IUI with 4 follicles - what do you think?

[Anonymous]

I have my first IUI tomorrow. I was on Clomid and I have 4 mature follicles (21, 16.5, 15, 14.1 - I know the 14 is smallish, but they told me they consider all of them potentially mature by the time of the IUI). I also had a couple in the 12-13mm range but they told me those are too small and not to worry about them.

I triggered last night and also started Estrace last night b/c my lining is thin at 6.2mm.

Now my DH is terrified we'll end up with twins. I'm terrified it's not going to work at all - either b/c my eggs are bad or my lining cannot support implantation.

As background, we have children already, conceived quickly in the past, but now are in our 11th month of TTC with no success other than a chemical pg in August. My most recent pg was conceived at age 33/delivered at 34. Now I'm 39 and unfortunately, so are my eggs. We have no other issues & Dh's swimmers are in great shape. This is my 2nd cycle on Clomid. First was cancelled b/c I overstimmed. Took a month off, and then reduced the Clomid dosage this time. I ovulate on my own, and I respond well to stimulation, but maybe my eggs are just too old? I have not been dx'd with DOR and my FSH is only 6 and other hormones are good too.

I'm vacillating between "this really SHOULD work, right?" and "how is this POSSIBLY going to work?"

I've looked at the stats for my age & protocol and I know that the chances of success on any given IUI cycle are not high, especially if the issue is egg quality.

Just trying to stay positive for tomorrow's procedure and looking for any encouragement or good stories you'd can share!

[Anonymous]

Although twins are always a possibility when you have multiple follicles, I think you'll be ok. Most REs think the follicles need to be larger on Clomid, so really only the 21 is TRULY mature. If you absolutely don't want multiples, then you shouldn't be taking any fertility drugs that give you extra follicles. Maybe natural cycle IVF would be a better plan for you?

[Anonymous]

I've been thinking about this. I think I may agree with PP that you'l likely only have the 21 mature, and be headed towards a singleton if all goes well. And given that you recently had a chemical, and your other numbers are good, you have a decent shot. But it is hard to say what the numbers are. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

Does anyone know if they will be able to tell me at the IUI how many follicles came off?

I'm wondering if the trigger will release all of them or maybe just the 21, since I do have a size disparity between the lead follicle and the other 3. Will they check on the ultrasound to see how many I ovulated?

[Anonymous]

My RE says you can't always tell via ultrasound. You can ask for them to measure your progesterone 7dpo and that will give you some sense (if you're not on PIO).

[Anonymous]

The trigger releases all, even the immature ones - they just won't be mature enough to fertilize. At SG, they don't do an ultrasound on the day of the IUI, so I never really knew what was happening. I don't know if other clinics work differently.

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

It's this afternoon and I'm a little nervous! (not about the procedure itself, but just in general)

[Anonymous]

Just go for it! This fertility stuff...its all a risk whether you have 1 or 4 eggs. I think you will be ok. And if multiples are not what you desire, then stop doing IUIs! Most multiples come from IUIs...move on to NCIVF or single transfer medicated IVF. IUIs are a little like Russian roulette, you never really know what you are going to get. At least with IVF, you have a little more control.

[Anonymous]

Well, I had the IUI this afternoon.

The procedure was fine, DHs sample was great quality, so I just have to hope for a decent egg (but not too many).

We started with IUI b/c it seemed less invasive than IVF. I didn't think I could handle all the injections for IVF, and the retrieval and transfer is definitely a bigger deal than insemination. And I am at SG and they don't offer natural cycle IVF. But if this IUI doesn't work, we will have to reevaluate whether to continue with more IUIs, move on to IVF, or stop trying altogether.

Thanks again!