RLA Collective Release: At-Home Insemination Empowers Same-Sex Couples On Their Path To Conception

How the Stork^® OTC, the Only OTC, FDA-Cleared, Home Conception Device, Helped Amy and Elizabeth Have Their First Child

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the National Census Bureau¹ , there are 594,000 same-sex couple households in the United States and 115,000 have children (19%). When these couples decide to have children, “how?” is the first question they ask. The Stork^® OTC (www.storkotc.com), the first over-the-counter, economical way to use the historically-proven medical technique of cervical cap insemination – once only available in a clinic setting – was the answer for Amy and Elizabeth to conceive their first child.

“Many times female same-sex couples forego regular visits to the gynecologist since they don’t need birth control”

“As a same-sex couple, it was very important to us that we were both involved in conceiving our child and that’s when we started looking for ways to inseminate at home,” explained Amy.

“Not only was at-home insemination with the Stork OTC an affordable choice for us, it allowed the conception of our son to be about us, in the privacy of our own home, and it was so special,” adds Elizabeth.

Same-sex couples (along with hetero couples having fertility challenges) are choosing at-home insemination for a variety of reasons. “Since trying to conceive can already be a stressful time, not only mentally but financially, couples in all situations find the at-home insemination process to cause them less anxiety,” explains Dr. Michael J. Pelekanos, Board Certified OB/GYN in Monroeville, PA, and the author of the published post-coital study that reviewed the Stork OTC. “It allows for both partners to be involved even if traditional methods aren’t an option or haven’t worked.”

“Choosing at-home insemination affords a lot of freedom, but comes with responsibility in the planning phase,” advises Dr. Pelekanos. Below Dr. Pelekanos addresses common questions often asked by couples who are considering at-home insemination.

• Is a Prenatal Exam Necessary?: Even if conception isn’t happening in the traditional sense, the mother-to-be needs a healthy body if she wants to conceive and carry a baby. “Many times female same-sex couples forego regular visits to the gynecologist since they don’t need birth control,” explains Dr. Pelekanos. “While I encourage regular check-ups for all women regardless of sexual orientation, it is imperative to have a complete gynecological examination prior to trying to conceive to make sure the female is in good health to carry a baby.”
• Is It Possible to Optimize Results?: Timing is of the essence when choosing at-home insemination. There are great apps and over-the-counter products available to help women track their ovulation. The Stork OTC offers same-sex couples the opportunity to use the only OTC, FDA-cleared, home-use conception device clinically shown to have a sperm score at the cervix an average of 3.23 times greater than unaided, natural intercourse.² Stork OTC provides couples the opportunity to both play a vital part in their journey to becoming pregnant.
• Are There Health Risks to Consider?: As would be done in the clinical setting, the prospective sperm donor should undertake infection screening prior to the home insemination. This will help to ensure that no infections are transmitted during the insemination process.
• Are There Any Legal Steps to Take if Using a Sperm Donor? First, make sure to review all laws, and to understand the legal risks surrounding the use of donor sperm and home insemination for your state. Every state is different, and some require a healthcare provider to perform the insemination. “If you’re using donor sperm, be sure you are purchasing from a reputable facility that is thoroughly screening applications and testing the samples for diseases,” adds Dr. Pelekanos.

The Stork OTC is available for purchase at select retailers nationwide and online for the average retail price of $79.99, making it more accessible and less expensive than other first-line options for all couples trying to conceive. To learn more about how it works, watch the full video here.

For more information and retailer and online availability, as well as pregnancy stories, visit www.storkotc.com. Or, connect with the Stork OTC community on Facebook for special giveaway offers and words of encouragement and support from others trying to conceive at www.facebook.com/storkforwomen.

¹ https://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acsbr10-03.pdf
² “Postcoital Sperm Assessment Comparative Study.” Michael. J. Pelekanos, MD. Surgical Technology International, XXVII, December 2015