question about procedures prior to insemination

[Li27]

Hi,
I totally know nothing about this, so thought I could post here for a starting place.....

A very close friend of mine and her partner are planning on trying to conceive a child using donor sperm donation. They live in Northern Ireland (not the most "tolerant" society) and they have found a clinic that agreed to do this (the sperm is sent to the clinic), but the clinic wants to do some procedures first. They want my friend to either do:

Hysterosolipingogram
hycosy
laparoscipy with dye

They have said she needs to choose one of these, but she's a bit confused on why she even really needs these (she has never tried to conceive so doesn't know if she will have difficulty). The clinic has never done insemination for a lesbian couple, mostly they treat people with infertility issues I think.

Does anyone know anything about these procedures or have any advice I can pass along? Does it sound strange that they are requiring these - this whole process is really expensive there, too - they just want them to inseminate the sperm (but the place they are ordering it from in the UK demands it go to a reputable medical clinic).

Thanks!

[Coco99]

Hey there !

Those tests are meant to verify if the fallopian tubes are open. I know it probably sounds very intrusive to them to do those tests at the beginning of the process... but considering the $$$ involved, I strongly suggest doing the tests... I didnt and spent 2 months doing IUI's at the DR's office that were 100% bound to failiure because when we did do the test, my tubes were blocked... losing two months trying "naturally" when there is no $$ involved is no biggie... but losing 2500$ in the process really sucked.

Just my 2 cents !

Coco

[FtMPapa]

Like Coco, the HSG/SHG test was standard at the clinic I started at in Canada.

It's also just a good idea to get it done, it gives the fallopian tubes a little flush out; statistically, conception is more likely in the three months following the test.

It's not overly invasive - it's similar to an IUI in that a simple catheter is inserted through the cervix into the uterus, which is then filled with contrast and an Xray is taken. That's the HSG - it outlines the uterus and the tubes. The SHG is similar, except saline or water is used and the observation is done by ultrasound to determine whether any of the fluid passed through the fallopian tubes.

The procedure is uncomfortable, but generally not painful. HTH.

[EFmom]

I found the HSG excruciating.

[Coco99]

Originally Posted by EFmom

I found the HSG excruciating.

Me too !
But maybe its because my tubes were blocked... the water had nowhere to go !

[FtMPapa]

Originally Posted by Coco99

Me too !
But maybe its because my tubes were blocked... the water had nowhere to go !

I have heard that if your tubes are blocked it is much more painful. I edited my post - it's generally not a painful procedure, but yeah, it's uncomfortable and somewhat invasive, but nowhere near what any of the surgical options are.

I.e. my egg retrieval was a hundred times worse than my HSG/SHG. I'd say the embryo transfer was comparable to the HSG/SHG...worse than a typical IUI but not by much.

[EFmom]

Mine were not blocked, but I had to practically be peeled off the ceiling after the procedure.

[FtMPapa]

Originally Posted by EFmom

Mine were not blocked, but I had to practically be peeled off the ceiling after the procedure.

So sorry that was your experience, it's really not typical.

[justrose13]

my HSG was painless... i really can't say i felt any discomfort or anything.

that's just my

[kelly]

I about flew off the table during my HSG due to pain, even though they said my tubes were open (I still don't believe that they were!)

[Coco99]

If I compare my egg retrival and the HSG, I have to say that the HSG was worse for me. But come to think of it, I was wayyyyy more drugged for the retreival so maybe thats why !

Coco

[Li27]

thank you

Thanks everyone for the posts - I appreciate the responses and will pass on the info to my friend.
:-)