Definition:
Artificial insemination procedure is performed to treat infertility caused by certain medical reasons or unexplained infertility. In this procedure the sperm is placed directly into the female’s vagina(Intra cervical insemination-ICI) or into the female’s uterus(intra uterine insemination-IUI). However nowadays, many single women and lesbians had been able to conceive with the help of artificial insemination, where sperms are provided by a donor.
Preparation for Intra uterine insemination (IUI) procedure
- A woman needs to undergo pelvic examinations and ultrasound to determine if she is capable of carrying a child term and to rule out any abnormality of ovaries and fallopian tubes.
- The sample of the concentrated sperm for the insemination is prepared in the laboratory.
- Woman needs to monitor their LH levels (hormone) throughout the cycle using a test kid that helps to predict the ovulation time. Women having problems with ovulation will be given hormonal injections or medication for the same.
- Ideally IUI should be performed within 6 hours either side of ovulation or as instructed by the concern doctor.
During the procedure
- The intra uterine insemination (IUI) is a simple process and generally takes about 45min to 1hour and can be performed in fertility clinic. After wearing a hospital gown, patient needs to lie down on an examination table.
- A speculum is placed inside the vagina to visualize the cervix. A cervix is cleaned with a little culture medium.
- The prepared sperm concentration is injected into the uterus via cervix using a fine plastic catheter. The patient may be asked to lie down and remain immobilize for 15to 45 minutes.
Risk and complications
- The IUI is relatively safe procedure and associated major complications are rare. However, unsuccessful fertilization may require repetition of the procedure.
- The procedure may cause infection in the uterus in some cases(very less) leading to fever, abdominal pain etc.
- The fertility drugs used with artificial insemination can cause various side effects such as depression, hot flushes, irritability and headache.
- The drugs can also cause ‘ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome’ leading to formation of ovarian cysts, swelling of the ovaries and production of multiple eggs at a time that can result in to multiple pregnancies
Uses of intra uterine insemination
- It is a less expensive procedure, providing more natural way of fertility.
- IUI is useful when the female partner suffers from a sperm allergy, have mild endometritis, cervical mucus resentment or when the male partner suffers from poor sperm motility or a low sperm count, unable to ejaculate in to vagina and in case of unexplained infertility.
- The procedure helps to utilize stored semen sample for fertilization when husband is not available at the appropriate timing for the treatment
Travelers guide
Medical tourist should plan in advance and start having good diet; moderate exercise and healthy lifestyle as all of them can increase the chances of success of this procedure, in addition to it stop smoking and avoid caffeine as well.
The artificial insemination procedure doesn’t involve incisions or surgical alternations so that patient can expect instant recovery and return home next day.
