Natural Insemination Guide

Modern technologies have made it possible for anyone to have a child. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has given couples who previously would not have been able to have a kid the possibility of starting a family. However, many people still choose to get pregnant the old fashioned way. Natural insemination is the formal term for getting pregnant through sexual intercourse.

What is Natural Insemination?

Natural insemination (NI) is just a fancy way of saying sexual intercourse. This is the way that people have been getting pregnant since the beginning of time. It is by far the easiest way to achieve pregnancy if you are in a heterosexual relationship. 

What Are the Benefits of Natural Insemination?

Cost:

Artificial insemination, especially using IVF, can be extremely expensive. IVF can cost thousands of dollars while home insemination kits and methods, such as intracervical insemination, can still cost hundreds of dollars in supplies. Natural Insemination has no costs. 

Effectiveness:

Contrary to some beliefs, there is no evidence that natural insemination has any difference in success rate than most artificial alternatives. At-home insemination and insemination at a fertility clinic will have the same chances of success as natural insemination. The only exception is artificial insemination using frozen sperm, which may carry slightly lower chances of success.

Comfort:

Insemination at a fertility clinic can be an uncomfortable experience. Even home insemination using artificial methods can be uncomfortable since you will need to insert a syringe or cervical cap into your vagina, which can be very discomforting. Natural insemination allows you to feel comfortable in the safety of your own home.

How Can I Increase My Chances of Conceiving a Child?

Even though conceiving a child through normal sexual intercourse is one of the best methods of getting pregnant, this does not mean that it will guarantee success. We recommend that you follow a few measures when trying to conceive a child.

Positioning:

The best position for the female to be in when trying to conceive a child is on her back. This is probably best achieved in a missionary position. If the female is standing up or not flat on her back, the cervix will not be as able to pull up the semen. Remain on your back for at least 30 minutes to allow the cervix to absorb the semen.

Timing:

Sexual intercourse is not effective for conceiving a child if done at certain times in the woman’s menstrual cycle. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, “You’re most likely to get pregnant if you have sex within a day or so of ovulation”. This means having sex roughly two weeks after the first day of your last period. Sperm can survive in your vagina for up to a week, but the egg is only capable of being fertilized for about a day. To maximize your chances, have sex frequently.

Fertility Treatments:

If you are having trouble conceiving, consult a medical professional to make sure that you and your partner are fertile. If you are fertile, but are still having trouble conceiving, you may want to seek fertility treatments. These can greatly increase your chances of a successful pregnancy. However, make sure that you see a doctor before you try this.

Natural Insemination With a Sperm Donor

Using donor sperm to conceive a child is a popular option among couples with an infertile male, single women, co-parents, and lesbian couples. Most of these people seek an artificial insemination method since natural insemination with someone you are not in a relationship with can be awkward and uncomfortable. If this is a method you are considering, here are some things you should know:

Legal Rights Over The Child:

This is perhaps the greatest risk of natural insemination. Legally speaking, a child conceived by sexual intercourse is a child of both parents. In this case, the sperm donor would have a claim to custody rights over the kid.

Health Risks:

Donor Sperm from a sperm bank is tested for sexually transmitted diseases. If you find a donor and want to conceive by natural insemination, it is unlikely that they have undergone the same tests. 

Comfort:

If you are in a relationship and want to conceive with a donor by natural insemination, this can cause serious issues. It is unlikely that your partner will be willing to do this, and even if they say they are, they may have serious concerns after the fact.

For these reasons, we do not recommend getting pregnant by natural insemination with a sperm donor. If you do want to use a sperm donation, we recommend using artificial insemination methods.

One possible exception is a co-parenting agreement or a single woman who wishes to become pregnant. In a co-parenting agreement, the two adults may wish to conceive their child via natural insemination. Although this may cause complications in the non-romantic aspects of the agreement, it is a perfectly acceptable option. For single women, natural insemination offers a low-choice alternative to artificial insemination.

No matter what your circumstances are, if you are looking into natural insemination outside of your relationship, make sure that your donor is properly tested.