IUI and IVF

[Nicola8615]

Hi

I’m 32 in a few weeks. I have a 15 year old child who was conceived naturally however my husband isn’t his biological father. I have been trying for another baby but my husband has poor sperm count so we went straight to ICSI/IVF. We had 3 cycles but they all failed. Managed to get ‘good’ embryos but not worked, including a blastocyst transfer. Now we are thinking of donor sperm and unsure if we should try IUI first as it’s cheaper? I had a test to check my tubes two years ago and they were ok, no blockages, but I’d want to repeat this before we go for IUI.

Would you try IUI with donor sperm prior to IVF with my history?

Thanks

[Dazed_and_Confused55]

We are using donor sperm which we had to buy privately, the clinic advised that because of the cost of this they would recommend IVF as IUI only has a 10% chance of working. I would say to talk to the clinic and get them to help you weigh up the options x

[Nicola8615 in reply to Dazed_and_Confused55]

Thank you very much.

[andylins]

Of course it's a personal decision, luv. But I'm more likely to think you should give IUI a try before opting for IVF. This time you're using donor swimmers, so they must be proved ''perfect''. I truly believe you can do it if some of your perfect eggs will meet those perfect swimmers, you see. I know the percentage of the success rate with IUI is not too high. But you have all chances, to my mind. I'd go for IUI shot first. All my positive thoughts going your way x

[hannahding]

It is usually said that with male factor infertility IUI does work out. However, as you have mentioned that you went with IVF first this might mean that there is a 50/50 chance. It really depends on your choice. Also, it depends on the doctors. Ask them to assist you in this matter. I know making decisions like these can be very confusing. Good luck to you. Don't lose hope.

[Mel77]

Hi dear, I'm sorry you're facing this ICSI involves visual appraisal of sperms to choose the 'best' sperm. It requires expert selection. And if this path failed for you, than probably opting for donor sperms is the best in your situation. Nature has its own expert selection process, there's no need to interfere with it if you use well screaned donor swimmers. I personally wouldn't consider IUI (though it's cheaper). I'd go for IVF shot if I were in your shoes. I believe the chances are higher than with IUI. But this is my personal view, not insisting. Hope your final decision will be the best xx

[Katty_Holz]

Hi there, if your requirements do not involve prioritising the biological father being your SO then donor conception will be a good enough try. Assuming you have a kid already, and there's no complication at your end the second child with an IVF sounds better when you're planning on siblings. Also the fact that you've had viable embryos but it didn't work sounds more in there than just a low sperm count.... could be on you or your SO. For only low sperm count can be altered with medications, supplements, vitamins and some healthy lifestyle switches... wouldn't have really escalated to 3 failed rounds. The deteriorating reproductive physiology could also be responsible you see... and so there are equal chances of the IUI with donor sperms to fail. So, if you've had made your mind for donor conception best to choose IVF than IUI considering the failed attempts at IVF IUI doesn't give me much hope. But as I said it all depends on your priorities right now... as in what you really want.

[andylins]

As I've mentioned above I am sorry you’re dealing with all that. I had to do IUIs before my insurance would cover IVF. We ended up doing 3 cycles. My natural follicle looked ready so we trigger and did a “natural” IUI before moving to clomid. I too had everything looking great every month. 4 Perfect follicles one month - still BFN. My biggest fear with the process was IVF. I honestly felt IUIs we’re just as if not more stressful than IVF. Well, I was mistaken though.

[SerrineV]

Every infertility treatment chosen for the patient depends on several factors. Firstly, what's causing the infertility. How long you've been infertile. Your age and your partner's age. Personal preferences. Though some causes of infertility can't be corrected. If it's donor sperm for you, then I'd try IUI first,as the material is going to be perfect. Of course it's up to you to decide. GL!!

[Mel77]

In ''medical eyes'' there may be the following problems with swimmers. Impaired sperm production or function. Below-average sperm concentration. weak movement of sperm. abnormalities in sperm size and shape can make it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg. If semen abnormalities are found, your partner needs to see a specialist to determine if there are correctable problems or underlying health concerns. And after dr agrees nothing can be done to improve the situation then you'll need inevitably use donor sperms. If so, you're granted to get the best swimmers, so I think I'd try IUI first.

[Karinyaa]

Hi there. Firstly, infertility treatment depends on the cause, your age, how long you've been infertile and personal preferences. Because infertility is a complex disorder, treatment involves significant financial, physical, psychological and time commitments. During IUI, millions of healthy sperm are placed inside the uterus close to the time of ovulation.

IVF in its turn involves retrieving mature eggs from a woman. fertilizing them with a man's sperm in a dish in a lab. then transferring the embryos into the uterus after fertilization. IVF is known to be the most effective ART. IVF cycle usually takes several weeks and requires frequent blood tests and daily hormone injections. So I believe you've made the right decision. Moreover, you're using ICSI. they'll inject the sperm directly into the egg of yours. so it'll have better chance of fertilizing. We've tried IUI cycles ourselves. Had no luck with them, unfortunately. So those shots stuck in my head like money/time waste. Anyway, all the cases differ. GL on your way!!