How Is Artificial Insemination Performed?

Preparation

Artificial insemination is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm near the cervix, in the cervix or in the fallopian tubes. The process of artificial insemination begins with monitoring a woman's menstrual cycle through a combination of blood tests, ovulation kits and ultrasound. Once a woman's fertile days, or ovulation days, are determined, the artificial insemination will be planned. Before the day of the artificial insemination, the sperm donor will collect his semen in a special container. The semen will then be sent to a lab to be washed, which simply means it is concentrated and prepared for the procedure.

Intravaginal Insemination

Intravaginal insemination is a procedure that can be done at home or in a doctor's office. In this method, the sperm is placed inside a sterile syringe. The syringe is placed into the vagina, near the cervix. The plunger of the syringe is pushed to place the sperm into the vagina. You must lie on your back with your hips elevated for at least 10 minutes to increase the chance of the sperm entering the cervix.

Intracervical Insemination (ICI)

Intracervical insemination is done in a fertility clinic or doctor's office. You will lie on your back with your feet in stirrups. A speculum will be placed into your vagina. A thin, flexible tube containing the washed semen is placed into your cervix through your vagina. A sterile syringe is used to push the semen into your cervix. The tube is removed and a sponge is placed over your cervix to prevent the semen from coming out the cervix.

Intrauterine Insemination and Intratubal Insemination

The procedure for intrauterine insemination and intratubal insemination is similar to that of ICI. The main difference is the placement of the tube. For IUI, the tube is threaded through the cervix until the tip is in the uterus. For ITI, the tube is threaded through the uterus and into one of the fallopian tubes. Once the tube is appropriately placed, the washed semen is pushed into place when the practitioner pushes the plunger on the sterile syringe. Unlike ICI, neither IUI nor ITI requires the use of a sponge over the cervix.

ITI Via Laparoscopy

ITI via laparoscopy is done through an incision in the abdomen. A small camera is placed into the pelvic cavity through the incision. The doctor uses this camera to locate the fallopian tube, into which a small incision is made. A thin catheter with a sterile syringe attached is used to deposit the sperm into the fallopian tube. A stitch is usually required to close the fallopian tube. All of the equipment is removed and the incision in the abdomen is closed with either stitches or surgical glue.