How soon after IUI can you feel pregnancy symptoms?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a type of assisted reproductive technology women turn to when they cannot get pregnant due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), ovulation disorders, cervical/uterine abnormalities or endometriosis. Intrauterine insemination involves insertion of sperm directly into the uterus using a catheter-like device. If successful, the first sign of pregnancy could be as early as two or three weeks from the time of embryo implantation.
How Early Can an IUI Pregnancy be Confirmed with a Blood Test?
Your fertility doctor will want you to wait at least 14 to 20 days after an IUI before ordering a blood test. Some women may be experiencing physical signs of pregnancy at the time of a blood test. Others may not have enough pregnancy hormones in their bloodstream to have symptoms.
Early Signs of a Pregnancy Following an IUI
Spotty Bleeding
Implantation cramping and bleeding may occur about two weeks after an IUI procedure. It is similar to how some women experience spotty bleeding prior to menstruating.
Breast Tenderness
Progesterone and estrogen are responsible for breast tenderness during pregnancy and ovulation. Increased blood flow and fat accumulation also contribute to breast soreness as breasts prepare to begin lactating.
Queasiness/Nausea
Many women feel nauseous following an IUI procedure due to rising estrogen levels. Nausea occurring several weeks after an IUI may indicate pregnancy. Morning vomiting happens frequently because estrogen levels are highest at that time.
Feeling Tired
Higher than normal progesterone levels cause pregnant women to feel sleepier and more tired than usual. Some women experience fatigue early in pregnancy while others may not feel frequent tiredness until later when progesterone levels reach their peak.
Pregnancy symptoms after intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure are similar to those of "intercourse" pregnancies. That's because pregnancy--no matter how it is initiated--causes the body to produce hormones responsible for symptoms. However, since each woman experiences signs of pregnancy differently, you should not assume you are pregnant or not pregnant based on symptoms. A blood test is the only way to accurately confirm a pregnancy.
New York Reproductive Wellness specializes in providing fertility evaluations and assistant reproductive technologies to women who are having difficulty achieving pregnancy. Call today to schedule a consultation appointment with our fertility doctor.
