Treatment Schedule - Part 3

3. Insemination

This takes place approximately 40 hours after the HCG injection. The insemination technique is very quick and painless and needs no anaesthetic. The male partner is asked to produce a sample at the unit about two hours before the insemination. This is then prepared by the swim-up method. The most active sperm are removed and prepared. The sperm preparation is then gently injected directly into the womb using a fine tube (catheter) passed through the vagina. You will be asked to rest for 10-15 minutes following the insemination.

4. Hormonal support

This comes in the form of Cyclogest pessaries or Gestone injections of progesterone. This hormonal support is necessary because of the previous down regulation (sniffing) which stopped hormone production. Other than using the pessaries or injections, there is no need to do anything differently after insemination. We do advise a couple to have intercourse regularly following the IUI because this maximises the chances of a pregnancy occurring.

5. What do I do now?

Following the IUI the patient should quite simply wait and try not to worry.  If you haven't had a period after 2 weeks you should contact the unit and arrange a pregnancy test. Similarly, if the patient starts to bleed you should inform the Unit and still have a pregnancy test. If a pregnancy test is positive an ultrasound scan will be booked for you one month later.

? THIS IMPLIES THAT THE UNIT CARRIES OUT THE PREGNANCY TEST, ON THE PREGNANCY TEST PAGE IT TELLS PATIENTS TO ARRANGE THEIR OWN???

6. Pregnancy following insemination

The progress and outcome of any pregnancy following IUI is no different from natural conception. There is no higher risk of abnormality; in fact the risk is no greater than that found in the general population. If you become pregnant you will go into the mainstream of antenatal care.