Do you want to have a baby through donor sperm insemination? It’s one of the quickest and simplest types of fertility treatment, but one that needs careful planning to help you achieve pregnancy.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to a typical cycle of donor sperm insemination with Manchester Fertility.
We don’t have waiting list for donor sperm and can offer you an extensive choice of health-screened and traceable UK sperm donors from our own sperm bank, with the option of family-slot reservation following successful treatment, so you can grow your family in future using the same donor.
Pre-treatment investigations
Donor insemination starts with fertility investigations. We need to be sure that there are no issues that could prevent sperm reaching your egg through insemination, checking key factors such as the number of eggs you have remaining and making sure your fallopian tubes are clear. If any problems are found, you may be advised to have IVF with donor sperm instead.
Consultation
Once we have your results you’ll see a fertility consultant, so we can talk you through treatment and advise what’s best for you, including whether you’re going to have a natural or stimulated cycle of insemination. For you to become pregnant through insemination, your egg has to be ready to be fertilised at the exact time of your treatment.
If you have no ovulation issues, we’ll monitor your cycle so we can pinpoint when you naturally ovulate and time insemination accordingly. If your cycle is irregular, we can stimulate ovulation using fertility medications, so an egg is ready to be fertilised.
Counselling
You’ll see our counsellors before treatment begins. It’s mandatory if you’re using donor sperm, so we can talk you through all the implications of using a sperm donor to conceive, now and in the future. Such as what your child can know about their donor, what you can know, and how you feel about having a family this way.
Choosing your sperm donor
Once you’ve had counselling and have consented to treatment, it’s time to choose your sperm donor, which is one of the most exciting parts of your journey. Our Donation Team provides one-on-one support to anyone using a donor to have a baby, including helping you find your ideal sperm donor. We’ll aim to give you at least two sperm donor matches that meet your preferences. All our sperm donors are young, healthy men aged 18-41, health-screened to the strictest HFEA standards and with the quality sperm needed for donation. They each write detailed donor profiles, including a personal pen portrait and goodwill message, so you can choose your sperm donor with confidence.
Sperm preparation & washing
Did you know that when it’s time for insemination, we don’t just thaw your donor’s sperm, we wash it too, to maximise your chance of pregnancy? Sperm washing is a process where sperm is separated from the seminal fluid. After washing, only the most active sperm remain and any chemicals or fluid that may interfere with fertilisation have been removed.
Insemination
Insemination is performed in our clinic. Sperm will be gently inserted into your uterus using a fine catheter. Our fertility nurses will look after you, explaining after care, what you can expect and the earliest date you can take a pregnancy test, around two weeks after insemination.
Treatment outcome
Waiting to take your pregnancy can be an anxious time - our fertility midwife will support you. She’ll be in touch to see how you are and is available to answer any questions about pregnancy symptoms. If your pregnancy test is positive, we’ll arrange for your first pregnancy scan at our clinic, to confirm fetal heartbeat. If it’s negative, you’ll have a cycle review with your consultant. We know how disappointing and frustrating it can be if treatment doesn’t work first time, although some women achieve pregnancy straight away, it’s not unusual to need more than one insemination. We’re here to support you.
Donor sperm insemination costs
Explore our current prices for donor sperm insemination, you can pay for cycles as you go along or can opt for a package.
If you’re ready to start treatment with us, simply self-refer online or book a free 1-2-1 with a Patient Advisor, or call 0161 300 2737.
Last updated: 20th January 2020
