I have only been thru 1 IUI (in Oct. and it failed) but I feel like my experience was different than what you describe. Here is my experience:

Took follistim for 5 days (injections) beginning on day 2 (I think) of my cycle

On day 10 I went back to RE for ultrasound to check follicle growth

Since 3 follicles appeared to be almost mature, he scheduled me to take ovidrel shot on evening of the following day (to induce ovulation)

Went in for IUI at specific time (based on ovidrel shot timing) and after the IUI I was told to lay back and relax for fifteen minutes, then told it was ok to go about day as normal

I have also heard some of the women on here say they have IUI for 2 days in a row as it increases chances. I think I'm going to request this from my RE next time we try which'll be in Dec or Jan

Hope that helps!

I get monitored...on cd3 they do a 'baseline ultrasound' to check for cysts and to check my lining.

Then on day 12 they do a 'follicular ultrasound' to check my lining and my follies. Then I get and hcg trigger shot (a day or two later) to release the egg(s) and then 36 hours later I get the IUI. Oh and I take Femara on days 3-7.

I only did one IUI cycle too. This is how it went. I took the Clomid for 5 days around AF (i think) then I started testing w/OPK on CD 12. The day OPK was positive (showing a surge)we called and went in for IUI that day and the following day. Both times they had me stay on the table for maybe 20-30 mins after procedure. Then I got dressed and left.
I think the reason they do it that way is b/c I was testing early morning urine, when the surge could of started late in the day before. So they want the sperm in me that day and the next day since it is usually 24-36 hours after surge that you ovulate.
Unfortunately, we did not conceive, but I have blocked tubes and his counts were under 900k adn 600k so super low. I hope this information helps some.

I took Clomid on Days 2-6 and went in for monitoring on Day 10. My cycle is normally 23 days - that's why my Clomid started a little earlier than most. I always had one or two large follicles on Day 10, so then I went for bloodwork to see what my LH level was. 3 out of 4 times it was high enough that I didn't need the trigger shot, and went in for IUI the next morning. One time I did - took it in the evening and went in for IUI around 36 hours later. The day after IUI I started progesterone suppositories for two weeks until taking a pregnancy test.

I lay for about 10 minutes afterwards - my RE recommends it, but he also said it is not necessary.

Sometimes I also went in for monitoring on Day 2 for cysts - but not every time.

I'm about identical to "InfertileJen" protocal. Femara days 3-7, then I have u/s on day 13 to check how many follies, then based on that they tell me when to trigger shot (Novarel/ovidrel) then go 36 hrs after that shot to do IUI. Mine doesn't do the double IUI thing in one cycle, but I'm going to ask him why since I've heard of the double IUI back to back like that. I just had my first one a week ago. MY RE doesn't depend on the OPK's so you might push for an ultrasound on CD12 or 13 to see how things are progressing.

If I go 3 IUI cycles with no luck, we are going to do 2 or 3 more with injectables to make things more intense! UGH!

my IUI was mostly the same except after doing the IUI the doctor put a sponge wrapped in plastic with a long string inside so nothing would fall out and I had to take it out four hours later. I laid on my back that whole entire day and then we had to BD the next day. I also take promterium suppositories for 2ww.