Iui. What to expect? How to prepare?

[mabel9]

Hello,
I’m due to have my first iui next week with donor sperm.
What should I expect? Has anyone got any tips on how I should prepare?
I’m 28 and all fertility checks were good.
Thank you!

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Hey @mabel9, I had my first cycle of IUI in March and it was a much quicker procedure than I'd realised! Literally signed in and got changed, was taken through to the procedure room, they bought through the donor sperm sample and made me check the details on it, then catheter inserted, watched the swimmers do their thing on the ultrasound and that was that! Was back on the train home within an hour of arriving!
Hope it all goes well for you!!

Hi @Mac89
Amazing, thank you! Did you have blood tests on the days leading up to ovulation. I hope you have been successful.

@mabel9 I had to have blood tests before hand and they were valid for 3 months, they also wanted me to have a hycosy, not really sure why as nothing pointed to any problems with my tubes, but decided it was better to be safe than sorry!
Have you had all your consultations already?
I had a scan on cd8 to check follicle growth and uterus lining etc and then that was that, just waited for my LH surge and had the procedure.
I wasn't successful this time unfortunately and then covid hit so re evaluating my options and deciding how to proceed!

I can't really remember the details as it was 12 years ago but it was very quick. I had to stay lying down at the clinic for about 20 mins after. I had to inject myself daily for a while before, which was fine, it didn't hurt, and have a scan to check the time was right. It worked first time. Wishing you luck!

Hi @Mac89 oh yeah I’ve had bloods to check AMH and ovarian reserve check etc, I meant the bloods to check LH levels. I’ve been told to go in from day 10. Did you get scans? I so hope you can start soon.

@TimeWastingButFun that’s great you fell 1st time, may I ask what your age was? I’m glad to hear it’s quick, it’ll be the two weeks afterwards which will be the worst!

@mabel9 I was 36. Also, I think it 'reset' my body in a way as my next baby came along without any intervention at all x

Yes those two weeks are the loooongest two weeks I'm afraid x

@TimeWastingButFun that’s great, and lovely to hear. I’m opposite to you, first pregnancy very easy (unfortunately did not occur in birth) but now discovered severe Male infertility, still scratching my head as to how I fell so quickly last time.

@mabel9 ohh ok, no I didnt have any bloods to check LH, just used my ovulation tests at home! I think cd8 is early for most but my cycle is only 25 days so I generally ovulate between cd10-12!

@mabel9 have you had your procedure yet? Hope it all goes/went well!

Hi @Mac89 thank you! It’s happening tomorrow. I’m feeling okay about it, I’ve been super busy with work the last week which has really kept me sane. How are you doing?

Heyy @mabel9 how did you find the procedure? Hope your 2ww isn't dragging too much for you!!

I'm good thank you, have decided to give Ici a go this month at the National Fertility Society so will see how that goes and go from there 😊

Hi @Mac89 the procedure went great. I only had to have two days of bloods. LH surge on the Monday and then iui on the Tuesday, the actual iui was over in minutes and I didn’t feel a thing. 2ww is going well, I’m busy with work which massively helps! Trying to stay positive but realistic.

What is ici? Good luck with it!

That's good that you're busy @mabel9 when will you test?

Ici is Intracervical Insemination, it's the same method used for at home artificial insemination. The sperm's inserted into the cervix rather than the uterus. In the UK you can't get sperm bank deliveries to your home address, but there's one clinic that accepts them for you and takes responsibility for the traceability etc and they have a procedure room for you to use. It's a bit more affordable if I need to have multiple tries so thought I'd give it a go 😊