How does Oval add value in the ICI / Home insemination process
At oval, we provide invaluable support for a couple choosing to do home insemination (ICI), transforming a do-it-yourself process into a clinically-informed and safer journey. While the couple handles the physical procedure at home, the clinic’s role is to ensure that all other critical factors are addressed.
Diagnosis and Screening
The biggest risk of at-home insemination is proceeding without knowing if there’s an underlying fertility issue. A clinic’s primary role is to provide a comprehensive diagnosis.
Pre-Insemination Health Check: The clinic performs an initial evaluation on both partners to rule out any conditions that would make conception difficult, such as ovulatory disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, or severe male factor infertility.
Safety Screening: If a couple is using donor sperm from a friend or a non-licensed source, the clinic can test the donor for infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis, as well as screen for genetic conditions. This is a crucial safety step that a couple cannot perform on their own.
Sperm Sourcing and Preparation
The clinic acts as a professional intermediary, ensuring the sperm used is of the highest quality and is handled safely.
Access to a Cryobank: The clinic can help a couple select and order sperm from a reputable, licensed cryobank. Sperm from these banks undergoes rigorous screening and quarantining, which is a key safety measure.
Sperm Preparation: The clinic can provide professionally prepared sperm for ICI. While ICI technically uses unwashed sperm, some clinics offer prepared samples that can help reduce the risk of infection and increase the chances of a successful outcome.
Ovulation Monitoring
While at-home ovulation kits are helpful, a clinic provides a much more precise and reliable way to pinpoint the fertile window.
Follicular Tracking: A clinic can use ultrasound scans to monitor the growth of follicles in the woman’s ovaries. This provides an exact measure of when ovulation is about to occur, allowing for perfectly timed insemination.
Hormone Testing: The clinic can perform blood tests to measure luteinizing hormone (LH) and other hormones. This is more accurate than urine-based at-home kits and provides a clear, scientific signal for when to perform the insemination.
Counseling and Emotional Support
The emotional and legal aspects of home insemination, particularly with a known donor, can be complex. A clinic provides a framework for navigating these issues.
Legal Guidance: If a couple is using a known donor, the clinic can ensure that all legal forms are properly filed. This helps protect the legal parenthood of the couple and clarifies the rights of the donor, preventing potential disputes in the future.
Emotional Counseling: A clinic can provide professional counseling to help the couple and the donor (if applicable) navigate the psychological and emotional challenges of the process. This ensures everyone involved is emotionally prepared for the journey ahead.
In essence, Oval provides a layer of clinical oversight, safety, and emotional support that transforms the experience of home insemination from a purely do-it-yourself process into a well-informed and safer path toward parenthood.