IUI is a medical procedure performed in cases of male infertility in which donor sperm is used to conceive the female. The intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure also helps single-women, and same-gender females who want to achieve pregnancy.
“After IUI, it’s recommended to wait at least two weeks (14 days) before testing for pregnancy to ensure the most accurate results.”
However, it’s important to understand that the symptoms for pregnancy or IUI results may take some extra time, up to 28 days to show up, depending on the woman’s health and her medical history.
Role of Blood Tests:
IUI results are considered via a blood test and measurement of hCG levels in most cases. Although you can test for pregnancy from home, blood tests are more than 99% accurate and capable of early detection of results.
Pregnancy after IUI can be detected primarily with two methods – urine tests (home tests) and blood tests. The accuracy of urine tests is the same as that of blood tests if they are done after 2 weeks. However, before this waiting period, urine tests are not reliable enough to detect accurate outcomes.
The hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone level is measured in milli-international units per liter (mIU/L). In terms of mIU/L unit, home tests are only effective at 100mIU/L or higher hCG levels and fail (false positive) at less than 75mIU/L hormonal levels. In the case of blood tests, these are more accurate and can give better and more accurate results at over 25mIU/L hCG levels.
In pregnancy, hCG levels double every 3 days. So in the case of a urine test or home test, if you find negative results even after 2 weeks, it’s better to wait for one more week, and this will help you observe the significant change in results for better accuracy.
However, to get better results and accuracy, follow your doctor rather than being impatient with pregnancy testing. Keep proper followup with your doctor on blood tests and other necessary medical checks or medication to ensure the best result from your IUI treatment.
Time Waiting Period for IUI Breakdown:
Before the IUI treatment starts, a “trigger shot” is given to females that accelerates the production of mature eggs in women. After receiving trigger shots for 24 to 36 hours, which contain hCG hormone at 5000 to 10,000 IUs (hormonal measurement units), the IUI procedure begins. This triggers the womb to produce multiple mature eggs simultaneously for further processing of the treatment.
Here is breakdown of two week of waiting period for the IUI procedure before blood test (pregnancy test) –
Day 1–2: Ovulation and sperm injection are part of the IUI procedure during this initial stage. In the process, washed and healthy sperm are directly injected into the uterus during ovulation. To increase the success rate of IUI, sometimes egg-release accelerator medications, including trigger shots, are given to the candidate before sperm injection.
Day 3–10: Within 24 hours of ovulation, the egg starts fertilisation with sperm. In the stage of fertilisation, it takes 6 to 12 days to fully pass the blastocyst stage for an egg. Then it travels to the uterus through one of the fallopian tubes.
Day 11–14: In this time period, the body starts producing hCG levels in order to sustain the pregnancy. This is the stage in which the mother releases different pregnancy hormones and the eggs become impenetrable. Before 14 days, blood tests are a recommended method to ensure pregnancy, while after 14 days, both home tests (urine tests) and blood tests become equally accurate.
Factors Influencing Pregnancy Test Timing:
While pregnancy tests are done after two weeks of IUI treatment, there are some factors that can affect the overall timing of pregnancy–
Ovulation Time: Pregnancy may begin as early as 10 to 12 days if the IUI is performed during ovulation. The patient must wait a minimum of 14 days for the test to be more accurate if it is performed after ovulation or with the assistance of fertility treatment to induce ovulation and the production of eggs.
Multiple Pregnancy: In cases of twin or triplet pregnancy, the hCG levels increase in multiples and help to detect pregnancy earlier than single pregnancy. Even though the likelihood of multiple births with IUI is 11.2%, it is still helpful to know when to schedule a pregnancy test in case there are multiple pregnancies.
Symptoms of Pregnancy after IUI
While waiting for a blood test day after an IUI procedure, females might have some pregnancy symptoms. While it is also possible to not have early pregnancy symptoms, especially before 13th or 14th day of IUI, these are potential signs and symptoms that you can observe –
- Sore breast,
- Light implantation bleeding,
- Vomiting or nausea,
- Cramping and fatigue,
- Frequent urination,
- Headaches and mood swings.
If you don’t have any of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean you’re not pregnant. So, it is always good practice to visit your gynecologist or IUI specialist and ask for further consultation, including tests, diagnosis, medication, and precautionary tips.
Where to Get Help With the IUI Pregnancy Test?
To get pregnancy test results after IUI, patients are not always expected to go to the hospital. In that case, you can visit a pharmacy store and get home urine test kits. Furthermore, you can consult with your gynecologist or IVF doctor via audio or video call. You can go to a general practitioner (general doctor) for tests like hCG tests in the blood. You can also visit fertility hospitals like Vardaan Medical Center, which have world class facilities and a team of IVF specialists who can help you with better care and suggestions.
Conclusion:
While waiting for a two week (14 days) waiting period between IUI and the first blood test might be overwhelming and stressful, it’s worth it rather than false positive or false negative results. In regards to hCG levels in the mother’s body, both urine tests (and home tests) and blood tests are applicable in the range of 5–100 mIU/L to detect pregnancy. But at lower levels of hCG (less than 75mIU/L), blood tests are more accurate and can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the success rate of IUI procedures?
IUI procedures have a success rate of more than 80% in 3 to 6 cycles. Young women (especially those less than 35 years old) have higher rates of success.
How soon after an IUI procedure can I resume normal activities?
You can resume your daily activity immediately after an IUI procedure without any bed rest. However, it is advisable to lower the intensity of work and daily activities, such as rough workouts.
What is the cost of IUI and IVF in Amritsar?
The average cost of IUI in Amritsar starts from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000, while it can differ based on number of cycles and other factors such age, infertility cause, other diseases in females, etc. The same goes for IVF costs, which range from Rs 1,20,000 to Rs 1,50,000 at Vardaan IVF Clinic in Amritsar.
Is there any reputable fertility specialist known for expertise in IUI in Amritsar?
Yes, Dr. Vareesh Kumar is the best doctor for IUI treatment and other fertility expertise in Amritsar.
Which is the best IVF clinic in Amritsar?
Vardaan Medical Center is a top-rated IVF clinic in Amritsar with a success rate of more than 75% in IUI and other infertility treatments.
