Risks

Intrauterine insemination carries a small risk of serious complications and is typically a simple and secure operation. Risks include:

• Infection

A very slim probability exists that an infection will develop after the procedure.

• Spotting

The procedure of placing the catheter in the uterus can occasionally result in a little amount of vaginal bleeding. This often has little effect on a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant.

• Several Pregnancies

IUI by itself does not increase a woman’s risk of twins, triplets, or further pregnancies. Two dangers that are higher for multiple pregnancies than for single pregnancies are premature labour and low infant weight.

Discussing the potential risks and advantages of the operation with our doctor, Dr Ranjeeta Gupta, a medical specialist, as well as adhering to all pre-and post-operative instructions, are essential to reducing the likelihood of complications.

How Do You Prepare?

For intrauterine insemination, careful planning is necessary before the procedure:

• Getting the semen sample ready

You can prepare sperm from a frozen donor by thawing a vial, or your partner can bring a sample of sperm to the physician’s office. The sample cleans in a way that separates the highly active, normal sperm from inferior sperm and other debris to prevent any sperm reactions in the woman’s body from interfering with fertilisation.

• Keeping track of the ovulation cycle

It’s important to keep an eye out for indications of approaching ovulation because the timing of IUI is crucial. This could done by employing a urine ovulation prediction test that you can perform at home to find out when your body produces a luteinizing hormone in a spike or burst (LH).

• Selecting the ideal timing

The majority of IUIs happen a day or two after ovulation is identified. Dr Ranjeeta Gupta will give you a timetable for the time of your treatment and what to expect.

What Should You Expect?

The intrauterine insemination technique typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes and occurs in a medical office or clinic. IUI is a quick procedure that doesn’t include any medication or painkillers.

Throughout the process

You lay on an examination table with your legs in stirrups. A speculum inserts into the vagina by your healthcare professional, simulating a Pap test:

• Joins a long, thin, flexible tube to the end of a vial containing a healthy sperm sample (catheter) and places the catheter through the cervical hole, into the vagina, and the uterus.
• injects the sperm sample into the uterus through the tube.
• removes the speculum and then the catheter

Following the procedure

You spend a brief time on your back after fertilisation. You can get dressed and resume your regular daily activities as soon as the operation is finished. After the treatment, you can see some minor spotting for a day or two.

Results

Before performing a home pregnancy test, wait two weeks. Testing too soon could result in the following outcome:

• False-negative. The test result may be negative even though you are pregnant if pregnancy hormones have not yet reached detectable levels.
• False-positive. If you’re taking an ovulation-inducing drug like HCG, the drug that left in your system could signal pregnancy even if you aren’t pregnant.

In our clinic, specialist doctor, will advise you to go back for a blood test, which is more sensitive in identifying pregnancy hormones after fertilisation, about two weeks after the results of your home kit.