Questions?

Schedule a Fertility assessment at least one month prior to insemination services. After you’ve completed the fertility assessment you may book as many inseminations as needed.

Accepted payment options include PPO insurance plans, debit, credit, FSA and HSA. Payment is due upon scheduling. A superbill can be provided for insurance reimbursement. The amount of reimbursement varies on your coverage, deductible and copay.

Unfortunately most insurance companies do not cover insemination services. However, most PPO insurances will cover a fertility appointment if a pap smear is performed. For those with benefits a superbill can be provided. HSA & FSA benefits are accepted for all appointments.

Laboratory testing may be covered by PPO insurance depending on your individual plan and benefits. Low-cost laboratory options are available for those without insurance.

This option is less expensive and invasive than in vitro fertilization (IVF) and doesn't require the use of hormone drugs. It works with your body's natural ovulation and cycle rather than requiring ovarian stimulation. IUI is a good option for those who are unable to use their own sperm, such as in the case of testicular cancer, blocked duct, trauma, low sperm count and shape or other fertility impairment or for those who do not have sperm in their relationship.

No, you don't need to chart your cycle before. However, you are welcome to bring your cycle charts if you have them. No matter where you are in the process I will help prepare you.

No problem, I will create a personalized insemination plan based on your menstrual cycle and overall health.

I review your medical history, order and perform any necessary laboratory testing, review your cycle charts, and assess your fertility. If needed, I can order an ultrasound or semen analysis.

I will discuss fertility support with you and provide personalized recommendations for supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle. I will also teach you how to track ovulation and help you determine the optimal timing for insemination based on your fertile signs in each cycle.

Yes, I can order sperm testing. PPO insurance will over directly or there are low cost options available for those without insurance coverage.

I will provide you with a list of recommended screening and testing for your donor.

An IUI requires sterile technique, the ability to use a speculum and the use of special catheter which is placed into the uterus with washed sperm. ICI uses a syringe to place sperm into the vagina near the cervix. A speculum is not required, and I can teach you and your partner how to perform the procedure at home.

My pelvic exams are gentle, consent based and trauma informed. This means that consent is given before proceeding to each step throughout the procedure. I listen to you and your body and treat you as an individual and honor your unique needs. I take all the time that is needed and move at your body's pace and time the insemination to your natural fertility signs. I have been told that I give the most gentle pelvic exams! Fertility clinics are much more expensive and rely on trigger shots or once daily ovulation predictor kits which are less accurate and unnecessary.

Frozen sperm that is IUI ready or freshly washed fresh sperm can be used.

This is the process of separating the sperm from the seminal fluid because you can't place unwashed sperm into the uterus. The process of washing the sperm involves combining the semen with a wash medium and placing it in a centrifuge, separating the sperm cells from the seminal fluid. Then the sperm cells are resuspended in a carrier medium and ready to be placed into the uterus.

Yes, sperm washing is available for an additional $250 fee.

Ovulation predictor kits (OPK) show the LH surge which predicts when someone is potentially going to ovulate. Some ovulate soon after a positive OPK and others up to 36 hours after. For optimal timing, the OPK results should be in combination with your other fertility signs. I will review and teach you how to identify your fertility signs to help you determine the best timing, ideally within 12 hours of the release of your egg. I recommend you begin LH testing three days before you think you're going to ovulate in the morning, noon and night so you have an idea of when your LH surge began.

When fertility medications are appropriate, I can help coordinate and obtain fertility medications as part of your care plan. Medication may be considered when you are having difficulty ovulating or when additional support is needed to improve your chances of conception.

For those who are ovulating regularly and do not have an underlying infertility diagnosis but require donor sperm to conceive, unmedicated cycles can be an effective option. Avoiding ovulation-induction medications also avoids the increased risk of multiple pregnancy associated with stimulated cycles.

If you are not ovulating consistently or your cycle requires additional medical support, we can work together to determine the best approach and coordinate care with a fertility specialist when necessary.

I recommend you schedule the delivery to your home the week of your ovulation. Most banks use a nitrogen tanks good for 7 days, some have ones that last 14 days. Ask your cryobank which tank they use. Most banks deliver overnight and some same day. I recommend shipping a few days in advance in case you ovulate early.

Sperm needs to be used quickly after thawing. I will thaw and safely prepare the sperm for insemination at the beginning of your appointment.

Self insemination from a known donor, friend or co-parent is a good option for those with no fertility issues. However it doesn’t rule out clinical risks or legal issues which I can help you navigate. Those using frozen sperm double their chance of success with an intrauterine insemination (IUI) instead of a home insemination. IUI does this by places the sperm into the uterus so the sperm can reach the fallopian tubes easier to fertilize an egg. If using fresh sperm, IUI also increases the odds of conception for those who have impaired fertility or have been trying to conceive with no success.

If you are using frozen sperm, 2 inseminations per cycle are recommended. Since frozen sperm lives 12-24 hours this optimizes your entire ovulation window. If using fresh sperm, either 1 or 2 IUIs are recommended depending on fertility factors.

An IUI is similar to receiving a Pap smear and do not hurt. A speculum is inserted into the vagina followed by a thin flexible tube that goes through the cervix or opening of the uterus to the top of the uterus. Then washed sperm is gently released into the uterus allowing millions of sperm to reach the fallopian tubes for a chance at conception. It is common to feel mild cramping during insemination. Our inseminations are gentle, slow and set at your pace of comfort.

Partners are welcome to be included in every step of their baby making process and encouraged to be as involved as much as they are comfortable! I can show them how to release the sperm into the uterus and prepare the frozen sperm.

Effectivity rate varies depending on age, fertility and health of the individual desiring conception and sperm. The approximate conception rate of 7-20% when one IUI is performed per cycle or 13-30% when two IUIs are performed per cycle. Some studies show that IUI is 50% more effective than ICI because the sperm is placed directly into the uterus closer to fertilizing the egg. Multiple studies show that the majority (90-95%) of successful IUIs will happen within 3-4 attempts.

Yes, it may not be the best fertility option for those with:

Fallopian disease

History of pelvic infections

Moderate to severe endometriosis​

Anyone with an active pelvic or urinary infection should wait until after treatment and symptoms are resolved.

A syringe is used to insert sperm into the vagina near the cervix. A speculum is not used. This can easily be done at home without a Midwife. I can teach you how to do this at a preconception appointment, discuss how to verify the donor's fertility and discuss clinical risks. I will also discuss legal risks and second parent adoption. If you have tried for awhile without success or have impaired fertility I recommend an IUI as it increases the chances of conception by 50%.

You will need to provide fresh or washed sperm that is ICI or IUI ready.

Yes, I can provide cryobanks options at your fertility assessment. Most banks do not require a signature and they will ship directly to you in a nitrogen tank good for 7 days. Some banks use a tank good for 14 days.

This is a deeply personal decision and unique to everyone. A known donor is someone who is open to being contacted by the child. They can also be a family member or friend. An unknown donor is an anonymous donor who is not open to being contacted and no personal information is provided by the sperm bank. I encourage you to consider if you would like the child to have the option of knowing or not knowing their donor.

You have two options the donor can deposit a sample at a cryobank. The cryobank will store, test it for communicable and genetic diseases and ship it for a fee. This option has a 6 month screening time. Another option is to use non-toxic frozen test yolk buffer which allows a donor to ship the sperm directly to you for a much cheaper fee. Order Here