How to Prepare for an Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine inseminations (IUIs) are common fertility procedures. The man provides a semen specimen, which the fertility clinic runs through a "sperm wash" to maximize the odds of conception. A fertility doctor then deposits the "washed" sperm into the woman's uterus. Here is how to prepare for an intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Specimen cup
• Pen
• Sanitary napkin

1. Clear your schedule. Even though the actual procedure of inserting the sperm into your uterus only takes a few minutes, you will need to set aside time both before and after the procedure. Set aside at least a couple of hours on the day of the IUI. Most fertility clinics recommend having the procedure done in the morning, so keep your morning schedule clear during your fertile time of the month.
2. Obtain a specimen cup. If you are obtaining the semen specimen at home, you will need a specimen cup in order to transport the specimen to the fertility clinic. Keep a pen with the specimen cup so you can write down the exact time that the specimen was obtained.
3. Gas up your car. You do not want to risk running out of gas on the way to the fertility clinic. Make sure that your car is in good working order so you can deliver the specimen to the fertility clinic within 30 minutes after it is obtained.
4. Bring a sanitary napkin. If your cervix is not cooperative, the fertility doctor might need to use a clamp to pinch open the cervix in order to deposit the sperm into your uterus. Pinching the cervix can cause it to bleed. Wearing a sanitary napkin after an IUI is a good precaution.
5. Set aside a good book. Even though the IUI only takes a few minutes, you will spend a lot of time waiting. The semen sample needs to sit for about 30 minutes before it can be "washed," and the process of washing the sperm takes several minutes. After the IUI, the fertility doctor will likely ask you to lie down on your stomach or on your back with your pelvis tilted for at least 15 minutes. You might as well enjoy reading a good book while you wait.
6. Keep the rest of your day low key. It might take a couple of days to conceive after the IUI, so try to stay relaxed during that time. Make an effort to remove yourself from potentially stressful situations to increase the odds of conceiving a baby.