If you’re planning to become a parent through Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), you may be feeling a mix of excitement, hope, and maybe even a little anxiety.
While your fertility specialist will assist you during the procedure, it is also important for you to understand how to prepare for IUI to achieve a favourable outcome. Being informed about the process and making the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes can help increase your chances of success.
How should I prepare for my IUI cycle?
IUI is a fertility treatment where sperm are washed in a special solution, and the concentrated sperm are placed directly into the uterus with a catheter. This allows them to travel to the fallopian tubes, where fertilisation typically takes place.
Here are a few guidelines you can follow to prepare for IUI cycles:
Avoid strenuous exercise
During IUI, your doctor may prescribe medications to stimulate your ovaries to grow eggs. Due to these medications, your ovaries may enlarge during this time, causing bloating and discomfort in your pelvis.
To prevent discomfort, it is recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise. Instead, you can stick to low-impact, less strenuous exercise, such as swimming, yoga and meditation, regular walking, cycling, or Pilates.
Eat a healthy diet
Eating a healthy diet with adequate fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains can optimise your body for pregnancy. You can take supplements like vitamin D, CoQ-10, and folic acid to improve your fertility.
The foods that should be avoided after IUI are:
Processed foods high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats
Excessive caffeine and alcohol
Foods high in mercury, such as mackerel and swordfish
Avoid ejaculation for 2 days prior to sperm collection
If the sperm sample comes from your partner, your doctor will advise you to avoid ejaculation for two days before sperm collection. This is to ensure adequate volume and to contain a high amount of active sperm. If men ejaculate shortly before providing a semen sample, it may compromise the volume and number of healthy sperm.
Some more lifestyle adjustment
If you want to get pregnant with IUI, it's essential to have a healthy lifestyle. There are some important changes to consider.
Avoid alcohol and quit smoking:
Alcohol and tobacco can make it difficult to get pregnant and can cause problems for the baby during the first few weeks of its life. So it is best to either stop or at least use them as little as possible.
Manage stress:
Stress can make it difficult to get pregnant, so it's good to try and relax. You could try mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, or hobbies you enjoy.
Make sure you get enough sleep:
Try to get 7-8 hours of good sleep every night to help keep your hormones balanced and make you feel good.
Avoid hot baths, saunas, and very hot showers:
If it is too hot, it can be difficult for the eggs to be fertilised and the sperm to be healthy. So it is better to not let your body get too hot at this time.
If you are using partner sperm, remind your partner about the abstinence period before sperm collection.
For more information about preparing for your IUI cycle, from understanding medications like progesterone to optimising your chances of pregnancy, consider speaking with a fertility specialist. You may contact Thomson Medical to arrange a consultation for personalised guidance on IUI preparation and post-treatment care.
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Do I need to align my IUI treatment with my menstrual cycle?
Yes, IUI is timed with a woman’s menstrual cycle, specifically around the time of ovulation. IUI is the most effective when the sperm is introduced into the uterus close to the time of ovulation. Doctors use different methods to monitor ovulation. They may do blood tests, use ultrasound, or use ovulation predictor kits. These help them to work out the best time for insemination.
What are some medications I should take to prepare for my IUI treatment?
To help your ovaries produce healthy eggs for IUI, your doctor may suggest taking fertility medication. This could be clomiphene citrate or letrozole. You will start these medications early in your menstrual cycle, usually from 2 to 5 days.
In some cases, gonadotropin injections may also be added to further stimulate egg growth. When the eggs are ready, you’ll be given human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), also known as the “trigger shot.” This hormone causes the eggs to develop and detach from the follicular wall, which prepares them for ovulation.
Ovulation usually happens 36 to 40 hours after the hCG injection. For this reason, the IUI procedure is carefully planned for about 36 hours after the trigger shot, ensuring insemination happens when the egg is most likely to be released. This increases the chances of fertilisation.
The type and dosage of medication will be based on your medical assessments and the results of your fertility test. Please ensure that you follow your doctor's instructions carefully, and tell your doctor if you have any side effects.
FAQ
How can I increase my chances of IUI success?
Success with IUI depends on both medical and lifestyle factors. You can boost your chances of success by:
Closely following your fertility specialist’s instructions for medications and timing.
Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and staying hydrated.
Doing light-to-moderate exercise such as walking, yoga, or swimming.
Managing stress with mindfulness, meditation, or other calming activities.
Making sure your partner avoids ejaculation for 2-3 days before sperm collection to maximise sperm quality.
What should I avoid before an IUI procedure?
Before your IUI, it’s best to stay away from habits or activities that may reduce success rates, such as:
Strenuous exercise or high-intensity workouts.
Hot baths, saunas, and hot tubs.
Smoking, alcohol, and excessive caffeine.
Ejaculation within 2-3 days before sperm collection (if using partner’s sperm).
Avoid taking certain medications, like blood thinners or antidepressants, without your doctor’s approval.
Prolonged stress or emotional strain that could affect hormone balance.
How successful is IUI on the first try?
The average success rate for IUI on the first attempt is about 10-20%. Your actual chances depend on factors such as your age, the cause of infertility, the quality of sperm, and your overall reproductive health. While many couples do not conceive on the first cycle, success rates often improve with repeated attempts, and many achieve pregnancy after 3-4 cycles.
What food to avoid after IUI?
To support implantation and early pregnancy, you should avoid:
Processed and junk foods are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Excessive caffeine (limit to about one small cup of coffee a day, or as advised by your doctor).
Alcohol.
Foods high in mercury, like mackerel or swordfish, should be avoided.
How many eggs are ideal for IUI?
In most cases, one or two mature follicles are considered ideal. While having more follicles may boost the chance of pregnancy, it also increases the risk of multiple births (e.g., twins or triplets). Your fertility specialist will monitor follicle growth and tailor your plan to your personal health and fertility goals.
Why does IUI fail the first time?
IUI commonly fails on the first attempt due to a combination of factors, including:
The timing may not coincide precisely with ovulation.
Sperm quality issues.
Poor egg quality due to age or other factors.
Underlying reproductive conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis.
It's not uncommon for the first IUI cycle to fail. Success rates tend to increase with subsequent cycles, as minor adjustments and improvements can be made based on previous attempts.
What should I do for post-IUI care?
After your IUI, you’ll enter the two-week wait (TWW) –— the period between the procedure and your pregnancy test. While this can feel emotionally challenging, gentle self-care can make a difference. Here are some helpful tips:
Take it easy with physical activity:
Opt for light exercises like walking or gentle yoga. Avoid high-impact or strenuous workouts that may affect implantation.
Pay attention to your body:
Mild cramping, light spotting, or breast tenderness can occur after IUI. These may be side effects of fertility medication or early signs of pregnancy.
Rest and care for your emotional well-being:
The TWW can feel long and stressful. Stay calm, focus on relaxing activities you enjoy, and use this time to nurture yourself mentally and physically.
If you notice heavy bleeding, severe pain, or unusual symptoms, contact your fertility clinic promptly.
The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations based on your medical conditions, request an appointment with Thomson Medical.
For more information, contact us:
Thomson Fertility Centre
- Paragon: 6252 7766
Thomson Specialists (Women's Health)
Request an Appointment