Do a home pregnancy test.

Call to check possible dates to be sure that I will be in town and that we are ready for weekends if that occurs.

Check to be sure that you have a sterile container at home.  If you do not, you can pick one up at the office or have one mailed if needed.

Stay on your temperature chart.

Continue Billing’s Method if you are using that.

Start clomiphene citrate (Clomid or Serophene).  This is usually 2 a day (100 mg).

This may not be used when sperm problems are the reason for insemination.

Avoid sex and masturbation for 7 or more days before the day of insemination.

Start ovulation testing (Clear Plan Easy, First Response) 3 days before ovulation.

If ovulation might be on the weekend, call Friday to be sure we are ready.

Call when the ovulation test shows ovulation.

You may have a sonogram this day or the next day.

If the insemination may be done on a weekend, a sonogram is done on Friday.

An HCG injection is given the same day or the next day.

Insemination is done the same day or the next day, depending on the results of the sonogram or on prior history if on a weekend.

Collect the sperm specimen in a sterile container.

The sperm specimen takes 30 to 60 minutes to liquefy.  You will save time if you collect the specimen at home so that it will liquefy while you are driving in.  Please have the specimen in the office within 1 hour.

Ibuprofen or naproxen can help control cramps.  Take this when we start washing.

It takes an additional 75 minutes to wash and spin the specimen and allow the sperm to swim up.  You can leave the office during that time.

Insemination is like a Pap smear.  The sperm are placed with a small plastic tube.

You will be kept in a resting position for 10 minutes after the insemination.

Reserve sperm are kept in place with a plastic lined tampon.  The tampon should be removed in 30 minutes to two hours.

Optional - Repeat sonogram in 2 days to check for luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF). This is most important in women over 42.

Start progesterone on the second day after LH surge.  Progesterone may be taken as Prometrium pills, Crinone gel or progesterone injections.

If your period has not started within 14 days, do a pregnancy test.

If it is positive, continue the progesterone for a total of 6 weeks.

If it is negative, stop the progesterone.  Your period should starts in two days.

If not, repeat the pregnancy test.