Infertility is a growing concern among couples nowadays. But thanks to medical science, there are many fertility treatments available that can help you conceive.
One such popular reproductive technique is intrauterine insemination (IUI). In this procedure, the doctor implants washed healthy sperm into the woman’s uterus during ovulation.
Our highly experienced fertility specialist in Mumbai, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai recommends IUI to couples dealing with male infertility.
IUI treatment in India is the second most opted fertility procedure after IVF. After the process, you will have to wait for two weeks to find out if you are pregnant.
The two weeks following IUI can be filled with anxiety and uncertainty for the patient as they are bound to worry about the outcome.
Here we have discussed everything you need to know about what occurs following IUI so that you can feel relaxed and in control of the situation.
Before moving ahead, let us first understand how IUI is done.
IUI process
Ovulation induction: The female partner will receive hormonal medications to stimulate egg formation in the ovaries.
Sperm Insemination: In order to maximize the likelihood of pregnancy, sperm is directly injected into the uterine cavity after being collected from the male partner.
Pregnancy will be confirmed if the sperm fertilizes the egg and the resultant embryo attaches to the uterine wall.
Now that you know the IUI process let us understand what happens after it.
| Days | Day-by-day details |
| Day 1 | Semen analysis, blood test |
| Day 2 | IUI procedure |
| Day 3 | Spotting in some women |
| Day 6 | Implantation |
| Day 7 – 8 | Bleeding due to implantation |
| Day 10 – 14 | Beta hCG test |
| Day 15 | Fertilization |
| Day 16 | The eggs become impenetrable |
| Day 17 | Cell creation and division into two-celled body |
| Day 18 | Embryo formation at the 16-cell stage |
| Day 19 | Blastocyst stage |
| Day 20 | Blastocyst attaches to the uterine wall |
Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, the Director and Founder of Bloom IVF, a chain of premium IVF Centre in India, advices patient to have a nutritious diet, stay hydrated, remain active, sleep well, manage stress, and refrain from smoking and alcohol consumption after IUI process.
1 to 3 days after IUI
During this time, some women may endure mild cramping or spotting. It is not implantation bleeding but a common side effect of the procedure.
Also, you may experience some vaginal discharge due to the cervical mucus being dislodged. It is normal, so do not worry.
After three days, if you are still unwell, you should discuss it with your reproductive specialist.
6 days after IUI
As the implantation stage is near, you may suffer from cramps, abdominal pain, or slight spotting. Furthermore, you may also experience exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and breast tenderness.
Some women may not experience any of the above symptoms. This does not imply that the procedure has failed or there are any complications. Be relaxed, as stress is not good for you.
14 days after IUI
Usually, two weeks following the treatment, doctors advise taking a pregnancy test as there are enough hormones in the body to determine pregnancy.
Although there is a choice for DIY at-home testing, fertility specialists normally suggest a proper pregnancy test at the clinic to assure accuracy.
You will be requested to retake the pregnancy test if the results are unfavourable or you miss your next period. However, if the test is positive, the doctor will monitor the hormone levels and offer guidance on the appropriate course of treatment.
What is the time frame for implantation following IUI?
IUI is precisely scheduled such that the doctor performs the procedure within a few hours after ovulation. IUI might sometimes be timed to a woman’s natural cycle, depending on how reliably and frequently she ovulates. In order to regulate the timing, tiny doses of fertility medications are often used to stimulate the ovaries and start ovulation.
Since the egg is only viable for fertilization for 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, the clock starts ticking from when the woman ovulates.
For fertilization to take place, the sperm and egg need to come in contact during this period. The fertilized egg then has to implant in the uterine lining for pregnancy to establish.
This whole process may take around 3 to 12 days. In about 40% of women, conception happens by the 9th day after ovulation.
What are the signs of implantation?
The implantation symptoms might be vague and confusing, and some women may not experience any symptoms. To further complicate matters, implantation symptoms might imitate early menstruation or side effects of IUI.
Over guessing and worrying about tiny details, may make your waiting period all the more challenging. The most common signs of implantation are:
- Mild cramping
- Spotting for a couple of days
Final word
The hardest aspect for many patients is waiting and praying for satisfactory outcomes after or during the first two weeks.
Thus, anxiety and stress are frequently felt, which could impact the couple’s ability to conceive. Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, an acclaimed fertility specialist in Mumbai urges patients to take care of themselves, maintain composure, and control stress.
Schedule your consultation appointment with our specialists if you are considering IUI treatment in India. You will get optimal guidance from them.
Bloom IVF has many IVF centre in India, like Mumbai, Delhi, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Mohali, Lucknow, Indore, Kolkata, and Nagpur. Further, you can also visit Babies & Us Fertility IVF & ICSI Center and Budget IVF & Fertility Centre in Mumbai.