Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination with husband's (AIH) or donor sperm (DI) involves injecting the semen into the cervical canal (neck of the womb) at the time of optimum cervical mucus, which occurs immediately prior to ovulation. Patients are carefully assessed by one of our clinicians before DI is initiated. The HFEA has made implication counselling compulsory for patients requesting the use of donated gametes.

Sperm donors are screened for sexually transmittable agents (including HIV) and genetically inherited diseases. Sperm are frozen and quarantined for a minimum of six months, at which point the test for HIV is repeated prior to use.

Characteristics that can be matched, if required, to a male partner are eye and hair colour, ethnic background and blood group. In all cases using donor sperm, the patient can receive a brief physical profile listing such characteristics.