Injectibles = Multiples

[babydust4me]

I was wondering what your doctors have told you....I am on my 6th cycle of clomid and will be getting my fourth cycle of HCG in a few days. I had one IUI with no success and will be shortly having my second. I was asking my Dr today about injectibles and IUI and this is what she said to me regarding multiples.

"If you take injectible meds instead of Clomid, it's more potent and can cause many follies to grow which would release many eggs and could therefore result in twins, triplets or quads. But IVF is more controlled because they take 2 eggs fertilize with sperm and there would be no more than twins conceived. Thats if both eggs took."

I was just wondering what your Dr's have discussed with you ladies.

[sandiegogal]

This is true. IVF is more controlled regarding multiple births, though most docs during IVF seem to put back 2 or 3 fertilized eggs, so that can create multiples as well. However, injectible cycles can be well monitored to try and limit the number of follicles produced. I had an u/s and b/w at least every other day during my injections, and sometimes everyday...for almost 2 weeks. They kept changing my med dose depending on what the b/w (E2) and u/s showed each time. And, before they would start my Repronex cycle the RE made me sign a paper saying that I would be willing to do selective reduction if I ended up pg with too many babies (more than 3 I think was what it said). I produced so many follicles (16-20 to be exact :eek: ) that they reduced my meds so much and so quickly that all my follies shrunk, and I did not even have a follie left to ovulate. My RE at the time told me that it is really not an exact sceince at all, and often it takes several cycles to get the med doses right in order to try not to produce too many follies.

Anyhow, I hope that answered your question a bit.

:p Kim

[babydust4me]

:eek: OMG, That's a lot of follies. I think I'll jump right to the IVF. The Dr told me that injectibles are cheaper than IVF, but I have medical coverage for all services rendered. I am allowed 50K for a lifetime and was told my billing that that would give me at least 7 IVF treatments if needed. IUI, all office visits and meds are covered unlimitedly. I have an IVF interview scheduled on Feb, 7th and I guess I'll take it from there. Hopefully I'll get pregnant during this cycle and will not have to go that route. Thanks for your response.

[kellikoo12]

I ran into this exact problem today! I had been on the Repronex and unfortunately, it caused too many follicles to be produced. I showed 5-6 that were all 16-18...and several more that were at least 13-14. My RE does the same, monitoring very closely with US and b/w. It's a very tedious and frustrating process! However, Clomid can result in multiples, it's just usually not as potent as the injectables.

[sandiegogal]

BabyDust~ Wow, if you have fabulous coverage like that...I would agree and just skip right to IVF. You have to figure IVF has better chances anyhow since the fertilized embryo goes right into your uterus. Good luck!! :)

Kelli~ Yes, it can be a very frustrating process. Hang in there, and good luck with the cycle... I'll cross my fingers it has excellent results for you!

:p Kim

[babydust4me]

I guess I'm a little hesitant because I'm so afraid that they'll mix up my egg/sperm with someone elses. Don't they have to freeze the sperm? I can't believe sperm are not harmed after being frozen.

[babidius]

My last IUI cycle I had 1 follie size 21 and 1 follies size 19 and 8 follies size 16 when I triggered. At my first us there were definitelt 2 sacs and possibly a third. At my next there were 2 and I had 2 more us and we saw the Babies heartbeats. By the time I went for an us at 15 weeks one of my Twins had passed. I am currently 31 weeks with my Son. Multiples didn't scare me though and after a while my DH was actually excited about Twins but I am very glad to be having my Son!

[copwife]

I hope you dont mind me asking, were you on injectables? with iui, thats alot of follicles, what were your meds and doses?
I am doing an injectable cycle too and are nervous, i want alot of eggs, it gives ya a better chance! wouldn't mind twins either!!!:)

Jodi

[babidius]

Jodi, Where you talking to me? I'll reply anyway. I took Gonal-f 150 iu a day and I also took a drug called Antagon to keep me from Oing early. I took Follistim 150 iu a day the month before and I O'd early like day 10ish, I got a BFP that month but miscarried within a week. I was heartbroken when I miscarried and they were actually going to have me take a month off before trying again but I cried and they caved. They never mentioned canceling my cycle due to the amount of follies but I did get OHSS and it was very unpleasant. But I would do it again in a heartbeat!

[sandiegogal]

Jodi,

I'm not sure if you were asking me either, but will respond as well :) . The cycle I had 16-20 follies, I was taking Repronex. I can't remember my doses exactly...it was more than 2 years ago, but I think I remember doing 2 vials per injection? Part of my problem was that I have PCOS, so much more prone to overstimulating. And when they saw all those follies on u/s, they cut my meds, all the follies shrunk and the cycle was a bust. It was WAY too many for them to feel comfortable. They still triggered me and we still did an IUI, but based on my E2 that day, they knew that there was basically no mature follies. I would have been perfectly fine with twins or triplets though...

Good luck with your cycle!! :D

:p Kim