What is IUI? The treatment is also called artificial insemination using husband’s or partner’s sperm (AIH). The object of this treatment is to ensure that an increased number of eggs and sperm are present at the same time within the female reproductive tract (uterus and fallopian tubes), and thereby encourage fertilisation and pregnancy. Show
What Does This Involve For Me? The female partner will need to use daily
injections for anything between 5-14 days and she will attend the hospital for ultrasound scans to measure the growth of the follicles (eggs). What Drugs Do I Take and When?
1) FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH): (Injection or Nasal Spray) Who Does The Injections?You can learn to do them yourself with the help of a special injection kit. Don’t worry it is easy! The nurse will teach how to administer the injections. What is a Scan?By placing a small probe into the vagina we can see on the screen the follicles (eggs) developing in your ovaries. The number and size of follicles tell us when you are ready for your HCG injection and the timing of insemination. You will require a scan on one or more occasions during your treatment cycle. What Happens on the Day of Insemination? Approximately 36-40 hours after your HCG injection you will be ready for insemination. For most women this will be approximately day 10-14 of your cycle (day 1 is when your period begins). How Will I know if I am Pregnant? If you do not get a period after 17 days, a pregnancy test will be done. If the treatment has been unsuccessful, you will start a period about 9-14 days after insemination. About 2 weeks after a positive pregnancy test, we will arrange for you to have a scan to confirm the pregnancy and then you will be referred to the antenatal clinic. What Are Our Chances of Success?This depends on many factors such as female age and sperm quality. Please see here, or contact the clinic for detailed success rates. Are There Any Restrictions on our Sex Life During Treatment? During treatment we would normally ask you to abstain from intercourse 3-5 days prior to insemination to
enable us to have a good quality sample. Abstaining for more than 5 days does not improve your sperm quality and is not recommended! What Is the Risk of Multiple Pregnancy?This is dependent on the number of eggs produced but approximately 20% of pregnancies may be twins. If you have more than 3 mature eggs you will be asked to consider undergoing follicle reduction (information attached) to reduce the number of follicles to 2. Alternatively, treatment may be stopped altogether. This is to avoid the risk of triplets or quadruplets. Are There Any Side Effects/Complications of Treatment? Side effects are few and uncommon. While having daily injections of FSH some women complain of breast tenderness, headaches and slight bruising and soreness at the site
of injection. What Happens Next if We Have Not Been Successful?You will be given an appointment to see the Consultant to discuss future treatment plans. Time to Talk For most couples treatment is a time of hope but also enormous
disappointment and despair if it does not result in a pregnancy. We can arrange for you to see a fertility counsellor if you wish. How long after a failed IUI should I get my period?If the treatment has been unsuccessful, you will start a period about 9-14 days after insemination.
Why am I not getting my period after IUI?As time goes on, women who've had an IUI will experience a missed period. A missed period will only happen after a successful implantation. A missed period is usually the first sign of a successful pregnancy. There may still be some spotting from the uterine wall.
Can you get a falseAfter an IUI procedure, you have to wait at least two weeks to see if you have conceived. Even though it's incredibly hard to wait, checking too early with an at-home pregnancy test can generate a false-negative result because pregnancy hormone levels are not yet high enough to measure.
Is 14 days post IUI too early to test?Follow your clinic's instructions and wait at least 14 days post-IUI before taking a test. Many clinics will schedule you for a pregnancy blood test at the 14-day mark. A blood test can detect lower levels of hCG and is considered even more accurate than urine tests. Hang in there.
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