Thursday, July 3, 2014

Am I really just riding the "kiddie coaster"?

Forgive me for the moping nature of the post to follow, I'm having some pretty bad cramping today so, feeling sorry for myself.
Today I was talking to a friend who just underwent her first IVF. She tried 2 or 3 IUI's with no success.
I regularly read about 20 IF blogs and I have yet to come across someone who has gotten pregnant with an IUI. 
While I'm an excellent candidate for IUI to work, I feel like I'm just riding the kiddie coaster with IUI and need to get on the IVF super scary coaster. It's like "Oh how cute, she still thinks IUI can work. I remember when I was that naive".
I'm 39 and I don't have a ton of time on my side.
My insurance pays for 6 IUI's and 4 IVF's. I've used one of my IUI's so far with this insurance (did 2 IUI's self paid before we got my husbands insurance). 
I don't know if after this cycle, I should try more IUI's or move onto IVF.
My IUI's so far have been Clomid/Trigger. I have Gonal-F in preparation for my next cycle so I almost certainly will try to do one more IUI with that before considering IVF.
While I think on these options, does anyone have any successful IUI stories to share? If you don't mind sharing your age and a little of your situation, that  might help too.
Ooooowww, cramps. :(

And for some laughs (gotta find them where you can when dealing with IF). If you are trying to conceive, you must watch this series of videos. I haven't laughed so hard in.... well a very long time.


If you want to laugh so hard you cry, watch the entire series. You won't regret it.
Enjoy!

9 comments:

  1. It's so awesome that insurance pays for some of your procedures! You're so lucky.

    I've never done an IUI so I can't help - what does the doc think?

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  2. Thanks, Megan. I know how fortunate we are that our new insurance pays for all these IF procedures.

    My doctor was happy to try IUI this cycle and even next if I want. He also is okay moving on to IVF. Really, the decision is mine to make.

    I'm going to have another discussion with him before we start the next cycle.

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  3. Oh my gosh - I completely know what you mean by your "riding the kiddie coaster" metaphor! What an apt expression!! I've been on the kiddie coaster twice now and no success story to report, I'm afraid. I'm hoping to climb on the super-scary one soon, but really hope that you can just enjoy this ride and come out on the other side with a take home baby!!!xx

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    1. Thank you Haisla, I'm wishing the same for you.
      I'm closely following your blog!

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  4. We are actually one of those people who got pregnant, 7th iui and twins. Unfortunately our first six didn't work and two failed ivf's. So I am definitely proof it happens :)

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  5. Sorry I forgot to add that I am 38 years old. We had six miscarriages before this success.

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    1. That's very encouraging, thank you!
      I know we'll do another IUI next month (our 4th) but use gonal-f instead of clomid. If we dont have success, then I think IVF is the next logical step.

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  6. IUI is tricky, you are right. on one side, chances of conceiving are somewhat higher then those in natural cycle of women of the same age. on the other side, those numbers are anyway not great any more with 39, so many doctors (for example here in berlin where i live) don't recommend more then 2-3 IUI for women over 37 just because of their age. while IUI comes very close to the natural conception, IVF circumvents several potentially hidden fertility issues (many women have problems with endometrial receptivness, tubes etc and are not aware of it). good luck, all the best!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comments. There are a lot of things I need to think about, that's for sure!

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