Even after tireless efforts, being unable to conceive can bring an emotional rollercoaster, but options like IUI (intrauterine insemination) can bring positivity to your life. If you are planning or have already gone through this step, then the first question that would pop up in your mind is, how would I know that the process is going in the right direction?
Although there is no 100% full-proof discussion related to signs of IUI success, as per fertility experts, some symptoms are common indicating the success of IUI. This article will help you know the early signs of IUI success.
Symptoms from day 1 to 14
- After the first two days of the IUI process, some started to experience mild cramping.
- Till the fifth day, spotting, bloating along with mild cramps are possible signs.
- Between 6th and 10th day, fatigue will be added to the symptoms of IUI success.
- Until till 14th day after the IUI process, the majority of the women experience tender breasts, nausea, frequent urination, cramps, and fatigue. This is the time when you can allow yourself to take a pregnancy test.
The success of IUI highly depends on how one’s body responds to the treatment and the type of fertility issues women have. Typically, the success rate is around 25% for women under 30, and it decreases with age.
Early sign you should not ignore
Now let’s understand the early signs more precisely how they happen and what they indicate because some signs even happen to non-pregnant women. Be aware of the signs and consult with the expert to know about the precise situation.
Cramps:
This is the most common sign because a catheter is inserted inside the uterus, and causes a little irritation, and cramps are the signs of this sudden disturbance. Also, IUI happens during the ovulation phase, and cramping can simply happen because of this phase. According to the University of Florida, 1 out of 4 women experiences cramps in the ovulation period. There is nothing to worry, about as it goes on after a few days.
Mild bleeding or spotting:
There are two major reasons behind this, including-
- When fertilized eggs try to attach to the uterine lining, it results in bleeding or spotting.
- This is also known as implantation bleeding because, since the day of implantation, spotting is experienced by women. After all, a catheter is inserted in the uterus.
Changes in cervical mucus:
Women’s bodies make natural preparations for implantation which disbalance the level of hormones like progesterone and estrogen. And when fertilization happens, the body releases human chronic gonadotropin (hCG). It indicates the body is maintaining pregnancy, which is also a sign of embryo development. Also, hCG prevents uterine shedding, supporting the development of the embryo.
Due to the combination of hormonal fluctuation and an irritating uterus, the quality of mucus thickens, resulting in egg-white-like discharge. But if this discharge leads to a strong odor, burning sensation, itchiness, and unusual color, then it can be a sign of other issues like infection.
Fatigue, breast tenderness or sensitivity:
Due to the release of hCG, the body’s natural way of balancing hormones is altered, and this further causes symptoms like breast tenderness and cramps. Usually, fatigue happens because the body is preparing for pregnancy, which results in a feeling of lethargy and tiredness. However, the symptoms vary from body to body, so don’t compare yours with others.
Nausea:
Due to the rise of estrogen levels, it mimics the signs of pregnancy. This is a normal side effect in women. But if this started to happen after 10 days of the IUI process, then this is a potential sign of pregnancy. The phase of egg fertilization happens because of the rise of hCG hormones. However, it is not a definitive indicator but comes with a potential 20% success chance of the intrauterine insemination process.
Mood swings:
The surge of hormones impacts the neurotransmitter in the brain and this causes immense mood swings. These may or may not be the signs of pregnancy.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) changes:
BBT helps to analyze the body’s lowest temperature while at rest, and also aids in determining the ovulation phase. If a woman is pregnant, then her BBT will be elevated for a longer period, but if she is not, then it will drop to its baseline.
This elevated BBT happens because of increased progesterone, fertilization, and embryo implantation in the uterine lining. To measure this, you should wait for at least 12 to 14 days because prior to that, you might end up with false results.
Frequent urination:
As you know, hormonal fluctuation causes several symptoms, and frequent urination is added to that also. Due to the increased progesterone level, the bladder muscles relax which reduces its ability to hold urine for a longer time. Additionally, increased blood flow to the kidney, along with the growing uterus put pressure on the bladder.
Important Note: women should first understand the signs because these can be influenced by several factors such as stress, hormonal fluctuation due to periods, lifestyle, and many more. After 14 days, you can conduct a pregnancy test but don’t totally rely on that. Visit your doctor, and after the test results, they can give you assurance about your pregnancy. Also, some women are sensitive to hormones, so they might experience these signs a little too early than others. So, don’t panic.
Factors affecting the symptoms
- As you the early signs, and the factors that can possibly impact the symptoms are also important. Here are some of the common factors that influence your pregnancy symptoms-
- Hormonal fluctuation works differently for everybody, and you might experience different symptoms than others.
- Lifestyle, medical conditions, and overall health play a major role in getting pregnant. Women with medical conditions will have different symptoms than women with healthy bodies. Also, the diet you are eating also impacts the results.
- If you have had a previous pregnancy, then there are chances that your symptoms might be different from others, and can be more intense. These are because of the quality of the uterine lining, ovulation timing, the health of fallopian tubes, and sperm quality.
- Age holds a great place in getting results, as by age, the chances reduce.
Conclusion
The journey of becoming a mother is filled with uncertainty and anticipation. So instead of being anxious about that, learn what to expect from IUI and understand the early signs of pregnancy after IUI. Prior to the treatment, make sure to know about the probability of the results.
After intrauterine insemination (IUI), if you are experiencing any of the symptoms, then talk to your doctor. They will let you know exactly about your situation. Make sure to stay away from stress-triggering points, as stress can cause major hormonal issues, leading to decreased pregnancy chances. At last, all the best for your upcoming changes in your life.
Stay positive, and stay connected with experts like Parihar IVF to get the best results.