MY BATTLE WITH INFERTILITY: FIRST FAILED IUI

I just wanted to give you a quick update on how my IUI treatment went last cycle. Well, from the title you can tell that it did not work. This is the reason why I've been MIA since November. I've been emotionally down and frustrated but now, I guess I'm better.

But first, what is IUI?

IUI or Intrauterine Insemination is a fertility treatment that involves placing a healthy sperm inside the uterus to facilitate fertilization. In other words, they will take your husband's sperm and insert the swimmers inside the uterus with  a catheter.

THE PROCEDURE

I was put on Clomid again and I responded well. I ovulated and my ultrasound looked pretty good. My OB also injected Ovidrel so I can produce more eggs and again it worked! I had 4 mature eggs waiting!

On the other hand, Mark produced a semen sample that had undergone sperm washing to ensure that the healthy sperm is separated from the low quality ones.

An hour before the procedure I have to consume one liter of water, as a full bladder helps the doctor to angle the catheter inside the uterus. I was again, laid down on a small bed with my knees bent and legs apart then she inserted the speculum inside me.

Somehow, may trauma na ako every time na pinapahiga ako sa bed na yun! I was so nervous because I didn't know if it's painful or not!

Before the procedure, we were shown a vial of my husband's sperm. The OB asked me to make sure that it is my husband's information on the label. 

Then the insemination started! My OB pushed the catheter closed to my uterus where there are mature follicles waiting. She then injected my husband's sperm through the catheter. After that, she asked me not to stand for 30mins. 

It was not that painful, it's more of an awkward and uncomfortable feeling after the IUI process.


WAITING GAME

Actually, the hardest part is the "two week wait".

Waiting and being excited about the possibilities of getting pregnant.

I was two days delayed but on the third day my heavy period started. I remember crying so hard when I found out.

Honestly, it was the toughest cycle yet for me to receive a negative because our hopes were super high! As far as I know, we did what we need to do. We followed the doctor's  advices, I did HSG to make sure my tubes were not blocked and we bought all the supplements needed for this cycle to be successful. But still, it did not worked.

What's heartbreaking for me is seeing Mark super excited then telling him I'm sorry it's a negative.

Days after I went back to my OB's clinic. She told me maybe it's because Mark needs to correct his semen diagnosis first by taking the supplements. She also told me that stress can be a big factor. That maybe this pregnancy thing is taking over our lives already. That we kept on pressuring ourselves to conceive. That we already forgot to enjoy our time together as a newlywed couple.

I paused.

Somehow, she's right. Maybe, we need to relax and pause for a while.

It has been a tough year for us but I know God is always present in our lives. And nothing is too hard for Him.

How about you? Did you conceive because of IUI?

Love and prayers,
Judy