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 Navigating Your IUI Cycle:My RFP doctor has recommended an IUI cycle? What do I do now? First of all, read the material given to you at your appointment. This will give you an understanding of the booking process, how to choose a predictor kit and use it, using Clomid®, the costs, success rates, etc. IUI stand for Intrauterine Insemination. During this procedure the prepared sperm sample is placed inside the uterus with a small tube or catheter. This is not a painful procedure. The cost is $265.00. This is broken down into 2 payments. Seventy-five dollars is due once your cycle has been set up with the IUI nurse. This portion is non-refundable if your IUI is cancelled. The remaining $190.00 is due at the time of your insemination. You should also be aware that there is a $70.00 lab fee if we are unable to obtain enough sperm to do the IUI. On the first day of your period (full flow) call the clinic and leave a message for the IUI nurse stating today is your period and you would like to book an IUI. Please leave your name and chart number as well. A receptionist will pull your chart and bring it to the IUI nurse so she can call you with your information at hand. When the nurse calls she will direct you to start your prescription of Serophene® (Clomid®). This usually is taken on the third to seventh day of your period, but it can vary. She will determine the best day to start testing with your Ovulation Predictor Kit(OPK). This is usually a couple of days prior to when we would expect you to ovulate given your usual cycle length. You will be instructed to test your urine with the kit between 10 am and 4 pm. You need a concentrated urine sample to get an accurate reading. This means you should not drink for 3-4 hours prior to testing. The nurse will also book a standing appointment for your IUI. We won't know exactly which day that the IUI will take place but you will know if it will be in the morning or afternoon. The appointment times are: AM appointments: Male partners come in between 7:30 am and 8:30 am to provide their sample. Female partners come in between 10:30 am and 11:30 am for the insemination. PM appointments: Male partners come in between 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm to provide their sample. Female partners come in between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm for the insemination. Weekend appointments: Male partners come in between 10:00 am and 10:30 am to provide their sample. Female partners come in between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm for the insemination. The nurse will also instruct you and your partner to make love on a particular day and then abstain until after the IUI. On the day you get a positive reading on your OPK (you will know what a positive reading is by following the instructions in your specific OPK) you will call the clinic and leave a message for the IUI nurse stating that you have a LH surge (lutenizing hormone is what your kit is picking up) or that your OPK kit is positive. You will not receive a return phone call. We will be expecting you the following day at your pre-booked appointment times. How is the IUI procedure done? The IUI procedure is quite simple. You will be called to a room and asked to clearly identify yourself. You and the nurse will both identify the sperm sample left by your partner or the donor sample you are using. The nurse will ensure that both you and your partner have signed a consent for the IUI form. If you haven't please ensure that both partners are at the first IUI so this can be done. You will undress from the waist down and cover yourself with the sheet. The nurse will return and insert a speculum into your vagina. She will then load the sperm sample into a tiny tube or catheter and insert this tube through the opening into your uterus (cervix). Most women do not find this painful. You may experience some discomfort from the speculum and occasionally some mild cramping. You will then be free to go. You do not have to lay down afterwards. You can return to your daily activities. Please avoid hot tubs and saunas. You will be given a date by which you can do a pregnancy test if your period has not arrived. Why is IUI with Ultrasound Tracking necessary? Some women cannot accurately identify when they are ovulating with an OPK(Ovulation Predictor Kit). These women will need to track their ovulation through a series of ultrasounds around the expected time of ovulation. The nurse will book these with you as necessary. Once it has been determined that you are ready to ovulate you will need to give yourself an injection to release the egg. The nurse will teach you how to do this. What effects does Clomid® have? Clomid® will often cause women with irregular ovulation to ovulate more predictably. It will often cause women to ovulate more than one egg at a time. This increases your chances of pregnancy with each menstrual cycle. It also increases your chances of a multiple pregnancy (usually twins) to about 7%. The normal twin rate is about 3%. Women often notice that their menstrual cycles are a day or two longer or shorter with Clomid®. This means ovulation may be a day or two later. Some women notice lighter periods. Some women notice an increase in moodiness, headaches or bloating while taking Clomid®. Some women don't notice any changes. Currently the clinic recommends no more that three cycles of Clomid® in a row before taking a two month break. If you wish to proceed to IVF you need to be off Clomid® for 2 months. Yes, if your doctor recommends it. For some women this is appropriate. For others it may significantly decrease your chance of pregnancy. Why do we need to abstain from sex? Men produce their best semen sample if they have between 2 and 5 days of abstinence. The nurse will give a day or days to make love. If you do this we are hoping the IUI will occur in the next 2-5 days.
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