In artificial insemination, the procedure is quite similar to in vitro fertilization. The difference is the woman's ovarian stimulation and also the washing of the man's semen. The process starts with a consultation with a fertility specialist. Initially, insemination may be advised due to its lower cost and the couple’s health history.

Preparing for insemination is essential! The man should abstain from sexual relations for at least a week, and the woman should take medications prescribed by her doctor to help thicken the endometrium that will receive the embryo. It’s also important to keep vaccines and all blood work up to date. Both are also advised to take folic acid or eat foods rich in it since this boosts the health of gametes.

The doctor prescribes injectable medication for ovulation stimulation. The injection is given in the abdomen and treatment can vary from 5 to 10 days. Afterward, a series of ultrasounds are started, and as soon as the eggs are mature and at an ideal size for fertilization, the man needs to manually collect his sperm.

In the laboratory, the sample is washed and the best sperm are selected for intra-vaginal insertion in the woman. Before this stage, the woman will have taken another medication to make the eggs leave the follicle and be fertilized, which then produces a zygote in the fallopian tubes. The male material is transferred in a specialized clinic.

A plastic pipette contains the semen and is inserted through the cervix as close as possible to the fallopian tubes. If all goes as planned, after 15 days the beta HCG test may show a positive result. If unsuccessful, the couple can choose to repeat the procedure or move on to IVF.

Since artificial insemination is not the actual embryo implantation, the chances are almost the same as natural conception because the sperm may or may not fertilize the eggs. This technique makes it much easier to get pregnant, but even so, some couples don’t succeed on the first try. In fact, the success rate is 20% in women under 35 years.

Artificial insemination becomes necessary in cases where vaginal mucus kills the sperm and where sperm motility is low. It is also indicated for women who have problems such as uterine anatomy anomalies. This difference would prevent pregnancy from occurring naturally.

If the couple has sperm difficulties, it is possible to use a donor. This technique is used for men with chronic oligospermia or for couples where the man has had a vasectomy. However, you should discuss the pros and cons with a specialist doctor and speak frankly as a couple so that everything is done as naturally as possible.

Photos: Jacek.NL, Donna