Insemination

Artificial insemination involves placing a concentrated semen sample as close as possible to the egg at the moment of ovulation.

Intra uterine insemination (IUI), sperm is directly inserted into your womb using a fine catheter or tube.

This outpatient procedure is simple and usually painless.

Concentrated sperm sample?

During insemination, the sperm sample (from your partner or a donor) is processed in the laboratory into a more concentrated sample containing only the best sperm cells.

For whom?

IUI is often the first treatment for couples:

  • with a moderate shortage of good, motile sperm cells;
  • if the cervix acts as an unbridgeable barrier for sperm;
  • if you are involuntarily childless without an apparent cause (“unexplained infertility”).

IUI can also be performed with donor sperm:

  • if a man does not produce (good) sperm, or not enough sperm for a usable sample for insemination;
  • for single mums by choice and same-sex female couples who want to have children.

Did you know?

For insemination (IUI) with sperm from your partner, fresh sperm cells are preferred. That way, there can be no potential loss of quality due to freezing and thawing. With donor sperm, the sample is always frozen to perform the necessary, and legally required, tests before it is released for use.
If you want to become pregnant - even naturally - we advise you to start taking folic acid as soon as possible. This supplement reduces the risk of spina bifida or cleft lip in the foetus. Ideally, you should start three months before you plan to conceive.
Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of your period, meaning the first day of bright red menstrual bleeding before noon. If you only get your period during the day or the blood only turns bright red during the day, then the next day counts as your first day of period.

Preparation:

Preliminary examinations (such as blood tests and ultrasound scans) are carried out at the start of every fertility treatment. An individual assessment is made to determine whether a fallopian tube patency test is necessary for insemination.

Sometimes the ovaries are mildly stimulated with hormones prior to insemination. This aids in egg maturation, making ovulation more predictable for optimal timing.

Is hormonal stimulation used?

Where possible, we prefer to work with your natural menstrual cycle for insemination.

Its progress is therefore closely monitored with blood tests (to determine hormonal values) and ultrasounds (to assess the size and growth of follicle(s)).

In some cases, however, the ovaries are mildly stimulated with hormones prior to insemination. You can find more information about this in the section treatment stimulation.

How do I know if the treatment is successful?

After the procedure, you can have a blood test on day 15 after insemination to determine whether you are pregnant.

Even if your period has started, we recommend a blood test nonetheless on day three of your period. Your blood test tells us whether normal ovulation occurred, which is important for future treatments.

How does an insemination takes place?

Would you like a view of the course you have to take during insemination? Then be sure to check out our 3D tour!

Take the tour

Five common questions about IUI answered:

What are my chances of getting pregnant with IUI?

Your individual success rate depends on your personal situation. The man's sperm health also plays a part in this. The success rates of IUI are not much higher than the chances of a spontaneous pregnancy in couples without a fertility problem. IUI is therefore typically prescribed in rounds or cycles of 3 attempts. In general, the birth rate for women under 37 years of age after IUI at our centre is 50% after six cycles of IUI with sperm from the prospective father. This rises to 61% after six cycles when using donor sperm. For women over 37, the success rates are significantly lower.

Good to know

Did you know that women who smoke usually take two or even three times longer to become pregnant?

Is IUI painful?

Intra uterine insemination is usually painless and takes about five to 10 minutes. You lie down on an obstetric examination chair, a speculum is inserted, and a fine catheter is used to insert sperm through your cervix into your uterus. If you do experience discomfort during the procedure, please let us know. The midwife or doctor will take the necessary time and is on hand to assist you. After insemination, you may immediately resume your normal activities.

Can I have sex following the IUI?

Yes, you can have sex, but not right away so it does not trigger uterine contractions.

Does IUI increase the chances of multiples?

The risk of multiple pregnancy is minimised as much as possible. If multiple follicles are observed on the ultrasound in the run-up to the procedure, your doctor may puncture one or more follicles just before insemination until only one follicle remains.

Can I have a glass of wine / eat sushi after IUI?

After IUI you know that there is a chance that you may be pregnant. We recommend avoiding alcohol, raw fish and other risk factors, just as you would during a confirmed pregnancy.

Do you have a question?

Don't hesitate to ask me via info@brusselsivf.be or +32 2 477 66 99

Els Neukermans
Contact Centre