Artificial Insemination (Achieving Pregnancy Through In Vitro Fertilization)

· Those in Mexicali who need fertility treatment.
· Those with difficulties to become pregnant.
· Those who wish to conceive a baby.
· Those who wish to overcome fertility issues.
· Those who wish to get pregnant by themselves without intercourse.

Artificial insemination is a procedure performed to help with fertility issues. The treatment involves collecting sperm from the partner or obtaining sperm from a donor available in the sperm bank and the procedure works like IVF where fertilization will be performed in the lab and the embryos transferred into the patient later on. It is a painless procedure that feels like a pap smear. The procedure helps to increase the success rate of getting pregnant, however, the difficulties vary in everyone; some may work within the first trial, some take several trials and some are not able to conceive with the method.

Conceiving requires a man’s sperm to travel up the vagina, through the cervix, into the uterus, and into a fallopian tube where an egg is fertilized. However, sometimes a man’s sperm isn’t mobile enough to make this trip. Other times, a woman’s cervix may not be favorable to allow sperm to travel into the uterus. In these instances and other situations, artificial insemination may help a woman conceive.

The doctor may recommend a couple pursue artificial insemination:
· After six months of having unprotected sex if a woman is older than age 35
· After a year of having unprotected sex if a woman is younger than age 35
· Couples, where a man may have a genetic defect and using donor sperm, is preferred
· Men with a low sperm count
· Men with low sperm motility
· Women whose cervical mucus may be unfavorable to getting pregnant
· Women with a history of endometriosis

Intracervical insemination (ICI) - ICI involves inserting sperm into the cervix, the passageway just outside the uterus.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - IUI is a procedure that involves inserting sperm past the cervix and directly into the uterus.

At our affiliated hospital, the IUI method is used. It is different from ICI as the semen is prepared or "washed" to remove potential proteins that could affect fertilization. This makes the sperm more concentrated and will increase the chance of conceiving.

IUI is an excellent option when the couples have infertility issues as a low sperm count and mobility, irregular ovulation, problems with uterus, endometriosis, or even unexplained infertility.

1. Consultation and fertility screening
2. Contraceptives must be taken at least 1 month before the procedure
3. Ovulation kits, ultrasound, and blood tests will be done to check for ovulation
4. Process of injection and medications begin
5. Patient visits for Egg retrieval
6. Sperm collected from the partner or sperm donor
7. IVF performed in the Laboratory
8. Embryos will be transferred to the patient
9. 15 to 45 mins of lying down to allow the process to work

Day 1 - Take injection
Day 2 - Take injection
Day 3 - Take injection
Day 4 - Take injection
Day 5 - Take injection and take 2nd injection
Day 6 - Take injection
Day 7 - Take injection
Day 8 - Take injection and take 2nd injection
Day 9 - Take injection
Day 10 - Take injection
Day 11 - Patient revisit the hospital for egg retrieval
Day 12 - IVF is performed for creation of the embryos
Day 13 - Transfer is made, the patient must rest in the hospital
Day 14 - Patient eligible to go back home

<Advantages>
· Helps with fertility issues
· Increases the chance of getting pregnant
· Benefits the single mothers to be
· Eases the difficulty in getting pregnant for couples

<Limitations>
· May not work on everyone

· Take medications as prescribed by the doctor
· Do not smoke for at least 3 months after the treatment
· Avoid alcohol consumption during and also for at least one month after the treatment
· Avoid exercising during the 15 days of treatment
· Sexual abstinence is required during the 15 days of treatment
· No swimming, sauna or Jacuzzi after the treatment

Q1: In which condition will IUI be recommended?
A1: IUI is recommended as a fertility treatment when there is unexplained infertility, a hostile cervical condition (including cervical mucus problems), or when there is cervical scar tissue that hinders the sperm's ability to enter the uterus or ejaculation dysfunction.

Q2: When is IUI be performed?
A2: IUI typically performs around the time of ovulation, 24-36 hours after the surge in your LH hormone.

Q3: How will IUI feel like?
A3: Most women consider IUI to be fairly painless. Since the cervix will already be slightly open for ovulation, the catheter causes very little discomfort. There may be some cramping afterward, but that is usually related to ovulation, not the IUI.

Q4: How many IUIs should I try before moving on to IVF?
A4: If IUI does not result in a successful pregnancy after 3-4 attempts, or if the infertility is attributed to severe male factor infertility, IVF will be recommended.

Q5: When will I know the results from IUI?
A5: You can determine pregnancy after 2 weeks by using an at-home pregnancy test or within 7 to 12 days through a more accurate blood test.

Q6: How long does the treatment last?
A6: Approximately one month, patients do not need to be in Mexicali for a month to proceed with the treatment, only need to come for the implantation of the embryos into the uterus and the rest can be done via Skype or telephone.

Q7: What is the probability of getting pregnant with this method?
A7: There is a 40% chance of getting pregnant, however, the percentage drops by age.

Q8: Can I repeat the treatment if I don't get pregnant the first time?
A8: Yes, treatment can be repeated 3 months after the first treatment.

Q9: Would you recommend me to get an egg donor if I am over 40 years old?
A9: Yes, for women older than 40 years old it is recommended an egg donor for the probabilities of getting pregnant to be higher.

[Hospital Name] Hospital de la Familia
[Location] Mexicali, Mexico
[Nearest Stations/Attractions] The hospital is about 17 mins drive from Mexicali International Airport and 10 mins drive from Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mexicali
[Hospital Opening Time] 24 hs daily