Self insemination - Any success stories?!

Hi everyone just to say I hope you all had a great Sunday. You all sound very productive hehe! Diy, making sauces, Pilates and deep cleaning 😮

I had all morning in bed (I’ve said this on other threads but cozee home bedding on qvc is the BEST), played on a game called ‘among us’ for hours 😳 and went out for Sunday lunch. Was a great lazy day!

I’m at the vets tomorrow the best I’ll hear is my lovely gentle cat will need an op, as the lump is the same place another cancerous lump was removed this year. Bloody hell.

Wishing everyone a great week ahead and lots of big hugs 💚 xx

@eloiseislost your cats are gorgeous! You WILL have babies to fill all the rooms in your house, we all will. Sounds like you've had a very productive Sunday!

@bigsweetpotato sorry AF got you ☹️ hope you're being extra nice to yourself. Hopefully OPKs and bbt etc help with timing this cycle for you!

@primrosechill I'm sure your tests would have flagged something if there was a problem wouldn't they? If you're worried there's no harm in contacting your doctor to ask is there? Loads of people conceive with shorter cycles. I take Seven Seas trying for a baby tablets as they have vitamin B6 in them and on the month or two I didn't take them my LP shortened by 2/3 days. Just a thought. Really sorry that your period has started. ☹️ treat yourself with extra gentle love and care. Blankets, hot water bottles, chocolates ❤️

We've been doing DIY today but all I really wanted to do was curl up and read all day! 5dpo for me! Going to try to immerse myself into life this week instead of day dreaming about nursery designs and baby shower cakes which is what I did for my last tww and didn't get much work done 😳😳

Thank you everyone for the kind words and, most of all, for understanding. TTC can be very lonely, it is comforting to know that people out there share similar experiences and emotions. I am lucky I found this forum!

Did a deep clean of the house, an hour of Pilates, and made a marinara sauce! So tonight it's pasta, non-alcoholic wine and crap TV!

Sorry, realised my comment above about the house was directed more at you @eloiseislost though @Oilyoilyoilgob i know you commented on it too ❤️

@bigsweetpotato my period started today as well. Wish we could be BFP buddies, not AF buddies ☹️ I woke up with cramps and then the flood gates opened - started the day with a little sob, gah. I knew we didn’t give it our all this cycle but also because we were on holiday and soooo relaxed, I was probably hoping it could have had a positive impact. My periods have been super short since the MC, 23-24 days. I keep telling myself my fertility results came back okay but I can’t help but worrying my lutheal phase is too short, or my eggs don’t mature enough or whatever - truly, I just need to stay off Google and stop diagnosing myself!!

@Oilyoilyoilgob my husband and I started looking at houses in the beginning of the year. Then when we had the MC, we went to a few more viewings and decided we were too heartbroken atm to look at anything with “a spare bedroom that can be turned into a nursery” - so we ended up putting it off for a bit. So my heart goes out to you - it’s supposed to be such a joy to get a new place but it must be so hard when all you want is to introduce a new tiny human to it...

Sending all lots of love. Feeling a bit anxious today. Blankets, TV, and a cuppa evening for me... x

@MrsKin90 I'm sorry that you've been feeling low. This journey can be so difficult and I hope you feel stronger soon. Big hugs to you

I often get into a little black hole of analysis but I'm trying not to do it as it makes me feel worse. SI is new to us (only 2 cycles tried so far) but before that it's been about a year but not that many where we had any real chance due to timing. Going to try and focus on timing next cycle so I bought a thermometer for bbt, as well as cervix tracking and OPKs....
@eloiseislost I agree that my months seem to disappear into AF, trying to figure out Ov date, then syringes then 2ww!! It's like the Groundhog Day version of ttc...

AF started today - 2 days late and I had a flutter of hope but I was also sweating like a mofo at night and having nightmares which are my usual pmt symptoms so I kinda knew I was going to start ☹️
Onward and upwards. Fingers crossed for the next! Baby dust to everyone x

Ah wrong tag then forgot to double tag-sorry! @eloiseislost the cats are awesome!
Both of you look after yourselves xx

@MrsKin90 oh my goodness they are awesome! Beautiful 😍💖

Oh I’m so sorry you’re feeling shit, I really am. And yes all these crappy reminders and people talking like you just get pregnant at so much as a sniff of sperm (boak!!)
Bloody pisses me off.

We had exactly the same convo with our therapist about the size of our house and I feel I’ll just be rattling around in it with husband and pets 😞 I love my pets but I want a baby. We’ve had a tough few years that put me back on wanting to have children but now I’m kicking myself thinking ‘should’ve started years ago’

I think I’m going to book to see my own lovely therapist because I’m triggering myself into thinking about death/illness and a negative spiral.

I truly am sorry you’re struggling. But just think hopefully this planning for when you do have a baby WILL pull off and you and your house will be all ready. Smiling mind is good as they have meditations from 3 mins and nighttime ones so manageable. I often do the three minute one in my car when I’ve parked somewhere, it doesn’t feel like a chunk out of your time.

Wishing you a peaceful, kind Sunday xx

Though, just to be clear, our cats are pretty awesome.

@Oilyoilyoilgob I came across this recently: https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/female-orgasms-conception-fertility-science/ it explains the theory around female orgasm and fertility and quotes some recent research.

I'm not doing too well. Yesterday we went to see our new house (it's a new-build) and choose flooring and kitchen cabinets. I was so excited and it took my mind off of the 2WW. Until… the developer said we have the option of handle-less kitchen cabinets and DH said "I was thinking about that, handles can be a hazard for a toddler" That's the man who a year ago absolutely did not want any children!! And here I am, 11DPO, another BFN. I almost burst into tears, I don't know how I found the strength not to! From then on I was looking at this huge house and thinking, will it always just be us and our two cats in it?

@Oilyoilyoilgob thank you for the recommendation. I've got an app called Headspace which helps sometimes but I guess I have to remember to actually use it! Don't worry about not having an orgasm, I'm not sure how much difference it makes, I treat it as a perk of the situation more than a necessity! It sounds like you've got such a lot going on, I hope you're looking after yourself and enjoyed lots of crap tv. I love to binge watch crap I know my husband won't like when he's out!

@MrsKin90 never apologise for your posts. You’re human and we’ll all feel ok or shit. Use this place to vent or cry safely among us who understand. I really do hope you feel ok. Smiling Mind is a wonderful app for meditation and mindfulness and helps pull me back into the ‘now’ and focus on smells, sounds etc. His voice is nice too on it!

@AdriannaP good to see you back, I hope you’re doing ok too? 💚

@eloiseislost thank you for asking 😊 I’m ok thank you, syringed four times this week but tbh two of those I struggled to orgasm as I’m just in a funny headspace a bit. I’m scared of the chemical (hate that actually should be early miscarriage 🙁) and that it’ll happen again.
My husband mum is having further check for a mass near her lungs and I have two pets with health issues.

I’m sorry to also have a moan but I just feel fed up. I’m having a quiet weekend and looking after myself. Getting husband to go out so I can just lay on couch and watch crap telly.

Big hugs to you all xx

@Lori23TTC thank you I really appreciate your kindness. I think earlier ovulation is probably a combination of my super long cycle (maybe my body reset itself??) And that I've been taking COQ10 and inositol? Maybe a bit hopeful to think they've had a part as I have no been using it for very long! I'm trying to have a more positive day today, as it's going to be a very long tww otherwise!! I suppose it's helpful to see the months from both perspectives, but it doesn't make the journey any shorter. Fingers crossed for us all!

How is everyone else? Sorry to bring such a mopey tone.

@MrsKin90 I’m sorry you are feeling low... it’s expected with this journey. It sounds like you I on good days if that is when you ovulated this month. I normally ovulate on CD18 but a few months it’s been earlier and really thrown me off! Have you been more relaxed/stressed this cycle as sometimes that can delay or bring ovulation closer? I actually know how you feel with looking back we started ‘properly’ trying in August 2019 but when I look back out of the 15 months I would say about 10 of them we gave ourself a good chance which on one hand makes me feel better as my body hasn’t failed me 15 times it’s more like 10 but then mentally we have been on this ttc for the 15 months so it doesn’t make it feel any less time if that makes sense. Hopefully this is your month, I feel every month we try we are one month closer to having a baby one day 🤞 Try and stay calm through your tww and keep yourself occupied, sending lots of love x

@eloiseislost that's an interesting technique. I'll give it a go when I'm next doom-mongering! I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me. 😊 TTC takes over so quickly doesn't it? I always said I didn't want to be someone obsessed who took loads of supplements. I am both of those things 🤦I didn't go properly crazy until after it and been six months. That was the worst time for me until now.

@primrosechill It is a bit crappy isn't it? I try to find something to be thankful for every cycle, so I really can't complain that I've appeared to have ovulated so much earlier this cycle. Hopefully that's a sign and makes a difference! I think losing a baby is such an important thing for people to be able to talk about - you'd never feel taboo about losing any other form of loved one, and yet there's a secret pain around losing a baby before they're born. I can't imagine how painful it is for you. I hope you get your bfp and have some good news to get you through the next couple of months. Make sure you look after yourself ❤️ super well done on not testing yet. I am impressed! Not too long to go before you should test. Will you just wait it out and only test if no AF?

Thanks for your kindness and support lovelies 😊

*meant to say frozen embryos of course

@MrsKin90 @primrosechill thanks so much for welcoming me back ❤️

@primrosechill I know. It’s so hard isn’t it. My due date would have been early Feb I think and I keep thinking that I should still be pregnant. But trying to look positive into the future now and hope we have our positives soon. Good luck for when you decide to test. Xxx

@mrskin Big hug for you! Don’t beat yourself up, unfortunately it’s even harder for us and you have unregular cycles too. I have invested in the expensive clear blue opks, maybe that might help you. If it’s any consulation I fell pregnant twice with DTD only once that cycle. So it’s more about timing then quantity I think. Have a nice and relaxing weekend and be kind to yourself. Xxx

For the lady considering IVF, waiting lists in my area of England are very long now due to backlog from covid. Priority is given to the women who have frozen eggs already. I put myself on waitinf list in the summer just before I fell pregnant myself and was told 4-6 months waiting is a possibility. So if you consider it I would explore waiting lists in your area.

@MrsKin90 sorry you’re feeling crappy but that’s totally understandable - TTC is so all-consuming at times and you invest so much emotionally only to be disappointed time and time again. That sucks. On top of that, because you’re so irregular, you have to do so much more work than some of us! If this was your best friend moaning to you, you would totally feel empathetic towards her - make sure you allow yourself that same level of understanding and love. I really think it will all work itself out for all of us, at some point, somehow. Big hugs! Are you doing anything nice this weekend to take your mind off it?

@AdriannaP lovely to hear from you! Glad you took some time off after the MC. My social media was flooded with BabyLossAwarenessWeek posts in the past few days. Makes me glad to see that ever so slowly we are starting to break the taboo around it but simultaneously made me think about the fact that I was supposed to be seven months pregnant today... my due date was mid december and I’m trying not to put pressure on myself but I think it will be a real dagger to the heart if that date comes and I’m not pregnant again...

Jeez what a downer of a message isnt it?? 😂 I’m 12DPO today, the longest I’ve gone without testing since starting ttc - so at least that’s one thing to be proud of! Hope all of you ladies are okay and wishing you a wonderful weekend xxx

@MrsKin90 I'm very sorry you are feeling low. And I know there's probably nothing anyone can say to change that drastically.
When I was seeing a counsellor for my anxiety, she recommended the "courtroom evaluation of bad thoughts". It sounds ridiculous but bear with! So basically, when you have those consuming negative thoughts, close your eyes, take a deep breath and imagine you're in court and you are trying to convince a judge that your thoughts are facts by presenting available evidence. Most of my bad thoughts cannot stand the "court test". It is about the only thing I have found that does make me feel a bit better when I am in one of my very low moods, so that's all I have to suggest to you.
TTC is hard and it absolutely sucks! I'm only on cycle 2 but today I realised it is really consuming my life already. 1 week of AF, 1 week of chasing the elusive ovulation, 1 week of syringes and lubricant, 2 weeks of 2WW HELL and… repeat.
Sometimes it's cathartic to let yourself acknowledge this struggle and feel low for a bit. As long as, in your own time, you can pick yourself up and keep trying. It doesn't matter how long it takes or how it's going to happen, but once you have your baby in your arms, it will all make sense. Baby dust to you and I truly hope you feel better soon!

@eloiseislost I think you're right to disagree with FF! My chart looks crazy compared to yours 😬 it went up, but I was very inconsistent with when I too my temp, and then it came down, then I had fertile CM and it went up and has stayed up so I'm believing myself that I'm 3dpo but my chart is less obvious than yours!

@AdriannaP so happy to see you back, sounds like you're taking the right things and getting the right support? Fingers crossed for a beautiful healthy bfp for you ❤️

I'm feeling sorry for myself 🙄🥺😔
If I am 3dpo today then we did the day of and two days before O. So. We shall see. All fertile CM has completely gone. This would mean I ovulated CD16, the earliest I've ovulated since January. I'm feeling really down today and have sort of lost all hope of it ever happening ☹️ looking back over TTC since September 2019, we only started using syringes rather than 'the cup method' in January, and two of those cycles since then were potentially anovulatory. Two of them we didn't SI at the ideal time for O as I thought I ovulated earlier than I did or we just couldn't do it as frequently as needed. That means only 3 out of the 7 cycles I've had since January have had any real chance of working and haven't. I thought this analysis would make me feel better but it makes me feel worse and has made me cry. 😞

Hi all,
Sorry have also been MIA for a bit. Had a miscarriage end of July and have skipped one cycle and not tried at all then. Had further tests and now take progesterone, a stronger folic acid, aspirin and vitamin B. In addition to my super expensive TCM and weekly acupuncture. We tried three times this cycle, I have a good feeling but only 8DPO today. Will test Tuesday I think.

Fingers crossed for us all!

@Oilyoilyoilgob How are you these days? 🙂

@bigsweetpotato It's positive that work keeps your mind off things. And if you still need to vent, you know where to find us! 😉

@bigsweetpotato glad you’re feeling ok. Completely normal to feel like it, absolutely! The nice thing is you can come here like we all do and say it to other people as it doesn’t get said in ‘real life’ ☺️

It can be crushing. I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better xx

Thanks @eloiseislost @MrsKin90 I do feel a bit better today, work is very busy so keeping my mind off it. AF is also due tomorrow...
Good luck to everyone x