How Much Does Artificial Insemination
Cost
The question "how much does
artificial insemination cost" is one which worries most couples who are
considering taking up this infertility treatment. But before we go into the
cost specifics of this procedure, let us take a detailed look at what exactly this method is all about and also the
artificial insemination success rate.
Artificial insemination also known as AI is an assisted reproductive technology that
is used to treat certain types of infertility in couples. In this procedure, the sperm is artificially placed into
the woman’s reproductive tract to fertilize the egg that is released during ovulation. This is in contrast to
natural insemination or sexual intercourse which is nature’s way of implanting the sperms into the
woman.
Before going into how much does artificial insemination
cost, let us understand the various aspects of this procedure which is of great help to couples who are
trying to conceive. AI can also be carried out by using donor eggs and sperms; for example, if the male partner or
husband produces no sperms or has a very low sperm count, then semen sample can be taken from a donor to
artificially inseminate the woman. Donor sperms are also used when the male produces enough sperms but are of poor
quality or low motility and viability which prevent effective fertilization from taking place.
In the case of donor sperms being used to fertilize the woman’s egg, the donor
becomes the genetic and biological father of the child but not necessarily the legal father. Since this can have
many psychological implications on the couple, it is advisable to talk extensively about the procedure with your
infertility specialist and also with your counselor before undertaking it. These days, the identity of the donor is
usually not revealed to the couple except in rare legal situations.
AI is also being increasingly used by single women and also by lesbians with the
desire to have an offspring as natural sexual intercourse is not required in this method. This has boosted the
popularity of this procedure and hence the number of people enquiring how much does artificial insemination cost has only gone up
in the recent years.
This procedure cannot be undertaken to treat all kinds of infertility problems; AI is
most effective in couples where the male suffers from infertility due to low sperm count or poor sperm motility and
viability. The sperms taken from the male are directly injected into the woman’s uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes
so that the distance for the sperm to reach the egg is cut short thus avoiding likely obstructions to
fertilization. Intrauterine insemination or IUI is one of the types of AI in which the sperms are placed directly
into the uterus of the woman.
Apart from asking how much does artificial insemination cost, you also need to ask
the infertility specialist on what to expect when you take up this treatment method. Both you and your partner will
be subjected to various tests to ensure that both of you can undertake AI; the battery of tests include blood
examination, semen analysis, ultrasound and ovulation kits in addition to ovulation medications. The sperms are
injected into the woman on the day of ovulation but these have to be prepared and processed ahead of time. Hence
the male partner is asked to provide a semen specimen a day earlier by masturbation.
The sperms are then processed by washing the semen so that any unwanted chemicals and
debris are removed which may otherwise cause discomfort to the woman. Only the most active and motile sperms are
injected into the woman’s reproductive tract to enhance the chances of fertilization and thereby
pregnancy.
So, how much does artificial insemination cost? The price of getting an AI done is
much lesser than that of in vitro fertilization as only the sperms need to be processed and is then implanted into
the woman’s womb. In a typical situation, each insemination cost will be around three hundred to five hundred
dollars.
Getting pregnant after the first attempt is a rare thing and a woman usually requires
four to six attempts to finally produce a fertilized embryo. Though your regular health insurance may not provide
for infertility treatments, some insurance providers are now offering coverage with certain restrictions for
couples who have been trying to conceive for a long time.
The cost of this procedure can also go up if the couple is opting for donor sperms.
The cost of an intrauterine insemination is also slightly higher than the typical one as the sperms are directly
placed into the uterus. Many infertility clinics also allow installment payment options for couples who find the
procedure a tad bit expensive.
The answer to how much does artificial insemination cost should not hinder you and
your partner from trying out this technique to fulfill your dreams of becoming a parent come true.
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