At-Home Insemination Guide

Getting pregnant doesn't come easy for many people, and many couples need help to build their families. For many such couples, at-home insemination can be a quick and affordable way to conceive, especially since fertility treatments can be quite expensive when paying out of pocket.

There are several factors you should consider when considering at-home insemination. Here’s everything you should know before trying home insemination - including how it works, its benefits, and its risks.

Key Takeaways

• At-home insemination is an affordable, less invasive alternative to other fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination.
• While it is not as consistent as some other forms of therapy, it can still yield reliable results if used for multiple rounds of treatments.
• At-home insemination is a popular choice for couples in which neither partner naturally produces sperm or couples in which a partner who does naturally produce semen is experiencing infertility.

Understanding Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) and is similar to intrauterine insemination, where sperm is collected either from one of the parents or a third-party sperm donor and implanted directly into the uterus using a small catheter.

Artificial insemination is a great option for many couples because it is significantly cheaper than other forms of assisted reproductive technologies like IVF. Many couples try it first before moving on to other alternatives.

Artificial insemination has a relatively high success rate, but some prospective parents prefer not to do it in a clinic. Even when you may choose to do it at home, the healthcare professionals at NOVA IVF guide you to help you and give you a higher success rate.

At-Home Insemination 

At-home insemination, also called ICI treatment (Intracervical Insemination), is a type of artificial insemination that allows you to perform the procedure yourself in the comfort of your home. Similar to traditional insemination, you can use your partner's sperm or a donor’s. However, fresh sperm has a higher success rate than frozen sperm in this method. This is because fresh sperm is viable for a few days, while frozen sperm, once thawed, is only viable for 12-24 hours.

Insemination done at home has too many variables, which can affect the results. Still, according to a 2021 study, individuals who participated in at-home insemination have more than a 40% success rate, making it an effective form of treatment for many people. 

How to Increase At-Home Insemination Success Rate

In most cases, it can take several rounds before you see a successful pregnancy from at-home insemination. To increase your chances of success, you should:

Eat a Healthy Diet

A nutrient-packed diet is important in life and even more so as a fertility booster. You should eat a nutritious diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains. 

Don’t Overconsume Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Caffeine

Research done on alcohol and caffeine consumption has shown that overconsumption of alcohol and caffeine can affect fertility resulting in a 50% reduction in the probability of conception. 

Take Your Supplements

Supplements rich in iron, folic, and other prenatal vitamins like omega-3 fats are an added benefit to women seeking to improve their fertility before an at-home insemination procedure.

Avoid Strenuous Activity

Exercise should be a part of your daily activities. However, strenuous activity before the insemination should be avoided as it can interfere with implantation and increase the body's core temperature. You should focus on low-impact exercises like yoga, swimming, and walking, which will elevate your heart rate without putting stress on your body. 

Don’t Ejaculate Before Sperm Collection

It’s important to avoid ejaculation 1 to 3 days before a sample is taken. This is because the semen sample has to be large in volume to maximize the number of sperm. 

Time The Insemination With Ovulation

Timing is everything and you should ensure the insemination is done during ovulation, particularly the day before ovulation or within 48 hours of ovulation. You can use an ovulation tracker to help you time your ovulation.

Understand How to Use The At-home Insemination Kit

Read the instructions before using the at-home insemination kit. Each kit is different but most contain a soft-tipped syringe, some sample collection containers, a long, thin catheter, or the needle you will insert directly into the vagina.

At-home Insemination vs Insemination at The Clinic

Insemination done at home is different than when it’s done at the clinic. To begin with, ovarian stimulation is done at the clinic. This ensures the ovaries only release mature eggs, which maximizes the success of conception. 

Additionally, fertility specialists at the clinic can induce ovulation to promote the best time for fertilization. They are also able to not only isolate sperm and inject them during the process but also correctly insert the sperm during artificial insemination. This ensures that the maximum possible number of mobile sperm reaches the fallopian tubes. 

Common At-Home Insemination Mistakes

Whether you’re using a bought at-home insemination kit or a make-shift one, at-home insemination is a lifesaver to couples struggling with infertility. However, there are some mistakes you can avoid that can hurt your chances of a successful pregnancy. 

• Keep your hands clean and ensure there’s a clean environment when performing an at-home insemination. This will prevent any cross contamination and potential infections.
• Avoid lubrication. Vaginal lubricants can be toxic to sperm and can reduce sperm motility by 49%. Lubrication can also disrupt the sterile environment needed for insemination and potentially impact your chances of conception success.
• Don’t insert too far. While you may have the desire to increase your chances, inserting the syringe too far can cause cramping or pain. This means that the syringe has gone too far. 
• Just as you're not to insert too far, ensure the insemination isn’t too shallow as this means the sperm will not meet an egg. 
• Only open the syringe when you’re ready. Don't lay the syringe anywhere or touch the sides of it as any bacteria can affect the process and cause an infection. 
• Lie down after. Once you're done, lie down for some time. Ensure you pee before you begin the process to avoid getting up or tainting the insemination. Also, don't attempt to clean yourself up.
• Don't pee after the insemination. Though urine travels out of the body from the bladder through the urethra (a completely separate tract from the reproductive system) you should wait to pee at least 30 minutes after an at-home insemination procedure. In fact, you should use the bathroom before you start the process. 

Bottom Line

Getting pregnant can be a challenge for some people, but this can be achieved through at-home insemination. However, it’s important to thoroughly research the risks of home insemination before going ahead with the process. Talk to a fertility specialist to see whether this is an option for you.