IUI - anyone had IUI success after failed IVF / ICSI?

[Cuppa]

Probably a strange question, but we’ve had a fresh & frozen IVF / ICSI both fail, it was self funded as we already have a little girl - long story, cut short - my husband was diagnosed with blood cancer when our daughter was 3 and due to his medication we are strongly advised not to conceive naturally. She is now 6 and I’ve wanted to try for a number of years, but my husband getting back on track was our priority.

Now the budget has been blown on ICSI, so I’m wondering if it’s worth considering IUI - I understand normally couples would try this first but just considering options! Ive just turned 40, so I had given up hope of having anymore (after an ectopic, a chemical & both fresh & frozen failing)......but that desire just will not go away!

Any advice / positive stories / suggestions will all be appreciated.

[Ash2016]

Hi lovely, we are doing first IUI now after three failed fresh IUI. We’re hoping the less invasive method will be kinder to my eggs. Will let you know how we go x

[Cuppa in reply to Ash2016]

Thank you for your reply and I’d be interested to hear how you get on. Is your IUI medicated or with a natural cycle? Whichever it is I wish you all the luck in the world - it’s such a hard & emotional rollercoaster to be on x

[Ash2016 in reply to Cuppa]

Thanks lovely. It’s a medicated cycle with bemfola and trigger shot. I’ve had stressful day at work and just demolished an Easter egg so not the best prep 🤫

[Cuppa in reply to Ash2016]

So how does that work? Eggs stimulated & matured like ivf but instead of the eggs being collected they add the sperm (IUI)? Do they monitor you to make sure you don’t produce too many eggs or is that not an issue?

[Ash2016 in reply to Cuppa]

So it’s a low dose of stims - 75 of bemfola. They are only trying to get one or two eggs, bit like when you do a clomid cycle so over stimming not really an issue. I think if you do produce too many then there’s good chance that cycle gets cancelled. I was scanned day 4, 8 and 11. Will be scanned again on day 13 and then should be told at that point when to trigger, provided not ovulated already. On day of IUI will be bit like ivf. Husband will give sperm sample which is then prepared in lab and will be injected into my uterus with catheter. So no egg collection/fertilisation. Because of timing chances are less than ivf but discussed with dr and we thought worth a shot because of my egg quality. My best round of ivf was on lowest dose of meds but still crappy embryos at day 3 x

[Cuppa in reply to Ash2016]

Yes, that all makes sense - thank you & keep me posted. 🤞🏻 For you x