Newbie... Iui questions... Loss mentioned

Karenb676 · January 2015

Hello everyone,
I am 38 years old and have been TTC for 14 months now, since my wedding day. I have suffered 2 chemical pregnancies this past year and started seeing my IF specialist 3 months ago. I understand I have not been trying as long as many of you, but I am really looking for people to chat with about this because I have no friends or family members who have suffered with IF. (should I go to the TTC after 35 board?)
Last month I had my first cycle of iui that was unsuccessful. Today, Jan 1, I had my 2nd iui. My questions are:
1) how many iui cycles have people out there gone through? I am trying not to get my hopes up this go around because a nurse today told me not to get upset if it doesn't work because it takes most women several cycles before success. My acupuncturist has told me this as well. I just wanted to actually hear from women actually going through it and not be scared if it doesn't work this time. I can still get pregnant by trying again.
2) has anyone experienced pain after the procedure? I am not worried right now about this but I am just curious. My right ovary feels as if someone is stabbing it and I thought this morning it was because I was ovulating and the meds were increasing hormone activity. Anyone felt pain afterward. I didn't feel pain last month so I am just a little concerned, but DH tells me not to read into it.
3) how many iui cycles have some gone through before trying to ivf? My dr told we will do ivf if need be but he never told me how many iui cycles we will try first. I am just curious.

My friends and family are very supportive, but they have all gotten pregnant easily they don't exactly what I am going through. I would love to talk to women who are going through what I am at the same time.

I look forward to talking with you all.

Karenb676 · January 2015

I like your idea of a blog. Not many women are willing to share their experiences they keep it private, but I am willing to share with my family and friends because I think people need to hear that for some women it isn't easy to get pregnant.
Thank you for your response and good luck with your iui next week.

Karenb676 · January 2015

Thank you very much for your response. I feel better already about the pain being there. I will look for and join that check in. I really appreciate your help.

wanderlust508 · January 2015

@KarenB676 - Welcome! You can post on TTC after 35 but this is definitely an appropriate place for you as well. As far as how many IUI cycles I think that varies based on your specific circumstances. I would definitely ask your RE to specify how many cycles they'd recommend you try before moving to IVF. For many (most?) ppl I've heard 3 cycles of IUI before moving to IVF. My friend who is 35 and has low AMH was told absolutely no more than 3 IUI's before moving on.

As for pain, my IUI's (3 of them) varied so widely. #1 had no pain or cramping. #3 (I think I had 4 mature follies) was very painful and I had cramping that kept me in bed that day.

I second @rainbowbridge14's suggestion to participate in the IUI check in. When I was cycling, I found it a great way to get (&give) support with other women at various points in their IUI cycles. I learned a lot too!

Good luck and I hope IUI #2 is it for you!

jerseymack23 · January 2015

@KBOJO24, what is your blog? Would love to check it out!

Karenb676 · January 2015

Thank you @EastBayBride508‌ for your response. It was helpful as well. I had 3 mature folicles this time and last month I think I only had 1 or 2. So after your response and @rainbowbridge14's I am thinking that is what it is. Whew..... I just posted on the iui check in so I will be participating in that as well. Thank you and best of luck to you as well in your journey.

bookworm40 · January 2015

I don't have to much to add because I am currently in the 2ww of my first IUI cycle. We did a natural cycle with an ovidrel trigger and I noticed cramping because of ovulation from the trigger. I second joining in on the IUI check in, everyone is so helpful with questions and just reading other peoples stories is comforting. Good luck and here's to a successful 2015!

BunnyBerry · January 2015

Yes, unfortunately, you belong here if you choose (hope you don't have to stay long!) and are absolutely welcome.

1. We thought we'd do no more than 2-4 IUIs, but we're now on the 6th try (first try they couldn't get in the cervix, and this most recent one the IUI was cancelled due to too many mature follicles). We're doing one more with injectibles only because it's covered by insurance.

2. I had a month (last month) where I felt almost nothing happening in my ovaries the whole cycle, and others when there was a ton of pinching/pressure/pulling/cramping before, during, and after ovulation/IUI. As far as I know, any combo of sensations is quite normal and doesn't mean much. For example, the strongest pain that feels like O can often occur hours before O. And it's common to cramp after IUI because the cervix and/or uterus is irritated.

3. Based on our situation (mostly an issue of male factor and treated endometriosis), our RE said after 3 completed IUIs that it was medically time to move to IVF - we had low (10-15% total) chances of success over the next three cycles of injectible IUIs. But he also let us do 3 more.

Age can play a role in that decision, too, though - 35+ is "advanced maternal age" and there are different statistics and concerns to consider compared to other age groups. Because a few months can make a difference in ovarian function, perhaps ask your doctor about how yours tested based on bloodwork and antral follicle count, and how many months of IUI he feels comfortable waiting before discussing the move to IVF.

Another consideration is cost. A Clomid or Letrozole cycle tends to be pretty affordable when success rates are taken into account, but for anyone who is OOP for those pricey injectible meds, it often makes sense to move straight to IVF given the higher success rates. That would typically be after 3 oral med IUIs...generally, success rates for a given treatment are pretty stable for the first 3 months (reflecting the natural way that pregnancy is always just a "chance," even in perfectly healthy fertile couples), then starts to drop off. I've never heard of more than 6 IUIs being indicated, except in situations where a major infertility factor was found and treated partway through the treatment, in which case prior IUIs "don't count."

Another thought is that you have had two chemical pregnancies. I would ask for 7DPO progesterone levels if you haven't had that tested. Other than that, I am not familiar if there are tests that could reveal a cause of CP that might be treated. Perhaps others here know more on that?

Finally, you called your doctor an "IF specialist." Is your doctor an OB/GYN who calls themselves a fertility specialist, or a reproductive endocrinologist? I'd make sure to work with an RE if you aren't already since they are (years) more qualified that an OB and should be more nuanced and individualized in their testing and treatment choices.

dancerspose · January 2015

I don't have any advice to add because I haven't done any IUI cycle, but PPs definitely covered it. My REs office did say that we'd probably have a WTF appointment after 3-4 full TI or IUI cycles.

I just wanted to stop by and say welcome and good luck! I hope your stay with us is short.

Karenb676 · January 2015

Wow you ladies know alot. I am so glad I found this board. I need to become familiar with the acronyms. I am being seen by I guess what you all are referring to an RE. They refer to themselves as doctors and when my nurse calls with info she always refers to him as the train so that is what I call him. I live in Maryland so I am going through shady grove fertility.
I take clomid days 3-7 and then 150mg of a shot called bravelle on day 9 and then more if needed before the trigger. The trigger shot is ovidrel. I am a teacher and I have good insurance so i am very fortunate that all of this is covered 90%. I wouldn't be able to do all of this if I didn't have my insurance.
Thank you all for responding. I am learning a great deal.

Karenb676 · January 2015

Lol.... Not a train..... Gotta love auto correct.... The nurse calls him dr.

LindseyM2012 · January 2015

No advice about IUIs, but I just wanted to stop by to welcome you. I'm sorry you find yourself here. Hopefully you won't be here long.

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Newbie... Iui questions... Loss mentioned

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