Performed at a predetermined time, intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves introducing concentrated sperm into the uterus with the help of a catheter and a speculum. The procedure is not that complicated, but your chances of becoming pregnant after IUI depend on many different factors. You need to take care after IUI and pay attention to certain things to increase the likelihood of becoming pregnant. 

Precautions After IUI to Raise Chances of Pregnancy

About 10-20% of couples become pregnant after one cycle of intrauterine insemination. However, you can increase success rate by taking certain precautions.

1. Manage Stress

Experts are still looking for a concrete evidence to confirm if stress can lead to infertility, but most of them believe that de-stressing can certainly help improve your chances of becoming pregnant. Therefore, it makes sense to take steps to reduce stress. Here are some tips to consider:

• Try meditation. Taking a meditation class can help you understand ways to manage stress better. At least, learn and practice deep breathing several times a day. All you have to do is close your eyes, inhale through your nose and then exhale through your mouth. Ensure that you breathe in deeply and exhale slowly.
• Keep track of things that bother you most. Just writing about those things at the end of the day can make you feel relaxed and help you have a restful night.
• Other tips. Opt for some calming music to help you de-stress. Staying active and doing things you enjoy can also trigger the release of feel-good hormones and help reduce stress.

2. Pay Attention to Your Diet

Paying attention is one of these precautions after IUI. Just like stress, not maintaining a healthy diet does not automatically make you infertile, but eating a balanced diet can improve your chances of becoming pregnant. Your body needs certain vitamins and nutrients to prepare itself for a baby, and that is why paying attention to your diet can really help.

• Consider increasing your intake of lean proteins, such as fish, chicken, nuts, and beans.
• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits daily and consider getting your carbs from whole grains.
• Include full-fat dairy in your diet. Consume two servings of cheese, yogurt, or milk a day.
• Take a folic acid supplement. Make sure to take at least 400 micrograms a day.
• Limit your intake of caffeine and avoid consuming more than 200 mg a day.
• Stop smoking and kick alcohol out of your life altogether. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

3. Try Visualization

Most people underestimate the power of visualization. Visualizing yourself as pregnant does not just prepare your body for the baby but also helps reduce stress by releasing feel-good hormones. Therefore, it really makes sense to try visualization techniques at least twice a day.

• You can simply imagine yourself becoming pregnant with your belly expanding and your baby being active inside you.
• You can also try other alternatives and try visualizing your uterus as a lotus that is blooming into a flower.

4. Avoid Smoking

You are only going to lower your chances of becoming pregnant if you do not stop smoking after going for IUI. Becoming pregnant is one big reason to motivate yourself and quit smoking for good. Ask your partner to stop as well or at least go out to smoke because secondhand smoke is equally damaging and lowers your chances of becoming pregnant.

5. Take an Expectorant

When it comes to precautions after IUI, one thing you might want to try is take an expectorant. Taking fertility medications may cause cervical mucus to become too thick to allow the sperm to survive, but you can always take a cough syrup to help keep the cervical mucus thin. Taking it in smaller doses.

6. Avoid Strenuous Activities

One of many important precautions is to refrain from strenuous physical activities. This is important because strenuous activities can cause uterine contractions that might affect implantation. You can engage in light aerobic exercises. Walking, swimming, elliptical, yoga, etc., are some nice choices. However, it is still a better idea to avoid doing anything right after insemination and give your body some rest for a few days after the procedure. Relaxing your body significantly increases your chances of becoming pregnant.

Note: Now you know some important precautions after IUI that can help you get pregnant. Another thing you should keep in mind is that you may experience cramping or spotting soon after the procedure, and these are quite normal. However, not every woman undergoing IUI will experience severe cramping or spotting. Whatever the case, you are going to feel better within a few days. Talk to your doctor if your pain and bleeding persists several days after the procedure.