My Journey into Motherhood: Super Ovulation + IUI

We laid off Clomid in June for the HSG procedure and we were a little hopeful to conceive naturally after that as we've read reports that the rate of conception increased in the 3 months after HSG.

However, that's not God's plan for us at that moment.

So we took the next step.

My gynae gave us some options regarding IUI which is essentially a procedure where sperm is inserted via a tube into the cervix so that the little guys are nearer the eggs. We felt this was the most natural procedure versus ICSI and IVF which requires the eggs to be extracted and some form of artificial fertilisation process. At this moment, we are not inclined to consider the other 2 options not just because it is CRAZY EXPENSIVE (at approximately US$12,000 per try) but because we just felt it was meddling too much with God's ways.

The 3 IUI options given are:

1. Natural IUI - to ovulate naturally whereby only 1 egg will be released, coupled with IUI
2. Clomid + IUI - to ovulate with the help of Clomid whereby 1-2 eggs will be released, coupled with IUI
3. Super Ovulation + IUI: to ovulate with the help of Clomid and 2 Gonal F injections whereby 2-3 eggs will be released, coupled with IUI

Weighing all things, we decided to go for the 3rd option as the chance of conception is the highest

I started my 5 day course of 50mg Clomid on Day 3 of my cycle and on Day 8, I had to go in to the clinic and check on the number & size of the follicles. I had 3 follicles in my left ovary and all was going according to plan :)

Next up:

This is basically to encourage the growth of the follicles to 18mm & above. The first jab was self administered at the clinic under the watchful eyes of the nurse. It hurt just a little when the needle went into the abdomen about an inch below the belly button. It hurt a little more when the solution was injected. Overall, it took less than 5 minutes for the injection.

I injected the 2nd dose myself in my bathroom on Day 10 of my cycle. Because of some fear, I felt the pain more intensely this time round.

I was supposed to go for a scan on Day 12 but as it fell on a Sunday, I went the following day. My 3 follicles were doing well and measured 16mm,18mm and 24mm. The gynae felt it was timely to perform the IUI the following day so he injected me with Pregnyl (5000IU) as my LH test was still negative that morning.

Day 14: IUI Day

Sperm sample was collected in the morning for washing.

About an hour later, the sample is ready to be inserted.

During the insertion, my gynae noticed that my cervix was too small and because of that the catheter could not be inserted inside the cervix so he just placed the sperm just outside my cervix. He advised that if we were not successful this time, he would have to do a cervix dilation the following month so that he could do a proper IUI.

The entire procedure was over in less than 10 minutes but I was told to rest there for as long as I wanted. In the end, I rested for a little over an hour before leaving the clinic.

Breakdown of the total cost:
Clomid (5 tabs): $14
2 Gonal F injections: US$166
Consultation:US$48
Pregnyl: US$70
Ultrasound:US$48
IUI: US$170
Total: US$516 (excluding the washing of sperm which was less than US$50)

After all is said & done, we put our hopes not on the procedure but on our unchanging Jesus.

For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.

Psalm 48:14