Experiences in Artificial Insemination

[MammaMia86]

Our doctor wants to start with Artificial Insemination and if it doesn't work out then move to IVF.

It sounds more natural and less invasive but I think it has a lower success rate.

Anybody has experience with this? any successful or not successful story?

Thanks xx

[HemBella]

I'm guessing by artificial insemination they mean IUI? Yes I had 3 rounds of IUI using donor sperm before I moved to IVF and then ICSI.

Its a lot cheaper, there's very little in terms of meds that you need to take so actually it is a lot more natural and there are minimal side effects.

If you have no known reasons for not conceiving it is worth trying. Unfortunately for me it didnt work. But over the years I've learnt lots about my body and really, that I would never have fallen pregnant naturally or through IUI anyway, but I didnt know that at the time.

The world of IVF can be quite daunting - so if you have the option for IUI before you start IVF its definitely worth a try!

Good luck

[MammaMia86 in reply to HemBella]

thanks! It is very useful your experience. were you able to do the rounds one month after another, or were you having to wait in between rounds?Thanks

[HemBella]

I took breaks in between as emotionally it can still be quite draining x

[MammaMia86 in reply to HemBella]

Yeah I am worry that after multiple rounds not working and then going into IVF my body and mind might not be in the best condition. I am in two minds if to ask to just go into IVF directly, but it would be great if I can get pregnant without the process of IVF.

I am just going over and over this in my head....probably too much overthinking

🤔

[HemBella]

It's totally understandable, it's a big decision. As I say I did 3 rounds of IUI, when I was 38 and 39. Then did a first round of IVF when I was 40. That failed and so moved to ICSI by 41. That turned out better and I've been doing frozen transfers since. I'm 42 now.

Would I have done anything different? Well apart from starting earlier, the only thing would be to have moved to IVF after the 2 failed IUIs rather than trying a 3rd IUI.

It takes so much time between IVF cycles and testing- that bit is so frustrating.

IUIs are much quicker to get through. Personally I would recommend discussing with your partner how many IUIs to try, maybe 2?, and if those don't work move on to IVF

[MammaMia86 in reply to HemBella]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I wish I had started all this process before too.

Hope the frozen transfers work for you!!!

🙂

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

As above post says you could try a couple of IUI treatment cycles to see what you think then if not keen could move onto IVF . Thinking of you Janet

[MammaMia86 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thanks!!! I think we will do that.

[Twiglet2]

If you mean IUI we had 3 unmedicated rounds of this and 3 medicated, all unsuccessful. It is less invasive (no egg collection) but with hindsight I wish I had only tried once or twice before moving to IVF (which was successful) good luck xx

[MammaMia86 in reply to Twiglet2]

Thank you !! all your experiences are so valuable and insightful. They have told me that originally they were thinking on 4 rounds and then move to IVF, but I think we will talk with them, because I feel that are too many.

Thanks!!! xx

[Twiglet2 in reply to MammaMia86]

Yeah maybe you could say to them you want to decide as you go along and see how you feel after 2? You never know though you might only need the one round 🤞🏽 🤗 wishing you lots of luck xxx

[purplcucmbr]

At 31 my guy and I realised we needed donor sperm. My dr checked me and said my AMH looked good and everything looked healthy so there was no reason not to try IUI. I thought for ages whether to just ignore that and begin with IVF due to higher success rates. In the end I did my first IUI and now I'm almost 15 weeks pregnant. I did a natural cycle that almost was cancelled due to me ovulating around the weekend. But I took my Ovidrel trigger shot, went in 20 hours later and got the IUI. I'd say if the Dr gives you the all clear and says they found no concerning reason you could struggle to conceive then def try IUI first. x

[MammaMia86 in reply to purplcucmbr]

wowwww how fantastic!!!! congratulations!!! my husband has low sperm count and low mobility....but they said that it is still within parameters to do the IUI.

How great is to know that it worked for you!! that means it could happen to any of us!

👏👏👏

[Catwind]

I did a few rounds but it didn't work. Actually only once was I able to go in for the IUI. The drugs made me ovulate early and I had to cancel four cycles. I found doing the treatment back to back totally messed up my system (and I had otherwise pretty regular cycles) and I moved to IVF. For some reason this didn't seem to happen to most other people so you may have better luck. I eventually moved to IVF because the heartache got too much.