At-home insemination is a technique which uses vaginal insemination in your own home for conceiving when a couple is experiencing issues of getting pregnant due to male infertility, or if they are going through a sperm donor. Lesbian couples use this method a lot; however, although it might seem like a practical and cost-effective way to get pregnant, it is not as effective as the IUI or intrauterine insemination that is done at a fertility clinic. Even so, it is still a popular way for women to get pregnant when there are male fertility issues at hand.
Why At Home Insemination
Women who opt for the at-home insemination method are usually looking to save some money or avoid the clinical experience. They might also be going through a donor. Although the “Turkey Baster Method” does not have any valid statistics, it is fairly safe if done correctly, and if done during peak ovulation times, it can be a good alternative to a fertility clinic.
Different Techniques of insemination
There are typically 3 types of insemination methods:
1. Vaginal which uses a syringe similar to that of infant liquid medications, and works by having the sperm injected into the woman’s cervix
2. IUI or intrauterine insemination
3. ICI or intracervical insemination
A cannula or catheter is used for the last two to add the sperm into the uterus directly. Although women’s health experts and some midwives teach at-home insemination, the ICI and IUI need to be done in a sterile environment by a medical provider.
Safety and Success Rate
There are no real valid statistics for at-home insemination. Most successful at-home inseminations happen when the women talk with their healthcare provider first. Also, after the insemination, it is said that having an orgasm helps increase the chance of success.
As for how safe at-home insemination is, it is fairly safe. People prefer this type of home insemination since it provides more of a private way of getting pregnant, costs less and is convenient; however, this is not to say there are no risks to it at all. By having the procedure done by a medical practitioner in a clinic, it increases the odds of the procedure done accurately as well as increases the sterility.
One risk that is common with this type of method is emotional risk. Couples and single women trying to get pregnant tend to get angry, frustrated or depressed when the procedure does not work for them at home. The doctor will not just do the procedure for you, but will also look out for your emotional well-being as well as your physical.
The at-home insemination method is a personal choice. Many women and couples turn to this method and end up with happy, healthy babies. However, to increase the success rate and ease of this method, it’s a good idea to discuss all safety issues involved with this procedure with a healthcare professional first.
About the Author:
Tess Young has been a freelance writer for over 3 years and has experience writing about fertility and at-home insemination topics. To learn more about sperm donor and insemination, she recommends visiting California Cryobank.