Michele “Misha” James-Parham, BSW
midwife, chaplain, social worker, & educator

AT-HOME IUI/ICI SERVICES

 

As part of our services in addressing fertility issues for clients we offer at-home insemination services. We can educate clients and their partner(s) or support person(s) on how to perform at-home insemination for themselves or we can do the procedure for them. 

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Intracervical insemination (ICI) is the most common type of at-home insemination and can be done easily without specialised equipment and unwashed sperm can be used. Basically, sperm (fresh or thawed) is directly applied to the cervix using a syringe without a needle or some people use a diaphragm or Instead brand menstrual cup to put the sperm sample in and then insert the device, which sits right up against the cervix. This kind of insemination has a success rate of between 10-15% each cycle it's used.

 

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) uses a thin catheter connected to a syringe without a needle. Using a speculum to visualise the cervix, the catheter is carefully inserted into the cervical opening, up into the uterus where washed sperm is deposited using the syringe. This method is a bit more involved (needing a special catheter, washed sperm or equipment to wash  sperm, & speculum) and does carry a slight risk of uterine infection. Typically a midwife or doctor does the procedure, even when done at home, but a partner or friend can be taught how to do it. During the first 6 cycles the success rate is between 50-60%. 

 

In comparison, insemination via penis+vagina intercourse has a 20-37% success rate the first 3 months and 80% in the first year. And these success rates for all methods drop after age 40. The key to success is more timing than technique. It is vitally important to have a firm understanding of the menstrual cycle of the person intending to gestate, especially when they ovulate and how long their luteal phase lasts (as there could be some cycle regulation that needs to be tended to in order to ensure the greatest chance of success).

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If you need help tracking your menstrual cycles, I suggest checking out the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. The accompanying website has good information as well: https://TCOYF.com (CW: both the book and website are pretty heteronormative and use gendered language, but they are still good and factual resources for folks with uteruses and menstrual cycles.)