Insemination procedure: reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The science of reproduction has stepped far ahead. Now the desire to have a child has become quite real and possible for most couples who, due to the presence of certain diseases, could not become pregnant naturally. Despite the popularity of the in vitro fertilization program, there are a number of other equally effective methods.

What is AI

Under the abbreviation AI lies such a thing as artificial insemination. The essence of the process is the introduction of sperm into the uterine cavity in order to fertilize the egg. Seminal fluid enters through a special catheter. Thus, all the sperm is directly near the cervical os, which increases the chances of getting pregnant naturally.

Unlike IVF, the egg remains in the woman's body and is not retrieved or fertilized beforehand. Therefore, this approach is considered more acceptable for those couples who have just experienced problems conceiving.

Indications for insemination

If a woman is diagnosed with one of the followingdiagnoses, this serves as an indication for the procedure of intrauterine insemination. Feedback from couples who are faced with the need for AI suggests that, thanks to the development of medicine, even such diseases cannot become an obstacle to the birth of he althy offspring.

Main indications for artificial insemination:

• Chronic endometritis and endocervicitis, vaginismus.
• Mild endometriosis.
• Allergic reaction to partner's sperm.
• Increased viscosity of cervical mucus, presence of antisperm bodies.
• Anovulation.
• Unexplained infertility.

If a couple is preparing for insemination for the first time, feedback on positive results allows you to set yourself up for success and not be upset if it didn’t work out the first time. When using donor sperm, the couple should be aware that it can only be used after cryo-freezing.

Contraindications

The procedure of artificial insemination is contraindicated in the presence of one of the following conditions:

• Women over 40 (due to the fact that the positive result is extremely small, about 5-10%).
• In the presence of inflammatory processes (in the acute stage), genital infections.
• Unexplained bleeding from the female genital tract.
• Pelvic malformations, especially for the body of the uterus (because it can serve as an obstacle to pregnancy), obstruction of the fallopian tubes or their absence.
• Malignant neoplasms, cancer diagnosis.
• In the presence of ovarian hyperstimulation.
• Failed artificial insemination attempts in previous cycles (this item applies to those women who have resorted to AI for more than three months).
• Mental disorders.

An obstacle to artificial insemination can also be endometriosis, which occurs in severe form, long-term infertility (more than three years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child naturally).

Types of insemination

For insemination, the seminal fluid of a spouse or a donor can be taken. At the same time, donor sperm, as a rule, undergoes preparation, and only high-quality material is selected.

Indication for the use of non-husband sperm: hereditary or genetic diseases in the partner, positive HIV status, Rh incompatibility, 0% active sperm. In some cases, a woman wishes to have a child without being in a registered relationship with any man.

According to the method of carrying out insemination are distinguished:

• Intrauterine.
• Into the ovarian follicle.
• Into the fallopian tubes.
• Inside the vagina.
• In the region of the pharynx of the cervix.

In practice, they try to resort to intrauterine insemination. Reviews show that this is the most effective and successful way to conceive. Other methods are used less frequently, according to the doctor's indications.

How to get ready for a woman

Before the doctor proceeds with the insemination procedure, the woman must be trained and pass a series of tests:

• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.
• Taking a smear on the microflora of the vagina and urethra.
• Blood test, including coagulation, latent infections, HIV, hepatitis C and B, syphilis, Rh factor determination (also provided by partner).

There is also a general gynecological examination. The therapist takes the conclusion that the woman can bear the pregnancy without complications, and there are no obstacles to the onset of pregnancy. Additionally, it may be necessary to take a biopsy of the endometrium of the uterus, cytology tests, a study on the patency of the fallopian tubes, and others.

What a man should know before insemination

It is important to understand what is the basis for preparing for the insemination procedure. Reviews of many men agree that they often have little idea of their role in this process. First you need to determine what is the indication for AI for men:

• Sedentary spermatozoa.
• Sexual disorders.
• Insufficient semen volume.
• Anomalies in the development of the urethra.
• Birth defects associated with the abnormal structure of the genital organs, which prevent natural sexual intercourse.
• Period after chemotherapy and vasectomy.
• Retrograde ejaculation, in which semen enters the bladder.

Before preparing for insemination, a man usually collects reviews from friends or on the Internet. However, the doctor's recommendations should be taken as fundamental to the success of the procedure. As a rule, this list consists of much less impressive studies:

• Testing for the presence of genital infections, spermogram.
• Consultation of an andrologist, therapist, if the age is over 35, then also genetics.

How things go

There are two options for the procedure: at home and in the clinic. Judging by the reviews, insemination at home takes place in a more comfortable environment, partners can carry out the necessary manipulations in a romantic atmosphere. However, at home, all procedures will have to be carried out by a spouse or partner, all manipulations must be accurate and safe for a woman. Instruments for insemination are sold in special sterile bags in medical departments. Judging by the reviews of those who did insemination at home, they say that successful conception does not depend much on where the procedure was performed.

In order for fertilization to be successful, the day of ovulation is chosen. You can track it with the help of special tests, basal temperature charting, folliculometry.

If the procedure is performed by a doctor in the clinic, then the partner donates seminal fluid on the day of treatment. At this time, a woman is undergoing an ultrasound diagnosis in order to establish the fact of the onset of ovulation. The seminal fluid is drawn into the syringe, instead of the needle, a plastic tip is installed (when the seed is introduced into the neck of the cervix) or, if the insemination procedure is intrauterine, then the catheter.

To prevent the leakage of semen, a cap is put on the cervix, it is recommended to lie down for half an hour, and only then the woman is allowed to get up.

What to do after insemination

Those who have had insemination agree in the reviews about the need to adhere to the doctor's prescriptions. It is not difficult to observe them, but if neglected, you can pay with an unsuccessful attempt.

For three days after the procedure, it is important to observe sexual rest, not to lift heavy objects and not to engage in heavy physical labor. Do not take a bath on the day of insemination. In the reviews, who succeeded the first time, this is explained by the fact that the soap solution can get inside the vagina and lead to the death of part of the active spermatozoa. Instead, you can take a shower, as long as the water is not too hot. It is strictly forbidden to take any medications without consulting a doctor, drink alcohol, smoke.

Recommended to spend more time outdoors and sunbathing, but in hot weather avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially during rush hour.

Reviews

Many are interested in feedback after insemination, both positive and negative. Doctors cite statistics that after AI with the husband’s sperm, the probability of conception and pregnancy is about 15%,donor - up to 30%. At the same time, the probability of becoming pregnant with twins or triplets is the same as with natural intercourse.

In some cases, women who are afraid of the pain of the procedure, ask about how unpleasant the insemination is, what is felt during it. In the reviews of the patient, who have already passed it, they say that there are almost no unpleasant sensations. The only thing is that if intrauterine insemination is performed, then the woman may feel slight pulling pains, but as soon as everything ends, they immediately pass.

Doctors recommend not to worry if after the first attempt there is no result, to increase the chances it is possible to resort to ovulation stimulation. According to the women themselves, despite the risk of gaining weight, a properly selected hormone regimen minimizes the risk of side effects.