The IUI is an office procedure. A small tube or catheter with the sperm is passed through the cervix into the uterus, and the sperm are deposited in the uterine cavity. Most of the time, this is a simple procedure that causes minimal, if any, discomfort. Occasionally, it can be technically difficult and uncomfortable. IUIs are very safe, but they do carry a small risk of introducing infection into the uterus and tubes.

A: An IUI -- intrauterine insemination -- is when a very thin flexible catheter is threaded through the cervix and washed sperm is injected into the uterus. The whole process doesn't take very long - it usually only requires the insertion of a speculum and then the catheter, a process that maybe takes a couple of minutes. Sometimes when the cervix is hard to reach a tenaculum is also used and makes the process a bit more uncomfortable. See similar questions...

An IUI shouldn't be done at home because the sperm needs to be washed to prevent infection -- i.e., separated from the semen. A vaginal insemination can be done at home, but is no more successful than intercourse. Some doctors are willing to instruct on doing ICI (intracervical insemination) at home, but it should not be attempted without being taught proper technique. Getting semen or air into the uterus could be quite dangerous -- perhaps life-threatening. See similar questions...

Ideally an IUI should be performed within 6 hours either side of ovulation -- for male factor infertility some doctors believe after ovulation is better, otherwise chances of success are higher with insemination before ovulation with the sperm waiting for the egg. When timing is based on an hCG injection, the IUIs are usually done between 24 and 48 hours later. See similar questions...

Searching through about a dozen medical journal articles and a number of web sites resulted in a rather wide range of statistics. Basically the odds of success are reported to be just under 6% and as high as 26% per cycle. The low statistics are with one follicle, while multiple follicles resulted in as high 26% success. Another influencing factor is sperm count. See similar questions...

Since the vagina doesn't open unless something pushes it, it is OK to swim shortly after your IUI...but because of how much one has invested in getting pregnant, it probably makes sense to wait 48 hours after your IUIs to go swimming. See similar questions...

All screening tests are performed on a tiny blood sample, obtained by pricking the heel of your baby. Samples are usually taken at the hospital before your baby is discharged, allowed to air dry, and submitted to the Inborn Errors of Metabolism Laboratory for testing. Any abnormal results are reported to the Newborn Screening and Genetic Services program for follow-up activities. See similar questions...

The surgery is at our offices or at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, at 2nd Avenue and 14th St. in Manhattan. See similar questions...

I have performed all over the world (four continents) and tour the US nationally twice a year as host of the Jagermeister Music Tour. Besides working as a solo act I have appeared with The Jim Rose Circus, Sideshows by the Seashore (Coney Island), Todd Robbins Carnival Knowledge, and the Brothers Grim at various times. See similar questions...

Our Fairgrove Church Road office includes a surgical suite where many outpatient procedures can be performed. In addition, we have fully-equipped treatment rooms for all the cosmetic services we provide. More complicated procedures are performed at the Graystone Eye Surgery Center, located at 27 13th Avenue, NE, Hickory (in the Viewmont area). If hospitalization is required, Dr. Hargrove has hospital privileges at Frye Regional Medical Center and Catawba Valley Medical Center. See similar questions...

Grading is based on 3 main aspects, team work, individual work, and peer/faculty evaluations. The following is a general breakdown: See similar questions...

Culture medium is layered on top. The specimen is left in the incubator at 37 degrees Celsius for one to two hours. The highly motile sperms will swim up into the culture medium. The enriched upper layer is then removed and sent to the clinic where it is flushed into the uterus using a flexible catheter. This procedure is performed during the time of ovulation in order to increase the chance of conception. See similar questions...

You don't have to lay down because the cervix doesn't remain open, but most doctors let patients lay down on the table for 15-30 minutes after the procedure. See similar questions...

You should at least have a 7-dpo-progesterone test. Your RE may also check the pattern and thickness of the uterine lining via ultrasound at the same time. See similar questions...

Most women consider IUI to be fairly painless -- along the same lines as having a pap smear. There can be some cramping afterward, but often what is felt is ovulation-related rather than from the IUI. The catheter usually doesn't feel like much since the cervix is already slightly open for ovulation -- a poorly timed IUI might cause more discomfort at the cervix. See similar questions...

Please call us on the first business day after your period begins to let us know that you will be testing for an IUI. On Sunday through Friday you should test between 10 am and 2 pm so that you can call us no later than 2 pm when your test is positive. Arrangements will be made for the IUI the following day. See similar questions...