IUI Procedure

jaimecjaimec Posts: 329
in Share Your Experience
I am s 34-year-old single woman and just starting the process of artificial insemination. I am just wondering about the actual IUI procedure. Did your doctors want to track your cycle for a few months or can you try AI pretty quickly? Also, is the procedure painful at all?

Comments

  • kaylababykaylababy Posts: 71
    I tracked my cycle for two months. I used the trigger shot to time my ovulation. The actual procedure isn't really all that uncomfortable. Pretty much like a Pap test with a little pinch. What usually is painful for me are the cramps that I get when I ovulate afterwards. I've read that it is from the meds. I had my 4th IUI on Friday. Once they were so bad I couldn't walk standing upright. Another time I had almost no cramps. The other two times they were like really bad menstrual cramps. They usually only last a few hours. I also feel a little crampy for a few days after but again I think that is from the meds, not the actual procedure. Overall it isn't bad at all. Totally bearable.
  • tracyc375tracyc375 Posts: 96
    I am starting iuis next month. I actually have been tracking cyles sice July. I have been using opks each month and tracking on paper when i get my surges, how long it lasts, when i get cramps and so on. My friend has 2 children from iuis and she said the procedure is not bad at all. She did have cramps after. I also have read if the sperm is not washed god enough you can get worse cramps
  • Ms M404Ms M404 Posts: 111
    Welcome Jaime,
    Different doctors go different routes. My best suggestion is to use the digital OPK if your doctor suggest them.

    The IUI is not painful. I normally go back to work once mine is finished. So it is not bad at all. I have noticed that timing really makes the difference with how it feels. You can to it!

    Baby dust,
    M
  • aka_mama1aka_mama1 Posts: 25
    I have a question regarding the timing of the surge/ovulation and when to schedule the IUI... When you get the surge from the ovualation test, when should you go in for the insemination? I've heard ASAP, within 24 hours, and I've heard as close to 24 hours from the time you had the surge as you can. For example, if you had the surge at noon on Monday, then you should schedule the IUI for around noon on Tuesday...
  • aka_mama1aka_mama1 Posts: 25
    For others some information I found that may help:
    The LH surge preceeds ovulation by 24 hours - but the kit may not be picking up the surge at the 24 hour point - so this becomes the "latest" (usually - should be cross-checked by ultrasound in at least 1 cycle.)
    However the sperm should be in the system waiting for the oocyte - not the other way around. So "early" would be better than "late". That said we do have documented pregnancies in cycles where the follicle had already ruptered, so the oocyte was waiting for the sperm in those cycles (but it will not wait very long - probably a maximum of 12 hours).

    These "facts" have led us to the following recommendations:

    (1) If testing surge in the evening then Insemination the next morning/day
    (2) if testing in the morning then insemination the same day
    (3) ALWAYS double check the timing in at least one cycle by ultrasound
    (4) the period should be occurring 13 to 16 days after the surge - if it does not, something is amiss
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