How to Prepare for an IUI & Increase Chances

An intrauterine procedure is done to increase the changes of becoming pregnant. Infertility might lead you to an IUI procedure. As stated by the Fertility Centers of Arizona, a woman's fertility decreases after 37 years of age. Prior to an IUI procedure, tests should be conducted to examine the cause of your infertility in order to produce a treatment plan that will enhance your chances of becoming pregnant.

Things You'll Need

• Fertility medications
• Ovulation testing kit

Show More

Instructions

Preparation

• 1

  Take fertility medications as prescribed by your physician. Medications such as Clomiphene citrate (an oral medication) can help you develop eggs for fertilization.

• 2

  Get an ultrasound.

  Allow your physician to monitor for signs of ovulation. As indicated by the Mayo Clinic, your physician will observe you with a transvaginal ultrasound to check your ovaries for follicles that will eventually become eggs necessary for fertilization during your IUI. Transvaginal ultrasounds can be conducted within a day to a day and a half of receiving fertility medications.

• 3

  Monitor your blood.

  Get your blood tested for increased levels of hormones that include estrogen. Hormones such as estrogen are released in higher quantities during egg development.

• 4

  Use an ovulation testing kit. Check your urine for signs of elevated LH (luteinizing hormone) responsible for triggering ovulation.

• 5

  Prepare a semen sample for your physician. Get the sample to your physician's office within 30 minutes of the sample being produced. It will take two hours to process the sperm for your IUI.

Increasing Fertility

• 6

  Get an appointment as soon as signs of fertility are recognized.

  Schedule an appointment with your physician if you use an ovulation testing kit that becomes positive. An IUI procedure should be conducted within a day of a positive test.

• 7

  Get an hCG injection.

  Get injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (hormones produced during pregnancy) a day prior to your procedure if recommended by your physician. Injections of hCG will make you ovulate.

• 8

  Consider scheduling two IUIs. As stated by Fertility Plus, some studies have suggested that there might be a 6 percent increased chance of fertility with two IUIs.

• 9

  Schedule a time to have intercourse.

  Have intercourse with your partner after your IUI if your physician allows this. If your partner has a low sperm count, he can increase the amount of sperm in your uterus, which will increase your chances of becoming pregnant.