IUI Timeline

How long will it take for me to become pregnant and what is each step in the IUI process?

Step 1: Initial Consultation
A two hour consultation is scheduled with an Boston IVF physician and nurse to review your medical history and to discuss diagnostic tests and treatment(s) appropriate for each individual patient. To begin the process of selecting a sperm donor, you will be given a list of sperm banks that are approved by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).

Step 2: Diagnostic Testing (1 to 2 months)
After the consultation, you need to call back on day 1 of your next menstrual period to schedule necessary diagnostic tests. Most testing is menstrual cycle related, which is why we must wait for the start of a patient's period.

Step 3: Psychosocial Counseling (within a month of completing diagnostic testing)
Counseling is not unique to LGBTQ patients. At Boston IVF, all couples who are planning to use donor sperm need to have psychosocial counseling (typically an hour-long appointment with one of our professional counselors) prior to proceeding with treatment.

Step 4: Follow Up Visit/ Sign Consents (within a month of completing diagnostic testing)
After the completion of diagnostic testing, the patient  returns to Boston IVF for a follow-up visit with the doctor to review test results. Treatment consents may also be signed at this time if not previously signed. Consents are valid for 12 months from the date they are signed.

Step 5: Acquire Donor Sperm (before or after consult)
Patients are instructed to order 2 vials of sperm for each treatment cycle. The second vial is for back-up purposes in the event that a problem is discovered with the first vial upon thawing.

Step 6: Transport donor sperm to Boston IVF (prior to treatment cycle)
 A "Donor Acquisition Form" needs to be completed to inform Boston IVF personnel that donor sperm is arriving and which patient it belongs to. The sperm bank will deliver the specified donor sperm to Boston IVF. If the sperm bank is local, you may choose to deliver the donor sperm yourself, in which case delivery must be prearranged with embryology lab staff.

Step 7: Pay Retainer Fee or submit to insurance for approval (if using insurance: up to 2 weeks)
If you are paying out-of-pocket for services, you will be sent a retainer letter. Payment is due in full prior to the start of your cycle. Payment may be made by check, credit card, or a medical loan. If you are eligible for insurance coverage for fertility treatment and your insurance requires an authorization, the Boston IVF financial services department will submit a request to the insurance company on your behalf. Obtaining approval from your insurance company may take up to two weeks.

Step 8: Start Treatment Cycle (4 to 6 weeks)
After the retainer has been paid and insurance authorization received if applicable, the patient calls her/his nurse on day 1 of your menstrual period to initiate the treatment cycle.

Step 9: Blood Pregnancy Test (15 days later)
Approximately 15 days after the completion of treatment, patients have a blood test to check for pregnancy.

Step 10: Pregnancy Ultrasound (about 3 weeks after positive blood pregnancy test)
If the pregnancy test is positive, further blood tests will be conducted to confirm appropriate rise in the pregnancy hormone (hCG). Approximately 3 weeks later, an ultrasound is performed to confirm pregnancy. At this point a Medical Record Release form needs to be signed enabling Boston IVF to forward a copy of relevant medical records to the patient's OB/GYN.

Step 11: Start Pre-natal Care (remainder of pregnancy)
Prenatal care and delivery are provided through the patient's Obstetrician (OB/GYN).

Step 12: Birth of Your Baby
Please remember to send a birth announcement to inform us of the outcome of your treatment at Boston IVF.