The IUI (#1)

On Friday we had our first IUI for this round. There weren't any complications, so things went as well as could be expected -- we'll find out in two weeks if we're pregnant.

What's an IUI?
IUI = Intrauterine insemination. People also refer to this as the "turkey baster" method. As someone who has basted a turkey and experienced this procedure, I can tell you that it is much closer in resemblance to a "flavor injector."

What Happens?

• Male gives semen "sample."


• Sperm in semen is analyzed and "washed" in an andrology lab.


• Sperm must be removed from semen, because semen cannot go into the uterus. The female uterus is allergic to semen -- trust me. The first IUI I had, the sperm weren't clean enough and I had severe cramping and fever.


• During intercourse, sperm is separated from the semen via cervical mucus.


• It takes about 45 minutes to analyze and clean the sperm. Enough time for a nice breakfast at the clinic's cafe.


• Once the sperm is cleaned, the sample is taken to the fertility clinic (ours is in the same building).


• The procedure is very quick, like five minutes total.


• Strip. Get into stirrups. At that point, the nurse uses a speculum to get to your cervix. Once there, a catheter is inserted into your uterus.


• For me, there's not any pain at this point. It's not comfy (by any means), but it doesn't hurt. It does feel weird when they insert the catheter, because you can feel something wiggling around inside you -- and it doesn't feel natural like, say, a baby.


• When the catheter is in place, the sample is inserted via a syringe (a la flavor injector). Dave pushes the syringe in, that way he's involved in the actual conception (if it works).


• After that, they ask you to lie on your back for 15 minutes and then you go on your merry way.

And then the wait begins...