Doing IUI at home?

[AngelaM]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, though I have been reading everyone's really helpful comments to one another. I'm excited to be part of such a dynamic community!

I'm a single dyke hopefully-soon-to-be mom. I'm planning to start ttc in June, with frozen sperm, and now in the process of charting my temp, ovulation, etc. I'm planning to do at-home inseminations, mainly for financial reasons, but am concerned that I'm lowering my chances of conception. (I'm 30.) Has anyone here tried an at-home IUI? I'm curious about how complicated it is, and whether anyone has had success this way. (I know about washed v. unwashed sperm, etc.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Angela

[frog]

We did at-home IUI with the help of a midwife--you might start looking for midwives in your area who could do this for you.

[CynicalStar]

You can do at-home IUI if you are comfortable accepting the increased risks of infection (you must use sterile catheters, proper hand-washing technique, and have your location as clean as possible) and cervical/uterine puncture (from a non medically-trained person inserting the catheter through the cervix on an angle or just too far inside).

That said, I opted to do so. However, I have a degree in Equine Breeding, and have performed countless inseminations on million dollar show horses using vials of sperm that cost upwards of $10,000 per vial. I felt confident that I could safely instruct my partner.

[lexbeach]

I'm pretty sure it would be impossible for you to do it yourself, but there's no reason why a midwife, or someone else who had been trained in the procedure, couldn't do it for you. Personally, I always felt sooo stressed out when it came time for the inseminations (mostly I'd be stressed about the timing, wondering if we'd gotten it right, but I'd also be stressed about the spermies, and if they'd thawed correctly, and how they were doing, etc.) that I really needed to know that the person doing the IUI was well-trained in the procedure and had done it many times. Once I had it done by someone who didn't do them as frequently (I'd go to the clinic for my IUIs--I've had 8 total in my life), and I absolutely could tell the difference. It was much more painful, and I felt much less sure, and I did not get pregnant that cycle.

It's absolutely true that it's more expensive to have a professional do the IUI, but I think it's worth it. It's not hugely expensive, compared to some other fertility treatment stuff. I believe my IUIs cost about $140 each. Sometimes there are ways to trick insurance companies into paying for them too, if you can get them to believe that you've already been trying for a year at home without success, or if you have any sort of condition that could get you a diagnosis from your OB/GYN. I had an ovarian cyst that was discovered after my second cycle of ttc for baby #3 (I had pain and thought maybe it was an ectpoic, so they did a u/s and found the cyst). It was totally harmless, and I got rid of it with acupuncture. But because of the cyst, my insurance then paid for u/s monitoring of my next cycle (the doctors could argue that they were checking for cysts), which really helped with the timing of the IUI, but which I never would have paid for myself (and I DID get pregnant that cycle!). Anyway, it's something to look into!

Welcome to MDC! Sending lots of your way!

Lex

[Diane B]

A doctor trained my steady-handed partner to do IUI's at home so we could get the timing right on a couple of weekends when the clinic was closed - it's not rocket science, as they say. I have to say, my partner was "better" at it than a few of docs I used. As long as you have sterile equipment, it's certainly possible for a layperson to do. I don't think you could do it to yourself, however.

[AngelaM]

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. I do have a friend who is a nurse who is willing to actually do the insemination, and hearing everyone's feedback makes me feel like this is a do-able option.

Thanks!

[FtMPapa]

Originally Posted by CynicalStar

However, I have a degree in Equine Breeding, and have performed countless inseminations on million dollar show horses using vials of sperm that cost upwards of $10,000 per vial. I felt confident that I could safely instruct my partner.

I am never going to complain about the cost of sperm again. :

[Twylightdove]

Angela, that is great that you have a nurse friend willing to do it for you. My partner is a nurse and will be learning how to do IUI at home with our next cycle (if this ICI doesn't work that is). Good luck!

[UberMama]

Twylight Dove, how many cycles have you been trying? I noticed you are in PDX like I am. I am doing ICI's right now as well.

I just have to say, which I am sure the OP knows, for anyone else curious - make sure to use washed sperm when performing actual IUI's (not ICI's). IUI's need washed sperm, otherwise the semen going into the uterine cavity could cause it to spasm at minimum!!

[Twylightdove]

Ah, another in PDX! Hello!
I'm on try#3. In fact I'm in my tww. We are not thinking about this cycle and just planning on the next one where we start on IUI at home. If I had to go to a clinic to do IUI I think we would wait until our 6th try.
BTW, I facilitate a Queer ttc group at the Q Center on the last Monday of every month starting at 7:30. We are just getting started so the group is small but growing.

[Satori]

I know women who got prego doing iui alone at home but I took the much easier route and did ici at home and got prego both cycles I tried it. You need to be flexible and being on the thin side helps too but its quite doable to do home iui alone.