Preparation for IUI

[Jane37]

So, 1st IUI is at the end of May. Question is what did you successful ladies do to prepare your bodies for it?
I'm taking Folic Acid and co-enzyme Q10, drinking green tea and red raspberry leaf tea before ovulation (only drinking the occasional coffee and eating healthily). I'm having acupuncture (although my acupuncturist isn't too thrilled that we are doing IUI so soon after a laparoscopy, she says my body needs at least three months to heal inside).
DH is only wearing boxer shorts (I hid all his pants ). He only drinks alcohol at the weekend but then only two at the most (he's not a big drinker). He hasn't been near a sauna the whole time we've been trying to conceive.
Any other tips?
Thanks, Jane

[Gargy]

Hi Jane,

Sounds like you're doing some excellent things! The only other thing I have heard of others doing is looking at chinese herbalism and seeing if anything can help either you or your DH.

In terms of the actual IUI, one thing I got quite a shock at was the insemination process.(and be warned this is possibly TMI). To ensure the sperm is as high in the uterus as possible the doctors must use equipment to place it there (sorry, can't remember what it's called - similar to the equipment they use for a papsmear - I think I've blocked the process LOL) My clinic will not use lubrication to get the equipment in the appropriate place because it can have a negative effect on the sperm.

Anyway, the nurses completely misjudged my size and shape. I had to have 3 different machines placed in and then removed, all without lubrication. It $#@% hurt!!

The second time around they didn't have the problem, thank goodness!!

Other advice: make sure that you have nothing else on that day besides the IUI. My DH had booked in a medical appointment and the doctor was running extremely late. We only had 10-15 minutes to get from one side of a suburb to another. We were both so stressed and I really think this is one of the reasons the second one didn't take. Also make sure you relax afterwards. We went to the beach. I felt that this was a big change and I didn't feel ready to go back to work that day.

Also, when they inseminated the sperm, I held on to my DH's hand and I put myself into a relaxed state. Then I envisioned the sperm meeting up the ova in my womb and attaching. I will be doing this again as it made me feel better about the process.

Watch your emotional states - both your's and DH's. You can experience a little sadness that this was done in such a clinical way, rather than through the lovemaking between you and DH.

You may feel a little different after the IUI and notice some physical changes (eg sore, swollen breasts). It could be pregnancy, but it also could be the drugs that you have taken. I don't want to say don't get your hopes up too high, because I believe that we are entitled to feel joy that we might be pregnant. But be aware that these drugs can trick you.

And finally (and I very much hope that this doesn't happen to you) be kind to yourself and your DH if the process doesn't work. Allow yourself to feel what you feel.

HTH

[Jane37]

Hi Gargy,

Thanks for your post. I am taking Chinese herbs prescribed by my acupuncturist and they taste foul I can drink the tea if I visualise it preparing my body for a pregnancy but it's really revolting!

I hadn't thought about DH being there when they put the sperm in but it makes sense for him to be in the room at the moment of conception! I'm still trying to get my head around how clinical the process is and deal with the fact that we need medical intervention. I know exactly what you mean about sadness, I 'm trying to deal with it now but DH is being far more philosophical about it and saying that if this is the way that it has to be then so be it. I guess one step at a time is the only way to go and I agree with you saying allow yourself to feel what you feel

Take care,

Jane

[Polly12]

Gargy, as always - such awesome advice from you:) Jane hope you don't mind me gate crashing your thread, i found Gargys advice great, I will be re reading it several times before i too have my first IUI.

Far out that made me cringe big time about the spectrum and no lubrication! God dam that would hurt i can just imagine! I have been told about that part and to be honest im dreading that most, i never find smears very comfy (mind you, what woman does).

Thanks for sharing Gargy -you are very onto.

Jane - good luck with your chinese herbs, i too have heard these are brillaint and if i have no luck with my first IUI im deff going to give them a shot:0

[Jane37]

Hi Polly, hi Gargy,
Polly please don't apologise. This post is for all us new IUIers and it's great to get the info from someone who has been there, thanks Gargy. DH works on a need to know basis, I work on a need to know before I need to know basis Now I know a lot more and it's always helpful to know so that I know what questions to ask
Jane

[Jane37]

For Amanda, great info from Gargy,
Jane

[Gargy]

Hi everyone,

Thought of some more technical/medical things that you may need to be aware of, although I'm sure the nurses will go through it with you...(please be aware I'm a teacher not a nurse/doctor - I'm only telling you what I went through. Also it may be different in other countries/if your clinic doesn't use fertility drugs).

Firstly, puregon injections. They're not as bad as you think! The nurses will give you a pen (similar to the epipen or diabetic pen for insulin that they use now). You just stab yourself in the tummy - it's only a small pinprick. Get used to feeling like a pincushion! The doctor may increase your dosage depending on the results from the blood test.

You also have to have blood tests everyday/couple of days in the morning. Once the nurses are satisfied with your levels, you will do an ultrasound to check your ovaries for follicles. Once they are happy with these, you will be given a needle (either the nurses will show you how to self inject, or they will organise to do it for you). Sometimes you may be overstimulated, which can be dangerous, so the treatment will not continue (one of the joys of PCOS, if you have it).

If everything is ok, a couple of days later they will organise an appointment to do the DI with the spectrum. (BTW, I think I was the exception rather than the rule!)

Then you have the dreaded TWW (two week wait). The nurses will test your blood levels again two more times to see if the insemination was successful (ie whether you are pregnant or not).

HTH

[Polly12]

Gargy, thanks for that, i guess its a bit different for me not using drugs, but still have been pleased to read all the info you have posted. Knowledge is power in these unknown situations:)

[Polly12]

Hi ladies, im starting to get a bit nervous about the whole thing - 2 weeks today..................man i hope it doesn't hurt! Im terrible in that area - smears etc, i get all nervous and find it so hard to relax.

Jane how are you going?

[Henrietta]

Hi ladies, I had my IUI done on Sunday April 29th and now on my dreaded 2ww. I hate this part. Has anyone felt anything the first week? I hope this works. I hope we all have BFPs this month. Lots of baby dust coming to all of you.

[dolly123]

[Jane37]

Hi ladies.
Sorry I haven't been around for a while, just got back from a week's holiday We had a great time but it rained all week (we drove through Switzerland and Italy to stay with my cousins in the south of France and it rained so much we couldn't do anything). I got back hoping that my garden had been watered but guess what - no rain here!!

Good thing is I haven't had time to think about IUI so I'm all relaxed

Henrietta, I feel for you, a TWW is always horrible. Due to hubby being away at the crucial time last cycle I didn't have one this month (maybe that's also why I'm so relaxed )) I'm going for my first IUI so I don't know how it feels yet.

Polly, try and relax (easier said than done I know!) So, you aren't using drugs either?

Gargy, when I read your post there sounded like a lot of drugs but as far as I know I am just having HCG as I'm about to ovulate and then progesterone for the spotting afterwards, if that doesn't work I'll do a Clomid cycle next time. Thank you sooooo much for all the info.

I am just waiting for my period and then I'll have my cycle monitored but I'm guessing that it will be about the same time as you Polly, if not just after. I had spotting starting on Wednesday (which is normal for me but I don't know if that means my period will come early (it was crazy last month after the laparoscopy!). I mentioned the IUI to DH today and he looked surprised that it was so soon. We've done such a good job of not talking about it that he didn't realise. I'm more worried about him not being able to give a sample than anything else! The doctors at my clinic are so nice, there are three and I've seen all of them at some time or another so I'm sure it will be fine

Thinking of you all and thank you for sharing the experience, it's not one that anyone I know understands.

Take care,

Jane

[Polly12]

Hi Jane,
Your holiday sounds absolutely dreamy despite the weather. I would LOVE to go to Italy and France!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One day, after my baby dreams have been fulfilled!

Its great you had that time to relax and chill out.

Nope, no drugs for me:) Will see how it goes though.

Henreitta - fingers crossed for you.......... Jane and i will be joining you soon!

Well ive had my period and im due to start my IUI on the 18th of this month - i agree it was so weird to look forward to my period! I can tell yo this i do NOT want it next month at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want a BFP

Fingers crossed for us all!

[Gargy]

Hi Jane, Hi Polly, Hi Henrietta!!

Thinking of you all at various stages of IUI. I have my fingers crossed!

[Henrietta]

Thank you all for all of the warm wishes.

Polly, thanks for the baby wishes. let me know when you start your cycle.
Jane, thanks to you too. Cant wait till both of you are in my shoes.
Gargy, thank you for all the baby dust and warm wishes. You ladies are great. I am 8dpo today and feeling crampy and sore boobs (not real sore just mild) I have everything crossed but not getting my hopes up too high.