IUI/TWW advice?

[cetcar]

So, in the spirit of the 'Things You Wish You Knew' thread, I was wondering if people would want to post advice/science/superstition they've thought was helpful or heard worked for others in the IUI + TWW process.  It's one of those topics everyone seems to have slightly different takes on, and it could be interesting and maybe useful as a resource.  I know there's very few stats on really what matters all that much, and it's mostly a matter of probability, but it's easy to want to try anything that might help!

In my research and from our RE I've come across the following so far:

-If using a trigger, the IUI should be 36 hours after (though our RE is saying they do 40??)
-Lie down after for awhile.
-Have a full bladder at the time of the IUI

Afterward-
-Progesterone supplements
-Eat pineapple
-Drink pomegranate juice
-Reservatrol supplements?
-Lots of water
-"Think positive"
-No strenuous exercise
-Take baby aspirin?

Anyone heard the same/had something they think worked for them?

[megd893]

cetcar Only thing I did differently second go around (BFP) was that ... I had an orgasm after the insemination (15 minutes later). I know, maybe TMI, but it's the ONLY thing I did second time I didnt do the first.

[healz413]

On the pineapple front, it's actually pineapple core. What I've heard you should do is take the core and cut it in 5-6 pieces. Eat one piece each day from approximately 8 dpiui to 12-13 dpiui. It's supposed to help with implantation. (In my experience, it is much easier to eat if you slice the core length wise so that you end up with long, thin pieces.)

Also, I've heard that you're supposed to laugh a lot during the TWW.

We've also heard and done the pomegranate juice.

Also some people choose not to orgasm after the embryo would have formed (megd893's 15 minute later orgasm is fine) until the blood test or possibly until ultrasound or possibility until end of first trimester. The idea being to avoid uterine contractions.

[Stringy]

Are these just conversations or things we think we will stick/blog for newbies and informational purposes? Cuz, I think we should be careful to be clear what is superstition and what is fact. People hear a lot of conflicting advice, even from office to office (such as the trigger to IUI timing). I've had 6 or 7 IUI's (I cant even remember anymore) and never once been told to have a full bladder. That doesn't mean you weren't told it - but I wasn't. I also had different docs/midwives tell me different things about lying down and taking it easy right after. One had me practically turn upside down for 30 minutes, others are like, just sit here for 10 minutes and be on your way.

And, FWIW, the second list of things - my first thought today was, well I've done none of those, so clearly that is why I'm not pregnant yet. Ok, I thought positive the first few times, and maybe I've drank more water, but nothing else. I've heard them all before cuz I've been around TB and PB a lot - but really, today's thought was like I'm not helping myself get knocked up cuz I didn't drink raspberry tea (another one I've seen around here lately).

I'm not upset over your post, and I'm in a pretty crappy TTC mood right now - but I just don't want a new person to come on and literally think that they haven't gotten pregnant because they didn't eat pineapple core and do acupuncture. That's all.

Oh and if this is more just a conversational thread, don't mind me - I'll be quiet now

[cetcar]

I definitely didn't post this to upset anyone. I honestly just am prone to over-researching as a way of coping, and kept coming across all kinds of things, some of which were more scientifically-backed than others.

If it's not appropriate as a thread topic, I totally understand. I don't want to upset anyone here at all.

[healz413]

I think those are good points, Stringy. I read it as a conversational post. And I posted my answer based on what I've heard, not based on what has been proven or what I think people need to do.

But you're right. It's easy for someone who is struggling with TTC to read a conversation like this and get down on themselves for not having done all (or any) of the things on the list or to think they've found a magic bullet in one or more of the things.

FWIW, our RE never had manada do anything in this thread other than 1) trigger 36 hours before IUI and 2) use progesterone during our medicated cycles.

[megd893]

Mar 24, 2015 13:47:54 GMT -5 healz413 said:

On the pineapple front, it's actually pineapple core. What I've heard you should do is take the core and cut it in 5-6 pieces. Eat one piece each day from approximately 8 dpiui to 12-13 dpiui. It's supposed to help with implantation. (In my experience, it is much easier to eat if you slice the core length wise so that you end up with long, thin pieces.)

Also, I've heard that you're supposed to laugh a lot during the TWW.

We've also heard and done the pomegranate juice.

Also some people choose not to orgasm after the embryo would have formed (megd893's 15 minute later orgasm is fine) until the blood test or possibly until ultrasound or possibility until end of first trimester. The idea being to avoid uterine contractions.

I read (who knows where now) that the contractions from an orgasm right after inseminations help move/motivate the sperm?  I mean, really ... with MILLIONS of them in there AND them being given a headstart with placement, you'd think it'd be a no brainer.  *sigh* 

[Stringy]

Mar 24, 2015 14:49:34 GMT -5 cetcar said:

I definitely didn't post this to upset anyone. I honestly just am prone to over-researching as a way of coping, and kept coming across all kinds of things, some of which were more scientifically-backed than others.

If it's not appropriate as a thread topic, I totally understand. I don't want to upset anyone here at all.

No its not at all an inappropriate thread.  I just honestly didn't know if this was the part of "create a sticky/faq" thing or not - and if it was going to be I thought it needed some disclaimers.  No reason not to discuss what people have done or what has been suggested!

[karlamo]

Typing fast, forgive typos..

Hugs Stringy, I've been there. "Maybe if I stand on my head the 3dpiui it will work." ugh!

I agree there is a difference between scientific findings proven to work and old wives tales. I believe if you're going to get pregnant then it will happen despite and inspite of what you do. The world's poplution would be a hell of a lot smaller if every time a woman had sex she needed to eat pineapple core and put her feet up for 2 weeks!

My RE said many RE's reccomend resting afterwards for the psychological benefit not because it has proven to increase the chances. There is a new study I read back in Dec that found that women who were more active after transfer had higher success rate due to increase bloodflow to uterus.

You are doing nothing wrong and it is so hard to manage expectations especially when you kick it up a notch with an RE and treatment. Thinking of you!

[kekaellypula]

We are just starting the process. Our clinic has done a few initial tests. Lots of initial bloodwork. Estradiol, FSH, HCG Quant, LH, Progesterone, CMV, Rubella, A1C, plus a few genetic ones that I haven't gotten the results for yet. I've had the following tests in the past 5 days.

Transvaginal ultrasound - pain level 3
SHG - pain level 5
HSG - pain level 8

I don't know if anyone else had to have these tests or not. My doctor does them so that any issues can be found early. Now the big question is... how painful is the IUI procedure?

[wittyandwaiting]

Stringy - I'm sorry that your in a crappy TTC place right now. It totally sucks. I've definitely been there too. You bring up important points, for anything we pin, perhaps we should be reasonably factual or be clear about when we are simply saying 'in my experience....'

Hopefully things start to look up for us both on the TTC front.

I hope we're being conversational because I don't think I can orgasm standing on my head while eating pineapple and laughing.

For me this is helpful, my RE hasn't discussed progesterone with me so I'm going to bring it up tomorrow.

[Stringy]

Mar 24, 2015 16:56:24 GMT -5 kekaellypula said:

We are just starting the process. Our clinic has done a few initial tests. Lots of initial bloodwork. Estradiol, FSH, HCG Quant, LH, Progesterone, CMV, Rubella, A1C, plus a few genetic ones that I haven't gotten the results for yet. I've had the following tests in the past 5 days.

Transvaginal ultrasound - pain level 3
SHG - pain level 5
HSG - pain level 8

I don't know if anyone else had to have these tests or not. My doctor does them so that any issues can be found early. Now the big question is... how painful is the IUI procedure?

I've heard these things vary for people. For me the u/s is uncomfortable but not painful. Same with the SHG. I have not had an HSG. The IUIs aren't painful either. Maybe once or twice its been slightly uncomfortable and crampy after but some other times nothing at all.

[RM80]

Mar 24, 2015 16:59:56 GMT -5 wittyandwaiting said:

Stringy - I'm sorry that your in a crappy TTC place right now. It totally sucks. I've definitely been there too. You bring up important points, for anything we pin, perhaps we should be reasonably factual or be clear about when we are simply saying 'in my experience....'

Hopefully things start to look up for us both on the TTC front.

I hope we're being conversational because I don't think I can orgasm standing on my head while eating pineapple and laughing.

For me this is helpful, my RE hasn't discussed progesterone with me so I'm going to bring it up tomorrow.

I had to ask my RE about progesterone, I had it for my ivf cycle so I just assumed I would for IUI too. He said it's not typically done, but if I wanted it he would prescribe it because there's no harm! I took it!

[Stringy]

What is progesterone supposed to do?

[wittyandwaiting]

Mar 24, 2015 19:04:15 GMT -5 Stringy said:

What is progesterone supposed to do?

I ditto this question.

[RM80]

I think lengthen the luteal phase. Keeps you from getting your period and your body/lining prime for implementation longer.

I THINK!

[calsurb]

My non-medical wisdom is to definitely get that orgasm right after the iui. Also, the more relaxed you are during the iui, the better. There can be pain if your cervix isn't open too much. The more relaxed you get, the better it'll feel.
Also, I did acupuncture the day after the iui to help promote blood flow to the lady parts region!

I also started vaginal progesterone suppositories the night after the iui. They're a messy lot but I think they helped.

****We did two iui's each time I ovulated, typically one each morning for two days in a row after I tested positive with an opk.

[healz413]

Progesterone is naturally produced by the corpus luteum (what is leftover after the egg is ovulated) but some people do not produce enough on their own. (And in IVF, the whole regimen of drugs and the retrieval screws up your system so much that have to supplement with progesterone even if you usually produce enough). In the early stages the progesterone primes the lining for implantation. Later one it helps to sustain the pregnancy (I don't know the specifics of why/how and don't have time now to google). Low progesterone is a leading cause of early miscarriage. Clinics that don't supplement with progesterone as a matter of course will often test progesterone levels after a positive pregnancy test and the supplement if needed. Some doctors or individuals choose to add progesterone after an IUI as a precautionary measure because it won't hurt to do so.