Artificial Insemination Explained In Layman's Terms By Clinica Fertia, Costa Del Sol Spain

Online, April 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - As the number of British people who are choosing to travel abroad for fertility treatments continues to rise, Clinica Fertia-a fertility clinic in the Costa del Sol, Spain, are releasing a series of press releases explaining their services in order to pre-empt your questions.

The first in the series is about artificial insemination and explains clearly what artificial insemination is, when it is offered at their fertility clinic and what to expect of the artificial insemination procedure.

What Is Artificial Insemination?

For a range of reasons, artificial insemination can be a viable treatment option. Artificial insemination treatment is when a sperm sample is given by the male partner of the woman undergoing artificial insemination treatment. Artificial Insemination by Donor is another option.

Artificial insemination treatment is offered when:

- If infertility is due to a mild disturbance in sperm production

- Cervical causes

- Or a so-called unexplained infertility

Then artificial insemination treatment is a viable option.

This treatment involves a sperm wash (that is, mixing sperm with a washing medium and centrifugation) of the sample, which will eliminate all but the best motile sperm cells.

These are then brought to the uterine cavity with a thin plastic catheter as close to the time of ovulation as possible. Often a light hormonal treatment is also included to improve the likelihood of pregnancy, as is done with ovulation induction.

If the male partner is found not to have any live sperm cells in either the man's ejaculate or the testicles, donor insemination (AID - Artificial Insemination by Donor) can be used. This treatment involves the same procedure as described above.

Artificial Insemination by Donor | Donor Insemination

The sperm donors, however, are strictly selected before their samples are accepted for freezing and later use in treatments.

The likelihood of pregnancy in inseminations is about 15% per treatment when the partner's sperm is used. Several attempts (3 to 6) are recommended, which will increase the chances of falling pregnant. When donor sperm is used, this likelihood is slightly higher, about 20% per treatment.

Artificial Insemination - What To Expect

- Before starting the artificial insemination treatment, ovulation kits, ultrasound scans, or blood tests will be used to ensure that the woman is ovulating when you undergo artificial insemination.

- Once it has been established that you are ovulating, your partner will be asked to produce a semen sample.

- It is best to abstain from sex for 2 to 5 days in advance to ensure a higher sperm count.

- The sperm is then "washed" which enhances the chance of fertilisation and removes chemicals in the semen that may cause discomfort for the woman.

- Once this process is complete, a centrifuge is used to collect the best sperm.

- The sperm are then placed in a thin tube called a catheter and introduced through the vagina and cervix into the uterus.

- Most women find that artificial insemination is a short, relatively painless procedure that many women describe as being similar to having a smear test done. There are some women who experience cramping during the procedure and some light bleeding it.

- The woman should lie down for between 15 to 45 minutes after the procedure; this is just to give the sperm a chance to do their work.

About

Clinica Fertia Fertility Clinic, Costa del Sol Spain is a Fertility Clinic, which specialises in the research and treatment of female and male infertility. Individual and tailored programs are carried out in an efficient, yet caring, manner for each couple.

Specialist Scandinavian knowledge in the field of modern techniques to treat infertility is employed at our clinic. Artificial Insemination ( http://www.clinicafertia.com/en/information/treatment-options/artificial-insemination.html ) is one of a range of infertility treatments offered at this Fertility Clinic, in Spain, in the Costa del Sol.