Anyone successfully conceive with IUI? How many times did you have to do it?

[Anonymous]

I'm seeing an RE on Monday for the first time and have heard that IUI is usually the first step, unless a particular problem is diagnosed that requires IVF. It seems like the success rates for IUI aren't any better than the ones you'd have if you were trying without intervention. Has anyone had a successful pregnancy as the result of 2 or 2 IUIs?

[Anonymous]

Sorry, OP here. I meant 1 or 2 IUIs. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I did two IUIs with 2-3 eggs each time (I was on Gonal-F) and no success. If you are under 35, I would give 3-4 IUIs a shot.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I'm 35 with no known fertility issues so far. Every test I've had (Day 3 FSH, Progesterone, HSG, and Pelvic Sonograms) has been fine. *sigh*

[Anonymous]

Is your husband's sperm test normal? There are other things that can interfere with a conception process that many doctors don't even think about, like a possibility of hidden infection in you and/or your husband. There is no such a thing as 'unexplained infertility'. Read a book "Making Babies" by Sami David. It might provide some good clues and give some good suggestions re: diet, lifestyle, supplements that are useful while TTC. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the replies! So far my husband's sperm has checked out as okay, but has only been evaluated once almost a year ago! Why is the focus always on the woman? I'm sure the RE will want to test again, hopefully.

I have a copy of that book and agree that it has some useful/interesting info in it. I've been seeing Kerri Westhauser for acupuncture and herbs for a few months now, so I'm hoping that will help too. It's hard to keep up the faith though...

[Anonymous]

After 11 months of trying, we concieved with IUI #1. Little boy on the way in 9 weeks. "Unexplained" IF for us.

[Anonymous]

"Unexplained" IF diagnosis at age 34; DH 43. And while, yes, there were some things that they didn't test for, the treatment for those things would have likely led to IUI anyway. Had two IUI cycles and nothing. First IUI cycle theoretically should have worked but didn't. Second IUI cycle had iffy odds based on sperm count and # of follicles. My RE tweaked the protocol a bit and we got pregnant on cycle #3. I was 35 when I got pregnant and 36 when DD was born.

After a couple of years, we went back to the RE to see about having another child. I'm now 38, DH is 47. Got pregnant on our first IUI cycle but no heartbeat developed, resulting in a miscarriage. We plan to try again.

Most people with unexplained IF will eventually get pregnant on their own, although statistically their chances of conceiving on any given cycle are much lower than "normal." So even though IUI just brings you up to "normal," it can be a big jump in increasing your odds.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I really appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Most people with unexplained IF will eventually get pregnant on their own, although statistically their chances of conceiving on any given cycle are much lower than "normal." So even though IUI just brings you up to "normal," it can be a big jump in increasing your odds.

This is a really good point

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Most people with unexplained IF will eventually get pregnant on their own, although statistically their chances of conceiving on any given cycle are much lower than "normal." So even though IUI just brings you up to "normal," it can be a big jump in increasing your odds.

This is a really good point

Ditto, and I would also note that your response depends a lot on how long it takes for your RE to find the appropriate dose of medications to maximize your odds (if the meds work at all for you). I would think you would have much better odds on fewer rounds if you respond really well to medication #1 and produce 2-3 follies and have "strong" ovulation every round than if you spend a few rounds getting all of the straightened out (like I am right now, womp womp).