Therapeutic donor insemination (TDI) is a common alternative for couples dealing with male infertility, for same sex couples and for single women.
Therapeutic Donor Insemination (TDI) Process
After a consultation with your physician and choosing a sperm donor, the following steps are required:
1. Infectious disease testing is required by the state of Indiana for the female and must be completed prior to the planned insemination cycle.
2. Patients considering conception through the use of donor eggs are required to meet with a fertility counselor at The Cabin Counseling & Resource Center in Zionsville, IN. Counselors at The Cabin are committed to providing psycho-social education and emotional support in an effort to minimize the stress of the process.
3. Be sure that by the first or second day of your cycle, you have ordered – or have available in the lab – the necessary sperm samples. Your physician will tell you how many samples you will need per month.
4. Call and notify your physician’s office on the first or second day of your period. Any fertility medication use will be determined by your physician. The timing of your insemination, whether it is based on the use of an ovulation predictor or ultrasound, will be determined and the insemination will be scheduled. One insemination is performed per month, including weekends if necessary.
5. The insemination itself is a simple, non-invasive office procedure, usually performed by a nurse. A speculum is used, as it would be for a routine gynecological exam. The sperm sample, which has been washed and processed, is drawn into a small syringe and deposited into the uterus through a small plastic catheter. You will be required to remain lying down on the exam table for 10 minutes before getting dressed and resuming normal activity.
Therapeutic Donor Insemination (TDI) FAQs
When considering the use of donor sperm, you will likely have many questions. Below are several frequently asked questions about donor sperm and TDI.
How effective is TDI?
If the female’s fertility is normal, approximately 15 to 20 percent of couples will conceive per attempt. If unsuccessful after three attempts, further evaluation and treatment may be warranted.
If a couple does conceive, they may want to consider ordering additional samples from the same donor for later use in attempts to establish subsequent pregnancies.
What are the risks of TDI?
There is no increased risk of congenital anomaly among children conceived through TDI – the rates are consistent with the general population at approximately 3 to 4 percent. The risk of a miscarriage is also consistent at approximately 15 to 20 percent.
You may experience some cramping during or following the insemination, but this is typically minimal. Although all reasonable precautions and preventive measures are followed, there is no guarantee that infection will not occur. You should notify your physician if you experience abdominal pain or fever after your insemination.
What about donor confidentiality?
Level of access to donor information varies by sperm bank.
Whether or not you disclose the information that conception occurred as a result of TDI is strictly up to you. However, we strongly encourage you to consult The Cabin to help you in this decision making process.
What does TDI generally cost?
Cost for TDI will vary based upon the sperm bank selected and and if any additional fertility treatments are needed. For cost information or to learn more about financing options please contact us.
