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)–#TTC–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.

“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

Contacts

RLA Collective
Laura Giardina
914-241-0086, ext. 1020
LGiardina@rlacollective.com