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Doc can't "thread the needle"

TheLabyrinthTheLabyrinth member
in Infertility
I have an issue where my cervix and uterus basically make a hairpin curve and is pretty tight.  Due to this, out of 4 IUIs, my doctor has only been able to manage getting the catheter completely through 1 time which took 20 minutes; the other 3 times he had to just release everything at the bottom of my uterus.  He tried "stretching" me out through a hysteroscopy with the dilation tools, but it didn't work (so glad I paid for that procedure...).  He keeps telling me I'm a super rare situation.

Now none of this should be contributing to my infertility, and since the IUIs aren't working, the next likely step is IVF (doctor still has no idea why I'm not getting pregnant).  However, since he cannot get the catheter through he cannot do IVF at this time.  At this point, I get the impression he's just suggesting a number of "maybe it will work" ideas at this point to address this problem.  After the whole hysteroscopy process failing, I'm much more wary of trying his other ideas, many that involve going under general anesthesia again.

Has anyone had a similar situation where the doctor couldn't get the catheter through?  What did you do?  If you have further q's, let me know.  I appreciate any suggestions; I'm also going to another doctor for a second opinion.
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Re: Doc can't "thread the needle"

  • MKLEWIS2010MKLEWIS2010 member
    I wish you the best of luck on this journey.  My only advice is to get a second opinion, which you are already in the process of doing.  Are the doctors you are going to REI's? Its hard to have a treatment when you dont know the problem.  Good Luck!
    Me - 32 
    Husband - 32
    TTC #1 - since 10/16/2012 
    IVF#1 6/2015 BFN 
    FET 7/2015 - BFP


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  • TheLabyrinthTheLabyrinth member
    Thanks for your good wishes.  Yes, he's an REI.  They've done a number of tests so far, but nothing looks wrong (HSG, blood tests, monitored a normal cycle, hysteroscopy since he was there anyway, sperm analysis).  I've been on clomid/menopur and I can make 3-5 mature eggs (with another 4-6 smaller ones) with great lining every time I've taken it.

    So frustrating.
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  • krbjoykrbjoy member
    Hi! Yeah, that sucks! I too have a cervix that is difficult to maneuver. My IUI failed and I'm pretty sure it's because she couldn't get up in the right spot. My husband watched and said she pretty much gave up and just squirted. Needless to say, we refused to let her touch me again. Oh and it was her first day doing IUIs. So glad I paid all that money to have some inexperienced idiot mess up. Any ways, all through my experiences in my recent, first IVF, ultrasound techs, doctors etc had a difficult time getting me in just the right spot to get to my cervix. But they did. There was a lot of different positions and stuff and tons of awkward moments. So if your doctor gave up just like that, I'm glad you are getting a second opinion. That just seems ridiculous to me.
    Married for 4 years. TTC for 3.
    Me: 38 DH: 39
    DX: Unexplained Infertility; found a few fibroids this time around during SIS

    March 2012: Clomid for 3 cycles  3 BFNs
    Sept. 2013: started injectables (Follistim, Ovidrel Trigger) IUI BFN

    May 2015: New RE. Going IVF. Tests, Tests, Tests 
    July 2015: Microdose Lupron 20u am & pm, Follistim 150iu 75iu am, Menapur 150iu 75iu pm
    Triggered 8/4 ER 8/6 ET 8/11 2 beautiful blastocysts; 2WW
    8/19 hpt BFP! Beta 8/25: 482
    2nd Beta 9/1......3707
    U/S 9/21: 1 beautiful little gummy bear



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  • Whiggrrl65Whiggrrl65 member
    Good luck to you! Glad you are getting a second opinion.
      • TTC #1 since August 2014
      • currently on 5th medicated IUI cycle
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  • TheLabyrinthTheLabyrinth member
    Yeah, the first time I did IUI they had a tech do it, then a more experienced tech, then my doc.  Talk about a horrible experience.  Something they told me would take 5-10 minutes took over an hour with some discomfort and a lot of stress.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

    Krbjoy: did you ever have to lay in a different position?  Did that help?  I have only done full bladder (super fun) in the typical slightly inverted, laying on the table position.  While a full bladder helped push my uterus down a bit, it didn't significantly help.
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