When Jennifer and Yanbo decided they were ready to grow their family, they expected it might take some time. What they didn’t expect was three years of waiting, uncertainty, and insurance hurdles before finally finding a path that worked.

In this Q&A, Jennifer and Yanbo share how they moved from “unexplained infertility” to a successful IUI cycle at Collab Fertility, and what they want other couples to know about IUI as an option.

Can you share a little about your fertility journey prior to choosing IUI?

We decided to start trying for a baby about three years ago. I stopped birth control, knowing it might take up to a year to get pregnant. That first year went by without a single positive test.

At the time, I had Kaiser, and I was told I needed to wait a full year before I could come in for testing. So we waited, and then in year two, I finally started getting checked to make sure my heart condition wouldn’t be an issue and to begin figuring out what might be going on.

That was when we hit our first roadblock. Kaiser told us they wouldn’t actually refer us to a fertility clinic; we would need to research clinics ourselves and then see which ones might work with our insurance. It was frustrating to feel like we had to navigate everything on our own.

We knew we wanted a local clinic in the Bay Area because fertility treatment means a lot of appointments. Based on advice from friends, I focused on clinics that were close to us in Walnut Creek and researched three, including Collab.

Had you tried other fertility treatments or approaches before IUI?

No. Before coming to Collab, we hadn’t tried any specific fertility treatments like IUI or IVF. It was more about waiting, tracking cycles, and trying naturally, while pushing to get basic testing and referrals.

Once we started working with Collab, that’s when we really moved into a more structured plan with testing and, eventually, IUI.

How did you first hear about Collab Fertility, and what made you choose to schedule a consultation with Dr. Segal?

I found Collab through my own research while looking at local clinics. I called to ask some questions, and honestly, that first phone call made a huge difference.

The person who answered the phone was so warm and welcoming. I didn’t feel pressured at all. It felt like a genuine, kind interaction at a time when we were pretty overwhelmed. That initial experience made Collab stand out right away as a place where we might feel comfortable.

When we met with Dr. Segal in person, we felt really at ease. Even though the appointment was relatively quick, she explained the process clearly, what might happen next, and emphasized that we’d know more once testing was complete. We left that meeting feeling both informed and supported.

How long had you been trying to conceive before coming to Collab?

By the time we got to Collab, it had been about two years of trying. The first year was spent waiting to meet the “one-year” requirement just to start testing, and the second year was spent trying to get answers and navigate an insurance system that didn’t make it easy to get fertility care.

We actually liked Collab so much after that first consultation that we ended up switching me over to my husband’s insurance at the end of the year so that treatment at Collab would be covered.

How did you and Dr. Segal decide that IUI was the right next step?

We both went through a full panel of testing at Collab. Everything came back normal, so Dr. Segal diagnosed us with unexplained infertility. On one hand, it was a relief to hear there wasn’t a serious health concern. On the other hand, we still didn’t have a clear “why.”

To get more information, Dr. Segal ordered a tubal patency test (often called a “bubble test”) to make sure my fallopian tubes were open. That also came back normal. At that point, Dr. Segal said, essentially, “I don’t see a reason you can’t get pregnant with a less invasive approach.”

Instead of pushing us straight into IVF, she recommended trying IUI first, with the understanding that if we weren’t successful after three IUI cycles, we could revisit IVF. Having that stepwise plan felt thoughtful and reassuring.

How did you feel going into your first IUI cycle?

Surprisingly calm and very supported.

From the start, the nurses made such a difference. Every time I went in for blood work or monitoring, they were kind, encouraging, and genuinely invested in our story. They remembered us, asked about how things were going, and never made me feel like “just another patient.”

We also noticed a big difference compared to our regular OB visits. At Collab, we were seen quickly. There were fewer long waits in crowded waiting rooms, which made the whole experience less stressful.

As my husband put it, on his side it was “super chill”—he just had to show up when needed and be supportive. But even for him, it felt like a very calm, organized process.

Were there any lifestyle changes you made during your IUI treatment (diet, caffeine, exercise, etc.)?

Yes. Even before the IUI cycle officially started, Dr. Segal wanted me to go into treatment in the best health possible.

She asked me to stop caffeine and alcohol, and to be mindful of my diet overall. She also encouraged me to get regular exercise a couple of times a week. During testing, they also found my vitamin D level was low, so she started me on a vitamin D supplement.

Looking back, it felt like a really holistic approach: not just the procedure itself, but also making sure my body was supported for the best possible chances.

What strategies or support helped you cope emotionally during the IUI cycle and the waiting period afterward?

We were very fortunate in that our first IUI cycle worked. But going into it, we definitely had a “Plan B” for emotional coping.

My husband had a work trip planned to Taiwan. We decided that if the IUI didn’t work, I would use the time to meet him there for a trip. Just having something fun and meaningful to look forward to helped me feel like I wouldn’t be stuck dwelling on a negative outcome. But when the test came back positive, that plan changed. On Dr. Segal’s advice, I chose not to travel internationally during the first trimester and stayed home for close monitoring. It was a joyful reason to cancel the trip.

I also think the frequent follow-up and responsiveness at Collab helped. I never felt like we were just waiting out in the dark; there was always a next step or a check-in.

Did you have any challenges during IUI treatment?

The biggest practical challenge was the trigger shot.

There’s a very specific timing window for when it has to be given, and my husband was really uncomfortable doing the injection himself. At first, we thought a nurse friend would help, but she was suddenly short-staffed at work and we couldn’t be sure she’d get off in time.

We ended up asking a neighbor for help—someone we’d only recently gotten to know—and it turned out she’s a nurse. I texted her and said, “I know this is going to sound strange, but could you give me this shot?” She said yes, came over, and helped us. Now we’re close friends. It’s funny how fertility treatment can build community in unexpected ways.

Can you describe the moment you learned the IUI treatment was successful and you were pregnant?

A couple of days before test day, I started noticing little things that felt different. I’m usually a side sleeper, but suddenly I couldn’t get comfortable on my right side or on my stomach. My husband joked, “Maybe it worked.”

On the morning we were supposed to test, we did it together at home. When we saw that it was positive, we were both just like, wow, it worked the first time. It was a mix of excitement and disbelief.

I called the clinic right away, and they had me come in the next day for blood work to confirm and start tracking hormone levels. The quick turnaround and clear guidance were very reassuring.

How was your pregnancy and birth?

Overall, my pregnancy was smooth, especially in the first and second trimesters. I didn’t have nausea or morning sickness. I was mostly just hungry all the time. My husband would prep snacks because I’d wake up at 2 a.m., starving. My go-to was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and I craved Chick-fil-A.

In the third trimester, I developed gestational diabetes, which was stressful. I had to monitor my blood sugar four times a day, meet with a nutritionist weekly, and track everything I ate. That was probably the hardest part of pregnancy for me.

Then, about five weeks before my due date, my water broke spontaneously. Our baby was breech, and because there wasn’t time for her to turn, I had a cesarean birth. I was in shock at how early it was, but my husband stayed very calm, and that helped me stay calm, too.

Even though it didn’t go exactly how we imagined, everything went well, and our baby arrived safely.

Tell me about your baby!

Her name is Emily, and she was born at John Muir. Emily is a very healthy, happy baby. She’s already smiling, cooing, and showing a lot of personality. She’s also strong-willed and has very low patience when she’s hungry—which, according to my husband, she gets from me.

Sleep has been our biggest challenge recently. We’re in a tough sleep regression phase, and we’re definitely tired. Our families have been amazing, though. My brother, my mom, and my in-laws have all come over to help and cook for us. It really does take a village.

Were there any surprising things you encountered in your fertility journey?

One big surprise was how little people seem to know about IUI.

When I told friends we were doing IUI, a lot of them had never heard of it. Most people only know about IVF, so IUI isn’t always on their radar as a real option. That’s actually one reason I wanted to share our story: to help more couples learn that there are less invasive, less costly options that might work for them.

I was also surprised by how quickly things moved once we got to Collab. After years of feeling stuck, we met with Dr. Segal in the fall, did our testing, switched insurance, and by January, we were able to start IUI. We got pregnant that first cycle. The contrast with how slow everything had felt before was huge.

What did you find most helpful or reassuring during your fertility treatment?

A few things really stood out:

• Feeling genuinely cared for by the entire team at Collab

 • How quickly we could get appointments and answers
• The way Dr. Segal explained each step and didn’t rush us into IVF
• The comfort of knowing our testing didn’t reveal any serious health concerns
• Getting genetic testing done, which gave us extra peace of mind

I also really appreciated how the nurses made sure I never felt alone, especially when my husband was traveling for work. They’d offer to FaceTime him or record things for him so he could still be part of the process.

What advice would you give someone considering IUI?

First, know that IUI is a real, meaningful option. It’s less invasive and often less expensive than IVF, and for some couples with unexplained infertility, it can be a very effective first step.

Second, remember that this is a team effort. You and your partner are working toward the same goal, and supporting each other emotionally is so important. For us, his calm energy balanced my tendency to overthink, and that helped a lot.

Lastly,

...don’t underestimate the power of finding a clinic where you feel truly seen and supported. For us, that was Collab. Feeling comfortable with the team made the whole experience less intimidating.

Is there anything important about your IUI or pregnancy journey that you’d like to share?

I think the biggest thing I want people to know is that you don’t have to go straight to IVF, and you don’t have to navigate everything on your own.

It took us a long time to find the right support, but once we did, everything changed. Having a clinic that moved quickly, communicated clearly, and treated us with compassion made all the difference.

If sharing our story helps even one couple feel less alone or prompts them to ask about IUI as an option, then it’s worth it.

Thinking about IUI in the Bay Area 

If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, have been told you have unexplained infertility, or are simply curious about whether IUI might be right for you, we’re here to help. At Collab Fertility, we combine advanced treatment options with warm, personalized care so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Our team will take time to understand your story, review your diagnostic results, and design a treatment plan that fits your needs and values.

Schedule a consultation to learn more about IUI at Collab Fertility and to discuss your options with our friendly, knowledgeable team.

‍

________________________

Proudly Supporting Local Communities
Collab Fertility is honored to serve families in the East Bay like Danville, Alamo, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Piedmont, and Walnut Creek, as well as many other communities in the Bay Area and beyond, including Oakland, San Ramon, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Santa Rosa, Novato, Napa, Sonoma, and more.