IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is an important procedure that uses assisted reproductive techniques to help infertile couples achieve pregnancy. It has shown a higher chance of success throughout the years.
An IUI is done by collecting the sperm from your partner and injecting it directly into your uterus. Your fertility doctor will ensure you have a successful IUI procedure.
However, you can also do your part and prepare well for the procedure. In this article, we will discuss some useful measures you can take to prepare for IUI and increase your chances of success.
How To Prepare For An IUI Procedure
Your fertility doctor will assess your condition thoroughly and suggest some measures you need to take before an IUI treatment. These measures can help you nourish your health and fertility, preparing you for the IUI procedure.
Follow A Healthy And Nutritious Diet
The food you eat will give your body the strength it needs to undergo IUI. You need to eat healthy and nutritious foods to improve your body condition and increase your chances of IUI success.
Eat foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other healthy foods. Include nutrients like proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Avoid unhealthy habits like alcohol, caffeine, eating fried and processed foods, etc. Quitting these unhealthy foods some months before IUI can help you flush out the toxins and stay healthy during the procedure.
Exercise Regularly
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the major causes of infertility in this generation. You need to keep your body active to regulate metabolism and maintain normal hormone levels.
Ensure you stay active and do exercises regularly, for at least 30 to 45 minutes a day. Do mild but effective exercises like yoga, meditation, swimming, walking, cycling, zumba, and aerobics.
You can also do your favorite fun activities to stay physically active. Don’t do intense exercises like weight lifting, HIIT, boxing, etc. They can affect your body and give the opposite effect of what you want.
Take The Necessary Tests
Follow your doctor’s instructions and take the necessary to determine your fertility condition. These tests include uterine exams, ultrasounds, pelvic exams, blood tests, and screening tests for STIs and other infections.
These tests can help your doctor understand your condition and design a personalized treatment plan for you.
Take Hormonal Injections On Time
Hormonal injections are the first part of IUI. You will be administered injections twice a day for some days. These injections stimulate your ovaries and make them produce more mature eggs.
You can choose to take these injections or follow a natural ovulation cycle for IUI. Your doctor will determine the best course of action based on your fertility condition.
Optimize Sperm Parameters
IUI does not only involve only you. Your partner has an equal part in its success. Your partner must undergo a semen analysis before IUI. This test will help doctors analyze your partner’s sperm volume, motility, and morphology.
If your partner has any infertility issues, you can rectify them and improve his sperm quality. You can start IUI after this for better success.
Learn About The Procedure
It is normal for you to have doubts and concerns regarding your IUI procedure. Entering the world of fertility treatments can be scary. The financial strains and the invasive procedure can make you have second thoughts.
The only way to come out of this is to know as much as you can about this procedure. Do your research and consult your doctor regarding the treatment. You can also get in touch with couples who have undergone the procedure before. This can give you a more personalized view of the treatment.
Monitor Ovulation Regularly
While you are getting ready mentally and physically for IUI, it is also important to monitor your follicular development regularly. Your follicles need to be of optimum size for insemination.
Your doctor will regularly monitor its development. When the follicles are big enough, you will be given hCG injections to trigger ovulation. You will undergo insemination about 12–24 hours later.
Conclusion
Follow the above steps and prepare yourself for your IUI treatment. A healthy mind and body can help you stay stable throughout the procedure and ensure success.
Stay in touch with your doctor and contact them in case of any issues. Don’t be careless, and stay safe and healthy throughout the procedure. You will definitely have a higher chance of success.
You will undergo several fertility assessments like uterine exams, ultrasounds, pelvi c exams, blood tests, and screening tests for STIs and other infections. Your partner will also undergo semen analysis and other tests.
These tests can help your doctor understand your condition and design a personalized treatment plan for you.
Ensure you stay active and do exercises regularly, for at least 30 to 45 minutes a day. Do mild but effective exercises like yoga, meditation, swimming, walking, cycling, zumba, and aerobics.
Before IUI, your partner will be given a sterile container to collect semen. After collection, your sperm will be washed, and the high-quality sperm will be collected separately into a needle. They will then be injected into your uterus during insemination for fertilization.
