The Difference Between Artificial Insemination and In Vitro Fertilization
An increase in modern technology allows couples to seek other options when attempting to conceive a child. Here’s everything you need to know about artificial insemination versus in vitro fertilization.
The key difference between artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization is in the location of fertilization. Artificial insemination occurs internally, meaning the sperm is injected directly into the woman’s uterus. However, in vitro fertilization combines the egg and sperm for fertilization in a lab.
Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is a relatively simple procedure. First, sperm needs to be collected and processed in a lab. Before the doctor inserts the sperm, the lab will remove seminal fluid and concentrate the sperm. The doctor will then place the sperm into the woman’s uterine cavity.
To improve a woman’s likelihood of getting pregnant, a doctor may perform artificial insemination along with fertility treatments during her natural ovulation. Fertility treatments increase ovulation function, typically through medication to stimulate egg or sperm production. Women can purchase ovulation kits over the counter. Doctors recommend women use ovulation kits to determine when ovulation begins as an indicator of appropriate timing for conceiving a child.
Unlike natural conception, the doctor places the sperm higher into the uterine cavity during artificial insemination. The sperm’s placement bypasses the cervix, shortening the sperm’s trip to the fallopian tubes. Statistically, the increased number of sperm in the fallopian tubes increases the probability of a sperm fertilizing an egg.
Related: How Much Does Using an Egg Donor Cost?
In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization is slightly more complex than artificial insemination occurring outside of the human body. Recognized as an assisted reproductive technology, in vitro fertilization is when a lab externally combines a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg.
Before the procedure, a doctor requires the woman to take fertility medication to increase the probability of releasing multiple eggs. A doctor must retrieve the egg while it is in the fallopian tubes. Improper retrieval time, such as retrieving too early or too late, will hinder the egg’s fertilization ability. The woman must be sedated during the retrieval process and given pain medication. Egg retrieval takes about 30 minutes to one hour. Once the doctor acquires the eggs, the eggs are placed in a petri dish and fertilized with either defrosted or fresh sperm. Fresh sperm is stronger, but defrosted sperm has an unlimited life span. Once the fertilized egg qualifies as a strong embryo, the doctor will place the embryo into the woman’s uterus.
Who Qualifies for Artificial Insemination and In Vitro Fertilization?
Doctors recommend artificial insemination to couples struggling to conceive a child naturally. If the couple is under 35 years old, doctors will assure the couple has attempted to conceive naturally by having unprotected sex for about one year before considering alternative methods. If the couple is over 35 years old, the couple must try to conceive naturally for six months by having unprotected sex to qualify for the artificial insemination procedure. Candidates for artificial insemination should be in good overall health and not suffer from medical problems that may ultimately hinder the child’s or parents’ health.
Poor candidates for artificial insemination include:
- Individuals with severe endometriosis
- Severe male infertility
- A disease affecting the fallopian tubes
- Medical history of pelvic adhesions
To qualify for in vitro fertilization, couples must meet the age, substance abuse, physical health, and emotional health criteria. Women seeking to utilize their eggs should be between the ages of 40 and 45. Donor egg use requires women to be under 50 years old. To qualify for in vitro fertilization, couples must not be abusing narcotics, alcohol, and other illicit drugs. Smokers are highly encouraged to quit before treatment.
Regarding physical health, doctors highly encourage overweight and obese women to lose weight before the procedure. Individuals diagnosed with or demonstrating signs of psychiatric disorders are forbidden to undergo in vitro fertilization. People in unstable, abusive, and dysfunctional relationships must receive therapy before in vitro fertilization.
Related: What Does a Fertility Lawyer Do?
Cost Comparison of Artificial Insemination vs. In Vitro Fertilization
The artificial insemination procedure averages about $1000, including monitoring, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer. The predicted cost does not include medication.
In vitro fertilization averages between $12,000 and $20,000. Cost depends highly on the location where it occurs. The predicted price does not include medication.
Assure To Become the Legal Parents of a Child Conceived By Assisted Reproduction
Whether couples use artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization, parents must establish legal parentage of the child before birth, especially if the couple uses a surrogate. The surrogate and intended parents must sign a reproduction agreement before the child’s conception. Reproduction agreements include but are not limited to donor and surrogacy agreements.
Courts have the power to determine a child’s legal parents despite the names listed on the birth certificate. Parents who use assisted reproduction methods rely on the birth certificate to prove parentage. However, when a parent moves to a different state, divorces, or seeks government benefits, the court may intervene if they file the proper paperwork. To avoid future legal conflicts, parents should conduct a second parent adoption when using a donor. A second parent adoption preserves the legal rights of both intended parents.
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