Keep trying? IUI? Stright to IVF?
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Anonymous
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My husband and I have conceived twice (once with our DS and once with a MC). With our DS we finally conceived after years of trying, when we used clomid and timed intercourse. With the MC we conceived with no assistance. We just ended our fifth unsuccessful cycle after the miscarriage, at first with no assistance, then using clomid and timed intercourse, then clomid plus trigger shot plus timed intercourse. We are trying to decide what to do next as it feels like we need to take it up a notch. We are older now and so trying for two more years seems like it's not a wise option. Does anyone have advice as to whether to keep doing clomid/trigger/timed intercourse for a few more months, trying IUI, or going straight to IVF? We are 33. I'm specifically interested to hear thoughts about trying IUI or going straight to IVF. My concern with IUI is that the issue doesn't appear to be the sperm getting to the egg (DH's workup was fine, my pathways are all clear). Will IUI really give us any more of a chance than timed intercourse has? If the RE thinks its my "bad eggs" that are the problem with conceiving and that caused the miscarriage (that's why she prescribed the clomid), isn't IVF going to be a better option? Thank you in advance for your advice.
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Anonymous
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When you did the Clomid, trigger, and timed intercourse, did your doctor do ultrasounds to check follicle growth?
I would think the benefit of IUI (over trying timed intercourse) is the monitoring before the IUI, and the fact that they really get the sperm where it needs to be. If I were you, I'd try IUI a few times before going to IVF. |
Anonymous
| Op here: They did monitor. I've had one or two mature follicles each of the three times I've triggered. |
Anonymous
| I would at least try the IUI. First, it is a lot less invasive than IVF. Second, it's a lot less stress on you (which is important). Third, it will allow the RE to monitor and evaluate how you respond to meds - not just a she got pregnant do such and such - actually doing blood tests to see you levels of estrogen/progesterone, etc. And lastly, it's a lot less expensive. Try a cycle and see how you respond. |
Anonymous
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I'm not sure that the success rates for IUI are that much better than TI, but in your shoes, I'd probably still try a couple IUIs before moving to IVF (especially if you have insurance coverage). Might be worth asking your RE about moving Clomid to injectables as well.
Honestly, I think the right answer to this IUI vs IVF dilemma is different for different people and the problem is, as my RE recently told me, you don't always know which category you fall into until you've tried. Unless your diagnosis is such that it necessitates IVF, I think it's worth trying a few rounds of IUI for most people, in the hopes that you'll be one of the lucky ones. FWIW I'm in a similar situation: I've done two Clomid IUIs where everything was textbook perfect and still no success. I'm guessing IVF is in the cards for me, but since there is no good reason for IUI not to work, it's hard to know when to take the next step. |
Anonymous
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It took me over a year to get pregnant and when I did, it was due to my first IUI. My experience is that it's definitely worth a shot.
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Anonymous
PP here, we had also tried Clomid and timed intercourse with no luck. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for the advice everyone. 13:18 I wish you the best of luck with whatever your next step is. |
Anonymous
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I am 33 and on my 4th IUI. I have one DS who is almost 4 and have been trying for number 2 for over 1.5 years. Here are my cycles.
1st - Clomid/IUI 2nd - Clomid/one injectable/IUI 3rd - All Injectible/IUI 4th - All injectables/IUI None of these have resulted in a pregnancy. The injectables are proving to be my best cycles. I am producing 2-3 mature follies each month. Maybe you could ask to do a few IUI's using injectables. We have 3 more IUI's before considering IVF. |