Intrauterine Insemination: The Next Step In The Journey

What is Intrauterine Insemination?

Intrauterine Insemination, also known as IUI in the fertility treatment process. What is this and how does it help others to get pregnant? The IUI is where the doctors use the sperm that has been washed and place it into the uterus. This will happen around the time of ovulation which is done in order to help with the chances of getting pregnant.

The Last Appointment

John and I headed to Conceptions Reproductive Association on a Friday afternoon to go over all the blood work we got a month and a half ago. We walked in the same room as last and sat in the comfy chairs. Our doctor talked over everything, from bloodwork levels to our genetic testing. Everything was completely normal. Just as we wanted.

She then gave us options of what we could do. We started out with a less aggressive procedure, the IUI. She then went into the details on how this would work and then gave the second option. The IVF, In vitro fertilization, a more aggressive procedure. This process is where an egg combines with the sperm outside of the body. The egg is fertilized in a laboratory and then transferred back into the uterus.

Being new to this and wanting to try the least invasive procedure first was the plan I had in mind. I looked at John and we agreed upon the IUI. The doctor then talked about the next steps and that I needed to tell them when I started my next cycle. This was the problem, there is a miscommunication with my body and a period does not come unless it is induce.

Next Steps

An ultrasound and more bloodwork was done to check for reasons why my body does not produce a period. The doctors then called Monday and said I would get the results by Wednesday. Little did I know the results would come back later that night. It came down my body needing to induce a period again to start the IUI process.

Personally I did not think that this would all be happening so fast. Not complaining, just something that the doctors at Kaiser would never do. So it was shocking. The next steps will be a lot, it will be a time I need to focus on myself and ignore the stress life brings.

So what will happen next? Once my body starts the cycle I will be able to go back into the doctors to get more bloodwork and another ultrasound. This will be to check for estradiol, beta hCG, and progesterone. It will also check for ovarian cysts and the uterine lining. I will then be able to take the ovulation medication for five days after the results come back.

If the ultrasounds looks good and there is a follicular response I will be giving a trigger shot. This trigger shot is a hormone (hCG) which will release the mature egg(s). Once this trigger shot is given I will go back into the doctors for the the IUI. This will take place between 24-36 hours after the trigger shot.

Finally I will take progesterone to give support to my body in order to help nourish the embryo. Then I will continue to take pregnancy tests to monitor if the IUI cycle works.

Side Effects and Risks

Of course with taking hormones and going through this process there comes different side effects and risks. The first side effect that will happen will be from the trigger shot. These include – pain where the injection is given, abdominal pain, mood changes, and nausea/vomiting. Once I start the progesterone after the IUI might come more side effects. These can include – nausea, bloating, tenderness in the breast area, headaches, mood swings, blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness.

With the side effects also comes risks I can be taking during the IUI process. One risk that can be taken is if the trigger shot releases more than one mature egg, twins are a factor. Which to me is not a big deal as long as it can be a healthy pregnancy. Another risk with going through the IUI is since I have already dealt with a ectopic pregnancy there is a chance I could end up going through another. Child loss, aka a miscarriage, is also something that may happen during this process. This is the one risk that I feel I would not be ready for, but willing to do to have a child. The last risk would be that then IUI does not work with this cycle and will have to wait for another cycle to try again.

If there are three IUI cycles and a pregnancy does not happen a conversation about IVF will need to come. Of course I am willing to go through all the risks and side effect for our baby, but this does bring up stress.

How To Manage Stress

During this time stress is going to be high, which is something that needs to be avoided. I have recently reached out to a someone I considered to be my second mom to start practicing yoga. This will be done in private lessons and in group classes. Another thing I enjoy doing while trying to maintain my stress is to take a hot bath. Staying positive to maintain a good mindset is also very important.

This journey has not been easy, there is a small light at the end of the tunnel. Something I have learned is to stand up for myself with doctors. They went to school yes, but only you really know your body. One thing I am learning in all this is to trust the process. Believe that everything will work out.

Read More About my Journey Here

If you’re interested in reading more about IUI’s I found this website helpful https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/intrauterine-insemination/