Hello. Just a question from a TTC girl. What is the difference between IUI and ICI? Thanks.

I am guessing that the C stand for cervix, but I don't know. The U stands for uterine though, so if the C is for cervix, it sounds like the same procedure. Intra-uterine or Intra-cervix, either way the cathater with the sperm sample would go in through the opening of the cervix and into the uterus.
If C does not stand for cervix, then I have no clue.

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Laura
TTC #1 since May 06
Me: 37
Hubbie: 36
May 06-March 07 naturally
April 07 to Sept. 07: IUIs w/ 50 mg Clomid
Laparoscopy Oct 2: External fibroids found
Abdominal Myomectomy Oct 31: removed 12 fibroids
Nov 07: IUI #5 w/50 mg Clomid
Dec 07: IUI#6, no meds, 40 day cycle
Jan 08: Started Follistim, IUIs 1/30 & 1/31
Feb 08: Follistim, IUIs 2/23 & 2/24 chemical pregnancy
March 08: Follistim, IUIs 3/25 & 3/26

Thank-you Laura

I don't even know what they mean. I am looking into getting pregnant from a sperm donor. The 3 options for sperm are IVF, IUI and ICI. I obviously don't want to go the IVF route unless the others don't work first. So I just needed to know the difference between IUI and ICI so that when I start calling to clinics I know what I'm talking about, lol.

Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!!!!

Oh, and does anyone have an idea of a roundabout estimate for IUI/ICI? Just wondering what this is going to cost

Thanks!
Mine were covered by insurance so I don't have a breakdown of cost. There are many parts to the process, each with its own cost. There will be sonograms, bloodtests, and the IUI itself. I think it is about $200 for the procedure here though.

Here is what I found about IUI/ICI:
"An IUI shouldn't be done at home without medical supervision because the sperm needs to be washed to prevent infection -- i.e., separated from the semen. A vaginal insemination can be done at home, but is no more successful than intercourse. Some doctors are willing to instruct on doing ICI (intracervical insemination) at home, but it should not be attempted without being taught proper technique. Getting semen or air into the uterus could be quite dangerous -- perhaps life-threatening. One woman wrote in to say there is a midwife practice in Berkeley, CA, that will do inseminations at the patient's home, so it may be worth asking about."
That is from this site: FertilityPlus: IUI FAQ
It looks like an ICI is done at home? Good luck and post if you have any more questions.

__________________
Laura
TTC #1 since May 06
Me: 37
Hubbie: 36
May 06-March 07 naturally
April 07 to Sept. 07: IUIs w/ 50 mg Clomid
Laparoscopy Oct 2: External fibroids found
Abdominal Myomectomy Oct 31: removed 12 fibroids
Nov 07: IUI #5 w/50 mg Clomid
Dec 07: IUI#6, no meds, 40 day cycle
Jan 08: Started Follistim, IUIs 1/30 & 1/31
Feb 08: Follistim, IUIs 2/23 & 2/24 chemical pregnancy
March 08: Follistim, IUIs 3/25 & 3/26

Oh ok, I see. Thank-you for finding that for me! I really appreciate it!

I guess IUI it is, sounds like I have a better chance on conceiving?

When buying sprem buy ICI or unwashed if you are using a doctors office for IUI. They will wash the sperm again and you will lose numbers if you buy IUI or IVF/ prewashed sperm.

I did the whole donor IUI thing and that is what I bought and it worked.

Just be ready to do several trys because you chances of conceiving are only slightly better than those DTD at home. Also be ready to spend money depending on the clinic you go to. Also sprem isnt cheap and costs to ship so I would suggest buying at least 6 vials. I used 4 last year and overall I have done 10 IUIs.

You can email me if you want to since I understand the road you are taking.

Otherwise good luck

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