Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is a technique where sperm is collected, usually by masturbation, and is artificially placed at the neck of the cervix. It has been carried out since the 1950's. There can be AIH - Artificial Insemination by Husband, where the sperm is from the male partner, or Artificial Insemination by Donor, whereby an anonymous donor donates the sperm. AIH can be used when the man can't ejaculate, or can't have sex. Or sometimes if the husband is to undergo some medical treatment that will leave him sterile, he may extract and freeze sperm before the operation which is then used at a later date to conceive a child. AID is used where the male partner is infertile and produces no or little sperm or if the male carries a faulty gene that would be passed on to a potential child. |
