Legal Definitions - AIH

AIH stands for Artificial Insemination by Husband.

This term refers to a medical procedure where sperm from a woman's husband is collected and then artificially introduced into her reproductive tract to achieve pregnancy. It is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) used by married couples facing fertility challenges where the husband's sperm is viable for conception.

Here are some examples illustrating AIH:

• Example 1: Maria and Carlos, a married couple, have been trying to conceive for over a year. After medical consultations, it's determined that Carlos has a low sperm count, making natural conception less likely. To increase their chances, they decide to undergo artificial insemination using Carlos's sperm, which is collected and then inserted into Maria's uterus during her fertile window.

  Explanation: This scenario demonstrates AIH because the artificial insemination procedure uses sperm specifically from Carlos, who is Maria's husband, to facilitate pregnancy.

• Example 2: Sarah and David are married and wish to start a family. Sarah has a condition that makes it difficult for her to conceive through traditional intercourse, but David's sperm quality is excellent. They opt for a fertility treatment where David's sperm is prepared in a lab and then directly introduced into Sarah's reproductive system.

  Explanation: This is an instance of AIH because the sperm used for the artificial insemination comes from David, who is Sarah's husband, addressing their specific fertility challenges.

• Example 3: A married couple, Emily and Ben, are pursuing fertility treatment. Ben has a physical condition that prevents him from ejaculating during intercourse, but he can produce healthy sperm through other medical methods. They choose artificial insemination, utilizing Ben's collected sperm, as their pathway to conception.

  Explanation: This situation exemplifies AIH as Ben, the husband, is the sole source of the sperm used in the artificial insemination process to help Emily become pregnant.