https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 12:40:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english/page/2#post-1574465 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 08:28:50 +0000 mopeybuthopey 1574465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindsayinny -- thanks for explaining! I am in the same boat as you. AF showed up last night, so onto IUI this month. I have slightly elevated DHEAS and testosterone levels, so I am mild lean PCOS and mild endometriosis. Even with those things, I am guessing I still fall into the unexplained category. I'm definitely going to check out the creating a family website! Thanks so much for your recommendation and your optimism. You are right -- something is going to work for us, and when we finally get there, it is going to be worth this long wait. xoxo </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english/page/2#post-1574363 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 07:59:00 +0000 LindsayInNY 1574363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mopeybuthopey: I just realized I never replied :( The way the RE explained it to me - every couple has a 20-25% chance to get pregnant each month. After one year, it drops to like 4% or something crazy. So he said medicated IUI would get be back to that 20-25% chance. I don't know how much I buy that though since they haven't found anything "wrong" with either of us. I was googling stuff and came across the term "superovulation" - google it. It basically talks about why medication might be used with IUI for someone like us (no medical problems, knows their Oing, etc.). The medicated part is meant to give us a super cycle - amplifying what our body does naturally already. So better eggs, lining, etc. At least that's my understand of it. :) I was listening to this podcast from Creating A Family (they have a website and you can subscribe via iTunes for free too) all about artificial insemination and IUI. When do you have your IUI? Is it your first? Something WILL work for us!!! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english/page/2#post-1551330 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:15:35 +0000 mopeybuthopey 1551330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindsayinny what did he say your odds are? I'm afraid to ask-- my hubby and I are having the same thing with us. Unexplained trying IUI this cycle but I'm not sure it going to work. Seems like IUI is a good solution for ladies who aren't ovulating consistently and couples that have sperm issues to overcome. For us in the unexplained category I'm afraid I'm on a collision course with ivf. Just really hope something will work for us. I don't know what I'm going to do if I can't get pregnant :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english/page/2#post-1548404 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 17:35:11 +0000 MeginAnCo 1548404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FaithFertility: Best of luck with your next IUI! I'm sure it is motivating to know that you're working on resolving something that could make a difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english/page/2#post-1548175 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 14:24:51 +0000 FaithFertility 1548175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MeginAnCo: If all looks good, timing, follicles, linning, and progestrone....I say 2-3 Times but that is me....after that I'd look into what can be fixed or more tests </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1548166 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 14:11:48 +0000 FaithFertility 1548166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MeginAnCo: I'm no doctor but I feel likw one...lol but I can twll you my history:<br /> First IUI we got 2 follicles, linning was good, I was on progrstrone roo and we did get PG, but ended in a c/p</p> <p>IUI #2 we did same thing had 1 follicle, good lining and again progestrone we got PG again, but again had another c/p</p> <p>IUI#3 we tried again same routine but that was unsuccessful </p> <p>Then, we decided to look into reasosns why we had 2 c/p </p> <p>The test showed a few things that could most likely havw caused them, after getting that under control we will be doing IUI again since that did get me pregnany twice, and hoping we found out how to keep it :)) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1547495 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 23:06:50 +0000 LalaYes 1547495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good luck with everything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1547394 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 21:53:11 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1547394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: I didn't read everything but I always o'd on my own and with Clomid it was on day 14 exactly (instead of 18-20). So the timing sounds perfect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1547348 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 20:31:07 +0000 MeginAnCo 1547348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FaithFertility: @EmilyE: I had a similar question as well. When should I be asking my doctor about changing protocols (dosage or type of med) for IUI cycles? Is it normal to keep everything the same for a few? Especially with insurance limits on the number of IUIs covered, it seems strange to just keep trying the same exact thing each time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544432 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 19:55:55 +0000 spaniellove 1544432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Seconding what @ShootingStar: said. My RE is adamant that unless there are issues with the SA or a postcoital test shows that sperm is not able to get through your cervix (which is doubtful since you've been pregnant, despite the chemical), IUI is unlikely to do anything TI + monitoring + meds can't do. It's the meds that are doing the work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544385 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 19:40:04 +0000 FaithFertility 1544385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@EmilyE: Most say 3-4, but depending on circumstances it can differ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544380 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 19:38:15 +0000 FaithFertility 1544380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: we did a few small tests at RE thyroid and stuff but so our insurance would cover it we did the bulk at a local Diagnostic center.......14 viels later :/ passed out. ...lol but hey it was only $40 and we got some answers!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544356 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 19:32:43 +0000 PurplePumps 1544356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FaithFertility: oh wow, I guess I will ask about genetic testing at my next visit. Is it expensive? Covered by insurance? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544333 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 19:27:03 +0000 EmilyE 1544333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This was a lot of great info! We are doing our first IUI this cycle (whenever it finally gets started) with the same protocol as you, and we're unexplained too. I agree it was totally confusing and overwhelmingly when our RE went over it too. </p> <p>My biggest question is how many cycles of IUI are really worth it since it only increases chances by such a small percentage. Hopefully, the first will be lucky for the both of us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544266 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 19:09:14 +0000 FaithFertility 1544266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: RPL is rapid pregnancy lose, I know that is not up your alley, but a lot of those test bring answers, we just did it after b/b chemicals and a failed IUI and a bacteria that causes m/c I tested positive for (urea plasama) easy as taking strong antibiotics to fix. I too have no fertility issues in my family, my mom is the baby of 8 and I am 1 of 4, but I did come up for a MTHFR gene mutation which could be another as to why we are not PG yet......at this point I wanted all the Info I could get! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544255 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 19:03:27 +0000 PurplePumps 1544255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FaithFertility: I don't know what RPL is... so I'm going to go with no on that one haha. What is that? I have not done any genetic testing. I think based on family history or just about everyone in my grandmother and ups generation being like 9+ kids, and my own immediate family with no reproductive issues it may not have been suggested? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544222 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 18:51:22 +0000 FaithFertility 1544222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: have you done RPL or genetic testing??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544099 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 18:08:57 +0000 PurplePumps 1544099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShayNanigans: We're unexplained too, but *something* has to be wrong! What other testing or info did you get that lead to an answer to what was going on? What issues surfaced? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1544026 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 17:40:51 +0000 ShayNanigans 1544026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did 4 IUI cycles with Clomid....</p> <p>I would take Clomid starting either cycle day 3, 4 or 5, depending on my work schedule and when I would be in town. Would take Clomid for five days.</p> <p>Three days after my last dose, I would go in to my doctor's office for an ultrasound, so that they could see how my body was responding.... how many follicles, and how large they are. Most women ovulate 5-10 days after their last dose. The ultrasound also protects you, in case your body super responds to the Clomid. You don't want to have a bajillion follicles because...... you would probably get pregnant, but with a whole lot of babies... Eeee! So the ultrasound protects you from that.</p> <p>Sometimes your body is ready after the first ultrasound, but other times you many have to go back for repeat ultrasounds to keep an eye on follicles, until they are ready.</p> <p>Once your doctor sees that your body is ready to ovulate, and if there is an appropriate number of follicles, that's when they'll tell you exactly what time to do Ovidrel, an easy peasy shot that will exactly time ovulation, so that they can schedule the IUI procedure/s effectively. Your doctor will also tell you when they want you to abstain (or not) in terms of intercourse during the week leading up to your IUI. (Many doctors have different instructions in this regard.)</p> <p>Some women do not respond well to Clomid, and in that case, they may try IUI cycles with injectible stimulation meds like Follistim. For me, I always responded great to Clomid, so I never got to the injectibles+IUI phase.</p> <p>In the end, we had to go with IVF. We also started out with unexplained fertility, but as we gathered more information, my exact issues became clear, and IVF was the way to go for us!</p> <p>GL!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1543704 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 16:10:13 +0000 LovelyPlum 1543704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: no advice to add, but I wanted to say good luck! I'm glad that you've got a plan moving forward :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1543577 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:27:23 +0000 Modern Daisy 1543577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I did a round of clomid with IUI bit no other meds so I can't comment on them. The point of the ultrasound is to examine your follicles and uterine lining to see if they are reacting to the clomid. They do the ultrasound this early so they can increase your dosage if the response is poor.</p> <p>My ultrasounds and iui were also both in the morning, they opened at 7am and you got a buzzer (like at tgi fridays) as you arrived. Sometimes the wait would be short, other times it would be over an hour. Since it was close to work I was usually on time, but I'd just shoot my boss an email saying I was running late if the wait was getting long.</p> <p>The actual iui is exactly like a pap smear. They lay you down, open you up and insert a tube to "turkey baste" (thats a medical term lol). As long as they have no issues locating the spot the need to leave the sperm, it lasts no longer than a pap smear. They then recommend you lie on your back for 20 mins afterwards to help let the sperm swim up. Oh and I left out you dh's part, before any of this happens to you, he goes into a room with dirty mags and deposits his sample into a cup. The dr then washes it (dont know how this is done but its fast). The entire iui process from start to finish took us about 1.5 hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1543562 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:21:58 +0000 Sprite 1543562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: It sounds like you got lots of good advice already, but I just wanted to chime in and wish you lots of good luck! My RE was also of the opinion that if you're doing meds, you might as well go for the IUI to up your chances. Especially with undiagnosed IF, it can't hurt to bypass the cervix. Worked for us anyway (although I still think it was mostly the right meds that did it). And we were always done with appointments by 9:30am, and could have been earlier if I wanted, so easy to plan around work schedules. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1543522 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:15:28 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 1543522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: Very good to know! I'll be doing my first next cycle. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1543499 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:11:22 +0000 KT326 1543499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CatchAFallingStar: yes, on our second one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1543407 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:50:58 +0000 ShootingStar 1543407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got pregnant with medicated TI :). IUI only marginally increases your chances of conceiving unless you have male factor issues. If you're not thrilled with the thought of IUI, just tell them you want to start with TI for a couple cycles. It may be that the meds + monitoring + perfect timing could be all you need. Of course, if there is some sort of not yet identified male issues or mechanics issue, IUI could help with that.</p> <p>Oh, and I totally recommend Letrozole over Clomid. Less side effects, less issues with lining thinning, and more effective in my case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1543347 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:34:53 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 1543347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: Did you get pregnant on an injectable IUI cycle? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1543142 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 13:49:00 +0000 deactivated_account 1543142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: It sounds like you had a nice appointment with your RE. I'm so excited for whatever you plan to do next. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1542817 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:41:34 +0000 Madison43 1542817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: my clinic had monitoring hours between 7 - 9 am and any procedures (IUI , HSG, IVF things) later in the day. My advice is to get there as soon as the clinic opens - as long as I did that, I was never late for work and had enough time to get to court (assuming court was in Manhattan, which is where my doctor was). Lots of people show up for monitoring right before 9 am, so it took a lot longer if I got there later. For all other appointments, I just stepped out and came back to the office afterwards. The IUI itself only takes a few mins - if your office is close to the clinic, there's really no need to take a whole or half day off. </p> <p>I think all the pps answered your other questions, but the trigger shot just allows the doctor to time the IUI perfectly - they know the shot will make you O within X hours of taking it, so they schedule the IUI around that time. My nurse told me to have sex as often as I wanted after the IUI, but to abstain for 24 hrs beforehand so DH could give them the strongest sample. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1542665 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:01:34 +0000 spaniellove 1542665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>About the trigger shot, it does a few things. It helps time the release of the egg perfectly from the day they see it at a certain measurement (because they know how many hours it will release after you inject it), and also it does something to help mature the egg. It's possible to ovulate but release an egg that is at the wrong stage of maturation, so the chemicals in Ovidrel work on that process. I actually used it in my last TI cycle to make sure the egg was just right because they thought it would help prevent a chemical. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/next-steps-with-iui-in-plain-english#post-1542586 Thu, 03 Apr 2014 11:43:30 +0000 justdarling 1542586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also O'd on my own, but still had to do a trigger shot. The reason for this was so that my doctor could control the timing of everything and make sure to do the IUI at the optimal time. </p> <p>I am also a lawyer (but am transactional) and I didn't tell work about this. I was able to do the monitoring appointments either first thing in the morning or last appointment in the afternoon. For the IUI itself, my DH would go do his thing in the morning and then I would go in for the IUI around noon. I would then work from home for the afternoon. I got lucky and 2 of my IUIs were on the weekend. </p>