The process of intrauterine insemination is also referred to as IUI and it is a treatment for infertility. The entire process lasts for 15-20 minutes and it takes place in the office of your doctor. During the procedure the sperm is placed into the uterus a day after your ovulation.
Information about insemination that is intrauterine
The patients and the doctors hope that as a result of the procedure the sperm will swim through the fallopian tubes reaching the egg, fertilizing it, resulting in a normal pregnancy. According to the causes of infertility, the process can be used on its own or along with fertility drugs.
What to expect?
In case you are thinking about insemination that is intrauterine you should know that it is performed by a specialized doctor and nurse. The advantage of the procedure is that there is no need for painkillers or other kind of medication.
While you are having the procedure
When having intrauterine insemination the first thing that you have to do is to change into a gown and then lie on the table. There is need for you to place your legs on stirrups and then the doctor will place a speculum into your vagina. The feeling that you should have is similar to a Pap smear.
After this, as part of the insemination that is intrauterine, the nurse and the doctor will insert a long and flexible tube into the vagina that is also known as the catheter. This goes through the cervix and ends up in the uterus. The sample of sperm is pushed through this catheter into the uterus. Then the catheter is removed.
Once intrauterine insemination is done
As it has been mentioned before, the process lasts for a short period of time and once it is done, you will have to lie on your back for a while. After this you should just get dressed, and then just go home and continue your normal activities. It is normal to observe some spotting after the procedure.
Preparing the sperm sample
For the insemination that is intrauterine to be completed, it is needed for your partner to provide a sperm sample. Also you could use frozen donor sperms. It is known that there could be some substances that could interfere with fertilization, so the sperm needs to be ‘washed’.
This way during the intrauterine insemination only the normal and active sperm will be used. In case there is only small amount and concentrated sample used, the chances of getting pregnant increase considerably.
Monitoring ovulation
If you would like to have insemination that is intrauterine you should know that timing is everything. To make sure that you ovulate before the process, the doctor may use a transvaginal ultrasound. This way he or she can see the egg growth. Also you could be using an ovulation kit.
Optimal timing
Regarding intrauterine insemination you should know that before ovulation your body produces LH. You should have the procedure the day after the LH level peaks. If you are using fertility drugs, you may be given HCG to induce ovulation and you should have IUI the following day.
Risks
Insemination that is intrauterine is a simple procedure and so the chances of having serious complications are quite small. Nonetheless you could have an infection. Still this is a complication that affects only about 1% of all women undergoing such a procedure.
Another complication that you have to think about regarding intrauterine insemination is having multiple pregnancies. The chances of this complication increase in case you are also using fertility drugs, representing different kinds of risks.
