Artificial insemination is often one of the first fertility treatments that a woman who has had difficulty with fertility attempts. In terms of the fertility treatments that are commonly prescribed, AI is one of the least expensive options, and is particularly effective when a woman is fertile but lacks a male partner, or her partner is suffering from infertility. Though some AI at home kits are available, it is generally best to undergo this procedure under the supervision of a doctor. Not only will the procedure be more likely to result in a successful pregnancy, you will also be able to treat any underlying causes of infertility while there.
During artificial insemination, a tube containing male genetic material is used to deposit sperm into a woman’s reproductive tract. Before the sperm is used, a doctor will test the motility of the sperm, to ensure that conception is a possibility. Using this method will increase the likelihood of conception significantly over those seen during regular intercourse. That being said, it is not uncommon for women to undergo a few rounds of treatment before a successful, full term pregnancy occurs.
For heterosexual couples, the male partner is usually the first choice for sperm donation. Before a man can donate sperm for the procedure, he will generally go through a series of tests to make sure that his sperm is capable of fertilizing an egg. These tests are completely non-invasive, and simply involve giving a sample to your local fertility clinic. Results rarely take long to come back and will be used to determine whether or not a donor should be sought.
If working with a sperm donor is the best option, your doctor may be able to refer you to a sperm bank that can supply you with a sample. These donors will typically be pre-screened, so parents can rest assured that they have no history of genetic disorders that may be passed on to the child. Each sperm bank operates differently, but most will allow parents to select for a number of traits that are important to them. These can be as varied as eye and hair color to athleticism to looking for graduates from prestigious universities. Of course, there is no guarantee that these traits will be passed on to your child, but using high quality donor sperm can increase the chances that these traits will manifest themselves.
Artificial insemination costs can and will vary. The previous factors all relate to the charge and should be taken into consideration. Your doctor is the best source of information on whether or not artificial insemination is right for you.