Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is an affordable and less invasive alternative to In-vitro Fertilization (IVF). For women who are good candidates, success rates are slightly lower than those associated with IVF, but still quite high. In the days following an IUI procedure, you may be overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety and eager anticipation as you await your pregnancy test (sometimes called a beta). Here’s what to expect in the days and weeks following an IUI procedure.

IUI: An Overview

Intrauterine insemination is a procedure that implants semen directly into the uterus at a time when the woman is likely to be fertile. This shortens the journey the sperm has to make to the egg. It's great option for people with a wide variety of fertility issues, including:

Low sperm count or motility

• Infrequent ovulation
• Unexplained infertility
• Structural or sexual problems that make fertilization difficult
• Immune system issues
• Additionally, IUI can be a good option for people who do not want to try IVF, who cannot afford IVF, or who have objections to the IVF process.

What to do after IUI

After IUI, you should feel fine. The procedure is not dangerous and under most circumstances will not require sedation. This means you can drive yourself home and return to your usual activities right away.

Following an IUI procedure, it’s important to act as if you are already pregnant. This ensures that, if the implantation is successful, the pregnancy gets the best possible start. Additionally, do the following:

It’s helpful to develop a plan for managing the two-week wait -- the two-week period between IUI and your first pregnancy test. A vacation, a new hobby, fun dates, and meaningful activities can help distract you. About two weeks after the IUI procedure, you’ll go back to your doctor for a pregnancy test. It’s tempting to take home tests before this point, and there’s no harm in doing so. However, it’s important to note that false negatives are very common with early pregnancy tests. You’ll get a more accurate result at the doctor, since your provider will likely perform a blood test.

At Bedi Hospital, we specialize in all kinds of artificial reproductive technologies. Our success speaks for itself, and we pride ourselves on helping couples and individuals get pregnant as quickly as possible.

We know how painful infertility can be, and we aim to make the journey a little less painful. You can consult with our experienced fertility specialists, and we’ll handle your concerns with compassion and gentleness. We’re here for you. We get it. And we can help. Give us a call if you’re ready to make a plan for becoming a parent