The Women's Health Group

Patient Instructions for Artificial Insemination

Artificial Insemination is a technique used to treat many types of infertility in both men and women. This medical technique deposits sperm directly into the uterus through the cervix, which creates a shorter distance for the sperm to travel. If you and your care provider have decided to do an artificial insemination this cycle, please follow these instructions carefully and call us with any questions.

Surge Kit: Upon making the decision with your care provider to conduct artificial insemination, you will need to purchase a “surge kit”. Surge kits can be purchased at most local pharmacies. Please read the instructions enclosed carefully to understand the process and how to interpret the indicator strips. Daily surge testing must be done before 8:00am. When you experience a positive surge result, call our office at 8:00am.

Monday through Friday Positive Surge:

• Call the office at 8:00am once you have had a positive surge. Ask to speak with your doctor’s nurse or the phone nurse.
• The nurse will schedule your appointment with our lab and confirm availability of staffing.

Monday through Friday Collection Instructions:

• You will receive a specimen container and collection instructions from our office. Your partner’s specimen needs to be at our office 45-90 minutes prior to your insemination appointment for processing.
• Collection of the specimen may be done at your home or the office. If collected at home, the specimen needs to be delivered to our office within 20 minutes of collection and kept warm.

Monday through Friday Appointment Instructions:

• On the day of your artificial insemination appointment, please check in at the front desk. The front desk will refer you to the lab.
• You will then be directed to the lab to give the technician your partner’s specimen. Make sure it has been kept warm and is no more than 20 minutes old. If you predict a problem with this, please consult your care provider.
• The lab will then refer you to a receptionist to sign a consent form and discuss financial issues.
• The approximate cost is $190. This estimation reflects the services of sperm washing and artificial insemination. Most insurance companies do not cover artificial insemination. If you think your insurance might cover this service, we will gladly submit it, although the $190 is required to be paid before this service is rendered. Other services (sonogram or injection) may be ordered by a physician depending on your particular case. Your doctor will discuss this further with you in the case they decide to order one for you.

Possible Saturday or Sunday Positive Surge:

• If there is a possibility of a positive surge on Saturday or Sunday, call the office at 8:00 am on Friday and ask to speak with your doctor’s nurse or the phone nurse.
• Your doctor and nurse may wish for you to have a transvaginal sonogram the same day to check the size of your follicles.
• If the follicles are appropriate size, your doctor may prescribe an injection to promote ovulation. If ordered, this injection will be given to you on Friday as well.
• You will be asked to sign appropriate consent forms and discuss financial issues. Due to a possible addition of services (injection and sonogram) the amount due for a weekend insemination may increase to as much as $500. Most insurance companies do not cover artificial insemination. If you think yours might, we will gladly submit to your insurance. However, payment in full is required prior to scheduling your procedure.
• With all the above items in order, a nurse will then schedule your insemination procedure and verify availability with lab staff and on-call physician.

Saturday and Sunday Collection and Appointment Instructions:

• You will receive a specimen container and collection instructions from our office. Your partner’s specimen needs to be at our office 45-90 minutes prior to your insemination appointment.
• Collection of the specimen should be done at home. You should arrive at our office within 20 minutes of collecting your partner’s specimen. Take special care to keep the specimen warm during transport. If you predict a problem please, consult your doctor.
• Please arrive on time. Present yourself at the east door, and a lab technician will be waiting for you.
• The lab technician will take your partner’s specimen and direct you to an awaiting exam room. The doctor will be with you within the hour to conduct the procedure.