Infertility Support Group

In vitro fertilization is one of the most common and utilized ways of treating conception problems. This support group is dedicated to those beginning their journey with IVF and needing support. Join the community and share your experiences, advice, and story with people going through similar challenges starting a family.

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MomHopes 10/25/2008

Hi Everyone!
I haven't been very active on this board for a while as I've been on a break from IF treatment for the past couple months. I want to get back in the swing of things and work toward our dreams of a baby but I'm not sure where to go next.

I've been through 4 IUIs - 1 with Chlomid, 2 with Femara and 1 with Follistim. Should I try for another one with Follistim? I have an unopened box of it in the fridge. Is it time to move to something else after 4 failed IUIs even though only one of them was with injectibles? I did get pregnant after the first one with Chlomid however it ended in a chemical pregnancy. The Chlomid thinned my uterin lining which is why my RE switched me to Femara.

I just don't know what to do next. My RE mentioned IVF but the entire process scares me. Not only is it not covered by our insurance I know that it is a very invovled process and I'm not sure how I'd handle it if it didn't work.

Any advice?????

deleted_user 10/25/2008

Give it a go. If the packet is in the fridge waiting just do it. We are using the injectable
Gonal-f . If you are apprehensive of IVF which we are too(booked in next year) then just give it one more go xxxx

laraM 10/25/2008

If it is just sitting in the fridge, I would go for it! You've got nothing to lose. Good luck to you. BTW- I did 6 IUIs then moved on to IVF...it wasn't that bad...just so you know.

deleted_user 10/25/2008

If you've got the meds, I'd try it. I had 6 IUIs, all failures. For me, I think the IUIs were a complete waste of time and money, for multiple reasons and my Drs should've sent me to IVF right away. IVF was not that bad. The injections aren't much different than what you are/were doing, the ER was a nice nap and ET wasn't much different than an IUI. There is a lot more monitoring (bloodwork, U/S) though. Good luck.

deleted_user 10/25/2008

I think if you got pregnant once with the IUI then maybe you should try that again. If the other meds seemed to be better on your lining and you have a box of Follistim then you may as well use it. I know most insurance companies would want you to do about 6 IUI's if they were to cover IVF, unless your tubes are compromised or sperm counts/quality are really poor. I know your insurance won't cover the IVF but there must be a reason they say 6 cycles of IUI.

Good luck with what ever you decide!

MomHopes 10/25/2008

Thank you everyone so much for your advice! You've convinced me to try IUI at least one more time.

deleted_user 10/26/2008

DH and I have had 3 failed IUI's and my RE told us it's IVF next. I am totally freaked out about the whole thing. The cost, the stress, everything. That's alot of money for us to spend for no guarantees. I know that sounds bad, but I cant help it. I still have some leftover Bravelle and my lupron sitting in the fridge and enough needles for everything. In January we are getting new insurance and I am hoping to be able to try a few more IUI's, I am just not sure if I will be continuing on with my current RE or going with someone new (depends on my new insurance I guess). Like you, I am totally for going with another IUI. Best of luck!! Hope it works for you! :)

deleted_user 10/26/2008

I'm in your same situation and have disheartenly decided to move on to IVF. Emotionally, I am not up for the roller coaster of disappointment anymore. I need the process to move forward. I've decided to put my money and emotional energy toward something that has a higher success rate, albeit more expensive. And if IVF doesn't work, then I'll know now - not after the additional disappointments of more failed iui's. Financially and emotionally, I just can't drag this process out anymore. It's too much. I'm seeking a resolution.

Additionally, I've been told by two Dr's and have done some research on pubmed.gov that have all said that if you've done 3 rounds of IUI and they haven't worked, that it's time to move on to IVF. Statistically speaking, if it hasn't worked in 3, it won't work on 4, 5, or 6. My insurance only covers 3 rounds.

Doesn't this process take so much courage? Good luck to you and your partner.

deleted_user 10/27/2008

my first child took 4 iui's, my 2nd 5 iui's, we can get all the help we want from science, but god still has his hand in it, maybe not every egg is meant to be born.???? thats how i had to look at it to keep me grounded.... good luck

deleted_user 10/27/2008

just an add. to my post. i never got preg. with iui while on meds, they were natural cycles, clomid messed me up to... thin lining, and high fsh for a couple of months after,

deleted_user 10/27/2008

We did 6 IUI's and moved on to IVF and it seems odd but we found the IVF to be more work but less stress. Our IUI's had a lot of monitoring and guess work where as IVF is a pretty step specific procedure. Yes, it costs a lot more but your chances are much greater. If I were you I would go one more IUI since you have the meds and then think about IVF. Best of luck!

deleted_user 10/27/2008

Hey there! It has been a while. For me as well. I feel your pain. We took this month off to think and after 3 failed IUI's and much soul searching along with my family's support, we are going to our first meeting for IVF. I'm very excited and nervous. I agree with the others though, if you have the meds go ahead and give it a whirl. Good luck to you!

deleted_user 10/27/2008

If you don't use the Follistim for another IUI, it's likely that your RE could incorporate it into your IVF protocol. I spent lots of time/money on IUIs before moving to IVF and I wish I had just jumped into IVF sooner. Do whatever feels right for you! And good luck!

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