ARTIFICIAL
INSEMINATION

OVARIAN STIMULATION

During each natural menstrual cycle, a woman typically experiences the growth of a single follicle (the structure that contains the egg), which will release an egg into the fallopian tubes for potential fertilization around the 14th day of the cycle.

Therefore, the start of the Artificial Insemination treatment is aligned with the beginning of the menstrual cycle in which the treatment is to be performed, as there are no waiting lists. With this treatment, we aim to gently and carefully stimulate the ovaries to increase the chances of success by promoting follicle growth through the administration of medication.

The fertility specialist (gynecologist) will carry out the entire ovarian monitoring process, which includes ultrasound scans and hormone blood tests to ensure a thorough and personalized follow-up, thus maximizing the efficiency of each cycle. On average, 3 to 4 monitoring sessions are conducted per cycle, and the time between the first scan and the insemination is usually between 8 and 10 days.

In some specific cases, Artificial Insemination may be performed without ovarian stimulation, simply by monitoring spontaneous ovulation.

SEMEN PREPARATION

In cases where the insemination is performed with the partner’s sample, a sperm sample is collected approximately two hours before the procedure and processed in the andrology laboratory.

This sample undergoes a process called sperm capacitation, which aims to separate and concentrate the highest-quality sperm into a small volume of 0.4–0.5 ml, so it can later be introduced into the uterus.

If donor sperm from a Sperm Bank is used, the sample will already be in the andrology laboratory and will be thawed about an hour before the insemination so it can be processed accordingly. As a result, only the highest-quality sperm obtained through this procedure will be introduced into the woman’s uterus.

INSEMINATION

Once the follicles (usually 1 or 2) have reached the appropriate size, a dose of the hCG hormone is administered to trigger ovulation. Then, 38–40 hours later, the insemination procedure takes place.

Insemination is a simple technique performed in the consultation room, without the need for anesthesia, as discomfort is minimal. The gynecologist inserts a catheter through the cervix to deposit the previously prepared sperm sample directly into the uterus.

PREGNANCY TEST

Once the procedure is completed, you’ll rest for a few minutes, receive instructions to follow, and we’ll set a date to take the pregnancy test using the first urine of the morning, approximately 15 days after the insemination. During this period, we recommend living life completely normally—keeping your regular routines and simply avoiding high-intensity physical effort.

If the result is positive, we’ll schedule a visit three weeks later to perform a follow-up ultrasound, during which we’ll confirm the presence of the gestational sac and the viability of the pregnancy.