At-Home Insemination Guide

Conceiving naturally can be difficult for some and for those who choose to get help from assisted reproductive treatments, the cost can be astronomical. For this reason, many couples choose to start with at-home insemination before making any other investment. If you go the at-home insemination route, we’ve curated a guide with all the information you will need to know.

Key Takeaways

• At-home insemination is usually the first step for many struggling to conceive naturally
• Many couples go for at-home insemination for many reasons including affordability and privacy.  
• At-home insemination is a popular choice for couples where the male partner has challenges with the production or quality of sperm
• While it is less consistent than some other forms of therapy, it can still yield reliable results if used for multiple rounds of treatments.

What Is At-Home Insemination?

Couples who struggle to conceive naturally look for other alternatives to help in their fertility journey. Assisted reproductive technologies like insemination have helped many couples start families. Artificial insemination is a great option for couples whose partners have challenges with the quality and quantity of sperm. It is a great option as it is significantly cheaper than other forms of assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.

At-home insemination is just artificial insemination done at home instead of at a clinic. Artificial insemination or intravaginal or intrauterine insemination is a simple, short, economical, effective, and painless procedure for conception. Though not as high as in IVF, the pregnancy outcomes are still high. 

In this process, sperm is collected either from the male partner or a third-party donor and implanted directly into the uterus using a small catheter. While frozen sperm can work, 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.

How to Increase At-Home Insemination Success Rate

Insemination done in a fertility clinic like Ivy Fertility has a higher success rate, mainly because the environment is more controlled. Nevertheless, studies have shown that at-home insemination does have more than 40% success rate making it an effective form of treatment for many people. 

Read The Instructions Carefully

Choose an at-home insemination kit you understand. Most kits have:

• Needless soft-tipped syringes
• Alcohol sterilization wipes
• Usage instructions.
• Sterilized vial for putting in the sperm
• If you’re using donor sperm, the kit will also include vials with the sperm and a reusable foam tray for thawing sperm donor vials in a water bath.
• Some kits also come with a long, thin catheter, which you will insert into the vagina.

The instructions you get will guide you on how to use everything contained in the kit and also how to dispose of everything once you are done. 

Time the Insemination

Similar to other fertility treatments, timing is everything. The best time to perform at-home insemination is during ovulation, particularly the day before ovulation or within 48 hours of ovulation. Most fertility clinics will walk with you and guide you through your menstrual cycle to time ovulation properly. 

However, you can also time yourself using an ovulation tracker or perform tests that measure the amount of luteinizing hormone in urine to detect ovulation. Rising LH levels can be seen a few days prior to ovulation.

Choose the Right Position

The most optimal position for at-home insemination is lying down. You can lie down on the side or the back with a pillow under to raise the hips. This is because gravity can work against you and this position will prevent the sperm sample from leaking. It also helps to move the sample further into the uterus. Most at-home insemination guides recommend resting in this position for 20 to 30 minutes following the procedure to ensure the sample is not accidentally wasted.

Mistakes to Avoid

At-home insemination can be a successful way to conceive. To increase your chances of success, here are some common mistakes you can avoid. 

• Don’t throw away the instructions. Each kit is different and even if you know how the process works, the instructions on the kit you have might contain specific information. 
• Ensure the environment is clean. Wash your hands before handling the sperm. Use the empty vials in the kit to collect the sperm sample as they come sterilized.
• Only open the syringe when you’re ready this is to avoid bacterial contamination and subsequent infection.
• Don’t use lubrication. Though you may want the syringe to go in easier, vaginal lubricants can be toxic to sperm and can reduce the sperm’s motility. Lubrication can also disrupt the sterile environment needed for insemination and potentially impact your chances of conception success.
• Don’t do it standing up or crouching. As mentioned, gravity can be the enemy. Once your’e done, lie down for some time.
• Don't pee after.  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 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. 
• Ensure the insemination isn’t too shallow. Just like too deep can be bad for you, too shallow may not get the job done. The goal is to deliver the sperm as close to the cervix as possible. This will give a better chance of conception.

At-Home Insemination FAQs

Is there a best time to do at-home IVI?

Yes. At-home insemination works best when done immediately before or during ovulation. Basically, it should be done within a two to three-day span around ovulation. 

Can I put the sperm anywhere?

Technically yes, as long as the container is sterilized. However, most at-home insemination kits come with a sterilized vial for sperm collection. 

How long do I have to lie down?

Experts recommend lying down for at least 15-30 minutes before waking up to give the sperm time to take. 

How many rounds will I have to do? 

Maybe two or three. At-home insemination may take some time before it takes. Additionally, the more children you plan the more rounds you may need to have. 

Final Thoughts

Many individuals who opt for at-home insemination try it because it’s cheaper and very convenient. You get a relaxing environment, making it easier for couples struggling with infertility to become pregnant. However, one may have to do several rounds before attaining a successful pregnancy.