Artificial Insemination (AI)
The objective of artificial insemination (AI) is to respect the natural environment of the gametes as much as possible, thus promoting fertilization. This technique consists of depositing a semen sample, which has been prepared in advance in the laboratory, inside the woman’s uterus in order to increase the potential of the sperm and improve the chances of the egg being fertilised.
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What is Intrauterine Insemination?
Intrauterine insemination is a simple assisted reproductive treatment. It involves placing a sperm sample from the partner or the donor inside a woman’s uterus.
The procedure increases the chances of getting pregnant with regards to intercourse because the sperm sample is prepared in the laboratory in advance as well as the ovary being stimulated in order to control the growth and the maturation of the eggs. Depositing the prepared sample in the woman´s uterus reduces the distance the sperm cells must travel to the egg and scheduling insemination maximises the chances of fertilisation and pregnancy.
When is it used?
Intrauterine insemination can be performed with a sperm sample from a donor or the partner. This treatment is recommended for:
- Women with a good number of quality eggs who do not have a male partner.
- Women with ovulation problems.
- In cases where there is an abnormality of the cervix.
- Heterosexual couples in which the man has slight or moderate defects in terms of sperm cell quality.
- In cases of poor sperm quality or absence of sperm cells, our medical team will recommend the best way of increasing the chances of getting pregnant.
- Heterosexual couples in which the man is a carrier of a genetic disease.
- If the disease cannot be detected in the embryos, our medical team will recommend using donor sperm.
Success rates
Intrauterine insemination is a simple treatment offering better pregnancy success rates of that with intercourse however there are other assisted reproductive treatments with superior success rates to that of IUI.
Our pregnancy rates are audited by an accredited body (SGS) and updated every year, here. However, the probability of pregnancy depends, in every case, on many factors: age, ovarian reserve, medical and reproductive history, etc. One thing is for sure at IVI – our fertility specialists will prescribe the most adequate and personalised treatment to achieve our objective: your pregnancy.
RESULTS
90% of patients who undergo an assisted reproduction treatment at IVI become pregnant.
CARE
97% of our patients recommend IVI.
IVI provides personalised care and support during all stages of treatment.
TECHNOLOGY
IVI is a pioneer in the latest assisted reproduction technology in order to present the best results.
PRICE-QUALITY
We are not the most expensive choice. We offer the most treatment options in order to achieve the best results.
What does an IUI treatment involve?
First visit
During your first visit at an IVI clinic, our fertility specialists will provide you with a personalised diagnosis in order to choose the best treatment. This appointment includes a complete gynaecological examination, as well as a sperm analysis in the case of heterosexual couples.
Ovarian stimulation
Ovarian stimulation begins when the treatment, marked by the menstrual cycle of a woman, commences and it lasts for about 10-12 days. This stimulation increases the chances of success, as the woman produces only one egg in each natural menstrual cycle, this way ensures the development of one or two.
This treatment phase can be carried out where you live and your gynaecologist, will be monitoring the stimulation closely by means of ultrasound scans (3 or 4) and blood tests. Once the follicles have reached the right number and size, a dose of the hCG hormone is administered to induce ovulation and 36 hours later, an intrauterine insemination is scheduled at your IVI clinic.
Preparation of sperm sample
On the insemination day, a sperm sample is processed in the Andrology laboratory of your IVI clinic, to optimise its quality and therefore, increase the probability of fertilisation. If you are using your partner´s sperm, he must deliver the sample to the laboratory about 2 hours prior to the treatment. The preparation allows for our andrologists to select and concentrate the sperm cells with the best motility and to discard the dead, immobile or slow ones.
Intrauterine insemination
Intrauterine insemination is performed at the doctor´s office and neither anaesthesia nor an operating theatre are required. Having inserted a speculum, the sperm sample is introduced to the uterus via a catheter.
Pregnancy test
Having finished the procedure and rested for a couple of minutes, our specialists will tell you the optimum date to take a blood pregnancy test once back at home, which is normally 14-15 days after the insemination. IVI specialists recommend that you resume normal activities as you wait, avoiding only the high-intensity ones. If the result is positive, 20 days later a control ultrasound scan is performed, during which the presence of the gestational sac is confirmed. IVI specialists will then discharge you and you may then go on to monitor the pregnancy with your gynaecologist or midwife.