The IUI procedure may help you get pregnant and take home a baby, particularly if you are dealing with infertility.
How the IUI procedure works
When you undergo the IUI procedure, you can expect to go through the following three steps:
- You may begin taking fertility drugs and your ovulation cycle will be monitored.
- Your partner will provide a sperm sample (or you will obtain donor sperm) that will be specially washed and prepared for the insemination.
- Your doctor will inject the prepared sperm into your uterus.
Getting ready for the IUI procedure
Prior to the IUI procedure, your doctor may start you on ovulation drugs, while closely monitoring you with ultrasound testing(day 12 scan). This monitoring will confirm that you are producing healthy eggs. It will also help your doctor determine the best timing for the injection of the sperm.
Preparing sperm for IUI
- Your partner will give a sperm sample, which will be washed and prepared for the IUI procedure.
- This washing can remove potentially toxic chemicals possibly present in the sperm that your body may negatively react to.These chemicals can sometimes cause an allergic reaction in women, which could hinder pregnancy.
- Washing the sperm may also minimize the cramping that sometimes occurs after the IUI procedure.This washing and preparation process also concentrates the sperm into a high volume. This high concentration helps the healthiest, most mobile sperm to reach the egg. This helps to increase IUI success rates.
Inserting sperm during IUI
Injecting the prepared sperm into your uterus is quick and virtually painless. This part of the IUI procedure takes 1-2 hours at the most. Here is what to expect:
- You will lie down on the exam table as you normally do for a pelvic exam.
- Your doctor will insert a very small, thin and flexible catheter into your cervix.
- The washed sperm sample is injected right into your uterus.
Since you will be lying down for awhile after the IUI procedure.
After care :
– There may be some light bleeding immediately after the IUI procedure.
– Patients can resume intercourse soon after the IUI procedure.
– Inform doctor if you get fever, severe abdominal pain after IUI procedure
– You can do your routine work as usual and normal diet
Risks :
IUI is a relatively painless procedure and carries few risks.
Risks include:
- Some discomfort due to cramps, bleeding and spotting.
- Infection (according to the Mayo Clinic, less than one percent of women experience infection).
- Catheter may be uncomfortable if it is difficult to insert.
- Hyperstimulation due to the use of fertility drugs.
- After IUI if you miss the periods,about 5days after missed period test the blood or urine to check whether you are pregnant or not.If you are pregnant visit our fertility clinic or inform room 20 over the phone- 0112696231
- After IUI if you get next periods as usual, start taking fertility drugs and come for day 12 ultrasound scan.