Tell me about IUIs?

[Anonymous]

I’m experiencing secondary infertility in my late 30s and all our testing has come back normal. Not interested in IVF. Would like a second kid, but would be okay with our one. I’m wondering if anyone could describe what’s involved in IUI and how you felt about the process. I know the odds are not particularly good, so I’m wondering if it’s worth going through if it’s a lot of hormones and doctor’s visits, etc. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant with my son after my first and only IUI. I’d had several miscarriages previously so my RE had me take clomid first and then the IUI before ovulation. A shot to induce ovulation and progesterone after until 12 weeks. It was very easy and didn’t involve too much work. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I haven't had IUI, but I have had two FETs that gave me two babies. They also gave me two C sections after my first naturally conceived baby was born vaginally (failed induction followed by ishmocele/planned repeat C). The placenta degrades faster with IVF and they want the baby out earlier, usually not past the due date.

[Anonymous]

I’ve had five IUIs (two kids; donor sperm due to male factor inferility). I found the ones where I had minimal monitoring and no trigger shot (timed the IUI off OPKs) to be the least stressful. Those were also the two I conceived, though, so obviously I’m biased. In general IUIs are pretty mild — possibly medicated (eg with clomid) but nothing like prepping for IVF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got pregnant with my son after my first and only IUI. I’d had several miscarriages previously so my RE had me take clomid first and then the IUI before ovulation. A shot to induce ovulation and progesterone after until 12 weeks. It was very easy and didn’t involve too much work. Good luck.

My experience was simiar to this. I got pregnant on my second IUI (but miscarried early) and again on my third IUI (twins - beware of that risk with IUI).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got pregnant with my son after my first and only IUI. I’d had several miscarriages previously so my RE had me take clomid first and then the IUI before ovulation. A shot to induce ovulation and progesterone after until 12 weeks. It was very easy and didn’t involve too much work. Good luck.

My experience was simiar to this. I got pregnant on my second IUI (but miscarried early) and again on my third IUI (twins - beware of that risk with IUI).

NP - thanks, I was not aware of that.

As far as what actually happens in a standard IUI can you describe it a little more? How much leave time from work does it take? What about medications if it’s my husband and not using an anonymous donor?

[Anonymous]

I had secondary infertility while trying for #2 (miscarriage after getting pregnant naturally) and did 1 IUI and got pregnant. Did the meds but also did progesterone which I think helped a lot. Also, as a PP said, multiples can happen! I had three good eggs in there before my IUI! (Only a singleton, but still!)

[Anonymous]

I had 4 failed medicated IUIs and moved on to IVF. I thought it was a waste of time for me personally. I also have PCOS though.

[Anonymous]

I conceived my daughter through IUI, and am now trying to conceive my second via IVF.

IUI just requires monitoring appts to see how the follicle(s) are developing - once you ovulate/trigger (either naturally or with a trigger shot), you go in with your hub's sample and then they do all the whizzy work in the lab. actual procedure is simple and takes only a few seconds, they literally just insert a catheter in and squirt it up, lol. then nature takes over. so you'll just need time for quick doctor appts.

and yes, some people with IUI have multiples but it is def on the rarer side. if anything, most people don't have success with IUI ((my doc told me it was like an 11% chance with IUI for unexplained infertility).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got pregnant with my son after my first and only IUI. I’d had several miscarriages previously so my RE had me take clomid first and then the IUI before ovulation. A shot to induce ovulation and progesterone after until 12 weeks. It was very easy and didn’t involve too much work. Good luck.

My experience was simiar to this. I got pregnant on my second IUI (but miscarried early) and again on my third IUI (twins - beware of that risk with IUI).

NP - thanks, I was not aware of that.

As far as what actually happens in a standard IUI can you describe it a little more? How much leave time from work does it take? What about medications if it’s my husband and not using an anonymous donor?

I'm the PP you quoted. I guess I should clarify, risk of multiples is higher when you're doing medicated IUI (I was on Letrozole, some do Clomid, I was told Letrozole was lower risk for multiples). The meds stimulate egg production, and then they just shoot the sperm up there, so - these things can happen. REs try to prevent multiples and they monitor follicle growth via ultrasound and most wouldn't do an IUI if it looked like a risk of high order multiples, but it's an increased risk for sure. I didn't end up trying for a 3rd after my twins, but I always said I would not to IUI in that situation becuase I didn't want to risk #3 becoming #3 & 4.

There was minimal leave required - daily monitoring appointments when you're ovulating (so about 5? mornings per month, I did these before work) and then you come in for a super quick procedure where they do the IUI (less than a half an hour, all-in). You may have to give yourself a trigger shot the day before, but that was my only injection and it was just once/cycle. They'll either have your partner come in at a scheduled time to do his part, or you can also choose to freeze (we did this bc my DH was traveling a lot for work at the time).

[Anonymous]

My pregnancy success rate is 75% from 4 IUIs with no ovarian stimulation - just trigger shot (ovidrel, given subQ in belly fat), then progesterone suppositories starting a couple of days post IUI. I lost two of the pregnancies due to aneuploidy (both were at age 41). I would not recommend spending the money to do an IUI UNLESS your follicle count/progression and hormones are being monitored closely in the office by ultrasound and bloodwork, respectively. The process requires flexibility with work schedule because you don't know more than about 1-2 days in advance when your procedure will be. If you and partner go to office together, then plan to be tied up for at least half of a day, as sperm has to be there at least a few hours before your procedure.

[Anonymous]

Clomid, if prescribed to you, may have strong side effects (night sweats and dark thoughts).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clomid, if prescribed to you, may have strong side effects (night sweats and dark thoughts).

+1 to this.
I was on the lowest dose of clomid and had horrible headaches, night sweats, and issues with intrusive thoughts. I also ended up with 7 mature follicles, which resulted in a canceled IUI. Letrozole was a much better option for me. Many women find that Letrozole has fewer side effects than Clomid.
No matter which medication you choose, make sure that you are being closely monitored via ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got pregnant with my son after my first and only IUI. I’d had several miscarriages previously so my RE had me take clomid first and then the IUI before ovulation. A shot to induce ovulation and progesterone after until 12 weeks. It was very easy and didn’t involve too much work. Good luck.

My experience was simiar to this. I got pregnant on my second IUI (but miscarried early) and again on my third IUI (twins - beware of that risk with IUI).

NP - thanks, I was not aware of that.

As far as what actually happens in a standard IUI can you describe it a little more? How much leave time from work does it take? What about medications if it’s my husband and not using an anonymous donor?

I'm the PP you quoted. I guess I should clarify, risk of multiples is higher when you're doing medicated IUI (I was on Letrozole, some do Clomid, I was told Letrozole was lower risk for multiples). The meds stimulate egg production, and then they just shoot the sperm up there, so - these things can happen. REs try to prevent multiples and they monitor follicle growth via ultrasound and most wouldn't do an IUI if it looked like a risk of high order multiples, but it's an increased risk for sure. I didn't end up trying for a 3rd after my twins, but I always said I would not to IUI in that situation becuase I didn't want to risk #3 becoming #3 & 4.

There was minimal leave required - daily monitoring appointments when you're ovulating (so about 5? mornings per month, I did these before work) and then you come in for a super quick procedure where they do the IUI (less than a half an hour, all-in). You may have to give yourself a trigger shot the day before, but that was my only injection and it was just once/cycle. They'll either have your partner come in at a scheduled time to do his part, or you can also choose to freeze (we did this bc my DH was traveling a lot for work at the time).

Thanks! We are both short on leave time; the other issue is child care since we don’t have family in the area. The trigger shot is not a major issue (and of course worth it if it works).

I feel like scheduling might be the tricky part because - ideally - would prefer to avoid the freezing option. I know they will probably say it has no effect on fertility but would rather not risk it.

[Anonymous]

I did two IUIs, was successful and am now restarting for a 2nd kid. The appointments and missing work give me great anxiety because my boss is not the easiest with time off. I was at CFA and their monitoring begins at 7. If I was there before they opened to be the first one I could usually get out by 7:30 and make it to work on time. I usually just told my supervisor I was going for blood work and might be late. One IUI I took a half day, the other ended up being a Saturday. My husband went first thing in the morning and then I went later for the actual IUI. My biggest advice would be to use a clinic the provides an easy commute to your work and try to go for monitoring first thing. Other than lots of blood draws and ultrasounds in your vagina it’s not a bad procedure. Just takes a lot of trips.