question about IUI vs ICI

jramos25

I have a question maybe someone can help me. What is the major difference between IUI and ICI. And If a person purchases IUI can it be used as an ICI (meaning inseminated in cervix only) if that is all that is available from the specific donor???

gale

IUI means that the sperm is inserted into your uterus via a tiny tube and syringe. ICI means that the sperm is just deposited by/on top of/near your cervix and it still has to travel through the cervix to get to the uterus. I don't think that its advisable to use them interchangably. good luck.

ualtigger

No... if the specimen is prepared as IUI, curse of reading, it lacks the protective fluids to help the sperm swim like they need to if you were to use it for ICI. However, you can use a ICI vial for IUI IF it's prepared (i.e. washed) by your RE. IUI sperm are already washed and ready to go.

jramos25

thanks for your responses that was helpful I have one more question can the dr do an ICI also or just IUI??

gale

yes the doctor can do ICI as well, but why pay them for that?

ualtigger

J: Look on the internet... you can do ICI yourself since that's how little ones get made "traditionally"... but we're changing what that means, aren't we? :)

IUI MUST be done by a physican since it involved inserting a catheter through the cervix (which is as far as ICI goes) and directly into the uterus.

jramos25

thank you everyone for their input and advice.

jramos25

how many inseminations can you do with a purchase of one vial??

Arkmom

One vial will do one insemination. A vial is about 10% of a "donation" so less than that would be spreading it a little thin.

jramos25

thanks

jramos25

Now what is the difference between IUI/ART and IUI/Premium

Arkmom

You want IUI premium for an IUI. ART vials are primarily designed for IVF and don't really have enough in them for an IUI.

jramos25

I was just wondering because there is a considerable price difference. thanks