[Pennycuff]

Hello everyone....I'm new the board and have a few questions.

This is our first attempt at IUI and I have my 2nd ultrasound scheduled for this Sat. (8/16).

What exactly are they looking for on the next ultrasound? Is it common for them to change meds around at that time or if all looks good they will schedule the IUI?

I usually ovulate on cd 16 but Sat. is only cd 12, so will I still likely ovulate cd 16 or can all that change due to the medicines? I do know they are planning on giving me an hcg shot to initiate ovulation.

Thanks for any help and insight you guys can offer!

Baby dust to all!

[dimples]

Pennycuff, I am on my 2nd IUI. When your RE does the U/S he is looking to see how many follicles you have, how big they are and what your lining size is. Depending on what he sees will determine when you will trigger shot. My RE told me he wants to see a lining of 7 or greater and follicles that are between 18 and 20 before ovulation. It really depends on the u/s as to when he will want to do the IUI and when they will give you the trigger shot. Good luck to you and let me know how it goes=)

[Pennycuff]

Thanks Dimple... is the follicle also known as the 'egg'? So when it's mature, they can trigger it and make it come out of the ovary? Is that correct?

[Krista]

Hi Penny,

The egg grows in a follicle on the outside of the ovary. You can have multiple imature ones, and a few that become mature at 18-21mm. Those are the eggs that are released with either your own LH surge (using an OPK) or with an HCG trigger. You generally ovulate 24-36 hours after the surge or trigger. My RE does the insemination at 24 hours after the trigger. Others do back to back at like 18 & 30 hours after trigger. Per my REs office back to back don't necessarily have higher success rates than a single IUI.

When you go in for your IUI generally your DH or partner goes about 90 minutes before you do make his contribution. Then they wash & spin it. At that point they'll put the sperm in a catheter. You'll get on the table just like for a PAP and they will insert the sperm into your uterus. Sometimes it only takes a few minutes, sometimes if you have a tighter cirvix it can take a few minutes and some poking around in there.

Afterwards you can expect some cramping and maybe even a little spoting if they scratched you while they were poking around. Then during the 2 week wait you obsess over every feeling in your body thinking it's either a good or bad sign.... but nothing seems to mean anything until you either poas or have your beta about 14 dpiui.

Good luck! I hope you only have to do this the once!

[bq122]

Krista said it perfect I would like to add one other thing. I happen to ovulate like clockwork on the cd 14 so even though you are taking the meds you can go earlier so I had to take meds ( another daily am shot ) to stop me from ovulating until the eggies where big enough. So just keep a look out for that my RE didnt and I know I ovulated before my first iui...
good luck..

[Pennycuff]

Oh, thank you so much Krista-- I FINALLY understand what it means by the follicle v/s the egg. That was very helpful! I looked online at pictures but was still unclear and I hated to call the Dr's office and ask a nurse.

Thanks again...I hope it does work on the first time but I also know the odds are probably not in our favor judging by other women's experience.

Thank BQ, I will keep an eye out for that as well...I am also taking my bbt temps but I don't know if that may be affected by the Clomid, etc...I am on Clomid, Estradoil and injecting Menopur.

Baby dust to everyone!

[Baby4Gerbee]

Pennycuff. I did the same thing that you are doing. I took Clomid 50mg CD 3-7, Menopur 75iu CD5-9, Estrace CD 3-12. I had 4 follies on CD 12, and one was quite large, so they had me do the HCG and then have an IUI 24 hours later. I am in the TWW so feel free to ask any questions. I may be able to answer them. Baby dust to all!! I agree with Krista. EVERY thing you feel in that TWW you obsess over. It's just nice that I finally have people who understand what I am going through. This is often a long haul and it helps to have support!

[Pennycuff]

Thanks Baby4G-- sounds like we had the same script, except he put me on 100mg of Clomid. I sure hope it works for you!! It would definitely give me some hope about all of this. It's so expensive to do and insurance pays zero-- BUT insurance will pay for abortions...go figure!

I just pray that DH has some good swimmers this month and they are shaped well....cause that seems to be our biggest issue.

Baby dust and Sticky dust to everyone!

[amberlynn]

Hi Pennycuff. I had my first IUI one week ago, after a cycle of clomid and an Ovidrel (same as HCG) shot. I went in today for a Progesterone level test, to confirm ovulation ocurred. They said it was 16.4 and mentioned that that was great but i have no idea what it means except that i ovulated. Seems like small news when you're waiting for the big test. I thought i would mention to you what i only learned today-if you had an HCG shot, that can delay your start date several days. I am glad they told me that or i would have gotten my hopes up, as my cycle is like clockwork. Good luck to you. Sorry i dont have more experience to share but for what it's worth- i can associate with your current situation. Please let us know how it turns out for you.

[makenalelu]

I am starting my second IUI this month. I did not respond well to Clomid. We tried that without IUI back in October. When doing the IUI, I do Fermara, which my body responds to much better. Other than that, same scenario as everyone else. Meds and then he trigger shot and then IUI 36 hours after. They also tell you to BD the night of the trigger and the night of the actual IUI. They told me not to worry about doing any OPK during IUIs, since the trigger is suppose to work. Fingers crossed! My biggest concern is timing, since I O anywhere from CD 10-12. Good luck!

[amberlynn]

Makenalelu,
Do you know what the progesterone levels tell you after ovulation? Is it any indicator of a potential BFP or is it just confirmation that you actually ovulated?

[tanya7577]

hello
I am new to this but so far What I know is that i have unexplained infertility and going to try IUI this month. I am on Clomid 50mg and responded well to it. Day 12 and have 3 big folicles 2- 18 mm and 1-16. The DH said to take shot of Ovidrell Saturday night and come for IUI Monday morning. I am thinking it is kinda late.
Iam not sure what to do and it seems like nobody listens and doctors only tell you what to do without explaining much. I also wonder if anybody here had sucsess with IUI. And when it was done.
Fporgot to mention my husband has no problems either.
Any feedback will be greatly apreciated. I am starting to feel lost in the whole thing.

[AmyK]

Originally Posted by tanya7577

hello
I am new to this but so far What I know is that i have unexplained infertility and going to try IUI this month. I am on Clomid 50mg and responded well to it. Day 12 and have 3 big folicles 2- 18 mm and 1-16. The DH said to take shot of Ovidrell Saturday night and come for IUI Monday morning. I am thinking it is kinda late.
Iam not sure what to do and it seems like nobody listens and doctors only tell you what to do without explaining much. I also wonder if anybody here had sucsess with IUI. And when it was done.
Fporgot to mention my husband has no problems either.
Any feedback will be greatly apreciated. I am starting to feel lost in the whole thing.

First, .

Actually, the timing (based on your sizes) sounds right. Follie size on clomid is usually bigger than natural/injectibles. You had blood work too on CD12? I am sure they are basing trigger/IUI time alot on what your numbers were. You can always throw in a little tonight and tomorrow to "cover" your bases. Good luck with your IUI monday! Keep us posted.

[Pennycuff]

Amberlynn-- It's my understanding that progesterone levels can tell you that you have in fact ovulated.. but later, they can also indicate whether or not the pregnancy is continuing as it is....so yes, it can be some indication of a bfp (around 14 dpo) and how the pregnancy is continuing.


..and I agree with Amy.. it NEVER hurts to go ahead and baby to cover your basis during IUI... in fact, my Dr. has recommended we baby before, the day of and after, just to cover bases.


We're scheduled for our 2nd u/s this Sat. at 8:30am.

[amberlynn]

Thanks Pennycuff. The 2.5 WW is a killer so far. Good luck with your IUI. I too was concerned about the timing of the shot and US, but I have a really great RE and i figure he knows much better than i do. I have never been good about charting or anything. Let me know how your US goes Sat. Hopefully you'll be told to go home & do the injectible and you'll be back in for the IUI within days.