Due to the spread of COVID-19 it is becoming safer for people to reduce unnecessary travel to public locations. This may include discontinuing fertility cycles. Fortunately, there are alternatives for saving in progress in your current cycle and starting cycles while reducing visits to clinics. For people free of fertility issues, artificial insemination at home can be a reliable and affordable way to start a family. This method offers convenience and comfort since it can be done in your home on your schedule, additionally, reducing the need for you to be in a public space.
As with all fertility decisions, choosing at-home insemination is a highly personal choice that should always be discussed with your healthcare team first. At Seattle Sperm Bank (SSB), we only offer at-home insemination shipments after you have discussed this procedure with your healthcare professional and they have signed a consent form on your behalf acknowledging this procedure is medically safe for you. All consents can be signed with an electronic signature, so no need for an office visit.
While home insemination has worked for many families, it’s not a guarantee for conception, and it requires close preparation and proper timing to succeed. This involves injecting semen vaginally close to the cervix (sometimes called the “turkey baster method”). Even with success rates being similar to that of traditional timed intercourse, its advantages can make at-home insemination a good alternative to visiting a clinic during this time.
How Does Artificial Insemination Work?
Artificial insemination involves placing sperm within a woman’s reproductive tract by means other than intercourse. It can be done at home and performed by yourself or with your partner with just limited preparation. It commonly takes several ovulation cycles to conceive, so patience is required. To learn more about the process of insemination, visit our learning hub at https://www.seattlespermbank.com/learning-hub/videos/.
An important part of insemination is timing the insemination with your ovulation cycle so it’s during your peak fertility window. If you are planning on doing at-home insemination, it is highly recommended that you start tracking your ovulation using a chart, fertility app, testing kit, or ovulation test strips. This can greatly increase your chances of conception.
For many reasons, at-home insemination is a preferred option for women looking to conceive using donor sperm. It can be a much less expensive method of conception, when contrasted with a medical IUI insemination, or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Benefits of Artificial Insemination
Some of the main benefits of performing insemination at home are the comfort, privacy, and flexibility it provides. If you’re working with a sperm bank, you can schedule the delivery of your vials of donor sperm to arrive during your ovulation cycle, increasing your chance of conceiving.
Home insemination further reduces the stress, side effects, and costs associated with going to a clinic for the procedure. It only requires basic supplies easily found at a drug store. In addition, SSB provides a free basic at-home insemination kit with every home delivery.
At-home insemination is an excellent option that helps aid in social distancing during this time.
Do you still have questions about choosing at-home insemination during this pandemic? Find more answers here.
To discuss performing artificial insemination at home, call our clinic at (206) 588-1484 or contact us at cs@seattlespermbank.com.
