Artificial Insemination

Why AI?
Artificial Insemination (AI) is a helpful tool when attempting to conceive. There are often issues that arise, either physical or hormonal, that make conception a challenge for both men and women. Additionally, when the use of donor sperm is necessary, this is the preferred manner by which to deliver the sperm to the egg.

Fertility + Intercourse = Conception?
This formula is what we were taught from health sciences in school, and has been our working knowledge of the reproductive process as we became adults. Just because both you and your partner are fertile, it does not ensure that you will conceive. Due to the location of the opening of the penis, obstruction of the cervix, or similar anatomical obstacles, it can be difficult for the sperm to reach their ultimate destination.

Out of several million normal sperm only a couple of hundred, on average, will actually reach the egg. The voyage that sperm must make has been likened to a person swimming across the ocean to reach the other side. You could imagine that just one more, small obstacle along the way, could make it seriously impossible for the sperm to achieve its purpose. When this happens, it’s possible that artificial insemination can help you achieve conception.

Should We Use Donor Sperm?
For many otherwise healthy men and women, conception can be a challenge. Issues can range over many conditions present in either the male or female reproductive system. There are times when the male partner’s sperm is just not viable as a source for the ultimate conception. When the male partner’s sperm is not an option, you may consider the use of donor sperm. This is a big step, and for some the social, religious, and perceived morality of its use can take a toll on their relationship.

Prior to inseminating with donor sperm you will want to carefully weigh questions, such as whether you should share the knowledge of the insemination with your family and friends, whether you and your partner can look past the source of the sperm being a donor, and other mainly social and emotional questions. You can consult with a psychologist that specializes in infertility; to help you decide if this will be a positive route for you and your partner, as well as to support your emotional wellness through the process.

What is Artificial Insemination?
It sounds like space-aged technology, but in reality artificial insemination has been utilized for over two hundred years. The first recorded case of successful artificial insemination in the U.S. was in 1884. Artificial insemination is the act of delivering sperm directly to the cervix during ovulation. A similar form of insemination is IUI, which gives the sperm direct access to the uterus. AI is generally done with a catheter.

The practice of artificial insemination has gained momentum, and has been given credit for an estimated 30,000 births annually since 1990.If you or your partner suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction, or if there is a physical deformity that disrupts the normal reproductive process in an otherwise fertile couple, AI can provide support in your attempt to reach conception in a very natural way.