Assisted reproduction or also known as artificial insemination consists of a series of biomedical methods whose function is to replace the natural processes that arise during reproduction. Its main objective is to help the human organism to conceive a new life. These methods are applied in cases of sterility and involve the execution of different techniques, ranging from the simplest to the most complex.
Assisted reproduction occurs when the specialist doctor puts the sexual cells in contact, such as the sperm and the ovum, so that the fertilization process begins and, therefore, the evolution of the new being, in those mothers who cannot do it due to the natural way.
Assisted reproduction, as already mentioned, is performed by applying various techniques and the most appropriate to use in each case, of course, this will depend on the situation and / or particular difficulties of each couple. Some of the assisted reproduction techniques used by specialists are listed below:
- Scheduled intercourse: this technique is ideal for healthy couples who have been trying to produce a baby for some time, but have not been able for some reason. This technique consists of taking an ultrasound control follicle development, in order to specify the ideal date for sex. There are cases where a previous treatment can be applied to the woman in order to induce ovulation and in this way to be able to mature several follicles at the same time, thus increasing the probability of becoming pregnant.
- Natural cycle: this procedure is used by those couples who are allergic to some of the drugs or who, for religious reasons, do not want to use another technique that is not natural. During this procedure the patient does not receive any kind of medication, but simply focuses on controlling the dominant follicle. The opportunity to have sex is determined by the peak of LH, which occurs at 24 hours before that natural ovulation occurs.
- Artificial insemination: through this procedure it is possible for procreation to be natural. It consists of introducing a sperm into the uterus, once there the sperm should try to get to the mature egg and inserted itself same, as would happen in a normal fertilization. The only thing different from this procedure is that the path that the sperm takes to reach the egg is much shorter. Now, when the semen comes from the woman's partner, it would be a conjugal artificial insemination and it occurs when the man has difficulties in carrying out intercourse. For example when you suffer from erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.
When the semen comes from an anonymous sperm donor, it is called donor artificial insemination. It is very common for this technique to be used by single women or by homosexual couples.
- In vitro fertilization: this technique consists of extracting the female oocyte to inseminate it outside the woman's body with the semen extracted from the man.
- Surrogacy Management: This technique is popularly known as surrogacy. It is an assisted reproductive procedure, where a woman agrees to carry and give birth to another couple's child. In general, the pregnant woman does not have any genetic link with the baby she will give birth, since said baby is the product of an in vitro fertilization treatment.
