Home IUI with a midwife: Start to Finish
I’m here to demystify the process of intrauterine insemination (IUI). Midwifery care is all about placing you at the center of your own healthcare experience, and this holds true when you are seeking care to become pregnant. IUI is a safe and simple procedure, and having a midwife come to your home to perform the IUI makes all the sense in the world: you are more relaxed and comfortable in your own space, the environment is less clinical, your partner (if applicable) can be involved in the process, and your physical and emotional comfort is prioritized. OK, but how does it all work?
IUI First Steps Begin with Selection and Obtaining the Sperm
Long before the IUI takes place, you’ll have laid the groundwork by selecting a donor and obtaining the sperm. You might be using either fresh or frozen sperm. Prior to an IUI in Berkley, CA, the sperm needs to be “washed,” which involves using a centrifuge to separate out the sperm from the other components of seminal fluid. This is important because semen contains prostaglandins, which can cause cramping or an inflammatory response in the uterus. Washing the semen also removes any bacteria that may be present, reducing the risk of infection.
If the sperm you are using comes from the bank, it will arrive to you already washed (select IUI-ready vials). The vial(s) of sperm will arrive to you in a nitrogen tank, where they will remain until we are ready to do the IUI. It takes about 15-20 minutes for the vial(s) to thaw.
IUI and Use of Fresh Sperm
If you are using fresh sperm (from a known donor or from your partner), it will need to be washed by your midwife immediately prior to the IUI. This process takes about an hour and is done in your home. Your donor (or partner) will supply the sample via masturbation, and the washing process needs to begin within 30-60 minutes after ejaculation. I bring all the supplies needed for washing: a portable centrifuge, sperm washing medium, vials, pipettes, and gloves. I typically set up on your kitchen table or a countertop, and you are welcome to watch the process or do your own thing while I work. After the sperm has been washed, we are ready for the IUI!
The IUI Process and the Sample
The sperm sample is drawn up into a syringe, with a long, thin catheter (tube) attached. We will get you set up on your bed or couch, with a pillow and towel under your bottom and a chair at the edge of the bed for me to sit on. First, a speculum is inserted into your vagina (just like with a pap smear). If you like, you are welcome to insert the speculum yourself or use a hand mirror to watch. Once your cervix is in view, I will insert the catheter through your cervix and into your uterus. This may cause some cramping, similar to menstrual cramps. Once the catheter is in place, I will slowly depress the syringe to release the sperm directly into your uterus. If you have a partner and they want to be the one to depress the catheter, they are more than welcome to participate.
After the IUI Process Here is What to Expect
After the sperm has been placed in the uterus, I will remove the catheter and speculum, and you can stay resting in bed. All in all, the IUI typically takes 1-3 minutes from start to finish. Some people experience some cramping in the 24 hours after an IUI, sometimes immediately after and sometimes not until a few hours later. Some people don’t experience any cramping. If you do, it’s typically mild and manageable. There can also be light spotting in the 24 hours after an IUI. You are free to resume normal activity the next day.
Now you begin the “two-week wait,” those challenging two weeks between inseminating and waiting to find out if you are pregnant. It’s recommended to wait 14 days before taking a pregnancy test; if you test sooner you may get a false negative (a negative test even when you are pregnant).
Stats to Keep in Mind with IUI in Berkley, CA
Keep in mind, the success rate for one IUI cycle is about 20-25% per cycle for people under 30, 15-20% for people between 30-35, 10% for people between 35-40, and 5% for people between 40-45. This means that you are likely going to need more than one IUI before conceiving. Trying to conceive is often a wild ride with ups and downs, hopes and disappointments, excitement, and nervousness. It’s important to manage expectations realistically and to trust in the mystery of it all. Stay posted for an upcoming blog post on getting through the highs and lows of a conception journey.
Are You Ready To Get Support With Home IUI With Midwives In Berkley, CA?
Our holistic approach includes recommendations for nutrition, supplements, herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes to enhance your fertility. We may also conduct lab tests or order imaging to better understand your baseline health and fertility status. Our goal at the Emunah Midwifery in Berkley, CA is to help you optimize your chances of conception and have a healthy pregnancy. If you are ready to get started with out midwives, follow these steps:
Get started with informed and empathetic care