Hi everyone, my first IUI is coming up soon and I really do not know what to expect and I was wondering if anyone could let me know.

I went today for my u/s and my right is at 18mm and the left is at 16mm. I have to go back tomorrow 8/29 my RE said they grow 2-3mm a day and tommorrow the left one could be ready. I already have my Ovidrel shot to bring in case I am they said they may administer it for me (also my first time with Ovidrel). When do they give me that HCG trigger shot and what is it supposed to do. I really feel wierd asking all of these questions but I am new to this and I'm a little consfused. If anyone has answers I would greatly appreciate it. I am so excited that I see so many women getting pregnant. I think it is wonderful and truly refreshing to have such wonderful people out there who take the time to care and support others.

Does the IUI hurt?
Will I be out of work for the day I get it done?
What are the side effects if any?
What is the trigger shot I really need someone to answer that for me?
When does the 2ww start?
Thanks,
Kim

Hi Kim!
I'm no expert, I just had my first IUI this month, but I can answer some of those questions for you.
The trigger shot (no matter the brand name) is typically HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), and it's meant to cause you to ovulate in 36 hours according to my RE. They will usually give you the trigger shot (or have you give it yourself at home) when they feel the follicle is big enough to have a mature egg, and when your hormone levels look good. I personally didn't have any side effects with the shot (which is the only injectable I've done).

The IUI is usually done either the next day or 2 days after the trigger shot(usually 24-36 hours after). They can also time the IUI after using home ovulation kits, but I've never done this. The IUI wasn't bad for me, no worse than a pap smear, MUCH better than the HSG dye test I had a few months back. Afterwards, I had to lay there for 15 minutes. I had moderate cramping during, and then after. According to my RE, totally ok to go back to work after IUI (but not IVF if I remember). I went back to work afterwards, cuz I have to work constantly it seems like. I can't take time off with such little notice like that, lol. Anyway, the 2ww starts after your ovulation (which for me was same day as my IUI).

Sounds like your follicles are at good size, how's your lining? Hope all goes well, keep us posted on how it goes!! Good luck!:)

Hey Kim,
The IUI doesn't hurt at all. It's really pretty anti-climatic -- the procedure itself only lasts about 5 minutes. Basically they'll use a speculum to open you up and then they'll put a catheter through your cervix to your uterus and shoot your DH's sperm up in there. Then they'll probably tell you to lie still for a few minutes (my clinic did 5 mins but I've heard of some doing as much at 30). Before doing the IUI, they'll go over the stats for your DH's sperm.

The Ovidrel is your trigger shot. What that means is that once your RE determines that your follicle(s) have reached the right size, your RE will instruct you to do your trigger (and sounds like they may even do it there). Basically this shot will trigger your ovulation (the releasing of your egg or eggs). Your RE may instruct you and DH to babydance the evening of the trigger (or maybe not) and you'll also get an appointment for your IUI procedure. For me, we did BD on evening of trigger and then came in for IUI 2 days after the trigger.

You should be up and walking right after the IUI procedure (well, actually, after your lying down period). The only side effects I'm aware of are possible cramping, but you should be allowed to take something over the counter if you have cramps. (Out of 3 IUIs I only had cramping once). From the day of your IUI procedure, your 2 ww begins. You'll have a beta 13 or 14 days from the date of your IUI.

Good luck!!! :D

Thank you Cubeb and Heyknack. The both of you helped me alot. Thank you very much.


The Pharmacy also gave me two small glass bottles one looks like powder and one looks like liquid. What are those meds used for??

Fila --
I'm not sure what your bottles are -- do you have the name of it (i.e., the name of the drug)? My Menopur (a stimming drug that I used for IVF) had one bottle of powder and one of clear liquid. Basically you would use a needle to take the liquid out and then you'd shoot the liquid into the bottle with the powder to dissolve the powder. Then you'd inject the powder/water mixture into yourself.

Fila--I am also wondering, what does the label say? I think many medications can be packaged in 2 bottles. They could also be your HCG injection...I'm not sure because I've never used the specific brand Ovidrel before (my HCG was just generic). But my HCG was like this: I had 2 bottles, one with sterile diluent (like water), and the other with powder. I had to take out 1cc water and mix it into the powder bottle, then pull all the liquid out once it was mixed. Then I changed needles to a much smaller needle, and injected that.

I'm sure you'll do fine with all the meds you have to do. I thought I would be more scared to do the HCG injection than I was, and I didn't even feel it (although I was sore at the site for a day or 2). All in all, I think my IUI cycle so far has been much easier and less painful that I expected.:)