Steps To Becoming a Parent - IUI or IVF Timeline

Step 2: Diagnostic Testing (1 to 2 months)
After the consultation, you need to call back on day 1 of your next menstrual period so that we may schedule the necessary diagnostic tests.. Most testing is cycle related, which is why we must wait until her period starts.

Step 3: Psychosocial Counseling (within a month of completing diagnostic testing)
At RSC, all couples who are planning to use donor sperm need to have psuchosocial counseling (typically an hour-long appointment with one of our counselors) prior to proceeding with treatment.

Step 4: Follow Up Visit/ Sign Consents (within a month of completing diagnostic testing)
After the completion of the patient's diagnostic testing, you need to return to RSC for a follow-up visit with your doctor to review test results. If treatment consents were not signed during the initial consultation, you will usually sign them at this appointment. Consents are valid for 12 months from the date they are signed.

Step 5: Acquire Donor Sperm (before or after consult)
You need to contact a sperm bank to select and order the donor sperm of your choice if you have not already done so. You will be instructed to order 2 vials of sperm for each treatment cycle. The second vial is for back-up purposes in the event that a problem is discovered with the first vial upon thawing.

Step 6: Transport donor sperm to RSC (prior to treatment cycle)
You need to submit a "Donor Acquisition Form" that will tell RSC personnel what donor sperm is arriving and which patient it belongs to. Then the sperm bank will deliver the specified donor sperm to RSC. If the sperm bank is local, you may choose to deliver the donor sperm yourself, in which case delivery must be prearranged with our embryology lab staff.

Step 7: Pay Retainer Fee or submit to insurance for approval (if using insurance: up to 2 weeks)
If you are paying out-of-pocket for services, you will be sent a retainer letter. Payment is due in full prior to the start of your cycle. Payment may be made by check, credit card, or medical loan through Capital One. If you are eligible for insurance coverage of fertility treatment and your insurance requires an authorization, our financial services department will now submit a request to the insurance company on your behalf. Obtaining a pproval from your insurance company may take up to two weeks.

Step 8: Start Treatment Cycle (4 to 6 weeks)
After you have paid your retainer or received your insurance authorization, you should call your nurse with day 1 of your menstrual period to initiate your treatment cycle.

Step 9: Blood Pregnancy Test (15 days later)
Approximately 15 days after the completion of your treatment (either an intrauterine insemination or egg retrieval), you will have a blood test to check for pregnancy.

Step 10: Pregnancy Ultrasound (about 3 weeks after positive blood pregnancy test)
If the pregnancy test is positive, further blood tests will be conducted to confirm appropriate rise in the pregnancy hormone (hCG). Approximately 3 weeks later, an ultrasound is performed to confirm pregnancy. At this point a medical record release form needs to be signed so that we can forward a copy of the relevant medical records to the OB/GYN of your choice, who will look after you for the remainder of the pregnancy..

Step 11: Start Pre-natal Care (remainder of pregnancy)
After the ultrasound, you will be referred back to you OB/GYN for her pre-natal care.

Step 12: Birth of Your Baby
Please remember to send us a birth announcement to inform us of the outcome of your treatment here at the Reproductive Science Center.