When planning to build your family, there are several fertility treatments designed to help individuals and couples achieve their dreams. NewLIFE Fertility offers intrauterine insemination (IUI) as an option to enhance the fertilization process by giving sperm a more direct path.
Your journey to parenthood can be filled with emotional and physical challenges, especially if you experience struggles with infertility. Our NewLIFE Fertility specialists are here to provide personalized fertility treatments and support throughout your journey with us.
What is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a treatment that places sperm directly into the cervix, increasing the chances of it fertilizing a mature egg. Typically, during intercourse, only about 200 sperm can reach the egg; this procedure offers a more direct path for the sperm to reach the fallopian tubes, thus improving the chances of conception.1
IUI can be a starting point for individuals or couples facing challenges with reproduction. Generally, this treatment is faster and more cost-friendly compared to other fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
In some cases, IUI may be recommended for someone with unexplained or male infertility. If, for example, a male partner experiences low sperm count, IUI can improve the chance of pregnancy. This treatment option also allows same-sex parents to have a baby with donor sperm.
What to Expect with IUI
If your fertility specialist recommends IUI for your treatment, you can expect a procedure that’s relatively simple and straightforward. This process begins weeks before the procedure with a fertility assessment with one of our specialists.
During this assessment, your fertility specialist will identify and diagnose any infertility issues, including blood work ultrasounds, hormone levels, and sperm analysis for male partners, if applicable.
including hormone levels, as well as blood work, ultrasounds, and sperm analysis for male partners, if applicable.
Our IUI Timeline
Once a fertility assessment is complete, insemination should be conducted during ovulation to ensure an egg is released and prepped for fertilization. If needed, we can prescribe fertility medication to induce ovulation.
Our fertility specialists will require a sperm sample, either from a male partner or donor, to concentrate and prepare it for the procedure. This is a critical step in the process as we can separate any non-motile (non-moving) sperm from the sample to increase the likelihood of it reaching the fallopian tubes.
The final phase of IUI involves the procedure itself, which uses a catheter to insert the sperm sample. This is a non-invasive procedure, similar to a routine pap smear, though our fertility specialists will request you lie down briefly after the procedure.
We will then be able to administer a pregnancy test a couple of weeks following the procedure.
Let’s Discuss Your Family-Growing Options Through IUI
Your family goals matter to us at NewLIFE Fertility. If you’re curious to learn more about your IUI options near Mobile, AL, we invite you to talk with our team of compassionate, dedicated, and experienced fertility specialists. We strive to achieve your dream of starting or growing your family.
Schedule a consultation with one of our fertility specialists today to take the first step.