Why choose at-home insemination

What is at-home insemination?

Artificial insemination (AI) is when sperm is placed into a person’s body without intercourse, either in a clinic or at home. When it is done at home, we call it at-home insemination. As more people face fertility challenges and family structures continue To evolve, at-home insemination has become a practical and accessible option for individuals and couples looking to grow their families. It can offer a more private and cost-effective path to parenthood while helping you stay in control of your timing and environment.

Why choose at-home insemination?

At-home insemination is becoming more common for people who want more control over the process or who do not want to start in a clinic right away. It can be used by same-sex couples, single parents by choice, and heterosexual couples who are having difficulty conceiving.

Please note that clinics are still important for people who need medical support, or for those who have not had success after trying at home for a while, whether by AI or ni.

Sperm donor shortage

There is a shortage of sperm donors in New Zealand. Because of this, wait times can be long unless you already have a known donor. If you are using a known donor, it can still take time for testing and counselling before donation is approved.

Fertility clinic costs

Clinic treatment can be expensive. For many families, the cost of IUI and ivf can feel overwhelming. This is one reason some people start at home, particularly if they are not dealing with known medical infertility factors.

What about public funding?

Public funding may be available, but eligibility criteria can be strict, and wait lists can still apply. In our experience, clinics may not always explain all eligibility details up front, which can feel frustrating.

Repromed requirements

• Unsuccessful with pregnancy after 12 months of intercourse
• The woman is under 40 at referral, with bmi requirements that apply at appointment and treatment start
• The man is under 55 at referral, with bmi requirements that apply at appointment and treatment start
• No two or more children (including adopted or from a previous relationship if living at home at least half the time)
• Both parties are nz citizens or residents, or hold a valid work visa for over two years

Fertility associates requirements

FertilityAssociates provides a more detailed breakdown. You can view it on the repromed site.

• Scenario 1. Female and male couple
  • Severe infertility
  • No children
• Scenario 2. Female and male couple
  • Unexplained infertility
  • Trying for 5 years
• Scenario 3. Female and female couple
  • The person wanting to become pregnant has a biological cause of infertility
  • Trying for at least a year
• Scenario 4. Single woman
  • Not pregnant after 12 cycles of privately funded donor insemination

View public funding criteria on repromed

Lgbtq+ discrimination

Some people and couples feel more comfortable trying at home with a donor rather than going through a clinic experience that can feel judgmental or overly clinical. While clinics state they are lgbtq+ friendly, some families still feel there are barriers and unequal pathways to publicly funded care.