P4B Check: Medical insemination

Viewpoint:

The methods of medical insemination are comparatively inexpensive methods in the field of artificial insemination. The effort is relatively low. We see this method as a supportive measure to the natural way. Nevertheless, from our point of view you should be aware that although it is a small procedure, it is still a medical intervention. You should take a closer look at the implications of hormone stimulation. In any case, deal with the possible side effects (e.g. hot flushes, headaches and depressive moods) and the daily self-injection in advance. In reproductive medicine, the focus is often on the more expensive options. If the prerequisites are given, these methods should be used. It is important here to pay attention to the legal aspects of using a heterologous sperm donation. 

Religion:

Christianity: The Catholic Church rejects any kind of artificial insemination and accordingly also sperm donation or medical insemination. The Protestant Church itself does not clearly reject artificial insemination. It leaves the decision to the couples themselves.

Islam: In the Islamic faith, artificial insemination is approved of in principle. However, there are differences between Sunnis and Shiites. The Sunnis are not allowed to accept a sperm donation from a third person. In principle, Shiites are allowed to accept a sperm donation from a third person. However, strict rules apply and the individual case must be approved by a court.

Judaism: The Jewish faith is basically positive about artificial insemination. As long as the egg and sperm come from the couple with whom the child will later grow up.

Hinduism: In the Hindu faith, no objections are raised against artificial insemination. A foreign sperm donation is generally permitted if the donor is a close relative of the infertile man.

Buddhism: The Buddhist faith does not raise any objections to artificial insemination.

Open communication is important if the conception was carried out with the help of an external donation (heterologous sperm donation). Children who have been conceived through sperm donation have the right to know their father or their genetic origin. The children's right to information outweighs the donor's wish for anonymity. Open contact plays an important role in the child's search for identity.

From a psychological point of view, the emergence of fears in men is completely normal. A central question the man deals with is whether he can accept the child as his own. Even if he is not the biological father. Likewise, many men ask themselves whether they can give the child the same love that they would give the biological child.

When donating sperm, the woman is in a different initial situation than the man. This is often accompanied by feelings of guilt towards the man. At the same time, a great deal of hope for a child of her own can arise.

Both sexes are under pressure in this situation and question whether they can build a sustainable bond with the child.

With hormone stimulation, it should be noted that there is an active intervention in the hormone balance of the woman. There are women who do not notice any changes and other women have to struggle with side effects. Injecting oneself can also be more challenging for some women. Although the biggest challenge lies with the woman, the man should not be left out. The man also has to deal with the situation. Hormone stimulation in particular can put a strain on both partners, for example in the form of depressive moods on the part of the woman.

It makes sense to seek psychological and psychosocial counselling before undergoing artificial insemination.

A sperm donation by the partner merely replaces the natural way of procreation by "tutoring". In the case of third-party donation, many people have to deal with social pressure, as it is clear when dealing openly that either the partner is infertile or there is no partner. Feelings of shame can accompany this. For many years, sperm donation, but also artificial insemination, was not socially accepted and people kept quiet about it.

Children were sometimes not informed about their biological father. Nowadays, this is dealt with more openly. The topic usually occupies children, parents and donors for a lifetime. Therefore, the moral decision should be intensively discussed and thought through.