How Long After IntraUterine Insemination Should Implantation Occur?

It takes between six and 12 days after an intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure for the embryo to implant in your uterus, at which point, it begins to sucreet the hormone hCG, which will build up in your blood stream, indicating that you are pregnant.

In general terms, you can take a pregnancy test 12 to 14 days following the procedure, when there is enough hCG in your system to be able to detect pregnancy. Taking a pregnancy test too soon after your IUI can result in a false negative if you are in fact pregnant, but there isn't yet enough hCG in your blood. Similarly, if you take the test before implantation occurs, your pregnancy test will return a negative.

During this waiting period, commonly referred to as the two week wait (2WW), you should try to relax and perform normal activities, since these won't affect the outcome of the IUI.

How many IUIs should one try before moving to IVF?

How many IUIs one undergos is decided on an individual basis. You and your doctor will decide on the number of IUIs to try before moving to in vitro fertilization (IVF) based on your unique characteristics including the cause of your infertility and most importantly, your age. For women whom age is a consideration, your doctor may recommend you move on to IVF faster, as fertility can begin to decline quickly with passing time.

Updated August 2014

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