The Art of Artificial Insemination (AI)

Well, we did it! Yesterday was the first attempt at insem (yes there is even slang for insemination).

My Gyno is seriously the coolest lady I have ever met! She is super informative and educates me on something new every time I see her.

Her name is Anna Mair, and she's at Jordan Valley Medical center, if you ever need the raddest Gyno!

The art of Artificial Insemination, it really is an art you know. You'd be surprised how many people (women and myself) don't know "how it works." 

If you're a man reading this blog, it may not be your cup of tea - feel free to stop now. ;)

Jackie and I started the baby makin' process about a year ago. But in spite of all our efforts, we have been unsuccessful on our own (I joke, I joke).

Really tho, we started talking about wanting to have a baby about a year ago. We've had many discussions with Miah, too, but we aren't telling her the great news until we know for sure it takes.

So... Back to planning. 

We were going to get preggers (as my Gyno would say) in October, but unfortunately things didn't go as planned. 

I thought I wanted to be pregnant in the winter, but the more I learn about our "worst air in the world and how it affects babies in the womb," I'm glad I'll spend the bulk of my pregnancy in the summer. Plus, I'll be able to have a nice tan, too! 

Jackie and I did a bunch of research, met with my Dr. and started our Cryobank profile.

What you can expect if you're planning on doing AI:

Step one: Talk to your Dr. 

Find out all you need to know about timing, the process of AI, and assistance needed (charting your period and ovulation, Clear Blue Easy ovulation test - the one with the smiley, and all that jazz).

Step two: Pick a donor. 

Utah doesn't have this option so the next best thing is the Cryobank of California. 

You pay a 145$ fee to see donor profile information (medical history, family medical history, baby pictures, a little bit about the donor, etc.). 

The Cryobank only accepts less than 1% of their applicants, whom each go through a seven step process of testing (genetics, infectious disease, sperm mobility, etc.). This way, you know what you're getting is good pickin's!

*Check out the "Brrrrrr!" blog to see all our donor information, pics, etc.

Step three: Chart period and ovulation.

Look into Natural Family Planning to help you understand what you need to watch for. 

It's funny, I've been charting for years, but until this process, I never realized I actually have ovulation pains. 

Next get a Clear Blue Easy ovulation tester and watch when you have an LH surge (you get a surge in LH - a hormone - 24-36 hours before the egg releases).

Step four: Stay in close contact with your Dr. 

Once you have your LH surge you'll go in for insemination within 24 hours.

Step five: Order sperm. 

The sperm will be shipped in a 3ft nitrogen charged tank, where the sperm can last up to 7 days. 

You can order two day shipping, or over night. We went with over night just to be safe. 

Not knowing exactly when you'll have your LH surge, and it being New Years, we didn't want to take any chances. (No shipping on holidays or Sundays.) 

You'll usually have High Peak days (blinking smiley on the ovulation test) before your LH surge (still smiley), so High Peak days are a safe time to order.

Step six: Visit Dr. 

Now this was a little awkward; entering the Dr.'s office carrying this huge box holding a teeny tiny vile of sperm! 

The visit was just like a pap, the Dr. first has to incubate the sperm until it's at body temperature. Then she checks the sperm under a microscope to ensure you have good, live, swimmers (about 1/3 die during the process leading up to insem). 

Next she inserts a tiny catheter into your cervix and into the uterus, then releases the sperm. 

You lay there about 15-20 min and you're good to go! (Studies show higher success rates if you stay horizontal for 15 min.)

Note: your egg lasts about 24 hours and the sperm can live up to 72 hours.

Oh yeah, prices:

145$ donor profile

695$ for the sperm

30-50$ for Clear Blue Easy Ovulation test (get the ADVANCED one)
195-295$ for shipping (depending on when you order)

320$ for insem
185$ for a follicle test (Ultra sound to see when your egg drops)
Total = ~1525$ a pop! 

It's about a one in four chance to get pregnant with intrauteral insemination (the sperm is injected into the uterus. They also have intracervical injections that are injected into the cervix, but the intrauteral has a higher success rate).

I guess implantation will happen within 72 hours so we should know by the 16th.

Keep your fingers crossed and wish us luck! <3