IUI & IVF - whats the difference?!

[GhostHunter]

Hi

HELP!

I am due to start IUI soon (I posted before on here and had lots of friendly replies my post was subject "Due to start IUI Oct not ready" so some may remember me.

Well I have had nothing else on my mind since and have thought long and hard about what to do and have worried myself almost sick, my brain is on overdrive and my blood pressure must be suffering as the medication I am on for it doesnt seem to be calming me much LOL!

I havae watched some programs on Sky about couples undergoing treatment for 'test tube babies' and this has confused me even more (and scared me).

Whats the difference between IUI and IVF? I am due to start IUI next week if I decide to go ahead!

Does IUI involve all those injections and stuff and does it hurt when they put the cathater / needle indside you?

Sometimes I feel so alone and confused and I have the added pressure of thinking this may be our only or last chance of children of our own make. Then theres the thought of pressures of having to continue the 'family tree'.

My DH says of course he would prefer children made by us but if its not to be then the decision is mine.

I have been told that there is so much 'red tape' involved with adopting / fostering.

I have no one to turn to and feel so lonely and like I am going mad, I just want to cy and have a big cuddle!

Im scared and confused.

Hope someone can help, sorry the questions are so simple but I am so confused I still dont know if I am ready or if it can be deferred!

My life is turning upside down!

Thanks in advance.

[DebraP]

Hi Heddwen, I'm not sure I can add anything more than the girls who wrote and answered your last post.

A couple of them explained the difference between IUI and IVF there. Did you get the Zita West book? that helps explain things very, very simply.

The info on the left hand side of this page, in dark blue, details IVF and IUI (called Intrauterine Insemination). Depending on which type of IUI you are having, you might have no injections, very few meds and a 5 minute procedure! They will simply monitor you natural cycle and then insert some washed sperm close to the ideal spot for fertilisation. It all happens naturally. The catheter used to insert the sperm is only about c. 3mm wide so you can't even feel it.

hth
Debra

[GhostHunter]

Hi Deborah

Thanks for the reply I have read through the guides on the right again and this time found the one specifically to IUI as you pointed out its long name.

I feel a lot happier today and think I understand it a little now.

Will be giving it a go I think, take each day as it comes along and keep a daily look at this board. Are there any other boards as friendly as this one? I only came accross it by chance via a search on the internet!

Thanks so much.

Best wishes & sticky baby dust!

Heddwen.
x

[susanp]

Hi Heddwen,
This can all be terribly overwhelming!

I did two IUI's one with just clomid and the other with doing injections.

The catheter is really small - but I did have some discomfort - but it's over in a second. But, I have discomfort with regular pap smears at my annual doctor's visit. I think some of the discomfort happened because I was so stressed/nervous.

There are quite a few women at the practice I go to that have gotten pregnant with IUI.
For us, our doctor reccommended moving onto IVF after the second unsuccessful IUI. And, so far, it worked - I'm 7 weeks pregnant.

About the injections. I am the BIGGEST baby in the entire world when it comes to needles. When I first started going to the Infertility doctor I would have to lie down just to give blood. But, and this is the truth - the needles are not so bad. And my emotions and body responded much better to them than with the clomid.
If a doctor now gave me the choice between taking a pill or doing the injections for trying again, I would always choose the shots. I know that sounds crazy - but it's the truth.

Best of luck!

-Susan
ps I really love this site as well. Everyone has been so supportive.

[bubblymichelle]

Just want 2 say hello and welcome, this is a great site, i am sure you wil enjoy it as much as we all do. Wishing you all the luck in the world.
Love
Shell.
xx

[GhostHunter]

Hi Shell

Thanks for that I am discovering what a cool board this is and how I am (sadly) not alone in my battle.

I have my appointment tomorrow and am still nervouse but will go along and see what its all going to be about. I can then talk to the specialists and air my concerns and if I am not hapy I can then see if I can re-arrange it for after Christmas.

There have suddenly been some major changes around here (of which I had little choice) from which the timing wasnt ideal! Plus I am still unhappy with my weight and health at the moment and think I may be better off to tackle those issues first to get my body in optimum state for the best chances of IUI success!

I will let you know how I get on tomorrow, although depending on my emotions it may not be as soon as I get home.

Thanks



Heddwen