peace of mind. So I want to be able to enjoy the holidays as much as possible. I'll still stress a little about IF, but the break will be good for us. I'd say to take it just to recharge, but everyone is different. Good luck!

cuntasaurusrex · November 2013

I just commented something about this on another thread, but I'm thinking about taking a break if this cycle fails because I'm not sure how much more I can handle straight through. But then I'm afraid I'll be kicking myself for it. So for now it's just one day at a time.

Twinkie0612 · November 2013

We did 4 IUIs. The first was with my OB/GYN, so there was a 6 month break between IUI #1 and IUI #2. The other 3 were consecutive cycle.

As for when to move on to IVF, it really depends on your doc, your diagnosis, and your comfort level. My doc recommends moving on after 3 IUIs. At the time we were unexplained (although now it looks like maybe an egg quality issue), so I had to agree. The odds of success start to go down after 3 IUIs, so I was ready to move on to something else with higher success rates. Unfortunately, we haven't been successful with IVF either, but it has given us important information about why we aren't getting pregnant.

Want a personalized experience?

Those of you who have done multiple IUI's

Re: Those of you who have done multiple IUI's

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Want a personalized experience?

Those of you who have done multiple IUI's

Re: Those of you who have done multiple IUI's

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!