Self insemination - Any success stories?!

Hi all. So my af came this evening. Bummer. Definetly trying with the syringe next month. Got one of those medicine ones already, so all set to go as soon as af departs!!

@MrsKin90 oh I do hope it’s not AF but keep us posted.

@primrosechill thanks for the advise! I’ve just been using the 1ml syringes as I like the smaller ones but will see if I can get hold of one without the end bit! I also never wait I just do it as soon as hubby does this business.. I found that hubby’s sperm isn’t particularly gloopy tho and it’s quite liquid anyway but I’ll leave it 5 mins or so this cycle!

So I have been in google again... anyone done pregnancy massage? I found some YouTube videos of ones you can do yourself up until ovulation but was wondering if anyone had?

My AF arrived on Saturday so I’m only CD3 argh right back to the start again! Pretty much cried all weekend but feeling slightly better now. Xx

@primrosechill I'm usually quite good but I did test today and got a BFN 11dpo so not looking great. My cramps have gone away but I imagine they'll be back. I keep telling myself it's so out of my control and not worth getting upset in advance.
That's really good advice and good to know! So helpful that they were supportive ♥️ noted re. The liquifying as well. I tried to be better with that this cycle so will wait even longer next time!

@MrsKin90 I know it's so so hard but please try not to assume the worst yet - cramps can be a sign of AF approaching, but they can also be a sign of so many other things, including implantation! Are you going to test early or are you trying to be good?

For everyone on here: I forgot to mention that during my apt last week, the doctor shared a couple of recommendations with me, which I thought would be worth forwarding on!

1. She mentioned that we should get our hands on a nozzle-free syringe - I've attached a photo. You can find them often sold with children's medicine (syrups). Apparently the long nozzle in standard syringes can damage and trap sperm, so these might be a better option. I have since discovered that fancy self-insemination brands like Mosie Baby (mosiebaby.com/) recommend the same.
2. She said to make sure that we let the sperm liquidate FULLY - I know we sometimes get impatient and inseminate with a few "gooey" blobs of sperm still floating on the surface, but she said it will absolutely not damage or kill the sperm to wait a bit longer and we give ourselves a much better chance if it's fully liquidated.

Cramps today 😟 10dpo. Trying not to freak out and cry in advance.

@Oilyoilyoilgob it's good that you're both willing to see a therapist and work through issues as they arise 😊 TTC is especially stressful so a therapist would come in handy!

My husband is a bit tight 😂 but I'm no better.
I'm 9dpo today! Only 5 days left until AF due but my AF has arrived on 18dpo before.... so maybe 9 more days 😒 I've been feeling really sick today and trying not to read into it whilst also thinking about buying baby stuff in the spirit of being "positive" 🤣 luckily I realised I am insane and just bought food shopping instead!!

@primrosechill so glad to hear your appointment went smoothly. Well done for getting through it and for being proud of yourself! 💐 Sounds like a worthwhile appointment. Fingers crossed all those tests come back with positive results 🤞 Monday will be here before we know it!

Hi everyone 👋🏼 @MrsKin90 I often test early just because I have no patience haha - but I swear whenever I test, my period arrives the same or next day - making the test totally pointless and way too expensive for what it is! I keep telling myself next month I’ll just wait for my period, but I have zero self control lol

My appointment went really well and I managed to do the transvaginal ultrasound! I was super proud of myself because it really is tough for me with vaginismus. I just asked to do it myself, took my time, did my breathing exercises, used LOADS of lube hahaha, and it worked! They checked my Antral Follicle Count and that all looks good. The doctor also put my mind at ease about the method of conception. We also did some blood tests (to check hormone levels and egg reserve) and my hubby did the sperm count test - we are picking up results on monday. 🤞🏼

@Lori23TTC sorry it’s not your month again... hope you pampered yourself! Is AF now officially here? I’m CD6 so just on the other side, my period finished yesterday and I will start SI soon.

Big hugs for everyone x

**I wish your husband was RIGHT, not tight 😅

Ooh all the talk of relaxing baths has made me want an at home spa day. Unfortunately cleaning and real life comes first 😒

@MrsKin90 I’m sorry for you both, I really am. It’s actually just shit isn’t it? I know what you mean about supporting each other, we were licking our wounds in February after that night with friends/late period and started arguing on and off for a couple of weeks. We still have a therapist (who is awesome!) who we check in with and touched base and worked through that hurt.
That’s why I don’t test at all now and won’t until I’m late (if that happens).

Just like we all say, the symptoms are so similar so it’s an absolute shite show for waiting for a period to arrive and the brain ticking away at all hours.

I’m keeping everything crossed for you both, as I am for everyone on here 🤞🏻🤞🏻 I wish your husband was tight and we did know, would save a fortune on worry (and sticks and tests 😁) xx

@Lori23TTC your bath sounds lovely and very much needed ♥️ I'm so sorry you think AF is coming. 😔

@Oilyoilyoilgob the hardest part is knowing he's going to be as sad as I am where for the first six months he was very chilled about it and never mentioned it. It's nice to know we're in it together but it's hard when you're both sad as it's difficult to look after each other when you both need it.
Ugh life is so unfair. I don't blame you for not testing early! That must have been awful for you.
My husband has never asked me about testing actually 🤨 I think he expects me to just know 😂 don't we wish it was that easy!
I'm waiting for some almighty sign like my bbt going all the way up or my heart rate exploding or something 🤞🤞🤞

@Busybee93 welcome! This is a lovely thread 😊

@primrosechill don’t be hard on yourself, you’re doing the very best you can. Tell your brain to stop if it starts going down that route 💪🏻

@MrsKin90 I’m keeping fingers crossed for you! It’s really hard when your husband says that isn’t it? I’ve asked mine to basically not pressure in the run up to my period-we did that in February when I was late and the talking/testing/pressure was awful. Especially as the day I tested negative was the day we saw friends and they told us they were pregnant by a antibiotic accident after saying for years they were never having kids. That hit me hard.
It’s lovely they’re in it with us though and I’m really hoping for you it’s good news. I tested when I was 4 days late and don’t test in the run up to my period xx

@MrsKin90 I really hope this is your month! Fingers crossed I also think positive thinking can’t hurt it’s probably better for your mental health and if AF does come then just deal with it then.

I’m dpo15 and no sign of my period however my bbt temp plummeted this morning so I know she is on her way, had a big cry this morning to hubby but onto cycle 14 for us...

Just had a lovely bath with a large glass of wine as I had today booked of work.. this has been a really tough month for us.

Xxx

@Busybee93 welcome! 😊
@primrosechill I hope your appointment went okay and wasn't as bad as you were expecting! How did it go?

How is everyone doing today?

I'm 8dpo. I'm symptom spotting 😔 can I make myself pregnant by willing it do you think? I'm dreading AF. This cycle is going to hit me really hard as hubby is pushing for us to think positive or 'think pregnancy' but I'm worried it'll make AF feel even worse. Going along with it anyway just in case.
Does early testing actually make anybody feel a bit of relief from the waiting? Or does it really make it worse?

@Busybee93 I know what you mean, got to stay positive! Now that days are slowly getting shorter and colder I will try to do a bit more dilating but also focus on things like yoga etc to relax some more. In the meantime, I’ll continue with SI and just accept that this is just as valid of a method to get pregnant as any and that my body certainly prefers it at the moment haha

I don’t have a child yet but if you are asking about my previous pregnancy (the one that ended in MC) - it was through insemination. So it definitely CAN work!

@primrosechill yes the silicone changed the game for me too! Had these awful pointy ones which just creeped me out and now have these rather life like ones
So sorry to hear about your MC. It is so easy to fall out of practice and let life take over but don't put too much pressure on yourself. You've done it before, you can do it again. To be honest I have the same thoughts but then try to remember that millions of women are able to do amazing things with their bodies and so can I!
Did you conceive your first child through 'usual' methods or insemination?

@Busybee93 mine was really bad up until about three years ago when I changed my dilator set to a silicone one (it’s a game changer - the stiff plastic ones were horrible and personally I couldnt tolerate them at all) and also started physio with a lovely therapist. I managed to get up to the largest dilator and throughout insemination I’ve been good as well, but I admit that ever since we started SI I’ve become much more complacent with trying to work on my vaginismus which I now of course feel super guilty about because it’s been a while and the method hasn’t worked again since my miscarriage a few months ago I catch myself being really hard on myself and thinking stuff like “If you had overcome vaginismus, you’d have penetrative sex and I bet you’d be pregnant by now” which is NOT constructive at all and only brings me down. Instead, I wish I could be kinder to myself and appreciate the fact that everyone has some issues, this happens to be mine and I’m trying as much as possible to work around it!

@primrosechill oops just saw you do use dilators!

@primrosechill mine is quite bad. I can't manage penetrative sex, and only managed to have my smear test done after three failed attempts and diazepam. I actually had a transvaginal scan this week by chance - went for a pelvic ultrasound and the radiologist asked if she could take a look and so I thought I'd try (after a failed one a few months before) and I actually managed to tolerate it! She was very slow and also helped me with my breathing.
How severe is yours?
Do you use dilators? I have been this year and they have helped me so much along with kegal exercises!

Hello and welcome to the thread - so glad that you found us! @Busybee93 & @RBowmama hope you don't mind me asking, but how "bad" is your vaginismus - are you able to have penetrative sex at all or are you putting all your eggs in the SI basket? I am seeing a fertility expert tomorrow and I think a transvaginal scan might be on the cards - I am quite literally curling up just at the thought of that. Over the years I've become good with dilators in a relaxed setting, but any gynaecological exam is a freaking nightmare... we'll see how it goes.

@MrsKin90 no need to explain a bath obsession - when it gets to autumn, I spend majority of my evenings soaking up and reading/watching stuff while in a bath haha - it's the ultimate pamper, especially with a glass of red!

@AdriannaP @Lori23TTC @Oilyoilyoilgob good to hear from all of you, hope everyone is doing well and staying as sane as humanly possible - fingers off Google!!

Hello! I’ve been reading this entire thread for ages.. thank you for sharing your experiences.
I also suffer from Vaginismus and have started considering at home insemination. Will be starting this month! Good luck ladies

My fertility consultant advised low carbs and ideally no sugar and of course enough sleep!
At least 7-8 hours per night and relaxation. I started acupuncture and I am convinced it helped me get pregnant in July (did two inseminations). Sadly I had a MC - skipping this ovulation sadly as waiting for some test results. Good luck everyone

@Lori23TTC I've heard about pineapple core but I have a bit of a reaction to too much pineapple so I've avoided that! When first started trying I drank loads of fresh squeezed pineapple juice and smoothies and all it did was make my lips sore and bleed and my tongue swell 😂 still my favourite fruit though.

A hot bath isn't good as far as I know but you can find crazy things on the internet if you look for long enough. Although a moderately hot relaxing bath won't harm anything but will make a big difference with how you feel! I always 'plan' a good bath in advance like some kind of weirdo 😂 I'm planning one tomorrow evening as a treat. Lovely smelly bubble bath, a good book and a glass of wine ♥️

Hello to all the newbies!

I started eating Brazil nuts this cycle and pineapple core but nothing seems to help

I always thought a hot bath was bad? I do lobe a bath tho so if that’s good I’ll start doing that! X

😊 it is lovely to have this thread!
Why is Google determined to make us think we're going through the menopause? How cruel. I've been good at not googled anything today! But I've been busy at work so we shall see what the evening brings 😇
7dpo today! Getting ever closer.

Hi @MrsKin90 and omg yes you’re right-control freaks and SI is not the best mix! ESP reading things like you inseminate immediately/wait 10 mins, you do it daily/every other day 🤪

Ha, I feel bad saying this but it’s not a huge amount of effort for me 😳 and I get 20 mins laying down relaxing! Trying to do it before dinner as that seems like quite a nice time to chill and I think we all on this thread deserve 20 mins for us!

Oh god I got the menopause results too. And with the strips not showing anything yet (although this is my first month of using them) I’m now ticking away thinking ‘do I have periods but don’t ovulate’ But have resisted the urge to google as you end up diagnoses with hundreds of illnesses!

This thread really has been great to be on, from starting out feeling alone and not knowing where to turn, it’s been a great support.

Whether you are all resting, taking a break or still trying and hoping, I’m sending positive thoughts out there to everyone x