Some people are surprised to discover how easy it is to perform home insemination. Simply order the donor sperm, wait for the sperm straws to thaw, and perform the insemination in your own home. Follow the link to enter our free Sperm Donor Search and find donors for home insemination.
Timing is crucial when performing home insemination
The most important part of performing home insemination is timing. To increase your chances of success, you must ensure that the insemination occurs during ovulation. We recommend tracking your ovulation a couple of months before the insemination, to ensure the procedure is performed during your most fertile days.
Step-by-step guide to home insemination
1. Find a donor and place your order
The first thing you need to do is to choose a sperm donor. Create a free account and use the filters in our Sperm Donor Search to find a donor that matches your criteria. We recommend ordering two MOT10 straws (both ICI and IUI sperm can be used) for home insemination. Follow the link to read about the cost of home insemination.
2. Choose your preferred shipping method
When selecting your shipping method, keep in mind your location, how many shipping days are required, and when your ovulation is going to occur. These options will appear at the end of the checkout process.
3. Receive the donor sperm for home insemination
After the purchase, you can track the container and see the expected time of delivery. An individual above the age of 18 needs to be home at the time of arrival to receive the shipment. Once it arrives, check the content of the shipment and make sure it is undamaged.
4. Thaw the sperm straws at room temperature
When you are ready to perform the insemination, remove the sperm straws from the nitrogen tank and thaw them at room temperature for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Caution: Do not place the straws in warm water to speed up the process.
5. Prepare the donor sperm for insemination
Once the straws are ready, follow these five steps:
- 1. Fit the thick end of the adapter onto the syringe.
- 2. Clean the straw using the alcohol pad.
- 3. Use scissors to cut the sealed end of the straw (a maximum distance of 0.5 cm/o.2") opposite the side with the ID number/name.
- 4. Place the cut end of the straw into the thin end of the adapter.
- 5. Keep the syringe upright and slowly draw the content of the straw into the syringe.
6. How to insert the sperm for successful home insemination
Start by laying down comfortably, using a pillow to raise your hips. Insert the syringe as far into the vaginal canal as possible and inject the sperm into your vagina to complete the home insemination. After the insemination, lay still in place for approximately 30 minutes.
Tips to increase your chances of success
The success rate of IUI is around 18%. It is typically said that the success rate of home insemination is slightly lower than IUI. If you want to increase your chances of pregnancy through home insemination, there are things to do:
1. Know your menstrual cycle in and out
We recommend you get to know your menstrual cycle before performing home insemination, as timing is important. The procedure should be performed during your most fertile days, which are the two days leading up to your ovulation and the day you ovulate.
After ovulation, the chance of pregnancy falls to 0% and begins to rise again during your next ovulation cycle. Therefore, knowing your menstrual cycle is essential to improve your chances of fertilization. We recommend you begin to track your ovulation a couple of months before the insemination to get familiar with the tracking device and your menstrual cycle.
2. Know how to use the home insemination kit
Before the insemination, be sure to thoroughly read the manual for the home insemination kit to ensure that the procedure occurs as intended. Follow the link to get familiar with the home insemination kit.
3. Optimal positioning
Before you begin the insemination procedure, you need to lie down in a comfortable position. Use a pillow to raise your hips to assist gravity in helping the sperm cells reach the egg. After the insemination, lay still in place for approximately 30 minutes to give the sperm sufficient time to travel up to the uterus.
4. Correct use of the syringe
When ready, you must place the syringe as far into the vaginal canal as possible and inject the sperm into your vagina to complete the home insemination. Home insemination is a simple procedure. So, try to relax and enjoy this step on your way towards parenthood.
5. Ask for help from professionals
If you have any questions related to home insemination or the procedure, then feel free to contact our Customer Care Team at (407) 203-1175 or email us at [email protected].
We are also available to answer questions on our live chat system during regular operating hours via our website.
FAQ's on home insemination
Can home insemination be successful?
Yes, home insemination can result in pregnancy. Home insemination involves placing sperm in the vagina around the time of ovulation, allowing the sperm to travel through the cervix and toward the egg. Success is not guaranteed, and it may take several attempts to become pregnant. Age, the timing of ovulation, reproductive health, the health of the fallopian tubes and sperm quality can all affect the chance of pregnancy.
What are the risks of home insemination?
Home insemination using screened donor sperm and sterile equipment is generally considered low risk when the sperm is handled and used according to the instructions. Possible risks include infection from contaminated equipment or improperly handled sperm. Incorrect storage or handling can also reduce sperm quality.
Using sperm from a donor outside a regulated sperm bank, such as Cryos, may involve additional health, consent and legal parentage risks. Before proceeding, consider speaking with a healthcare professional and checking the laws that apply where you live.