Insemination
When couples are dealing with male or female fertility issues, having a baby can be difficult. It is much easier when couples use insemination. They can use intrauterine insemination (IUI) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Both are viable options for couples who want to conceive but cannot do so naturally.
When people think of insemination, they typically think of intrauterine insemination. IUI is commonly referred to as artificial insemination, and it can be traced back to the late 1700s. Of course, IUI has evolved quite a bit since the 18th century.
This procedure helps couples who suffer from:
Low Sperm Counts
Sperm Motility Issues
Cervical Scarring
Cervical Mucus Abnormalities
Women who suffer from unexplained infertility can also benefit from this procedure.
In addition, lesbian women often turn to this procedure. They can have donor sperm inseminated in order to get pregnant.
Your doctor will wash the sperm and then insert it into the uterus using a catheter. You might experience some cramping, but the discomfort is minimal.
You will likely have to go through several cycles before getting pregnant. Women typically get inseminated 3–4 times.
IUI is relatively non-invasive. It is done in place of IVF, and it is less time consuming.
Success rates depend on various factors, including age and fertility issues. While statistics on live births are not available at this time, pregnancy rates for women with unexplained fertility are available. Those who don’t use fertility drugs have a success rate of 5 percent. Those who use fertility drugs have a success rate of 15 percent.
Unlike IUI, ICSI isn’t done in place of IVF. Instead, it is done as part of IVF. With this procedure, the eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory, and then the doctor implants the embryo into the woman’s uterus.
This procedure is a good option when dealing with various male infertility issues, including:
Low Sperm Count
Sperm Motility Issues
Abnormally Shaped Sperm
Unsuccessful Vasectomy Reversals
It’s also a good option for couples who have not been successful with IVF in the past.
During the procedure, the woman is placed on fertility drugs. This stimulates ovulation. Then, the fertility specialist extracts the eggs and obtains the sperm. The specialist then injects a single sperm into the egg. The egg is fertilized, and the embryo is transferred into the uterus.
Fertilization rates are exceptionally high with ICSI. Fertilization rates sit at around 85 percent. That is higher than the fertilization rates for IVF without ICSI.
Success rates are also remarkable. The success rate for those under 35 years of age is at 35 percent.
You don’t have to decide which insemination method is right for you. Contact us for a free consultation, and we can help you make this important decision. Then, we can begin the process, so you’ll be a step closer to adding a bundle of joy to your family.