Artificial insemination (AI) is allowing couples in the UAE who could not conceive to start a family.

And Doctor Pankaj Shrivastav, the consultant gynaecologist at the Conceive Gynaecology and Fertility Centre (CGFC), Sharjah, says the procedure should be utilised to the maximum.

Dr Shrivastav has successfully helped couples conceive and deliver a total of 11 healthy babies; more than 75 other women are now expecting children through AI.

Fears of fertility clinics still exist in many people's minds with worries of samples going missing or worse, being mixed up with other donors and placed into the wrong person.

"The samples are kept safe in three different locations with three members of staff monitoring the system at any given time. The doctor and the couple will identify the sample before any action is taken. It is absolutely safe," Dr Shrivastav assures.

Islam permits AI only if the couple wanting to conceive supply their own embryos and sperm samples for the procedure.

Dr Shrivastav says he has noticed a big shift in people's attitudes towards AI in the UAE.

"In the early '90s, men would never come to the clinic," he said.

"They were too embarrassed. Now, I would say 95 per cent of couples come together and men are very supportive."

The doctor says a large part of the success of AI is actually understanding the process.

"A couple got married, tried to have a baby but four months later they got worried and came to me."

"Couples need to understand that getting pregnant can take six-nine months. People must have realistic expectations."

However, in the cases of women who are over 35, Dr Shrivastav says he would urge them to come in as soon as possible.

"When women reach the age of 37 or 38, their chances of getting pregnant start to decrease. After 40, there is a major decline in their chances."

The cost of AI depends on the number of procedures that are required but can range from Dh1,200 to Dh15,000.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of working in this field is seeing the results it can create," Dr Shrivastav said.

"Once I was walking in a mall and a couple approached me with a 6-year-old child and held her up to me."

"They said this was the child I helped them bring into the world and thanked me for changing their lives. It was a breathtaking moment and I will never forget it."