Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination is a simple procedure that helps the sperm to reach the fallopian tubes where fertilization of the egg occurs. It is necessary to “wash” the semen sample before insemination. This process separates the living, motile sperm from the seminal fluid and other debris such as dead sperm. The end result is a small amount of fluid containing living sperm that can be inserted into the uterus.
Steps in the IUI procedure
1. Phone Genesis to let us know that you are proceeding with IUI.
2. Monitor for ovulation.
3. Phone the clinic when the test turns positive to schedule an insemination.
Notify us that you are proceeding
Phone Genesis (879-3032) and leave a message for a nurse on the first day of full menstrual flow (do not count spotting) to notify us that you are planning to proceed with IUI during the current cycle. This is day 1. A nurse will help you determine which day to start “LH testing,” usually 2 to 3 days before the expected time of ovulation.
Monitor for ovulation (LH testing).
There are several brands of ovulation predictor kits available. Clear Blue Easy is a brand that is simple to use and is available to purchase from most pharmacies. The “Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor” and “Clear Blue Easy Ovulation Test” are also simple to use and reliable.
Note: Changes in cervical fluid are common and expected with the use of clomiphene, making the usual prediction of ovulation through assessment of cervical fluid unreliable! Assessment of saliva is similarly unreliable for prediction of ovulation.
We recommend that you test once per day between 12:00-1:30 pm, starting on the cycle day determined with the help of your nurse. To ensure that your urine sample is concentrated, we recommend that you do not drink or empty your bladder for 3 hours before testing. Do not test with the first urine of the morning.
Remember that this is a comparison test. You should always get a blue line in the “test” area. When the blue line in the test area is as dark or darker than the reference line, your test is positive. If the lines are so close that you are not sure it is positive, consider the test positive.
Phone the clinic when the test turns positive
When the test strip turns positive, phone the clinic and leave a message in the nurses’ voice mailbox (604-879-3032 ext 234) before 2 pm.
Leave a message with your name and telephone number so that a nurse can phone you to schedule an insemination for the following day.
For staffing reasons, inseminations are scheduled weekdays in the early afternoon and on weekends, during the late morning.
Insemination
- Your partner will have to produce a semen sample either from home or at the clinic. If collected at home, the sample must reach our lab within one hour of collection.
- Your partner should abstain from ejaculation for at least 2, but not more than 5 days in order to have the best sample for insemination.
- The lab requires approximately 90 minutes to prepare the sample for insemination.