For most husbands and wives, pregnancy is something to look forward to. However, not all couples can get pregnancy naturally. As a solutionhis, iArtificial insemination is one of the techniques that can be utilized to create pregnancy.
Artificial insemination is done to shorten the path of sperm, so that it can pass through obstacles that may occur. Sperm will be directly inserted into the cervix, fallopian tube (egg canal), or uterus. One of the most widely used techniques is to insert sperm directly into the uterus or vaginally intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Helping Certain Infertility Conditions
Some conditions of male and female infertility that can take advantage of artificial insemination procedures so that pregnancy occurs more quickly, including:
- Low sperm count or sperm that are not able to travel too far.
- Impaired ejaculation or erection.
- Hormonal disorders in women that cause irregular menstruation.
- The presence of endometriosis, scar tissue on the wall of the cervix, or other abnormalities in the female reproductive organs.
- Abnormalities of cervical mucus that resist and prevent sperm from entering the uterus.
- The woman has a sperm allergy.
- Barriers to sexual intercourse, such as physical disability or psychological problems. Including, severe pain during sexual intercourse.
- A viral infection that can be transmitted through sexual contact. For example HIV or hepatitis.
- The difficulty of pregnancy without a clear reason for infertility.
Artificial Insemination Procedure Steps
Although the success rate of pregnancy with artificial insemination techniques varies and is not as high as other techniques, this procedure has the advantage of being less expensive and has minimal side effects. Artificial insemination is also a short and relatively painless procedure.
Some women will experience abdominal cramps during the procedure, others will experience light bleeding after the procedure. The woman may be asked to lie down for 15-45 minutes for best results.
However, it is possible for the woman to be given fertility drugs one week before ovulation, or depending on the fertility problems experienced. The thing to watch out for, these drugs increase the chances of giving birth to twins.
The following is the order of the artificial insemination procedure:
- Before performing the artificial insemination procedure, the doctor will examine the reproductive organs and fertility of each partner. This is to find out what are the possible barriers to pregnancy naturally.
- From the male side, the doctor will check the quality and quantity of sperm. Meanwhile, from the woman's side, her ovulation ability will be checked. After a complete examination, the doctor will recommend a technique that can help with pregnancy.
- To perform an artificial insemination procedure, determining the exact time of ovulation is very important. Therefore, the highest probability of pregnancy is about 24 hours from the release of the egg. To determine ovulation, ovulation test kits, ultrasound, or blood tests can be used. In addition, additional tests may also be given, such as basal body temperature, vaginal mucus texture, and cervical tenderness.
- Sperm to be used can be fresh or washed with special techniques to increase fertility levels. The process of "washing" sperm includes selecting the best quality sperm
- The sperm is then placed in a small tube called a catheter, which is then directly inserted into the vagina and cervix, until it finally reaches the uterus. Pregnancy that will be obtained from artificial insemination is no different from natural pregnancy.
For married couples who are expecting a pregnancy, artificial insemination can be done as an alternative procedure that is more affordable and less risky. But before deciding to do it, you need to consult further with your doctor to undergo a complete examination and get the best choice of procedures to deal with your fertility problems.
