Do's and Dont's after IUI

Posted by MayC (217 days ago)

I will be going for my first IUI early next week having failed two rounds of Clomid + injectibles with natural intercourse.

I am just wondering if there are any "rules" to follow.

I know about lying down for 20 minutes right after the procedure. Anything else that should do to increase my chances?

Thank you.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Find what you are after in our Tokyo A-Z Directory

Tags clomid

Posted by Nadine1976 (217 days ago)

Hi MayC,

Although both my IUI's have failed, I think that if you just take it easy for a couple of days you should be fine. Some women go back to work right after the procedure if they've had it in the morning. It's quick and usually painless unless the catheter is difficult to insert. If that happens it can be a little uncomfortable. Bring a pad with you cause you can have some spotting for a few hours. Other than that you can go about your normal day, just take it easy! Try not to stress about all the strange feelings and remember that the trigger shot can stay in your system for up to 10-12 days so be aware of that if you are testing early! You can get a false positive. Good luck!! It's exciting and also all consuming...but think positive and you may be one of the lucky ones that get pregnant the first time. I hope for you!!!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by MayC (216 days ago)

Nadine, thank you!

In that case, I better not test too early. Nothing will be more heartbreaking than to see a positive believing you're pregnant when you're not, huh?

I think I'm going to cancel all the extra nights out I've planned for next week (just in case). Better to take it easy.

So far everything's going well. I've just finished taking my pills and had my first Gonal F injection this morning. It was painless (thank God) coz the last few injections I had (Puregon), I was in so much pain during and 5 minutes after.

Nadine, what's next for you? Will you continue IUIs or seek some other treatment? My dr is suggesting a laparoscopic surgery next to take my cyst out and to "reconstruct" my ovary. Sounds scary but she says it is only a small surgery. I don't know.. I may consider another 1-2 more IUIs before I go for surgery. There's a huge differece in terms of $$.

Good luck in you treatment too, Nadine and lots of baby dust to you.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Nadine1976 (216 days ago)

Sounds like a good idea. Take it easy and don't over do it. It's stressful enough just being in the 2ww without adding more on your plate. As for me, I have had three long heart wrenching months of waiting and waiting and waiting. I still have a great big cyst on the right and after my last u/s last week they found two more. Dr. Ho wont do any treatment until they are gone and he hasn't given me any other options but to wait. I'm going on my 4th cycle of waiting. I'm getting quite discouraged and thinking that maybe I should get a second opinion. I'm not getting any younger and waiting 4-6 months between treatments seems like a waste of time. Obviously he has my health in mind but surely there must be something we can do!! I'm thinking IVF in September if all is clear and then no more for me. We are attending an adoption class in May and I think that is the best solution for us at this time.
But anyway, I wanted to tell you that I met with the ladies from Coping and they are very nice! You should think of coming this time. I'd love to meet you! Anyway, I hope everything goes well and I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Nadine

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Keepontrying (215 days ago)

Nadine,

Why is it that you cannot receive treatment with a cyst? I thought a cyst was just a follicle that did not ovulate the prior month. In that case, in the next cycle, the cyst would not grow but the other follicles would grow until they are (or just one is) ready to release an egg. Also, are you monitoring your follicular growth regularly throughout your cycle? If you track the follicular growth from a few days before you ovulate and do another u/s 4 days after you ovulate, your doctor will be able to see whether ovulation has actually occured or not. If not, it's likely that that follicle that did not ovulate would turn into a cyst the following cycle. My doctor also indicated that a cyst presents problems for IVF but i think that has to do with how your follicles would respond to the meds. Nevertheless, I would think that you could undergo treatment without meds with a cyst. Have you considered doing an IUI without meds? This may be an option to consider while you wait for that optimal time for IVF.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 788 (214 days ago)

Nadine, I agree with Keepontrying. Cysts are not always harmful- they can be benign and can be on the side so to speak. Do keep trying naturally too while you wait.

MayC, hope you are taking folic acid etc during all these procedures as well. Take care.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Nadine1976 (214 days ago)

Thanks ladies. The one cyst on the right is over 5cms and they wont treat over 2cm. The other two should not be an issue but I hadn't considered a natural IUI. Maybe i'll mention it during my next u/s. Also, he thinks that if the cyst was a result of the Gonal it should have shrank by now (three month later) but it hasn't budged! I am fairly certain that ovulation occurs because I get my LH surge on the tests and I am very regular. I do hope that it doesn't create an issue for IVF cause I only want to try it once and I hope it goes well! Have you had your IUI MayC?

Nadine

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by MayC (213 days ago)

I think my dr will do my IUI on Monday next week. She told me to come in for an ultrasound scanning tomorrow + one last injection.

Hubby's been away in China. I told him to "release" his sperms today so he can have fresh ones early next week. Everything's so technical now!

I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Nadine, if the cyst is over 5cm, can they not do a surgery to remove it? I was told that I should do surgery if my cyst was greater than 4cm. 3cm is optional... and anything under it, I just need close monitoring. Mine's around 2+cm. If I don't fall preggo successfuly with IUI, my dr is recommending surgery.

When I first had my scanning, the dr said to come back when I'm having my period. She said that if the cyst is STILL there, then it is a worry because a cyst usually disappears when you menstruate. She also said that depending on what kinf of cyst it is, it should disappear after 2-3 cycles. Mine's been there since my first scanning in July last year. I've been lucky in that Clomid and Puregon haven't inflated my cyst (I thank God for this). As for the effects of Gonal F, I won't know until tomorrow during my scan. Hopefully my cyst hasn't gone bigger and hopefully they can get my left ovary to ovulate.

I agree that waiting for several months isn't a good idea. Maybe you could talk to him about doing some "alternative treatment" for the time being. IUI without meds seems like a good idea.

Good luck. Infertility is awful but it'll all be worth it....

788, thank you. I've been taking prenatal vitamins for 16 months now (urgh) and still not pregnant but I'm not discouraged... or trying not to be ;-) How are you doing?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 788 (213 days ago)

Thanks for asking, May C. Doing well. Just crossed my 12 week mark. Still feel dazed every once in a while at the entire situation. I can't thank all the ladies of the TTC#2 thread (incl. yourself) enough for all the detailed explanations of the entire ttc process- all that cumulative experience definitely helped. Wish Hkcc was back on the board too!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by blessed (213 days ago)

Nadine, I was also with Dr Ho and developed cysts after my 1st IVF. They didn't go away for 5mths and I know, the waiting is bad. Every month I'd go into the office on day 2 of the cycle, get scanned and see the cysts still there. Then the month they disappeared, I started my 2nd IVF cycle and now have a beautiful baby boy. So what I'm trying to say is to not lose faith and patience. During the 5mths, I went for acupuncture and took some chinese herbs, DH also took vitamins (as we had a male problem) and just took things as they came. Anyway, stay hopeful and do other things in the meantime to increase the chances.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by MayC (213 days ago)

788, I am so sorry I missed your post about your positive pregnancy test! I am thrilled and happy to hear that you are now pregnant. Congratulations! You managed to get on the flight. I am really so happy to hear that.

Please send your pregnancy vibes down our way, okay? :-)

Congratulations once again. I wish you a smooth 9 months!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 788 (211 days ago)

May C, Thank you so much for your wishes. After 2 natural IUI+2 clomid IUI+2 IVF's+1 surgery+starting adoption process, to conceive naturally is what you hear about of a friend's friend's acquaintance not something that happens to you.

Believe me, I am so thankful- I have not stopped praying for any of the ladies here on the forum who are ttc. I know all you guys are doing everything you can to increase your chances, looking at all options possible, which is really great. All I can add to it is that don't stop having fun (which is what we had assumed it was because frankly we had given up hope) in your waiting period even though these are stressful times.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Wheelymate (209 days ago)

MayC,

Been busy with the kids and a house move so just reading all these threads.

All the best with the IUI, I know how much you want this and I really hope it works out. I know everyone has different experiences but I do know a mum who had trouble conceiving her 2nd, underwent IUI and is now a mother of 3 - a toddler boy and twin girls! So keep the faith and I hope to hear good news from you!

(I am based in Singapore)