QuestionDr Ramirez, My partner and I are also in the Monterey area and would like to begin trying to get pregnant this summer. We're both women, I am 33 and would be the recipient. We have a known / directed donor. I have reviewed your site but did not see a lot of information regarding Artificial Insemination. Such as, process involved, how long it typically takes, cost estimates (like you have for IVF). Could you talk a little bit more about what to expect and what we can do to get prepared? Thanks for your help! (Hopefully we'll see you this year)
AnswerHello BLG,
Artificial insemination or IUI is basically the same as IVF except that the eggs are not extracted. It starts with using fertility medications to increase the number of eggs ovulated. In general, I use oral medications because they are cheaper and easier to take. Some clinics do use the same injectable medications that we use for IVF. So you take the medications for 5 days orally, then from cycle day # 9 or 10, begin ultrasound surveillance to evaluate the response, how many follicles are present (you don't want too many in an IUI cycle, and to time when ovulation needs to be triggered with HCG. Once one or more follicles reach 18-24 mms, then HCG is given to trigger ovulation. I then do two insemminations (24 and 48 hrs) to get sperm into the fallopian tube for fertilization. I use the ultasound to verify that ovulation occurred. You then go on progesterone suppositories each day and a pregnancy test is done in 12 days. If it is positive, we do a second pregnancy test to verify that it is rising correctly. If that is the case, we schedule the first ultrasound at 6+ weeks and a second at 8+ weeks. Then if everything looks good at 8+ weeks you are transferred to an OB doctor for prenatal care.
I hope that answers your questions. If you have more questions, please feel free to e-mail me through my regular email, ejrmd@montereybayivf.com. I'll look forward to meeting you. We have done many lesbian couples with both IUI and IVF. In many of the couples, in order to make each person share in the pregnancy, one partner will be the egg donor and the other the recipient via IVF. With IUI, it is a natural process so you can't do that. The baby would be strictly yours because it will be your egg and you will be carrying the baby. Your partner won't be a participant. Just food for thought.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
