Hi Ladies!

It's been quite awhile. We built a house, and were living with my parents for 3 months until ours was ready. We're starting to feel more settled now.

As for the TTC rollercoaster, our direction there has changed as well. 2 1/2 years ago we tried one IUI. BFN, and things didn't feel right, so we took a break. Then we used a known donor for a year, home ICIs. All BFNs, so we took a break from that. We are now back to doing IUIs at the clinic, but with a different unknown donor. It seems easier emotionally this time, although our first one was a BFN.

I have a decision to make, and not sure what to do. My doctor here has referred me to another doctor because he is not sure whether to send me for a laparoscopy or not. But my RE where we do our IUIs wants me to try 6 months first, even though we already did a year of home ICIs. I don't want unneccesary surgery. But I also don't want to waste another 6 months. I ovulate and have a regular cycle, and I don't take meds, but I have no idea about my lining and all that. Any suggestions? How much baby aspirin do you take? How do you know if you need it? I've never had ultrasounds to check for anything like that.
Thanks for all the help. It's good to be back and feel all the support here.
Cathy

Hi!
Have you ever had an HSG? That is where they check to see if your tubes are open. I just had one last week (had one 3 years ago too). It's a simple procedure and at least you'll know your pipes are clear!!

After my 4th failed IUI my doc suggested I go on baby asprin. One 81mg pill/day.I will start that when I start in a couple weeks.

Do you have your IUIs monitored? How are you tracking your ovulation? Maybe bloodwork and sono would help w/ the timing.

That's my
 

 

Cathy, why even the suggestion of a lap since you've never even been monitored? I agree with Jules. Tell your dr that you would like to have a hsg. A hsg will not put you out of commission and will defintely give you valuable information. You will know if your tubes are open or not. The dr will also get a picture of your uterus.

If all is clear with the hsg, I recommend monitored cycles. Go in on day 3 of your cycle for baseline b/w and u/s. The b/w should consist of FSH and E2 at a minimum. An elevated E2 level may mean you have a cyst. An u/s will confirm that. Also have you ever had other hormone levels tested? Some women have problems with their thyroid hormone and that can contribute to not getting pg. If you regularly ovulate around day 14 then start going back for u/s and b/w (E2) around day 10. An E2 level of 200 signifies a mature follicle. Also have your P4 (progesterone) checked at that time. Your level will indicate if ovulation is approaching. Testing your LH will let you know if you are surging.

Good Luck.

I had an HSG 2 years ago and all was clear. Blood work shows I ovulate, but that's all I know. My IUIs are done 2 hours from here, so I'm not sure if the clinic would allow me to do the monitoring from here or not. If I'm paying for it, can I tell the clinic that I want this done? I haven't paid for any other bloodwork or HSG, only the IUIs (I'm Canadian), but I don't know about this other stuff. I'd like to get aggressive, but the clinic seems to want to wait. Is this stuff I will have to fight for?

I am also in Canada and things here are alot more "pro-singleton" and therefore slower it seems. We had no choice but to complete cycles as our clinic ordered and we were also told to try 6 cycles on Clomid (even though it was not working) before we were allowed to move up to injectibles..now that being said before we ever we even permitted to do our very first IUI we had to complete all the testing upfront...HSG, SA, b/w, u/s, etc...as far as the baby aspirin - our RE recommended 1 a day starting at cd1 until IUI to help your lining if you have problems with it being less than 10mm....if you do not have u/s or b/w to confirm follies or your lining you are kinda in the dark and may want to increase your monitoring...