Insemination
Care and passion are at the heart of everything we do. At Danfert & Stork fertility clinic, we have the same goal as you – the desire for you to have a child. With us, we focus on you, your situation and your needs.
If it is not possible to get pregnant naturally, we can carry out an insemination. Here, the sperm is injected into the woman’s uterus. This makes it easier and faster for the sperm to reach the fallopian tube, where the egg is fertilized.
Homologous and heterologous insemination
A distinction is made between homologous and heterologous insemination. In homologous insemination, the sperm comes from the woman’s partner. In heterologous insemination, donor sperm from a sperm bank is used. There are 3 sperm banks in Denmark: European Sperm Bank, Cryos International and Born Donor Bank and we cooperate with all of them.
When is insemination with donor sperm appropriate?
The man’s sperm quality is slightly reduced, i.e. with few sperm cells or sperm cells with reduced mobility in the ejaculate.
Lack of ovulation or irregular cycle over 35 days in the woman.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
If the couple has not achieved pregnancy after 12 months of trying, and both parties otherwise have no other indications for involuntary childlessness.
If the couple cannot have intercourse.
When is insemination appropriate?
Couples who have not become pregnant after IVF attempts with ICSI/TESE.
If the woman is single or lesbian.
The woman’s partner is infertile, i.e. eg. in case of lack of sperm.
Kinden’s partner, e.g. suffering from a serious hereditary disease.
How does an insemination proceed?
1. Determining the right time
It is important that insemination is carried out shortly before or on the day of ovulation. Using ultrasound examinations and/or ovulation tests, the doctor can calculate the time of ovulation very accurately.
2. Purification of the semen
When the day has come, fresh or frozen donor sperm must be used. When fresh sperm is used in a homologous insemination, the partner must submit a sperm sample on the day. This is purified in the laboratory so that the sperm cells with good mobility remain.
3. Introduction of the sperm cells
Using a soft catheter, the purified sperm is introduced directly into the woman’s uterus. Here we are talking about intrauterine insemination (IUI). The treatment only takes a few minutes.
Hormonal stimulation
The insemination can be carried out during the woman’s so-called spontaneous cycle, i.e. the natural cycle. The chances of a successful outcome may be better in some women if the maturation of the eggs is supported by low doses of hormones and ovulation planning with an injection.
What are the chances of a successful outcome?
The chances of a successful result depend on several factors during insemination – such as, for example. the woman’s age, state of health, the partner’s sperm quality and a possible hormone therapy. Far from all women become pregnant already at the first treatment. Therefore, several attempts are usually necessary.
Are there any risks or side effects?
The risks of assisted fertilization without hormonal stimulation are very low. When using very soft and flexible catheters, the uterus is almost never damaged during insemination.
Hormone treatment can mature more than one egg, which is why there is an increased risk of multiple pregnancy. With an ultrasound scan carried out before insemination, the number and size of the number of egg sacs/follicles can be registered quite precisely, so that the risk of a multiple pregnancy can be assessed with relative certainty. If several large follicles are detected, it may be necessary to cancel the treatment to avoid a greater risk of multiple pregnancy.
In addition, hormones can stress the body. The so-called overstimulation syndrome is very rarely seen. This results in e.g. nausea, severe stomach pain, shortness of breath or fluid accumulation in the stomach. These complications are rare. In connection with your interview before the treatment, the doctor explains to you how the treatment takes place and whether there are any risks and side effects.
It is important that you see a doctor if you get:
Severe increasing pain.
Heavy and increasing bleeding.
Fever.
Increasing smelly discharge.
You must seek medical attention immediately if you become dizzy, have shortness of breath, heart palpitations and reddened skin, as these may be signs of an allergic reaction.
Avoid baths and swimming pools for a day after insemination, as there is a small risk of infection. In addition, there are no precautions. It is about living as healthy and as normal as possible.
You can easily exercise, go to work and do the things you usually do