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Your Fertility Journey

Your Fertility Journey

Helping you through yours

A Comprehensive Guide to Intrauterine Insemination: What It Is and What to Expect

5th October 2023 · In: Blog, Fertility Facts, IUI, IVF

A comprehensive guide to Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, is a common fertility treatment. It is a relatively simple and affordable procedure that can be used to help couples conceive. In this blog post, we will discuss what IUI is, what to expect during the procedure, and how it can help you conceive.

1. What is IUI (intrauterine insemination)?

IUI is a form of assisted reproductive technique (ART) in which sperm are artificially placed into the uterus of the female partner. It is an alternative to in vitro fertilization (IVF) when couples experience fertility issues, such as low sperm count or poor semen quality. The goal of IUI is to increase the chances of successful conception by optimising the environment in which sperm can survive, swim and fertilize an egg.

2. Who should consider IUI treatment for fertility issues?

IUI may be especially beneficial for those whose male partner has a low sperm count, poor motility, or an unexplained cause of infertility. It may also be used when the female partner has cervical mucus abnormalities or endometriosis.

Additionally, IUI is frequently used for same sex female couples using donor sperm. Generally, individuals should discuss their medical and fertility history with a doctor before deciding if IUI is the right course of action.

IUI is just one option within the field of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and is a procedure less widely used than IVF. ART procedures, including IUI, often involve the use of fertility medications to optimise the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.

3. What to expect during the IUI process, from initial consultation to post-treatment follow up

The IUI process typically begins with a consultation with a fertility specialist. During this consultation, the doctor will ask questions about medical and reproductive histories, review previous test results, and discuss any concerns or problems that could affect fertility. Then, the doctor will recommend one or more assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) to improve the chances of success.

IUI is considered an outpatient procedure, so it will likely take place in the clinic as a day procedure. You will have a vaginal examination, similar to when you have a smear test, and a small catheter is placed into the uterus to deposit sperm into the womb directly. The catheter is attached to a syringe containing processed donor or partner sperm and then inserted through the cervix and advanced into the uterine cavity. After the sperm is injected, the catheter is withdrawn and a vaginal ultrasound will be used to confirm placement within the uterus.

After IUI, most women can resume their normal daily activities. However, it is important to follow all post-treatment instructions from your doctor. This may include taking prescribed medications as well as making sure you get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

4. How long does IUI take, and what are the success rates?

IUI is a relatively quick procedure and typically takes less than 10 minutes. The success rates of IUI can vary depending on factors such as the age and fertility status of both partners, lifestyle habits, and any underlying medical conditions that may affect fertility. Generally speaking, IUI has an average live birth success rate of approximately 11.5%, whereas in comparison IVF live birth success rate is almost 27%. Recent research shows that the IUI success rate is closer to that of IVF than previously thought.

Additionally, due to its non-invasive nature, IUI is often considered a safer and less expensive alternative to IVF and other more complex fertility treatments. For this reason, many couples choose to pursue IUI as their first course of action when attempting to conceive. Ultimately, it is best to consult with a fertility specialist to discuss the potential success rate of IUI and any other assisted reproductive techniques that may be beneficial in achieving pregnancy.

5. What are the potential risks of an IUI treatment?

The risks associated with IUI are few and generally mild. It is typically regarded as a relatively safe assisted reproductive technique, but like all medical treatments there are some potential risks to consider. These include:

  • Risk of multiple pregnancies – Depending on the number of embryos transferred during the procedure, there may be an increased risk of multiple pregnancy (twins or more).
  • Risk of pelvic infection – There is a very small risk of developing a pelvic infection after IUI, but this can usually be treated quickly and effectively with antibiotics.
  • Risk of ectopic pregnancy – In rare cases, an embryo may implant outside the uterus, which is known as an ectopic pregnancy. This can be a serious health risk and must be treated as soon as possible.

Ultimately, it’s best to discuss the potential risks of IUI with your doctor before undergoing treatment. They will explain any potential risks in detail and help you make an informed decision about whether the procedure is right for you.

6. What support is available during and after the IUI process to help ensure a successful outcome.

IUI is an assisted reproductive technique that may require medical and emotional support. As a result, it is important to be aware of the resources available both during and after the procedure.

Most fertility clinics offer follow-up care to monitor progress and address any concerns. This usually involves having blood tests done every few weeks and repeating ultrasounds at certain points in the cycle. Your doctor can also provide advice on other lifestyle changes that could improve your chances of success, such as diet and exercise .

Additionally, there are a variety of support groups and online communities that offer guidance, encouragement, and advice to those undergoing IUI. These can be invaluable sources for information as well as emotional support. Learning about the available resources before beginning the IUI process can help ensure a successful outcome.

In some cases, IUI may fail to produce a pregnancy. If this happens, it is important to remember that there are other assisted reproductive techniques available and a consultation with Your Fertility Journey will help you to decide which fertility treatments would be best for you.

By: Kate · In: Blog, Fertility Facts, IUI, IVF · Tagged: fertility treatments, Intrauterine insemination, IUI, IVF, struggling to conceive, trying to conceive, trying to get pregnant

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Amy King
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Kate is like a wonderfully kind Aunt and a fountain of all knowledge. She is the perfect balance of information and warmth that is needed to help you muddle through. I would highly recommend booking in with Kate at whatever point of your fertility journey you are in. Thank you Kate for your time!
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11:41 05 May 22
I had 5 sessions of coaching with Kate Davies prior to, during and in the 2 week wait following my 3rd round of IVF.I’d had a tough time over my 2nd cycle and was losing the hope following a loss earlier in the year and a bunch of very negative test results. I really needed something to help me to get back on track. Sessions with Kate were the perfect tonic. Over Christmas I took a break from treatment and gained techniques from Kate to help build up resilience and self care basket ready for starting a 3rd cycle in February.I started treatment in early February and it went very smoothly. We had a fresh day 5 embryo transfer on 19th February. This was also the due date for the baby we lost last year and the feelings surrounding this date were big and mixed but Kate helped me through it.We had several sessions during the 2 week wait and learnt techniques to try and keep as rational and calm as possible and this was so so so beneficial. On our final session I was able to share the lovely news that it had been successful and we talked about the emotions that came with pregnancy after loss.Being a nurse myself I really appreciated her clinical advice on top of her support and practical techniques she gave to help me through this cycle. The support from my clinic was amazing but they were busy. To be able to sit with a knowledgeable, kind and compassionate healthcare professional for an hour at a time during treatment really helped to keep my stress levels low and to be in the best shape for getting through one of the most challenging few weeks I have ever been through with hope and sanity still intact. My favourite bit of advice was to make a plan for test day to have the time with my husband to talk and reflect on the outcome. We went out for a meal together and just talked and took in the news.I’m now 2nd trimester pregnant with a healthy little baby boy on the way and I still have to pinch myself at times to believe that it worked. It was a dark period of hopelessness following my 2nd cycle and honestly feel that with each session everything got lighter and lighter. I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to and have a baby and having the extra support certainly helped me to throw everything at it too.
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Kate was fantastic, supportive, understanding and extremely knowledgeable . After suffering from amenorrhea for 16 months I didn't know what to do and have been feeling quite lost. Kate has been able to assist me in trying to find answers and maximise my fertility.
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I’ve been working with Kate for a good six months now. First she’s helped me understand my options and some of the tests i need to work through - as I have secondary infertility I’m not going to get much help off the nhs so having Kate there for solid guidance has been great. More recently Kate has helped me with some fertility coaching following a miscarriage which has really helped me to put coping mechanisms in place and feel more hopeful! Thanks Kate!Katie delay (not warren)
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