How many times do most try iui?

narcosis75

I am 37 and have had five iui's. On the fifth try I mixed it up, I had acupuncture and I switched donors. It resulted in a pregnancy, but I miscarried at 5 weeks. How many attempts at iui do most woman attempt? Before round 5, I figured if I didn't get pregnant than I probably wouldn't with iui. Since I did get pregnant, should I try it once more?

moewhit25

From my personal experience, I would have given it 3-4 tries with meds and acupuncture. I've always had very good labs, sperm count, ultrasound monitoring, and trigger shot. It never worked even after 6 IUI's (all back to back). Looking back I wish I moved to IVF much sooner. There's no way to determine your egg quality with the IUI process. So yes, it can work but often it results in early losses. Many of the ladies on this forum have shared their experiences with this. Only you know how many times you're willing to try before you move on to something else. IVF has a higher success rate than IUI but involves so much more and still isn't guaranteed. My advice is to be informed and ask lots of questions. Know that it can happen but it may take time...

Good Luck!

robin

It can take 4-6 tries with iui. Talk to your doctor. I agree with moe, you have to do what is best for you. My doc said after 6 tries we would talk about other options. Have you used meds with your iui's or done them naturally? I say give meds and acupuncture another shot unless your insurance or you have thefunds for ivf. If you don't give iui another chance. I'm 38 got pregnant at 37 with iui and have a low ovarian reserve. While some like Moe had no issues and had to move to ivf. There is no magic number, I wish there was. You have to do what you think you can and are willing to. If you don't want to or can't move to ivf right now read the book the infertility cure that gives ideas on diet chnages to supplement the acupuncture and see how that goes. That is what I did and after diet change and acupuncture....... Baby boy onthe next round! I also did back to back iui's and was on gonal F. Iui's can work but you need to make the best decision for you, talk to your doc.

Baby dust
Robin

law_ap

I was super lucky and it worked on the first try, but my dr. told me to be aware that most people take 3-4 tries.

tal970

This is such a personal choice. Everyone on here has given good advice. For you, you should decide if IVF is even a option for you. Next decide how much more money you are willing to spend before moving onto IVF. If IVF is not an option for you then your next best thing is to keep trying IUI's. If after some point these don't work for you it might be time to consider your other options.

Krisaz

I actually got preg the first IUI I had in 2011, but it was a chemical. Then I got another BFP and miscarried at 7 wks. My friend got pregnant on the very first one at 38, unmedicated, and delivered a healthy boy. It does happen but my RE also said 3-4 tries on average. I do not have fertility coverage and I painstakingly attempted IVF last March but it was converted to an IUI due to low response (I was over-suppressed with the Lupron) and I ended up getting the BFP but that was the m/c. I envy women who have coverage for this as it makes the process so much easier and less stressful. I will not do another IVF with my own eggs, I've determined that. I tend to do ok with IUI's and I feel older eggs tend to fertilize better inside of you and my new RE also says lets do a couple of IUI's and see what happens.

moewhit25

Krisaz wrote: »

I envy women who have coverage for this as it makes the process so much easier and less stressful. I will not do another IVF with my own eggs, I've determined that. I tend to do ok with IUI's and I feel older eggs tend to fertilize better inside of you and my new RE also says lets do a couple of IUI's and see what happens.

FYI, I have ZERO fertility coverage as many women on this forum don't either. It's a financial struggle for most and certainly adds to the stress level. BUT, when I added up all of the costs purchasing/shipping donor sperm, injectible meds, and multiple IUI's it was essentially the same amount of money for one cycle of IVF plus I had leftover frozen eggs. So instead of potentially throwing money away by doing yet another IUI (not knowing the egg quality) I chose to wait and save up money plus took out a small low interest personal loan for my subsequent frozen embryo transfer. Also if your egg quality is good it really shouldn't matter where fertilization takes place. I would have been demanding some sort of refund if I paid for an IVF cycle which was changed to IUI due to the meds not being correctly monitored. Usually the RE can see a slow response and adjust meds accordingly to avoid that from occuring. Everyone is different but I wouldn't have faith in IUI's after two miscarriages...

We all know in our hearts what we can tolerate. Good luck with moving forward on your journeys.

Moe

Anne72

Also, keep track of ALL your un reimbursed medical expenses, including the cost of sperm. Depending on your tax situation, you may be able to deduct the cost. For my 2011 taxes I was able to take an over $10k deduction for all the sperm, meds, doctors visits, etc. also, remember to track mileage to/from the doctors and any parking fees, they can be deducted too!

narcosis75

Anne72,
Single women can deduct the costs of iui? I guess I assumed only couples with fertility could tax deduct all the expenses

Anne72

narcosis75 wrote: »

Anne72,
Single women can deduct the costs of iui? I guess I assumed only couples with fertility could tax deduct all the expenses

Yes, I deducted over $15k on my 2011 taxes. You do not need to be married.

Katrin

I did IUI twice and had my son from the 2nd try. I used the same donor about 2 years later and after 4 tries that time around, had my daughter in October 2012. I was 37 with my son and 39 with my daughter. Good luck and keep trying.. There are so many factors, that if you can financially afford it, I say keep trying!

Please keep us posted!
Katrin

jauck11

I am learning all to well that this is such a rocky road. There is a lot of uncertainty and unexplored emotions involved. I am a bit down today. I just had my monitoring u/s and found out that the low dose meds didn't work. I do have 1 mature follicle though, so we didn't cancel the IUI. I just feel like I've wasted 2 cycles, the first natural and the second lose dose. I wish I had been more aggressive from the beginning!

Now, I am interviewing for an out of state job. This was an unexpected opportunity. This will also take me away from family, which I am certain are vital to the single mother! This all came up so quickly.

For single moms out there with careers, how difficult was it giving birth and raising an infant with no family around?

Thank you! Well wishes to all!
J

amychild1

hi DucklingMama....love to hear your success stories esp since you have 2 children at a later age. I am 38 and will be having my 2nd IUI next month. I am happy to see it only took you 4 tries for the second child. Did you use medications??? trigger shot? monitored ultrasound?

Fiddle7

It took me 2 tries on each of my Iui's. I have 2 beautiful children 2 years apart. I had my son when I just turned 40 and my daughter at nearly 42. My family is now complete. I waited many years, almost too many to get started. I'm so gad and blessed to have them, though I did have a loss at 9 weeks when I was. 39.

Jenna

Anne72 wrote: »

Yes, I deducted over $15k on my 2011 taxes. You do not need to be married.

This is GREAT to know!!