IUI

What is IUI?

Intrauterine Insemination (A.K.A. IUI or AI [artificial insemination]) is usually the first treatment after fertility meds. It's a fairly easy procedure and relatively cheap compared to other alternatives such as IVF.

When is it used?

IUI is typically used in instances of unexplained infertility, cervical mucus problems, and sperm issues (low count or motility).

What goes on during an IUI?

• Typically, but not always, you are given Clomid to stimulate your ovaries. 

• Your follicles will be monitored by ultrasound and when they are of proper size, you will be given an hCG shot to stimulate the release of the eggs. 

• Your partner (if not using a sperm donor) will produce a sample. After, the sperm are "washed" to separate the sperm from the seminal fluid.

• Using a thin tube called a catheter, the doctor will inject the sperm directly into the uterus through your cervix. This process increases the possibility of conception by putting the maximum amount of sperm directly in the uterus.

How successful is IUI?

The average success rate is 10%-20% in one cycle. Women under 35 have higher rates of success than women over 35.

Check out this video on IUI HERE!

What Does This All Mean?

When you first start charting, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. There are a lot of different things you can see on a chart from when you "BD" to what kind of cervical fluid you have.

Let's start with the data input. (Click pics to enlarge)

This is where you put all your info in. You get here by clicking the day of the month you are on. On the main screen, you have a spot for your temp, what time you took your temp at, what kind of cervical fluid you have (Dry, Sticky, Creamy, Watery, Egg White), whether you have your period or spotting (with options of spotting, light, medium, and heavy) and whether or not you "BD'd" or had insemination (Yes, AM, PM, Both, No, IUI, IVF Retrieval). You also have the option to make any notes that could pertain to that specific day (ex. Had HSG today).

On the Secondary tab is the page to record what your cervix is like that day.

For position you have Low, Medium, High. For texture you have Firm, Medium, Soft and with opening you have Closed, Medium, Open.

Next is the Tests tab

On this page you can mark whether you got a postive (+) or negative (-) OPK (ovulation test), a + or - pregnancy test, if your fertility monitor is at Low, High, or Peak, if your ferning test is None, Partial, or Full and if your OV Watch is at Non Fertile (NF), Fertile Day 1,2,3,4  OV Day 1 or 2 (ovulation day) and Less Fertile Day 1or 2.

Next is the Specific tab

First off, yours will not look this long. I've added different signs as I've been charting (as you can as well by clicking the Add/Remove Signs link at the bottom) so initially, yours will be a bit shorter. This section is self explanatory. You have a symptom, you click the box. That's all. All of these signs will be color coded and numbered and put below your chart. And you can put your mood and energy levels in there too.

Up next, the Meds tab

Simply click the box of what med you are taking on what days. You can also add your own (I've added Birth Control and Soy Isoflavones).

Custom tab

This is where you can add whatever custom data you want using the Add/Remove link.

And finally, the Appointments tab

Put in any appointments you want to remember (although honestly we all use our phones for that these days!).

I'm Sure We All Have Felt This Way

Let's Get This Started!

WELCOME!

This is the place to soak up all the information you want/need about trying to conceive (TTC).

My facebook page on TTC wouldn't allow me any permanent documents to help with the flow of easily accessible information (guess I should have done a group maybe) so here is where you will find it!

Good luck to everyone and *~BABY DUST~*