IUI: Hello lovely ladies! My first post... - Fertility Network UK

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IUI

Faithforever profile image
11 Replies

Hello lovely ladies! My first post here. Our IVF treatment has failed in December. We are looking at our other options at this point in time. My Gynaecologist suggested to be in touch with one of the fertility clinics in regards to discussing the IUI option. Anyone had experience with this method?

Stay safe everyone! 💕

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Faithforever profile image
Faithforever
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Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2

Hi faithforever 👋🏼 i had 6 IUIs (3 medicated) before moving onto IVF what would you like to know and I can see if my experience can help? Xx

Faithforever profile image
Faithforever in reply toTwiglet2

Hi Twiglet2 ☺️ Thanks for the reply. As I said I had one failed IVF and cause of so many complications with my IVF process like from having severe side effects hyper stimulation and infections after the egg retrieval plus the financial aspect of it, we reviewed our options with my Gynaecologist and she recommended to consider the IUI option. I’m not 💯 sure but I think the reason clinic didn’t discuss IUI option like about 8-9 months ago was cause my husband had low sperm count and motility plus abnormal morphology which consider severe male infertility. Throughout the past 5 months he has modified his lifestyle like diet and taking supplements regularly plus quit smoking. And we got a new result yesterday and we are going to re evaluate our options with 2 different clinics now. Just before hand wanted to get some feedbacks from ladies in here about the process how intense it could be and success rate ? I know it’s not as costly as IVF but some information from self experience or others. Thanks Xx

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2 in reply toFaithforever

Fab I will let you know my experience in case it helps you make your decision 🤗 It depends if it is natural or medicated IUI. If natural then it’s just a bunch of early morning blood tests close to observation and a very simple procedure to put the sperm in around time of ovulation (similar to embryo transfer) If medicated it’s similar to IVF but without the egg retrieval part. It has a much lower success rate but it less invasive and does work for some people. Unfortunately none of the 6 try’s worked for me but I know people personally for whom it did work. There’s also more natural ways to do IVF that maybe you could explore. I’ve opted for a natural frozen embryo transfer next time as the hormones and injections really do take their toll don’t they! If your hubbies sleek has I provers perhaps you could even try natural too whilst we are all paused for treatment too! Good luck in whatever you decide 🤗 xx

Faithforever profile image
Faithforever in reply toTwiglet2

Thank you so much for giving a brief explanation on the procedure. Very helpful 😀

What are the more natural ways that I could explore? What’s natural frozen embryos transfer? Is it different from FET?

Good luck to you as well 🥰

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2 in reply toFaithforever

Yes that’s right It’s a FET (frozen embryo transfer) but completely natural. I had a fully medicated FET (which included a down reg injection that basically puts you into menopause and then lots of meds to restart your cycle and the clinic takes over). I had the down the 3 times (2 never went ahead with actual embryo transfer) and it messes with your body and moods so I asked if I could try the natural one this time and they said yes as I had regular cycles normally. We still have 3 frozen embryos ready to go luckily. I just felt after the miscarriage I didn’t want it to be so invasive and I didn’t want to have no natural prostogen etc once I was pregnant as I don’t know if that contributed the miscarriage (will never know). Sometimes your body knows what it’s doing naturally!

I’ve heard their are more natural ways for egg collection too with less/no meds they just go with your natural cycle and collect the egg/eggs your body naturally produces that month. I haven’t tried it though sorry my fresh cycle was heavily medicated. It’s a minefield and I just did what was suggested for the first few years but now I’m doing more research and feels good to take control a bit lol ...looks like you’re 10 steps ahead of me on that front with getting all the info etc 😊xx

Faithforever profile image
Faithforever in reply toTwiglet2

Thank you darling! I didn’t like it at all either!! Loads of hormones and lots of complications with only once doing the IVF. That was the first and last for me. I think there are other factors involve in whether your body can take it on more and more depends on the protocols and physiology of everyone etc. Two thumbs up for you and other ladies who have more courage to get what they want. I’m waiting to get my consultation on IUI if that’s not for us, I would be interested to know about more natural ways of doing IVF. You 2 ladies who responded to my question helped me a lot to have a better view of the rest of my journey. All the best to you my dear 🙂 Xx

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2 in reply toFaithforever

And you 🤗💕 xxx

Sullygrrrl profile image
Sullygrrrl

I had three failed IVF cycles and then moved onto our IUI with donor sperm. I conceived on my third round at 36 years old. It’s way more affordable, less Invasive and I was told that it typically works within three attempts. Third time lucky! Had a very uncomplicated pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Best of luck with your journey!

Faithforever profile image
Faithforever in reply toSullygrrrl

Thanks Sullygrrrl and congratulations!!!

If you don’t mind me asking the reason you ended up with the sperm donor was cause your partner’s sperms had severe issues or you’re a lovely single mama :)

I’m just wondering in case the male infidelity is the problem can we use the sperm donors for IUI method as well? I know the best is to ask the clinic but the initial phone sessions have been scheduled for in almost 2 weeks. I really appreciate if you can help me get some information meanwhile waiting for my appointments. Thanks

Sullygrrrl profile image
Sullygrrrl in reply toFaithforever

Yes, we switched to donor sperm because of severe MFI. We always made pretty decent embryos in the three rounds of IVF, but they never made it past day three and we always did day three transfers. Our doctor thinks that because the sperm genome kicks in after day three that they just arrested.

My husband had azoospermia, basically. In any given sample he would have either zero or about 10 swimmers. It’s amazing that they managed to get some decent ones to do icsu with!

The odds were not great for us for IUI because of my age. But, it worked! we just needed a financial break from IVF, and we got lucky.

I feel that we really gave it our best shot with my husband’s sperm. Neither of us regret our decision and are so grateful to have our little one.

Because the success rates are so much lower with IUI even with great sperm, I can understand the clinic being hesitant to encourage that method for you and your husband.

Whatever you end up doing, I sure hope it’s successful! This is not an easy road to be on.

Faithforever profile image
Faithforever in reply toSullygrrrl

Thank you so much for sharing your journey ! That’s definitely not the easy road! I’m glad you have your beautiful baby. That makes others to have more hopes on their journeys as well. ❤️

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