New here, and very overwhelmed!

honigbiene · July 2015

Hello everyone, this is my first post here. I'm 30 yrs old, hubby is 26. He's a chemist and while I also have a chemistry degree, I choose to work as a medic both on the street and in a local rural ER because I much prefer working in healthcare than in a lab.
Anyway, I don't have any fertility issues that I know of. Our issue is that we need to use donor sperm. We have a donor picked out from california cryobank and we had our first appt with the RE yesterday. The RE ordered blood tests for me (STDs, CMV status, progesterone levels, and genetic diseases) and said that we can start an IUI cycle with my next period (I'm on CD 18 today).
We are paying completely out of pocket for everything. A single insemination's worth of sperm costs about $1,000. The IUI procedure itself will be about $500, plus whatever additional costs for tests, u/s, etc.
I told the RE that we only have enough money saved up for 3 IUI cycles, and that's only if we do one insemination per cycle instead of her recommended 2.
What she suggested, to increase our odds of conceiving within the 3 cycles and single inseminations, is to do Clomid and Ovidrel to better time the IUI and to make sure that I actually ovulate, given that I'm almost 31 and may not be ovulating every cycle (my cycle lengths fluctuate between 22 days long to 31 days long, with lots of spotting in my luteal phase)
I'm a little concerned that I may end up with multiples with the clomid given that I don't have any diagnosed ovulation problems (this is from reading I've done on my own, she never brought up the issue). One place I read that clomid only increases chances to 10%, but I also read if you don't have any ovulation problems, that number rises to 80%??? Also, does the ovidrel along with the clomid add to this increase even more? Don't get me wrong, I will be thrilled just to be pregnant. But I worked in L/D and NICU for 6 yrs and I know the risks that twin pregnancies face. We talked it over last night and decided to risk it because the Dr said that with no meds, IUI only has an 8% success rate each cycle, and we can only afford 3 cycles.
Gosh, sorry for the long read. I'll get to the part where I'm overwhelmed at not really understanding how the IUI thing is going to work. I understand the procedure itself, and I understand I will start the clomid on day 3-7 and then do the trigger shot for ovulation, with the IUI the next day. However, she never said anything about any tests or ultrasounds during any of it in order to check my follicles? Or is this not necessary because as far as we know my ovulation is normal? At the end of the appt she just handed me the blood test orders and left without any actual explaining of how the month is gonna go, step by step. In all of your experiences, did the RE go over all of this in the initial appt, or did a nurse contact you afterwards to discuss that stuff? I know the ovidrel is an injection, and although I obviously know how to give injections due to my career, I assume they have to teach most people how to do it and they never said anything about it. I just feel like I left the appt with more questions than I went in with. I am going to try to call the clinic back on Monday and hope that the nurse will be able to explain a more detailed plan, but if anyone can share how all this was approached at your clinic, that would help me a lot!
And thank you for anyone who has read all of this...I know it's long but it's honestly been helpful just to write it all out! I guess I'm just feeling a lot of pressure to get everything sorted and planned out by the time my cycle will start in 10 days.

Looking forward to get to know you all!
Mel

MKLEWIS2010 · July 2015

Welcome, first of all I hope your stay here is short

and good luck with your cycle. My RE explained everything, the nurse had a teach class for me and they also gave me an instructions sheet with all the info that I needed. During the appointments we ask all the questions and sometimes we even call them with questions we forgot to ask or that comes up in the process. This process is very overwhelming in the beginning not knowing what to expect or to do and if you are doing it right. I would call the RE back and tell them your concerns and have them answer your questions so oh are comfortable.

Also they should perform ultrasounds and bloodwork to track your follicles and your lining.

bsckgb7 · July 2015

I am very early in my process but headed towards to IUI. I am currently on Letrzole (a cousin of Clomid). My doc told me as long as I am taking Letrzole they will handle the trigger shots. They do u/s once an LH is detected to look for over-stimulation. I can't speak for IUI, but I believe friends who have done IUI also have ultrasounds to check for multiple follicles (and considered withdrawing if too many follicles are present). Maybe you just come in to check for ovulation (and give the trigger shot) and check follicles when you come in for the IUI?

FutureBFP · July 2015

Hi✋ I'm also new here and unfortunately on this board due to male infertility. I wish you nothing but the best during this incredibly challenging time...

honigbiene · July 2015

Thanks for the replies! I was able to get a hold of the clinic, and it turns out that I'll actually have an appointment with the nurse practitioner to go over the education regarding the clomid, trigger shot, and IUI procedure timeline. They were able to squeeze me in on Thursday, so that I get everything covered by the time my next cycle starts. I'm so relieved!!!

Also, I had my progesterone level taken on monday (CD 20) and it was at 26, so that's good, right?! It must be something else causing my 8 day luteal phases and mid-cycle bleeding. Whatever is causing it, I hope is taken care of with either the clomid or IUI procedure.

Now we just need to make our final selection for donor sperm and fork over the money to pay for it! We thought we had a donor picked out, but then are having last minute panicking and kind of starting the search again from round 1 #-o

MKLEWIS2010 · July 2015

That's good and always call your doctor if you have a question. Good luck!

SnnyFlwr · July 2015

it is a very overwhelming process, indeed! It's nice that we at least have others on the same boat.

I just started my first follistim cycle last night.

I wish you, and all the others, a short stay! FX

Gakelly · July 2015

Hoping everything is going well and you are moving forward with your iui. My DH and I are in the same situation as you except we are 39 and finally moving forward. Afterms we learned of my husband's situition we grieved a little wondering what we wanted to do. We are meeting with a new RE soon and hopefully will be able to move forward quickly on iuI and donor sperm. I too wonder how the process will be. How did you and your DH determine what donor you wanted to use?

Want a personalized experience?

New here, and very overwhelmed!

Re: New here, and very overwhelmed!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards