Many couples want to have children, but for some couples the journey to pregnancy is not always easy. Infertility or difficulty getting pregnant can be caused by various factors from the man, the woman, or a combination of both. Ovulation disorders, low sperm quality, problems with the reproductive tract, to lifestyle factors and stress can affect the chances of pregnancy.
Although the verdict of having difficulty getting pregnant can feel stressful, current medical developments offer various solutions that can help make every couple's dream of having children come true, including insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Getting to Know Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is one method to help couples who have difficulty conceiving. In this process, specially processed sperm is inserted directly into the woman's uterus during her fertile period. The goal is to increase the chances of the sperm meeting the egg and fertilization occurring.
This method is usually recommended for couples who have mild fertility issues, such as suboptimal sperm count or motility, ovulation problems, or conditions where sperm have difficulty reaching the egg naturally. The process is relatively simple, painless, and has a fairly good success rate, especially when done with proper planning.
Artificial Insemination Process
The artificial insemination process is quite simple and is usually carried out in several stages:
- Ovulation Stimulation : Performed with fertility drugs to stimulate the production of more eggs ready to be fertilized.
- Sperm Preparation : Sperm from a partner or donor is collected, then processed in the laboratory for insertion, washing, and preparation.
- Sperm into the Uterus : Prepared sperm is inserted directly into the uterine cavity using a small insemination catheter.
- Waiting for Results : After the procedure, couples wait about two weeks to find out if fertilization was successful. Take a pregnancy test if your period is 1 week late.
Apart from artificial insemination, pregnancy therapy can also be done through the test tube baby process or IVF ( In Vitro Fertilization ).
What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
Test tube babies or IVF ( In Vitro Fertilization ) is one of the assisted reproductive technologies to help couples who have difficulty getting pregnant. In this process, egg and sperm cells are brought together outside the body, precisely in the laboratory, to form an embryo. After the embryo develops, the doctor will implant it into the uterus to make pregnancy occur.
This method is often an option for couples who experience serious fertility problems, such as blocked fallopian tubes, very low sperm counts (oligozoospermia), or failure to conceive with more than 3 inseminations.
How Does the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Process Work?
The in vitro fertilization (IVF) process consists of several stages:
- Ovarian Stimulation : This process is done by injecting hormones into women to stimulate the production of more and more mature egg cells.
- Egg and Sperm Retrieval : Mature eggs are taken from the ovaries using a special procedure (Ovum Pick-Up). Sperm are also taken and collected for preparation to increase the chances of successful fertilization.
- Laboratory Fertilization : sperm cells are injected into egg cells to allow fertilization to occur in the laboratory to form an embryo.
- Embryo Implantation : A healthy embryo is inserted into the uterus so that it can develop into a fetus (Embryo Transfer).
- Waiting for Pregnancy : After 2 weeks from Embryo Transfer, a B-HCG blood test is performed to see if the embryo has successfully attached to the uterus.
This method is often used by couples who have difficulty conceiving naturally and has a higher success rate than insemination.
Which is Better Artificial Insemination or IVF?
Choosing between artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF) depends on the fertility status of each couple. Artificial insemination (IUI) is simpler and is suitable for couples with mild fertility problems, such as suboptimal sperm quality or mild ovulation disorders. The process only involves inserting sperm directly into the uterus during the fertile period, making it more natural and less medically involved.
Meanwhile, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is more recommended for more complex conditions, such as blockage of both fallopian tubes, very low sperm quality and quantity, or previous insemination failure.
Every couple has different conditions, so it is important to consult a fertility and hormone consultant (Sp.OG-KFER) to determine the best method according to the medical conditions of the husband and wife and the chances of success. Don't hesitate to seek further information so that the journey towards pregnancy is more optimal!
Article written by dr. Caroline Tirtajasa, Sp.OG (K) (Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility & Reproductive Hormone Specialist, Laparoscopic Surgeon at EMC Pulomas Hospital).