Artificial Insemination, This Is What You Need To Know

Artificial insemination is a procedure to overcome the problem of fertility disorders (infertility) by placing sperm directly in the uterus at the time of egg release (ovulation). The purpose of artificial insemination is to increase the number of sperm that can reach the fallopian tubes (fallopian tubes), resulting in fertilization and pregnancy. Artificial insemination measures can be done in minutes in outpatients in the hospital. The success of artificial insemination can increase if it is done not only once (cycle). Women who carry out artificial insemination programs have a 10-20% chance of getting pregnant each cycle. However, if done many times, the success reaches 45%. One study said that women who had done 6 cycles of artificial insemination had 40% success in getting pregnant. But success also depends on age, causes of infertility, and the use of certain fertility drugs.

Indications of Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination can be performed on patients who experience infertility problems, both of which the cause is unknown or what is known. For example, due to poor sperm count and quality, and endometriosis. In addition, this procedure can be performed by patients who have cervical mucus too thick, which prevents sperm from running.

Warning for Artificial Insemination

To carry out artificial insemination, a woman's condition must be ensured in a healthy condition, especially the condition of her fallopian tubes. Artificial insemination should not be done on women who have abnormalities in the fallopian tubes, such as narrowing of the fallopian tubes due to inflammation of the pelvis. The doctor will do an examination to find out the obstacles in the channel, as well as possible causes. Examination can be done through hysterosalpingography (HSG) using X-rays, laparoscopy, or hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) with sound waves.

Before Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination begins with preparing a sperm sample. From sperm samples will be taken healthy sperm, thereby increasing the likelihood of women to get pregnant. In addition to preparing sperm samples, determining the time to carry out artificial insemination is very important. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the prediction of ovulation to determine the implementation of artificial insemination. Ovulation usually occurs. Monitoring can be done by predicting ovulation from urine by looking at the release of the LH hormone, or based on observations via transvaginal ultrasound to see the growth of eggs. Sometimes, fertility drugs are used by doctors to stimulate ovulation. After ovulation can be detected, the doctor will determine the timing of artificial insemination. Implementation of artificial insemination is generally done one or two days after the visible signs of ovulation.

Artificial Insemination Procedure

During the implementation of artificial insemination, the patient is laid. Next, the obstetrician inserts a buffer (speculum) into the vagina, to dilate the vagina. At this stage, a catheter containing a sample of healthy sperm is inserted into the vagina, through the uterine door, and into the uterus. Sperm will be pushed up into the uterus. After that, artificial insemination is considered complete and the catheter can be removed, as well as the speculum. Artificial insemination procedures are generally painless, although some women experience cramps for a moment. All artificial insemination lasts only about 10 minutes. The patient can go home after the procedure is done.

After Artificial Insemination

After the implementation of intrauterine insemination, the next step is to wait for the results with a pregnancy test. This test can be done 2 weeks after the insemination. If you haven't succeeded in getting pregnant, your doctor can recommend artificial insemination. Re-insemination can be done again in the next 3-6 months to increase the chance of getting pregnant.

Complications of Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination in general is a procedure that is not complicated and safe, so the risk is small to cause complications. However, some risks may occur after artificial insemination procedures, one of which is the occurrence of infection. In addition, the use of catheters in the uterus during artificial insemination can cause vaginal bleeding. However, this bleeding does not affect the possibility of pregnancy. Artificial insemination can also increase the risk of multiple or multiple pregnancies. This is considered a complication because twin pregnancies are at risk of causing low birth weight or premature births.