Not sure where to start

[mojo08]

My husband & i have been trying to concive for two years we are at the point where sperm donation is the only way for us. So my questions are what is the differance between ICI & IUI? & as faw as sperm does the blood type matter?, is safe to do at home?

[Bugglette]

ICI vs IUI according to Wikipedia:  Basically, an IUI must be done by a Dr, an ICI can be preformed by a Dr, or you can use a modified version, an IVI (intravaginal insemination, ie the 'turkey baster' or 'cup' method) and perform it at home.   HTH!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_insemination

Intracervical insemination

ICI is the easiest way to inseminate. This involves the deposit of raw fresh or frozen semen (which has been thawed) by injecting it high into the cervix with a needle-less syringe. This process closely replicates the way in which fresh semen is directly deposited on to the neck of the cervix by the penis during vaginal intercourse. When the male ejaculates, sperm deposited this way will quickly swim into the cervix and toward the fallopian tubes where an ovum recently released by the ovary(s) hopefully awaits fertilization. It is the simplest method of artificial insemination and 'unwashed' or raw semen is normally used. It is probably therefore, the most popular method and is used in most home, self and practitioner insemination procedures.

Timing is critical as the window and opportunity for fertilization, is little more than 12 hours from the release of the ovum. For each woman who goes through this process be it AI (artificial insemination) or NI (natural insemination); to increase chances for success, an understanding of her rhythm or natural cycle is very important. Home ovulation tests are now available. Doing and understanding Basal Temperature Tests over several cycles; there is a slight dip and quick rise at the time of ovulation. She should note the color and texture of her vaginal mucous discharge. At the time of ovulation the protective cervical plug is released giving the vaginal discharge a stringy texture with an egg white color. A woman may also be able check the softness of the nose of her cervix by inserting two fingers. It should be considerably softer and more pliable than normal.

Advanced technical (medical) procedures may be used to increase the chances of conception.

When performed at home without the presence of a professional this procedure is sometimes referred to as intravaginal insemination or IVI.

Intrauterine insemination

'Washed sperm', that is, spermatozoa which have been removed from most other components of the seminal fluids, can be injected directly into a woman's uterus in a process called intrauterine insemination (IUI). If the semen is not washed it may elicit uterine cramping, expelling the semen and causing pain, due to content of prostaglandins. (Prostaglandins are also the compounds responsible for causing the myometrium to contract and expel the menses from the uterus, during menstruation.) The woman should rest on the table for 15 minutes after an IUI to optimize the pregnancy rate.^[4]

To have optimal chances with IUI, the female should be under 30 years of age, and the man should have a TMS of more than 5 million per ml.^[5] In practice, donor sperm will satisfy these criteria. A promising cycle is one that offers two follicles measuring more than 16 mm, and estrogen of more than 500 pg/mL on the day of hCG administration.^[5] A short period of ejaculatory abstinence before intrauterine insemination is associated with higher pregnancy rates.^[6] However, GnRH agonist administration at the time of implantation does not improve pregnancy outcome in intrauterine insemination cycles according to a randomized controlled trial.^[7]

It can be used in conjunction with ovarian hyperstimulation. Still, advanced maternal age causes decreased success rates; Women aged 38–39 years appear to have reasonable success during the first two cycles of ovarian hyperstimulation and IUI. However, for women aged ≥40 years, there appears to be no benefit after a single cycle of COH/IUI.^[8] It is therefore recommended to consider in vitro fertilization after one failed COH/IUI cycle for women aged ≥40 years.