trigger shot for IUI

[sarge1]

This week I will have my first IUI.  My question is, what is the purpose of the hCG shot?  I understand that it is to trigger ovulation, but I guess I don't understand the timing.  If I'm getting ready to ovulate on my own (which I do), does the trigger shot override my own ovulation?  Let's say I was going to ovulate in the next 12 hours-if I take the trigger shot will my ovulation then be delayed and I'll ovulate within the next 24-36?
I missed an IUI opportunity last month due to doctor's scheduling, and I'm really worried about missing this one.  Especially since all my blood levels looked really good today, and I had a couple of size 16 follies :)
So far we are looking at Wednesday trigger shot and IUI Thursday and Friday.
Thanks

[Kayleigh01]

I have done the IUI 4 times and have not gotten pregnant..  But i took clomid last month 100 mg. and still nothing, I am on day 1 of the clomid this month... still 100 mg. I am giving up hope. Any help??

[babysomeday]

I just found this article...read the last two lines.

Will smaller follicles "catch up" in time to release eggs?

Follicles generally need to be at least 15-16 mm to contain fertilizable eggs (although it is possible in rare cases for follicles to be as small as 14 mm and still contain fertilizable eggs). If the smaller follicles are close in size to the lead, they may "catch up" and release. HCG will usually result in most mature follicles releasing eggs. Otherwise, most likely only the lead follicle will ovulate.


http://www.inciid.org/faq.php?cat=infertility101&id=1#6

Hope this helps :)

[sarge1]

yes, I forgot to mention, I am also on 100 mg of Clomid, days 5-9.  And I read yesterday, that washed sperm don't live nearly as long as unwashed, so now I understand a little better about how close they have to time the IUI.  
The good newis that I used my OPK this morning and got a negative, so I am actually getting excited that things are falling into place just as they should this time.  I will have an ultrasound and blood work tomorrow, and then most likely trigger tomorrow night and IUI Thursday morning.  I was excited to read from babysomeday that the trigger forces all of the follies to release; that makes sense now.  
I always know that if I come here, so many of you will "fill in the blanks" with the information I am unable to get from the RE's office.  Thanks!

[babysomeday]

From what I understand, is even if you are ready to release on your own, typically a normal cycle your body would only release the lead follicle, when triggering, it usually makes all mature follies release. If you were going to O on your own say in 12 hours, then you give yourself a trigger, I think you would release the one that was ready and then the trigger would make the other (or others) release in about 24-36 hours later. That is what I read, but can't remember where b/c I read so many darn websites on this stuff :)

[sarge1]

thanks everyone, this is all so complicated. I find myself second guessing the doctor's office all the time.  I'm worried because they only do ultrasound every other day, so my next one is Wednesday.  So, I don't want to get a surge on my own tomorrow.  We've been instructed to bd tomorrow, so I guess we're covering our bases.    

[mlb1234]

I did not do IUI but did take Femara and an HCG trigger.  Basically in between the days I had ultrasounds to monitor the follicle size, I had to take opk's.  If i got an LH surge then I was to give the trigger that night.  In my case, they saw a ripe follicle during the 4th u/s and did the trigger then.  I think the rationale is that some women don't produce enough LH and so even if you do get a surge the trigger will ensure the ovulation/IUI/BD timing.  I ovulated on my own previously but it was erratic and difficult to conceive.  It worked the first time for me!!  Good luck!

[Tanker Chic]

Are you on any other meds besides the HCG trigger.  The reason I'm asking is because those other meds are used to regulate your cycle. That is why they give them to people who are capable of ovulating on their own.  I struggle with the same problem of second guessing my RE decisions but I just keep trying to convince myself that they are the experts and know what they are doing.  For now trust'em and if it doesn't work out, take it as a learning experience for the next cycle.  Please keep us posted.  I'm interested in how it all works out for you and we learn a lot from each others successes and failures.  I'm hoping the best for you.  

[babyprayers]

I am suprised they are giving you the hcg trigger when you ovulate on your own.. I had to take it 10000 units because I do not ovulate, and the hcg triggered me to ovulate. I had 4 failed IUI's with regular ob/gyn now I am seeing an RE, he has me taking lupron to stop ovulation (not that I would anyway, but just to be sure) then when follies are mature I will do the Hcg trigger. jsut an FYI when I did trigger shot, I started testing at 8 DPO it was negative, that way ANything after that if it was positive then I knew it would be for real. My doc said usually hcg leaves the body between 1000-1500 units per day,  

[shishka]

After U/S confirms tat your follicles are mature, they will give you HCG trigger shot to ensure that you will release the egg after 24-36 hours. Then they will time your IUI usually day after the HCG. Good luck

[Tanker Chic]

I'm not sure whether or not the HCG will override your own LH surge, but the way I understand it, the HCG is used to regulate your cycle, so the IUI can be properly timed.  You didn't mention whether or not you were on clomid but that will also change your typical cycle.  For instance, naturally I have pretty short cycles.  Usually 25 or 26 days, so I usually ovulate around cd 11 or 12.  On the clomid (cd 5-9), I go in for u/s on cd 12, do the trigger shot that evening (11 pm) and go in for IUI on cd 14 at 11a.m. (36 hr after trigger).  

For my first IUI my RE did an additional u/s the morning of the IUI (cd14 at 8 am) just to verify I hadn't already ovulated and I hadn't.  He said I probably would later that afternoon.  He also has me bbt.  This month has been screwy for me, but in the past it was extremely helpful because I would see the thermal shift the day after IUI.  Confirming the proper timing.  I also did get pg the first time, but it didn't work out.  

Now that I am taking the meds, I purposely don't use the opks anymore.  I think it will just stress me out and make me second guess everything. I have a habit of over thinking things.  I highly recommend using the bbt method.  It helps give you some peace of mind.  Best of luck to you.  I hope this is it for you!!  

[tina1111]

Gosh, I wish I could help. I'm not up on triggers. Hopefully, someone will drop in and answer. April1113 had a trigger last cycle. Maybe she'll know.