What's an IUI?

You girls are great!! Thanks so much for being there

for me -- I know this sounds silly, but just knowing
there are others out there like me that are thinking

of me and praying for me really helps, especially in

these 'trying times'. Jana suggested I describe an IUI

for those that may not know about it. It stands for

Intrauterine insemination. In my first IUI (Cycle 3

-- I'm on #5 now), I did shots of Menopur (FSH or

follicle stimulating hormone) for about 5 days, I think

that was what the protocol was anyway. Then I had the

follicle check ultrasound on Day 9. They told me I had

one follicle that was big enough and that I was supposed

to use an ovulation predictor kit to check for ovulation.

If it didn't happen by a certain time that they told me,

I was supposed to do a 'trigger' shot with hCG. This

would trigger ovulation in about 36 hours, which is when

my appointment was. We drove up to Boise and then my

husband and I were directed into a room that reminded

me a lot of regular check-up rooms like are used for pap

smears. I undressed from the waist down and covered

with a cloth. Then the nurse came in with the sperm,

which had been washed, and told me the sperm count.

I can't remember exactly what it was but they said it

was pretty good. Anyway, it's in a syringe with a catheter

on the end. (See the picture for what it looks like)

The IUI was much like a pap smear -- they inserted

the speculum and threaded the syringe into the uterus.

Before I knew it, I was done. So I sat up! She told me

to lay back down and to just relax for about 15 minutes.

After that, I went home and had to wait a dreadful two

weeks until I could go to the hospital for a blood test

that would determine if I was pregnant or not. I tried

to do everything I could to remain calm and not stress

about it...yeah, that is probably the hardest part. :)

Anyway the blood test came and then I found out I

wasn't pregnant...which brings us to today! I had a

follicle reduction yesterday right before the IUI. They

gave me several pills and a shot to make me calm and

woozy, and they worked right away! Then they inserted

the speculum and put a needle through the vaginal wall

- it feels like a pinch, well a little more than a pinch, but

not too horrible. The doctor was only going to leave 2

follicles but I asked her to leave 3. Am I crazy??? She

said it wouldn't increase the chance of pregnancy, just

the chance of multiples. I told her that was fine. :) Then

she did the IUI and I was done. We were in and out of

the office in an hour. The drugs made me so tired I slept

all the way home. So now we're in our two week wait....

my blood test is October 10th to check for pregnancy!!

And to answer your question Amy, we are seeing Dr.

Slater and we love her too! The whole staff there is great

-- so many of them have gone WAY out of their way to

help us and comfort us and it is so great. I am glad you

had success with her -- it gives me lots of hope! Oh, and

one other thing -- I'm also trying acupuncture now. I've

heard it helps, and right now I'm so desperate I'll try

ALMOST anything. I would be interested to hear if anyone

has tried that. And anyone who hasn't sent in their story,

please do!! I would love to hear about your experiences.

Laura