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Conception

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Original poster

Anyone tried Softcups?

33 replies

murielspark · 06/09/2013 10:24

Hello all,

I've heard good things about softcups for ttc. I was just about to buy some on amazon but then noticed that they're quite expensive. We've been TTC for 6/7 months now and we'd like to try anything that could help.

TMI, but oftentimes after we've done the deed, the spermies make a beeline for the exit and can be found milling around the wrong end of my vagina. This despite some expert anti-gravity sex positions and hubby staying in for a while after the event. So I figured popping a Softcup in there would keep them in the right place.

Do you think they're worth it? Any success stories? Smile

OP posts:
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Writerwannabe83 · 07/09/2013 12:03

Tea - that made me laugh! I can just picture the scene, "Thanks for your sperm, job done, I'm hopping off now" Smile

Tea1Sugar · 07/09/2013 11:43

Re positions: I am currently upduffed following a quicky with me on top. I didn't lie down with my legs in the air or anything, just hopped straight off. We used preseed though which I now advocate!

internationallove985 · 07/09/2013 10:19

Am I right in thinking that soft cups are what you place inside you to hold the sperm in place. I don't think I could use one of those as I don't like anything inside me, erm apart from the obvious. I never used tampons. I've had one smear but never again. Why do I always insist on over sharing.

Good luck Murielspark. Hope they work for you. xxx

CatsCantFlyFast · 07/09/2013 10:18

this study had findings that the pregnancy rates of couples who laid down for 15 minutes after IUI were much higher than those who didn't stay laid down (27% vs 18%). Whilst this would seem to suggest the lying down helps sperm to swim through the Fallopian tubes (as the sperm is pre place into the womb during IUI) and not from the vagina through the cervix as per normal intercourse, (so slightly different to the point on debate here) it would seem sensible, based on this, to stay still after sex for at least this reason

valiumredhead · 07/09/2013 10:09

I do too!Grin

Writerwannabe83 · 07/09/2013 09:18

Apparent I have a really difficult to find cervix too. When I had a smear done once the Practice Nurse was down there for ages ever she had to admit she couldn't find it and get somebody else to have a look!

Same thing happened when I had my Mirena Coil inserted - the Doctor had me lying in a very awkward and uncomfortable position in order to locate it! I had to have my hands under my bottom to raise me up and I had to twist to the left a little. It also took a few attempts to actually get proper access to it and said if she couldn't manage the 3rd time she would refer me to a Specialist to get it done. She managed it thankfully!

It wasn't a problem with conception though as it opened for us on our first month of trying. I have seen a really interesting video on YouTube about the difficulties of conception and it does say that a large volume of sperm will leak straight back out the vagina and it isn't just seminal fluid. Me and my hubby went for the 'legs in the air approach' where post sex I had a pillow under my bum and my legs up against the bedroom wall for 20 minutes. It may not have made any difference as to how I conceived but at least at the time I felt I was doing all I could Smile

I don't know anything about soft/moon cups but if you think it will help then go for it!! Fingers crossed you get pregnant soon x x

KatAndKit · 07/09/2013 07:34

I am sorry if i upset you it was certainly not my intention. It is not really easy to convey a tone of voice with words on a screen, my response was intended to be purely factual.

i do know it is tough when ttc takes longer than you hope. There is a whole industry preying on the desperation of women. Not everyone is scientifically minded and if you read enough threads on ttc forums you will see that there really are people who have given up going on top entirely, spend half an hour after sex with their legs in the air regardless of the time of month and spunk their hard earned cash on wacko potions and fake magic honey or whatever. People want to believe it will help. There are a disturbing number of people who have little knowledge at all about how getting pregnant actually works. The fact at the ebd of the day is that there are only three to five days per cycle when conception can occur. If you learn to identify them you can target your efforts better and have relaxed sex for fun on the other times. It makes it less of a headfuck.

i wish you all the best with ttc and hope it happens soon.

PramQueen1971 · 06/09/2013 21:59

Ah, I can see you've calmed down a bit now, Muriel. Sorry for the head tilt and hope you get pregnant very soon.

PramQueen1971 · 06/09/2013 21:54

Muriel you sound such a fragile, sensitive soul. Are you sure you're ready for a baby?

RaRaZ · 06/09/2013 20:59

HSG?? Lol Flixy - but seriously, how hard to find can it be?! Hmm

Flixy102 · 06/09/2013 17:55

Apparently I have a strange positioned cervix. When I was having my HSG the gynaecologist said he nearly had to call a search and rescue team to find it Blush

Hasn't stopped me conceiving tho so hopefully it won't stand in the OPs way either.

RaRaZ · 06/09/2013 17:29

Muriel: Why is your MC hostile? Too acidic? Or wrong consistency? Conceive Plus lube might help with that.

And, if it's not too personal, how is your cervix in a funny position?

cookielove · 06/09/2013 17:27

muriel ttc is such a roller coaster. I got cross at dh when he wouldn't go on top cause I was so sure that was the way it needed to be done Blush I also stuck my legs in the air on more than one occasion Blush but what does it really matter when it's in the confines of your own bedroom!

We had been trying for over 6 months. And were about to take a break (due to an unavoidable holiday in 2014) so gave it our all in the last few months. I invested in cheap opks from wilko's and started doing the sperm meets egg plan. It worked for us. 10+1 now.

Good luck op. It will be you time soon.

xMrsD · 06/09/2013 16:28

Thanks to OP for the post as its something i had been thinking about too and thanks also for the great advice KatandKit- Im not really up on the details of how sperm works so your explanation was really helpful for me, has made me feel less worried about leakage and saved me some pennies (yay!) :-) x

Original poster
murielspark · 06/09/2013 16:22

QueLinda thanks, good to hear Smile I'll give the cups a whirl since I've bought them. Never know, they might do something.

The wedding industry comparison's a good one - I stayed well clear of all that so will have to take some of my old resolve and apply it to this. I've always been a worrier, godammit.

OP posts:
Original poster
murielspark · 06/09/2013 16:19

Thanks folks. And apologies for blundering into your chat fred in case you haven't seen that yet Blush

You are right, I shouldn't be clutching at straws just yet. I was already feeling pleased with myself for deciding against obvious snake oil scams like Fertile CM pills. Smile

Sorry to hear of your miscarriages OhBuggerMe, that must be so effing tough.

Time for me to chill the hell out for a bit, I don't know what's got into me this cycle.

OP posts:
eurochick · 06/09/2013 16:15

The fertility industry is a bit like the wedding industry - designed to screw hard earned cash out of people in a highly emotionally charged situation.

QueLinda · 06/09/2013 16:14

I conceived DD by using a softcup, I used OPKs and because we didn't always feel like doing the deed at the exact right time I used them like you would if you were using a sperm donor. Conceived after six months.

It's worth a try even if you use them after ttc in the normal way. Good luck.

CatsCantFlyFast · 06/09/2013 16:11

Everyone has a bad day occasionally OP. good luck with your TTC and FX it happens soon for you

OhBuggerMe · 06/09/2013 16:05

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

eurochick · 06/09/2013 16:02

This can be a very supportive place. I've had a lot of support from the folks on here. And you got an answer to your OP within a couple of hours (even if it was an answer you didn't like!).

I know when you have been ttc a while, it can be tempting to try anything, but 7 months really isn't all that long so you really don't need to be clutching at straws. Get/stay healthy, dtd regularly and most people (85%) will get pregnant in a year. Most of the rest (another 10%) will get pregnant in the second year. For the remaining 5%, there's science to help things along.

Original poster
murielspark · 06/09/2013 15:50

Notwithoutmymerkin I guess I'm on my own on this one, oh well. Certainly did not mean to seem snidey. God, what a disaster area I seem to be today. Ignore me. TTC is obviously screwing me up. Sorry everybody.

OP posts:
Original poster
murielspark · 06/09/2013 15:47

OhBuggerMe you're right, I haven't spent much time on these boards. I'm new here. On other forums I've been a member of for longer, it's not really usual to get someone offering TTC advice without also being, you know, nice, so I guess I have some adjusting to do. I apologise for my bad form if that's what you think it is. TTC is stressful and horrible and I suppose some of us feel more fragile than others about it. I'm aware of all the facts in Kat's post - I know about dud sperm, seminal fluid, and so on. I've been TTC for a while now, so I also know about OPKs and the like. I have no problem with disagreement - I just don't like the assumption that I'm naive and need educating.

eurochick I'm not rejecting Kat's advice (I can't now anyway as I'd already bought the cups when she posted), I'm rejecting the manner in which it was given. I've been TTC for 7 months now, they have not been easy or straightforward, but Kat's answer assumed I had no clue what I was doing and wasn't exactly very friendly.

valium I've read that mooncups sit lower down and therefore aren't as good Confused

OP posts:
CatsCantFlyFast · 06/09/2013 15:42

Plus the response was supportive as it suggested that you should try a proven alternative instead

CatsCantFlyFast · 06/09/2013 15:40

Muriel I would gently suggest you read the post again, IMO there is nothing tactless or patronising about it. You asked a question and got an answer. To then get snidey because it wasn't the answer you wanted, and to insinuate other posters have not been trying very long was unfair and out of order. I'd suggest you ask before assuming how long people have been trying, as in this case you are wrong and were rude