The Turkey Baster Gang (gobble gobble)

[Oilyoilyoilgob]

Just starting a new thread on self insemination before our first one locks down!

39 pages of highs and lows and THE most supportive group you could wish for if you’re starting or on a self insemination journey.

💚✨ good luck ✨💚

[primrosechill]

Aww @Oilyoilyoilgob what a lovely way to kick off!!

[eloiseislost]

Love the name! 🤣 🦃

Well, I'll start off my journey in this thread by saying I tried the home insemination thing using a soft disc today and… most of the goods spilled out while I was trying to insert it!! 🤦🏻‍♀️ I take solace in the fact that it only takes 1 sperm and hope that at least one stayed in the cup!

[bitheby]

Were you lying down?! I lie down and insert it while holding it horizontal and haven't lost any. I've started a mixed methods approach now with a flat ended syringe as well as the SoftCup so hopefully covering various permutations and increasing chances.

[Oilyoilyoilgob]

Sorry primrose I was naughty and replied on the old thread 🤭 hello and as my last message I’m praying you have tender boobs and COME ON that positive 🙏🏻🤞🏻

@eloiseislost well at least you tried, spices things up! What is the soft disc? Is it like a mooncup? I love hearing all these different methods 🤓 xx

[MrsKin90]

Just marking my place so I don't lose you all. thank you for the new thread. I haven't fully finished the updates on the old thread so hope I haven't missed anything.
I'm on CD4 after bleeding on 12dpo and nothing else until 15dpo/CD1! Not sure if that's something to be worried about as 3rd time it's happened. I'm allowing myself some misery-time, but will be keeping an eye on you all and crossing my fingers ❤️

[eloiseislost]

@bitheby No, I was stupidly not lying down! I was standing up with one leg on the toilet seat. I might try it lying down tomorrow because I actually love the disc itself, can't feel it at all.
But then again, my CM is getting more and more wet, I think it will be egg white tomorrow so I'm afraid that if I screw it up again, I will have missed my chance this cycle!
I think the mixed method approach is a good shout. I'll have DH deposit the semen in the cup, I'll suck it with a vaginal applicator and then insert the cup with whatever is left in there.

@Oilyoilyoilgob Soft discs are non-reusable menstrual cups, they sit on top of the cervix so the idea is that they keep the sperm very close for longer, giving more swimmers the chance to reach the right spot! I was intrigued to try it mostly to reduce the amount of transfers, from the… "source" to a cup to the syringe to the "between me down there" 😂

[bitheby]

[quote eloiseislost]@bitheby No, I was stupidly not lying down! I was standing up with one leg on the toilet seat. I might try it lying down tomorrow because I actually love the disc itself, can't feel it at all.
But then again, my CM is getting more and more wet, I think it will be egg white tomorrow so I'm afraid that if I screw it up again, I will have missed my chance this cycle!
I think the mixed method approach is a good shout. I'll have DH deposit the semen in the cup, I'll suck it with a vaginal applicator and then insert the cup with whatever is left in there.

@Oilyoilyoilgob Soft discs are non-reusable menstrual cups, they sit on top of the cervix so the idea is that they keep the sperm very close for longer, giving more swimmers the chance to reach the right spot! I was intrigued to try it mostly to reduce the amount of transfers, from the… "source" to a cup to the syringe to the "between me down there" 😂 [/quote]

That's exactly what I do. My donor is quite scientific and reckons he's read research that the syringe method has a higher chance of success so that's why I switched from a pure SoftCup approach. I'm always terrified of losing the semen. I travel a long way to my donor and I can't afford to lose it as sometimes we only have one insemination per cycle.

I also practised inserting a few times with just preseed in the Cup.

[Oilyoilyoilgob]

@MrsKin90 I’m sorry to hear that. Did you only bleed for one day on cd12? Hope you’re feeling ok? Big hugs xx

Thanks for the info guys, I’d never heard of a soft disc. So do you syringe them put it up your between me down there so it doesn’t drip out?
Because yes when you stand up it’s like ‘oh hello drips’ 😂
I try and lay for you to 30 mins with bum on top of cushions and legs up against the wall. With syringe still in me for full 30 mins. The glamour.

[AdriannaP]

Place marking for now. Not sure how/if my journey will continue...
baby dust to you all

[Oilyoilyoilgob]

Hi @AdriannaP I do hope you are coping ok and looking after yourself. Take some time for you and getting and feeling well, we’ll be here 😊

[bitheby]

I have my donor deposit in to the SoftCup. The first couple of cycles I just inserted it in and then had an orgasm to encourage the cervix to dip down into it.

Now, I put 80% in the syringe and put that in while I'm lying down with my hips up and then insert the SoftCup which keeps everything nice and close to the cervix.

[eloiseislost]

@Oilyoilyoilgob The DH deposits directly in the soft disc, then, as @bitheby said, you can either syringe some of it and then insert the disc or just insert the disc straight away. I'm a experimenting as I haven't gotten my peak OPK yet but I think I'm close!

@AdriannaP It's very nice to hear from you, take care of yourself as much as possible. ❤️

@MrsKin90 I'm sorry AF got you. New cycle, new opportunity, try to focus on that! 🙂

[bigsweetpotato]

Hi everyone! Thanks for starting the new thread!
Ooh I didn't know about softcups, I have a Fertilily which is like a shallower mooncup. I've tried it a few times but never sure if I've put it in properly. Also there's been times when I thought it was stuck!!!which I found really stressful taking it out Cos of the suction... this time round I didn't use it and just kept hips propped up for about half hour.
Have a good Sunday everyone x

[primrosechill]

Morning all! How is everyone doing? I have a feeling that between lockdown and autumn, we might see a rise in messages here - the conditions are certainly ripe for sitting at home and contemplating all this 😂 let’s try not to go crazy!!

@Oilyoilyoilgob thanks for the well wishes - my boobs are sore as hell but I also know this is a fairly usual thing in first days after ovulation due to the rising progesterone levels. It’s crazy that I never noticed the dependency until starting ttc - you really do learn a lot about your body through all of this!

@MrsKin90 sorry to hear about your on and off bleeding - have you spoken to your doctor about this? It might be a hormonal imbalance that they might be able to address with a simple pill, who knows.

One queston I had for those of you who use syringes: what size do you go for? I normally do the 1ml ones just because they are so easy to insert (and my vaginismus makes any insertion hellish) but this cycle I ran out of them and could only get my hands on a mix of 2.5 and 5ml ones - so much thicker! It was a bit tougher to “operate” but it did mean we could get all the sperm in one or max two goes - and it made me wonder if it’s a better way to do it because maybe you run into less risk of mechanical damage? Thoughts?

[Lori23TTC]

Hey girls! I also replied on the old thread ha I use the 1ml syringes only because I don’t get many air bubbles but it means I do have to do 3 different goes and I’m also thinking this is probably damaging more sperm than good, Someone mentioned a vaginal applicator but not tried them, I tried to insert a moon cup after and omg the pain it just felt like it wasn’t going in and once I got it in I was terrified I couldn’t get it out again! I had to get it out in the shower in the end and my lady parts hurt so much after so not going that again! I also just use a glass cup with no lid to collect the sperm, do I need to use a lid?? I also brought a mini vibrator to help with the climax, game changer as I don’t loose any sperm and it’s quicker for hubby to do! X

[eloiseislost]

@primrosechill I use 5ml syringes or vaginal applicators (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FT92XLQ/ref=cmswwrcppapiiiXZNNFbN9PF9NA?encoding=UTF8&psc=1). I find the width of both of them OK, but the vaginal applicators are much more comfortable because of the rounded end. I can easily push them far in and tilt the end up to reach as close to the cervix as possible. The syringe doesn't go as far in and the tip really hurts because it's so thin and pointy.
Also, I find that with the syringes it's much harder to push the plunger once they are in. They always feel "stuck" and I have to put too much pressure to get the plunger to move and then semen feels like it's squirted out -which I've read is not good.
The downside of vaginal applicators is they don't suck as much semen as the syringe, in my experience.
To be honest, I feel like there is no perfect way to go about this and it's best to use the tools that feel more comfortable. It's a marathon not a sprint and it only takes 1 sperm after all! 😉

[primrosechill]

Ooo @eloiseislost @Lori23TTC thanks for mentioning the vaginal applicators, I havent seen those before but I do hate the pointy end on syringes so if this cycle is not our cycle I might give them a go!
I totally know what you mean about just needing one sperm to get in but my partner has a slightly lower than average count of sperm with normal morphology so I feel like I stress about wanting to make sure that we don’t do any more damage to the swimmers that are shaped well haha. Honestly I’m so glad to have this thread!

[Oilyoilyoilgob]

I need to double check but I’m near certain we use a 10ml syringe 😳 they’re nice and chubby and once in they don’t budge 😂

They have a tip too but I’ve never felt uncomfortable. I try and get myself into position with pillows under me and legs up and they I inseminate. I have a cervix that is tilted backwards and seem to have got the hang of a good position.

My period is in absolute full flow, only three weeks since I stopped bleeding. Very very heavy, but I feel good. I haven’t been eating, sleeping or looking after myself properly so it’s for the best. I did a glorious facial pamper night then a lovely long shower last night. I had two glasses of wine with my Sunday lunch, the one positive of knowing I’m deffo not of. Three glasses since July and they tasted nice. And took the edge off the cat fur baby stress.

I hope everyone is having a lovely relaxed Sunday. Look after yourselves and take time to be kind to yourselves ☺️💚 xx

[Oilyoilyoilgob]

@Lori23TTC I’m sorry I’ve just seen your message on the old thread. I’m sorry to see you got a negative but like everyone says, you're not out until the period arrives. So I’m going to keep fingers crossed for you! Lots of luck and positivity getting sent your way ☺️ Xx

[eloiseislost]

@Oilyoilyoilgob Sounds like you had a good few days and I'm glad you are taking care of yourself! 😘
I've had a pretty bad day today, emotionally and mentally. CD13 and no positive OPK which is unusual for me, also I'm thinking of my family back in Greece and how I can't see them and who knows when I'll be able to travel again. 😞
DH wants to inseminate so I said OK, but I'm feeling really low and almost can't be bothered with TTC. 😢

[primrosechill]

@eloiseislost sorry to hear you’re feeling low but it’s so so understandable given everything that’s been going on in the world this year. It’s been such an emotionally draining time - the world is in a standstill and so are our efforts to get pregnant, so it seems. I think we could all do with some positive news for a change! I think you should take a page out of @Oilyoilyoilgob’s book, pour yourself a bath or a glass of wine and just be kind to yourself 😘

[MrsKin90]

I have 2.5ml syringes this time around. 5ml was too big. 1ml felt like too much effort. 2.5ml seems just right. Hubby never produces more than 2ml anyway. 😔which I think is probably the lower end of normal.
@Oilyoilyoilgob I hope you're feeling in a better place to start looking after yourself now. Facials and wine sound like a good start ❤️
@Lori23TTC I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you this cycle too. 🤞 I don't think you need a lid. I do tend to put one hand on the top of the pot and one on the bottom until ready to use to prevent any unnecessary drying out and to keep them warm?
My period ended yesterday, but it honestly felt like the longest four days of my life? Very strange. I was surprised when I looked at my tracker to see it had only been 4 days, CD5 today as felt like it should be CD15!
I am absolutely exhausted and not myself and would love a glass of wine! We are having cocktails and cheese on Wednesday for date day so at least I can enjoy that to the fullest now. Just before lockdown biggest sigh in the entire world.

It's lovely reading your messages, happy or otherwise, just as a reminder I'm not alone! 😊
I'm gonna give myself a bit of a bloody talking to as I need to snap out of my slump.

[Oilyoilyoilgob]

@eloiseislost oh my lovely I’m sending the biggest virtual squeeze. That sounds heartbreaking and I hope your family are ok? Please, please take some time to look after yourself. If you do syringe, do it with the full acceptance that your head isn’t in it. Or if you dont want to do it, that’s ok too.
Any of us wanting babies need to make sure we are healthy mums to be-mentally and physically.
Look after yourself, pamper yourself

This sounds crackers and I’ve said it before (I don’t work for them 😄) cozee home fleece bedding is the loveliest warm soft bedding. I got myself some new heatable wheat packs and I’m using them during the day and for bed. Lovely pampering night creams/oils. Taking time to massage them in and feel my bones and muscles (this is linked to my job, I’m not mad!)
Basically we should all take even just ten mins to relax ourselves, then get in a lovely bed and read/meditate whatever but just be good to ourselves. This journey can take over everything but we all need to be kind to our brains and bodies.

@MrsKin90 I hope you’re feeling ok too? You sound like you’re tired too, sending more hugs. We are allowed to slump! Just look after yourself while slumping ☺️ Get yourself the nicest soft drink that you love for Wednesday, go all out! Your date day sounds awesome 😍 I hope you both have a lovely time!

My lady 1 hopefully gets her cone of shame off tomorrow. Lady 2 is ok but a bit gloomy in isolation but I’ve been sleeping with her on the night, need to stop or husband will have confirmation I’m proper crazy cat lady. She’s a much quieter, still bedmate though 😏

Lots of hugs to you all xx

[eloiseislost]

@Oilyoilyoilgob Thank you! ❤️ My family are OK from the point of view of not having coronavirus but, aside from that, they have quite a few issues and lockdown has exacerbated them. 😞 But I spoke with my Mum and Dad today, they seem to be coping well so I choose to leave it at that and not let my mind spiral!
I'm feeling a bit better, did the insemination with the soft cup, still had some leakage but I'm getting the hang of it now!
Then had a nice dinner with DH and we watched Skin Wars on Netflix (guilty pleasure…!)

Thank you everyone for keeping this conversation going, I feel less alone in all this! 💓

[MrsKin90]

@eloiseislost oh I missed your message about your family, sorry. Glad you're feeling a bit better today after speaking to them. I hope you get to speak to them a lot if nothing else! Fingers crossed you'll be able to visit before you know it .

@Oilyoilyoilgob you're adorable sleeping with your cats. I hope they're both recovering okay. Your "cozee" routine sounds lovely and not crackers at all!

Have a good Monday everyone!