What to Eat after IUI for Success : About IUI & Implantation

If you’re here, you are likely looking for the best foods to eat after IUI for Success or foods to support fertility in general. Despite how cliche it may sound, you are not alone. WHO report shows that There are nearly 48 million couples worldwide who suffer from infertility. As a result of the advancement of ART, known as Assisted Reproductive Technology, various treatments are available. Despite this, fertility treatments are complicated procedures requiring extensive care before, during, and after. It is, therefore, imperative to follow a healthy nutritional regimen during fertility treatment, such as IUI. 

Let’s get into the details of what to eat after IUI for success and find out how nutrition plays an essential role after infertility treatments.

IUI and its Success Rates

IUI is a treatment that is used to treat infertility. It is a less invasive method that involves injecting cleaned, concentrated sperm into the patient’s uterus around ovulation in the hopes that the sperm may enter the fallopian tube, fertilize an egg that is already developed, and result in pregnancy. Most people need more than one IUI cycle to get pregnant.

This technique is usually recommended to people with unidentified causes of infertility, who have slight male infertility, infertility associated with endometriosis, infertility due to cervical issues, infertility due to ovulatory factors, or semen allergy.

IUI procedure success rate depends on various factors. One of the most crucial factors is age. As a person gets older, IUI becomes less effective. It is common knowledge that as you age, the quality and number of your eggs decline, which has a detrimental impact on your ability to become pregnant. A study publish on WebMD, that The success rate for women according to age is as follows.

In order to ensure successful implantation, progesterone is crucial since it increases the chances of conception.

It improves the uterine lining’s suitability for embryo implantation.

After a successful IUI, evidence indicates that a rise in progesterone stretches the uterine lining, which results in a successful pregnancy.

Progesterone Is the Key to Successful Implantation

Progesterone is the key to successful implantation because this hormone increases the chance of conception. 
It makes the uterus line more amenable for implanting an embryo.
Evidence has proven that an increase in progesterone hormone after a successful IUI extends the uterus lining, which leads to a successful pregnancy.
The following Indian foods can help females increase their progesterone levels:

Importance of Nutrition During the Post-IUI Period

The mother’s nutrition during the post-IUI period may have an impact on the progress of the pregnancy, the growth of the fetus, and the health of the kid in infancy and into adulthood. Your egg must first be fertilized by a sperm and develop into an embryo to start a pregnancy. After that, implantation – a procedure involving the embryo’s attachment to the uterine wall must occur. A wholesome, well-balanced meal can help the embryo form this vital link to your body.

What Food To Eat After IUI?

Listed below are some options for which food to eat after IUI.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables such as kale, collard greens, cabbage, and lettuce are your go-to food to enhance your chances of success after IUI treatment. Green vegetables, especially leafy ones, are filled with folic acid and vitamin C and are known to boost ovulation.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are known to be rich in Vitamin E. Additionally, they are good sources of folate, selenium, and omega-6 fatty acids. Adding salt to roasted sunflower seeds makes them delicious. It is also possible to add seeds to smoothies, yogurts, and salads.

Salmon

Coldwater fish like salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids that may boost fertility and reduce inflammation in the body. It’s also known to be rich in vitamin D and selenium. There is evidence that low levels of vitamin D contribute to infertility in both men and women. Olive oil, avocado, oysters, seaweed, and walnuts also contain omega-3 fats.

Pomegranate

Many antioxidants in pomegranates can reduce inflammation and boost your health. A study by National Center for Biotechnology Information, pomegranate extract combined with Galangal root improved sperm motility by 62% after three months of treatment given to a man with inadequate semen quality. Pomegranate juice should not be consumed more than four ounces daily. Instead, sprinkle seeds on full-fat yogurt or add them to salads.

Lentils And Beans

Rich in fiber and folate, beans and lentils are your go-to foods to eat after IUI. These items help regulate your hormones and improve your chances of conception. Several lentils and beans are also filled with protein and calories. Adding lentils and beans to your diet daily is a good idea. 

Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the popular fertility-boosting foods to help implantation after IUI. It is packed with several vital nutrients, including folate, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B. Asparagus can be eaten fresh and raw, or it can also be eaten as a cooked vegetable. 

Oysters

This food is a good source of zinc. Men’s semen and testosterone levels are highly dependent on zinc. In addition, it is involved in egg growth and might contribute to ovulation and fertilization.

Full-Fat Dairy

A diet rich in full-fat dairy products like cream cheese, yogurt, whole milk may improve fertility. It has been found that women who consume full-fat dairy products are less likely to experience ovulation problems than women who consume low-fat dairy products.

Progesterone Supplements

After an IUI, taking progesterone supplements can increase the uterine lining’s receptivity, increasing the likelihood that a fertilized egg will implant. Other good supplements after IUI are:

• Folic acids 
• Omega-3
• Pycnogenol
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

So if you cannot fulfill the nutrient requirements by eating food, you should add these supplements.

After IUI Food to Avoid

IUI is an important decision for a couple and they are often confused about what to avoid after IUI. If you’re looking for the answers to fruits to avoid after IUI, vegetables to avoid after IUI, or even things to avoid after IUI, we have clear and crisp details for your clarity. 

Besides the list mentioned above, there is a set of foods to avoid after IUI for successful implantation. These are:

• Baked Goods: Eat them in moderation after the IUI procedure, as they are rich in saturated and trans fats. Intake of these goods has resulted in poor fertility outcomes.
• Red and Processed Meats: Research suggests that consuming red and processed meats negatively affects your reproductive health as they are rich in trans and saturated fats. They also cause infertility problems, such as ovulation disorders in women. 
• Processed Carbs: Food items high in processed carbs are known to impact a person’s fertility. Foods, including white crackers, desserts, baked goods, and other snacks, fall into this category. You can replace these foods with quinoa, millet, oats, and barley. 

Diet And Lifestyle Tips From Experts To Prepare Your Body After IUI Treatment

Experts at Aastha Fertility have curated a special diet after IUI treatment, which helps in boosting success rates.

Lifestyle Tips 

• Maintain your body weight. Don’t be obese, as being over or underweight can hamper your hormone production.
• Remain active (perform mild-low activities).
• Always remain calm and relaxed. Stress can hinder your chances of getting pregnant, so eliminate it as much as possible.
• Avoid the use of illicit drugs and smoking.
• Start eating healthy.
• Lastly, be happy! It’s one of the most important things you can do.

Conclusion

A healthy and balanced diet is crucial after the IUI procedure as it would help in implantation and maintain the health of the mother and the baby. Eating green leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, salmon, pomegranate, lentils, beans, asparagus, oysters, and full-fat dairy is extremely good for your health. There are also some foods that you need to avoid, such as baked goods, red and processed meats, and processed carbs. If you want a healthy pregnancy, having a good diet must be on top of your list.

If you want to know more about IUI treatment and what to eat after IUI for success, Aastha Fertility Care provides the best IUI treatment and comes with the best success rates in India, and guides you for daily diet after IUI. 
Schedule your appointment for further details.

More About IUI

When to Take a Pregnancy Test After IUI?

Following an IUI, the two-week wait can be agonizing and challenging; however, avoiding false positive and negative results is worth it. Follow your IVF expert’s instructions and wait for at least 14-20 days before taking a pregnancy test after IUI procedure.

What are the Symptoms of IUI Pregnancy?

The following symptoms are associated with IUI pregnancy:

Spotting of Blood

• This spotting is known as implantation bleeding, occurring two weeks post-IUI treatment.
• Spotting, a.k.a implantation, is one of the first signs of pregnancy, but not every woman experiences it.

Breast Tenderness

• This is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy post-IUI in which the breast begins to get sore, sensitive, and a little heavy due to an increase in progesterone and estrogen hormones.

Nausea

• It is common for women to feel nauseated in the morning as a result of estrogen draining the stomach.
• If the morning sickness or nausea persists several weeks post IUI, it may indicate pregnancy. 

Other symptoms like food aversions, fatigue, delay in periods, and constantly high body temperature may indicate IUI pregnancy.

What are The Causes of IUI Failures?

Listed below are the causes of IUI failure:

• The egg’s quality is poor
• The endometrial lining is inappropriate
• Poor sperm quality
• Deficiency in progesterone
• Age
• Timing
• Lack of ovulation

What happens During IUI day by day?

• Day 1 – Analysis of Semen (blood test)
• Day 2 – IUI process begins
• Day 3 – 3 Days After IUI, Few women may experience spotting
• Day 6 – Day of implantation
• Day 7-8 – Implantation bleeding occurs
• Day 10-14 – HCG (beta) test
• Day 15 – Day of fertilization
• Day 16 – Fertilized eggs become impassable
• Day 17- Division of cells
• Day 18 – Embryo formation
• Day 19 – Embryo becomes a blastocyst
• Day 20 – Blastocyst attached to the uterus

To get Detailed Information check out: What happens after IUI Day by Day

What to expect after an IUI procedure?

Some women may experience

• Abdomen cramping
• Mild and severe cramping
• Spotting

Frequently Asked Questions