IUI #2 or IVF? Confused and Need Advice 🙏🏻

Question

I’m in need of some advice...

My husband and I just did our first <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IUI</a> which failed. We are now debating whether to do another <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IUI</a> or start <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IVF</a>.

Here’s a bit of our story...

I’m 38 and he is 39. We started TCC 2 years ago, but postponed when my husband had emergency spinal fusion surgery for a burst fracture, followed by a revision surgery 2 months later due to the screws from the fusion backing out. Since then he was diagnosed with osteoporosis (very rare for a 39 year old male) and his recovery has been very slow. He did physical therapy and can walk again, but he wears a brace and can’t do anything physically demanding. He’s in constant pain-sometimes it’s manageable, sometimes not. The pain makes it difficult, and at times impossible to have sex.

Due to our age, and my husbands situation, we decided to see an RE in April 2019. All our testing - bloodwork, HSG, SA, etc. was normal.

For the past 5 months we’ve been doing acupuncture, OPK tests, and home insemination with no luck. Last month we did our first medicated <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IUI</a> cycle. I took Clomid & menopur, had three 19mm follicles at ultrasound, and triggered ovulation. His SA post wash was low at 6 million. The <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IUI</a> failed.

With all these factors considered - my age being 38, his length recovery after back surgery and diagnosis of osteoporosis - is it worth it to try another <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IUI</a> or should we just go straight to <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IVF</a>? We would like to have at least 2 children, so to me <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IVF</a> sounds like a better plan as we can hopefully save some embryos for the future. My husband is hesitant and concerned about the financial commitment. I’ve been very emotional and it’s hard to think clearly. If anyone has gone through anything similar, or has any advice for me I’d really appreciate it. Thank you so so much.

Answer

I skipped iui completely, and went straight from medicated cycles to ivf.  Iui has very little added chances compared to natural conception and medicated cycles, whereas ivf has a 70% chance of success. All of our tests were normal, too, so my doc supported us skipping iui.  After 7 medicated cycles and over 3 years ttc, we just decided to go all in.  So glad we did.  I'm 5 weeks, 5 days after 1st transfer, and have 12 embabies on ice.

Answer

My fiancé and I are planning on skipping IUIs completely and moving right to IVF.
He’s 40 and wanted kids sooner rather then later and with a better success rate it just makes sense to not potentially waste money in repeated IUIs failing.

Answer

I wouldn't bother with iui based on your ages and info provided. I started iui's in my mid 30's and did about  4 all failed we paid out of pocket. We moved on to ivf did 2 rounds with pgs and icsi . First round 2 abnormal embryos then 2nd round different clinic 7 viable embryos . Currently 29 weeks with a boy. I wish i hadn't wasted the time on iui it really was pointless for us. 
Good luck on your journey ! Any questions feel free to hit me up.

Answer

Given your age I would go straight to IVF.  It could take a few retrieval’s to get a satisfactory amount of viable eggs.  IUI can take many tries and it has a much lower success rate than IVF.

Answer

I would skip the iui’s and go for IVF.  Best of luck to you!

Answer

I'd do IVF, absolutely. We did 4 IUIs and they all failed. We were successful with our first IVF transfer. Given your ages and your fertility journey, in my completely non-medical opinion IUI is wasting time and money!

Answer

I’d go right to ivf (icsi) based on your ages and medical histories.

Answer

After 3 rounds of clomid and 4 of femara we skipped IUI and went straight to IVF. We managed to get pregnant on our second frozen cycle and I'm now 20 weeks. If theres any way you can financially make it work, it's so worth it. It has such higher success rates especially with your ages and issues. It will save you a lot of time and needless sorrow. We are glad we did it.

Answer

I agree if you can pay for Ivf, go for it. If you’re paying a lot for iui, it might be worth it to put that towards Ivf. If iui is cheap, you could do it 1-2 more times while you get your finances in order for Ivf.

Answer

I skipped IUI and went straight to IVF. At 33, my RE thought it was better to get moving, and to have some embryos on ice for future babies if needed. The younger the eggs, the better. My first round of IVF worked and I’m pregnant now. 
As someone else mentioned, IUI has pretty much the same chances of conception as sex does, so you’re prob better off upping your chances at this point. Good luck.

IUI #2 or IVF? Confused and Need Advice 🙏🏻

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