thread: IUI or straight to IVF? - Has anyone had successful IUI?

  1. #1
    Cassie2928 Guest

    Red face IUI or straight to IVF? - Has anyone had successful IUI?

    Hi Everyone!
    Hope ur all well

    Thanks for reading my post!

    I have been recommended to try IUI a few times before going onto IVF.

    Just wondering if anyone has had IUI before and if they have had any success?

    Also any info about it, such as does it hurt etc?

    Thanks so much
    Cassie

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    Sydney
    1,365

    Hi Cassie and to BB

    Unfortunately I don't have any success stories for you however I want to wish you all the best in your TTC journey.
    I myself went for x2 rounds of injectable/IUI before IVF mainly as it was not as invasive as IVF but also due to cost.
    The best suggestion I would have is to speak to your FS first and see what his/her recommendations are.
    Education is power so never be afraid to ask questions.

    All in all I think IUI prepares you for IVF if that is the way you eventually head down.

    All the best and there are lots and lots of courage's and helpful women on this site to answer all the questions you may have.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    In my own private paradise
    15,272

    there are a number of little IUI miradcles running around BB - it can and does work!! the success rates aren't as high as full IVF, but it's also a lot cheaper and a lot less invasive - and a great "stepping" stone to IVF.

    i've done both IUI and IVF - have PCOS and don't ovulate on my own. have had four IUI's, two pregnancies (which unfortunately we've lost very early, probably due to PCOS hormone issues) - also three IVF transfers, one angel baby from that as well.

    if you ovulate, no tubal issues, DP's sperm count is ok, then i'd suggest IUI won't make a lot of difference for you. but i also know that the specialists are reluctant to suggest IUI if they don't think there is a chance of success. iui is also a good indicator of how your body will respond to the meds...

    cycle wise - if you have to have injections, there is minimal discomfort as they stimulate your ovaries. the needles are very fine, and barely noticable. when it comes time to trigger ovulation, the needle is a little bigger, and more fluid injected so it can be a bit uncomfy for a while at injection site. the actual IUI process isn't much more uncomfortable than a pap smear.

    the meds do have some side effects, but it really does vary person to person, and even cycle to cycle... maybe a bit of nausea, bloating etc

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Aug 2007
    Perth
    425

    Hi Cassie
    Like BG i have had both and actually got a BFP with Iui but ended up with an ectopic (just unlucky) but my SIL has a beautiful baby boy from her 2nd IUI cycle. Like BG it is worth a go and a great break into IVF if you end up needing it. I found the IVF process so much easier after IUI as you are already half way there. At the end of the day you just never know and to go straight into full IVF cycle i think would be difficult if youre not already use to all the other stuff.
    IUI doesnt really "hurt" as such you can go on clomid where you dont have to have the neddles every day and it was on clomid that i fell pregnant, but the mood swings were awful, but thats just personal experience. If you go on pregnyl you have the jabs everyday, but it is such a small needle and not really a drama, it hink the worse part is the emotional side and also the weariness from running to the clinic all the time. But again REALLY good prep for IVF. I was very blessed and got my bfp on my first round of IVF, but then again the BFP i got that was ectopic was on my first round of IUI. Good luck whatever you choose and really hope you get your BFP soon

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jun 2008
    Perth
    242

    Hi Cassie

    I hope I'm an IUI success story - I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant and everything seems to be going well

    I did three rounds of ovulation induction with puregon and IUI (having done one OI with timed intercourse previously), and fell pregnant on the third IUI cycle.

    Although to be honest, I think it was the ovulation induction part of it that got me pg, not the IUI per se, although I guess that probably helped. I seem to have a bit of a weak ovulation and the injections on my third cycle gave me a really good ovulation - I O'd on day 13 instead of 21 or so.

    Who has recommended the IUI to you? Would you also be combining it with ovulation induction?

    If it's something that your FS is recommending, then it would be worth giving it a shot. If your FS doesn't think it has a chance of working, then they won't recommend it for you.

    Wishing you all the best.

    Devon
    xxxx

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Aug 2005
    werribee,victoria
    371

    Just wanted to let you know that i'm an iui success story. I went onto stim drugs and we did timed intercourse for four months then went to iui. I fell with my second cycle and i'm 24 weeks. Yipee. Wishing you all the luck in the world.

    Pauline
    Last edited by pollyanna; August 25th, 2008 at 10:42 PM.

  7. #7
    Cassie2928 Guest

    Congrats Devon and Pollyanna....
    How many tries of IUI did it take you?
    Cassie

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    In my own private paradise
    15,272

    Cassie - IUI number 7 (with IVF in between) has become a nice sticky BFP for us! we were disadvantaged due to location so couldn't do IVF when we wanted to all the time, and given it was easier to do IUI locally, and i refused to rest on my laurels, we continued with IUI

    our first two IUI were cancelled for lack of response, and 3 of the other five have been BFP's - the other two were unfortunately chemical pregnancies, but this one is a keeper - and we got to see a heartbeat for the first time this morning! woo hoo!

  9. #9
    Cassie2928 Guest

    CONGRATULATIONS!!! Thats Excellent News for you!!!
    Cassie

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jan 2007
    Regional Victoria
    2,157

    Hi Cassie,
    I have a slightly different story to the girls here in that I have no apparent barriers to conceiving, it just hasn't happened yet!!
    My first IUI was cancelled because I overstimulated to the 50mg clomid and had too many follies for it to proceed. Second round was 25mg of clomid and I still burst into tears day 2 of tablets and almost didn't make it to insemination but the 3rd risky follie stayed small for me. I found it only briefly uncomfy and otherwise pretty straight forward. That was also a stim cycle so had a trigger shot for ovulation, which thanks to the girls on BB was darned easy to get through, they held my hand cyberly through the whole thing.
    Third round no clomid and all went ahead but no success then either.
    I have taken a fairly long break from the process as all the timing and appts and schedules and temping all got the better of me and I stressed myself out

    Its so difficult to know whats right, and my FS gave me the choice to try it or not, as there's no real reason for it not to work. DH and I will probably try it again next year as we are not so keen on IVF due to my responses to meds. But we also wouldn't have known any of that if we hadn't tried it. At least now we have a little idea of whats involved in the full IVF process.
    HTHs and may whatever you choose be right for you.