Are you looking to get pregnant with ART treatments, but stuck with the dilemma of whether to choose IUI or IVF?
Well, that’s a pretty common question among many young couples today before they get into the treatment. Usually, couples who couldn’t get pregnant naturally will decide to undergo IUI or IVF.
When it comes to pain associated with these treatments, it varies from person to person. The IVF treatment is slightly more painful than IUI.
In this blog, you will get to know which treatment gets more painful, what is the recovery time for the treatments and how you should overcome the pain after the treatment
Pain associated with IUI
You can feel a quick pinching sensation and cramping when the catheter is placed into the cervix, which is often described as the pain of IUI. This discomfort is usually brief, as the process only takes a few minutes.
So, you don’t need to panic thinking that the process will take longer or cause severe pain.
Pain associated with IVF
There will be a stinging sensation when the thin needle is inserted into the uterus that does not cause severe pain to you. This complete IVF procedure will take 6 to 8 weeks to complete your treatment.
You can have your partner or your friend with you while you feel discomfort during the treatment.
Recovery time after IUI treatment
The IUI treatment will be taken for a few minutes and after the treatment women will take 20 to 30 minutes of rest in the hospital. Only a few women will have immediate pain like cramping and discomfort and that will not be severe to you.
Few women will undergo regular work, and exercise on the same day but, you should take complete rest on the treatment day to avoid risks. If you get severe pain or heavy bleeding on the day of the procedure then you should consult your doctor.
Recovery time after IVF treatment
The recovery time consists twice, the first time is during egg retrieval and the second time is during embryo transfer.
At the time of the egg retrieval, the process will be done for a few minutes and then the patient will be monitored for a few hours in the hospital. Mild cramping and spotting may occur but that do not cause severe pain. Few women will be ready to do their regular work on the same day, but heavy activities should be avoided for a few days.
At the time of embryo transfer, the process will be done for 20 to 30 minutes by giving anaesthesia to the patients. The patients will rest for 30 minutes in the hospital and can go back home. Heavy activities should be avoided for a few days to have a better result.
How to overcome the pain after IUI
There are various steps that you can follow to overcome the pain after the IUI treatment.
Intake of Tylenol: This medicine helps you to overcome the cramping pain in your abdomen which will not affect your pregnancy. Before taking it, you must consult your doctor for a better solution.
Rest your body: Resting your body for at least 4 to 5 days will help you relax and overcome the pain quickly.
Breathing exercises: Breathing exercises are a simple activity that helps to overcome the pain. Breathing in for 4 seconds, holding it for 7 seconds and exhaling it for 8 seconds will help to get relief from body pain. This can be continued for 2 to 3 minutes regularly in the morning and evening of the day.
Take a warm bath: Taking a bath or shower in warm water will help to relax your muscles and overcome your pain.
Heat therapy: You can apply your heat pad to your abdomen which helps you to overcome the pain and makes you feel comfortable.
Be Hydrated and Healthy: Keep your body hydrated by drinking more water, following a proper diet, and eating healthy food to avoid the risks in the future.
Mild exercise: Doing light exercises like slow walking, simple yoga exercises and a few minutes of meditation will help you to overcome the pain.
Wear a comfortable dress: Always wear a comfortable dress to keep yourself relaxed. You should not wear a tight dress which will make you feel uncomfortable.
Emotional support: When you feel emotionally low, you should communicate with your partner, friends and family. This will help you to feel more comfortable and relaxed.
How to overcome the pain after IVF
After the egg retrieval period, you should follow some steps to overcome your pain, so that you will get ready for the embryo transfer process.
Take medications: Tylenol is a medicine that helps you to overcome the pain after egg retrieval. Before taking this, you should consult your doctor for better results.
Rest your body: You should take a complete rest for 3 to 4 days for better results to gain positive results.
Heat Therapy: Applying the heat pad to the abdomen will help you to relax and get relief from the pain.
Body hydration: Keep your body hydrated and healthy for better results.
Mild exercise: Doing mild exercise, yoga, and meditation helps you to overcome the pain as you can feel relaxed.
After the embryo transfer process, you should follow some basic steps which help you to overcome pain,
Healthy diet: You should follow a proper diet include some points, and maintain a proper weight. This helps you to avoid future risks at the time of pregnancy.
Emotional support: Maintain good communication with your partner, friends, and family when you feel emotionally weak and stay in a positive environment.
The pain from this treatment will not be severe; it varies by individual and depends on factors like age and health condition. Stay hopeful and consult a best fertility doctor to begin your treatment.
Conclusion
Both treatments have pros and cons, however, these treatments help you to attain your pregnancy. Most of the women have successfully attained their pregnancy through ART treatments.
Don’t stress much emotionally and physically as to whether the treatment helps in pregnancy. Choosing the right fertility centre and the proper treatment will help to attain success.
FAQs
It involves the quick step for ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval by inserting a catheter into the uterus. So IVF is more painful compared to the IUI. But this will not cause severe pain to your body.
Once you complete the ART Treatment, you will be moving home after a few hours. You need to take complete rest for 3 to 4 days so that you will not face any unwanted risks in the future. Keep your body hydrated and healthy. If you have severe pain, bleeding, or fever you must consult your best fertility doctor immediately.
