IUI is the pinnacle of dedicated research into pregnancy expeditions. While it offers lots of benefits, the risk is also immense.
Hence, even after a successful operation, you should guarantee proper self-care. This article will detail what to do and what not to do after IUI.
What is IUI, and What Are The Risks?
What is IUI?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a fertility therapy in which sperms are implanted directly into a woman’s uterus.
They must pass from the vagina via a uterus onto the cervical canal – before reaching oviducts during natural conceptions.
The treatment entails the “washing” and concentration of sperms – and their direct placement into the uterine. As a result, they will be brought much closer to the egg.
This procedure has been shown to boost the chance of pregnancy in couples who have previously struggled to conceive.
IUI is a minimally intrusive and cost-effective method of fertility therapy – compared to more meddling and expensive practices such as IVF (vitro fertilization).
Spouses may choose to start with IUI before moving to IVF.
What Are The Risks?
On some occasions, the ovaries overreact to fertility medicines (especially those administered through injection).
That results in a disease termed “ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome“. An excessive amount of eggs may develop and be discharged simultaneously.
It leads to an expanded ovary, abnormal increases in abdominal fluid, and cramps.
Worse, there are rarer cases where ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may cause fluid accumulation in the chest and belly, renal issues, blood clots, and ovarian twisting.
Are you using fertility medicines for IUI and have any of the symptoms listed below? Then you should immediately contact your doctor:
- Lightheadedness
- Weight growth in a short period (at least 6 pounds)
- Breathlessness
- Vomiting
- Abdominal or pelvic discomfort
- Abrupt expansion of the abdominal cavity
What Not to Do after IUI?
A conducive environment for conception is a critical stage. It may bear a substantial impact on the positive outcome of intrauterine insemination.
Keep in mind that the chance of success is dependent on your meticulous self-care. Hence, it is important to assess the do and don‘ts after IUI.
For starters, be aware of the following hazards:
The Use of Analgesics (Painkillers)
What are things to avoid after IUI? For your question, our first response will be pain relief medicines.
Cramps and foot pains are quite prevalent symptoms (even in post-pregnancy months). We understand they might inflict lots of discomforts.
However, do not turn to pain relievers. Their chemical substances will diminish the overall efficacy of intrauterine insemination.
Lifting Heavy Objects
No matter what you do, avoid lifting heavy things. Such a strenuous activity will lead to severe cramps and, in some circumstances, damage your uterus lining.
These injuries will lower the performance level of your treatments.
Stress and Anxiety
It is essential to adopt a positive attitude once you have completed your surgery. Do not let stress and anxieties get to you.
They will wreak havoc on hormone levels and drastically reduce your chances of becoming pregnant.
All in all, try your best to maintain stable mental health. You may opt for different relaxation methods.
One such tactic is to read a few entertaining books or novels and engage in stress-relieving hobbies.
Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Cigarette smoking and alcohol usage impose a detrimental impact on fertility. Hence, you must abstain from these two unhealthy habits after wrapping up your treatments.
To be specific, a study has proved that frequent alcohol consumption is to blame for the decrease of conception rate.
In the same vein, heaving smokers release harsh chemicals that are linked to egg and sperm damages. It’s best to quit cold turkey for a healthy child.
Strenuous Exercises
Some light exercises may help raise the success rate. There is one important thing to note, though. It would help if you evaded intensive workouts at all costs for at least several days.
After 5 to 6 days, modest training might be acceptable, improving blood flow consistency throughout your body. Simple stretches and yoga poses are highly recommended too.
Skipping Prescription Medications
We suggest you conform to the prescribed medication schedule for increased treatment accuracy.
Do not neglect one single dose. Your lack of adherence to the recovery process may decrease the possibilities of future conceptions.
An extra tip: It would be great if you could arrange regular appointments with your doctors.
Swimming
After operations, do not swim for 48 hours. Though swimming has no direct correlation with surgery successes, pool waters might pose significant risks of infection.
If you are obsessed with this activity, swim shortly and gently. Unless someone pushes your vagina, it will not open, so try to swim in a private or uncrowded pool.
What to Do after IUI Insemination?
Here are some post IUI care tips to consider:
Take Folic Acid
Folic acid – a member of the Vitamin B family – is involved in several critical systemized activities.
It nurtures the healthy development of living cells, the formation of new cells, and DNA synthesis.
In typical cases, a fetus will feed on this vitamin throughout the early stages of brain development. Insufficient folic acid equates to an increased potential for birth abnormalities.
As per recent evidence, folic acid is a decisive factor in pregnancy likelihood. Thus, you might need to opt for a minimum of 1mg of folic for three months.
Should you have no prior experience in this regard, consult your doctors or professional authorities.
Adopt A Healthy Diet Plan
A balanced diet lends your body solid support to accommodate possible pregnancy. Furthermore, it facilitates a healthier interior environment for your unborn child.
Remember to pick up foods high in unsaturated fats, lean meats, and leafy green vegetables for improved wellbeing. Cereals like Malt O Meal also do wonders for cholesterol reduction.
Do you feel that your current diet should be altered – but are unsure how to proceed? Confer a fertility specialist or staff.
Be Aware of Other Alternatives
Insemination therapy indeed increases your chances of conception. However, this method only has a 10-15% success rate.
Hence, if you are still unsure of the causative factors behind your reproductive difficulties, use this opportunity to investigate the source of your underlying troubles.
Arrange meetings with experienced doctors and specialists to discuss your fertility concerns and possible treatment alternatives.
How Much Does It Cost?
The previous sections have detailed what to do and what not to do after IUI treatment. Now, another crucial facet emerges: pricing.
Bear in mind that certain insurance plans cover fertility therapies, while some do not. Before you begin, verify your coverage and any associated costs to make an educated financial choice.
As per a study conducted by the charity organization RESOLVE, the average fee of an insemination treatment is $895.2. These costs vary significantly amongst fertility clinics, ranging from $300 to $1,000.
The total sum fluctuates around your health insurance. Other factors are also at play. Does your treatment cover only the operation? Or does it also include fertility medicines, blood testing, and other expenditures?
By and large, when integrating all extra services, one cycle may cost $3,000 and $5,000.
Yet, it is still far less expensive than IVF, which typically charges between $10,000 and $20,000 for the first round.
Conclusion
This article has covered all critical information on what to do and what not to do after IUI.
Though the operation itself plays a major role in your pregnancy likelihood, your post-treatment activities also decide the outcome.
Hence, do not forget to exercise utmost caution during this crucial period.
Feel free to contact us for more clarifications on what not to do after IUI procedure. Still, it would be better to have direct consultation with your physicians.
After all, they are the ones with intimate knowledge of your current circumstances.
