Thinking of trying IUI after 6x unsuccessful IVF

[justjuice]

Just wondering if anyone has done IVF first, and then gone to IUI and experienced success? After 6xIVF failure, all after embryo transfer, I'm starting to wonder whether IUI might be better? It's just a thought, as it seems to me that the embryos just aren't sticking and if the embryo is formed in vivo it might stick better. Just a layman's theory, but interested to hear your opinion.

Oh, and our infertility is "idiopathic".

Thanks.

[onthefly]

Hi justjuice,
Sorry to hear you've had so many failed cycles
I'm not sure about the IUI question, but just wondering if you'd had any extra testing for failure to implant?
All the best

[justjuice]

Have had karyotype - both for me and DH. But nothing else. What other tests do they do for failure to implant?

[onthefly]

You know I'm sure there's a thread somewhere with info on tests for failure to implant, but I can't find it....

[Lily Dust]

justjuice Im so sorry that you havent been one of the very lucky ones with the IVF cycles It is sooo frustrating being told you have 'unexplained' infertility I havent done IUI after IVF but wanted to tell you we tried IUI then IVF with a total of 11 cycles, no baby, then our naturally conceived bubba came along. So I think your 'theory' may have a bit of possibility behind it, we couldnt get those perfect blastocysts to stick IMO if thats the path you want to try then why not give it a go, especially if you dont try it, will you always wonder 'what if'.

[justjuice]

Thanks all. I think I will ask my FS if I can do IUI, and also ask about failure to implant tests. Lily Dust, that it is amazing that you had a naturally conceived baby after all that IVF. You must've been ecstatic.

[justjuice]

Just an update...have been in an IUI cycle now and had my transfer a week ago. Having my test next week. I also talked to my FS and she assured me that all the implantation tests had been done. She also said I'd only be allowed to do one IUI cycle because the chance of success is so much lower than IVF. If I'm to go back to IVF the next step will be to introduce Clexane and steroids. Not looking forward to that, so I better have a BFP next week!

[Lily Dust]

Sending you truck loads of for your BFP

[melbel]

Sorry just came across this thread..We did IVF/PGD with no success and then tried IUI purely as we were trying to sav up for more PGD.....or little miracle boy is he reult...IUI succeeded for us where the most high tech of the IVf procedures had failed so yes it can work.

You fertility specialist is wrong however, there are further tests for failure to implant...immunology tests. We flew to Sydney from melbourne to see an immunology FS who is at the forefront of this research and I was diagnosed with high levels of NK cells that were attacking my embryos. Armed with this knowledge and a strict regime of steroids, clexane and asprin that he prescribed for us we had success with IUI....so I believe the it was the IUI combined with the other drugs that worked for us....second IUI cycle with this protocol we conceived Connor......

we will again be using IUI with this protocol to attempt a number two bubba sometime next year with our melbourn FS's blessing.

[sunshine 11]

Hi there,
I can't help with the IUI question, however I would definitely suggest you get a second opinion to get a set of fresh eyes after six transfers with no success. You can still stay with your current FS, it's just about seeing if there is anything they are missing. There are a lot of tests that can be done, including immunology as others have mentioned. I got a second opinion after our 5th failed perfect blastie transfer and found out I was perfect (loved telling DH that!) but it also made me realise that my old FS wasn't as thorough as I thought as the new FS asked me questions and did testing that was never mentioned before. No harm is done if they don't find anything, but at least you don't waste anymore money and stress to find out there was potentially a reason things didn't work.

Best of luck to you, your bubba is just waiting for the right time to arrive

[justjuice]

Thanks everyone for your advice. AF came yesterday with a vengeance, so need to add another failure to my record. I think getting a second opinion is probably a good idea.

[onthefly]

Sorry to hear that justjuice
I hope sometimes comes of the second opinion

[Bengal]

Just

Sorry to read about your bfn, I can totally relate to af arriving with a vengence

I completed 5 full stim cycle's then went on to IUI's in an attempt to save money and to keep myself busy whilst saving for another full stim cycle. I would have kept up with it, except I kept getting leading follicals on the ovary where I have no tube.

I am all for getting a second opinion, a change of clinic, actually the lab, made all the differnce for us. No baby, however our issues are my ama. I did get much better quality embryo's though, in a better lab.

I have heaps of info that I believe made all the diffence in our best cycle, you welcome to it, if you need any more info

Hope your feeling okay :-)

[justjuice]

Thanks, Bengal. Feeling not too bad at the moment, although it usually hits me when I get a call from the nurse after the test: "Unfortunately..." I'm having my test on Friday.

Thanks for the offer for all your info - I'll take anything at the moment so that would be appreciated, thank you! How do we exchange the info on this forum? I'm a bit new, as you can see from the number of my posts.

[incomplete]

We did 3 ICSI cycles and 1 FET with one clinic (2 embryos transferred in the 4th cycle) with no success. Took a long break due to needing it and then financial situation. Went to another clinic got a 2nd opinion based on our ICSI results. Outlook wasn't good according to the FS. a year later fell pregnant naturally but miscarried. Went to 3rd IVF clinic, had tests redone, got put on thyroid meds, FS said perhaps I was overstimulated with the ICSI cycles resulting in less than good eggs and embryos. So we decided to start off with IUI with this clinic. After a long break, we did IUI to ease our way back into fertility treatment. I knew the odds were low, but I felt handling an IUI disappointment would be easier than than an IVF/ICSI. But fortunately we got pregnant on our first attempt. I'm now 22 weeks pregnant and so far so good. I don't know whether it was the thryoid meds, less medical intervention by doing an IUI (close to natural conception you can get I suppose) or just maybe it's our time. Unfortunately with this treatment, you just don't know what's going to work.