At-Home Insemination Guide

At-home insemination is a fertility treatment that is typically used where one of the partners in a couple does not produce sperm naturally or if they do, they are infertile. The primary reason for choosing this treatment is the cost. At-home insemination (or artificial insemination) is quite affordable and simple to perform.

When done for multiple rounds, artificial insemination can yield positive results. To this end, let us look into the ways you can increase your chances of success using artificial insemination. In this article we shall give you some pointers on how to time the procedure, the ideal techniques to use, as well as how to more accurately track your ovulation.

What Is At-Home Insemination?

Artificial insemination is a process of depositing a sperm sample into the vagina using a syringe during an ovulation window, in the hope of becoming pregnant. The sperm used could be from a preferred donor, or a third party donor. 

When this procedure is done at a clinic  a catheter is used and the sperm is deposited directly into the uterus. This method of depositing the sperm into the vagina is intravaginal insemination (IVI), while depositing into the uterus through the cervix is intracervical insemination (ICI).

Success Rates of At-Home Insemination

At-home insemination typically takes place at home, which is a much less controlled setting than a medical facility. Therefore there are many additional variables that influence the success of the process. However after three or more rounds, the chances of pregnancy are more than 40 percent.

Increasing Your At-Home Insemination Success Rate

So, how can you increase your chances of becoming pregnant with at-home insemination? Let us dig deeper.

Timing is Key

Timing is the main factor when it comes to becoming pregnant, whether naturally or otherwise. The reason being that fertilization can only occur during ovulation. Typically the ovulation window falls right about two weeks before you get your period.  

It is not clear the exact moment an egg is released, and for this reason, you can use an ovulation tracker. This provides more accuracy as it measures the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. 

As your body gets nearer to ovulating, LH levels tend to rise around ovulation. Your best bet is to do the procedure a day before ovulation, but you still have a window of about 48 hours thereafter

The Kit

There is a plethora of at-home insemination kits available in the market. How do you choose one? Well, your personal preference is a start, or you could get a recommendation fron a sperm donation agency. 

Once you get your kit, do not jump into the deep end. Take some time to familiarize yourself with its components and how ot works. Typically, you will find a soft-tipped syringe and some sample collection containers that have already been sterilized for you to collect your sperm sample. 

If you are using a third party donor, your kit may already have a container with a donated sperm sample. Depending on the kit you have, yours may also have a long, thin catheter similar.

Get Comfy

Now that we have reviewed your equipment, it is time to settle into the procedure. You will need to set a time where you will not be interrupted, make sure you use the bathroom beforehand to avoid getting up before the procedure is complete. You can also set up the room in a way that helps you to relax, if it helps. 

Whoever will be carrying the pregnancy now can lie on their side, or on their back with a pillow under their hips to elevate them. In this way gravity can assist in moving the sample along, deeper into the uterus. It also prevents the sperm sample from leaking out. 

Using the syringe or catheter, deposit the sperm sample into the vagina. Do not attempt to insert the sperm sample into the uterus. Once the sperm sample is in, remain in that position and rest for another 20 to 30 minutes. This ensures that the sperm sample will not be wasted accidentally.

In Summary

At-home insemination is usually chosen as a first line of fertility treatments because it is the least costly and least invasive. Additionally, patients have the option of doing it themselves at home, giving them a sense of privacy. Although it may not be as effective as other fertility treatments, one can still become pregnant.

If you have any more questions or perhaps just need some guidance on where to begin your family building journey, Reproductive Partners Medical Group team of professionals are ready to walk with you. Contact us at any of our facilities across the country.

At-Home Insemination FAQs

What is the best time to do at-home IVI?

It is best to do at-home IVI during ovulation, where you have a two to three-day window. Doing it before ovulation may result in less viable sperm in the uterus at the time ovulation does occur, and waiting longer than that misses the fertility window altogether.

Is it okay to pee after at-home insemination?

Of course! After resting for the recommended 20 to 30 minutes, using the bathroom is completely okay.  Urine will not contaminate or spoil efforts of the procedure, nor will it have any impact on your odds of success.

How many syringes should you have for at-home insemination?

Well, it is advisable to have a few extras on hand in case you need to repeat the procedure, or you are planning on using IVI for future pregnancies.