Re: Starting Follistim Cycle with IUI's for first time

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I know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed with information. The best strategy I found is to take a little calendar and mark each day with what you need to do, until you get the hang of things. Focus on one day at a time, and you won't feel like you are drowning in information. Also, don't be afraid to call up your Dr and ask for clarification about stuff. You don't want to make mistakes with injectible hormones, they are pretty darned potent.

Every cycle, I had a baseline ultrasound to make sure my ovaries were ready, as well as bloodwork to establish the baseline for my hormone levels. I started off with a fairly low dose, injected subcutaneously in the stomach. Usually I'd be called back after 4 or so days for a bloodtest to see how my hormone levels were. Based on the results of that bloodtest, the dosage of the drug was adjusted (or not), and an appointment scheduled for an ultrasound and bloodwork to check hormone levels and follicle growth. This regimen was repeated until the follicles were ripe. After the follicles were ripe, an HCG shot (intramuscular shot in the hip was given to release the egg.

After the HCG shot, a day and a half later, my husband went to the clinic and made his donation. At the clinic we went to, they treated the sperm to enhance it. I went to the clinic later that day and had the insemination. I don't what precisely they do down there, but my Dr said it would "pinch." You may gather from this that it hurt a bit, but it didn't last all that long. Then I just lay there for awhile and let "the boys" get to work. We were instructed to have intercourse that night as well. I didn't have much discomfort after the IUI, but my friend said she did and a bit of bleeding as well. I started using progesterone suppositories a couple of days after the insemination, and used them until 8 weeks of pregnancy. Two weeks after the IUI, I went and had bloodwork done to check for HCG levels. Now Junior is on the way, so it was worth everything :)

Best of good luck to you!

-Andrea

(Sorry to trim your message, I ran out of room to write!)

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