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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Home insemination

245 replies

FSGirl · 15/09/2023 20:14

Wondering if anyone has experience with this?
DH and I are TTC our second but he has been struggling with work and family stress - high pressure role and family illness. We both want this badly but DH is feeling some performance pressure and not ejaculating / losing erection during sex. It’s frustrating for us both when I’m ovulating and really get us both down.
I just wondered if anyone had successfully tried home insemination? I think it’s a good idea so we can be a bit more spontaneous with sex and take any pressure off but reassured that we have more chance of conceiving by adding this into the routine.
I have bought some bits off amazon (flat head syringes, “specimen” cups 😂and a cheapy conception cup type thing)
any hand holding / reassurance / experiences greatly appreciated.
It feels strange and clinical to be considering it but I am a bit hormone baby crazy and willing to give anything a go, but feel a bit embarrassed talking to anyone IRL about it because of taboo around ED.

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Original poster
FSGirl · 26/10/2023 22:24

@AJcats22 that sounds like a good idea, my DH gets a lot of “performance anxiety” when he knows I’m ovulating and I know extra pressure (without meaning to apply it!) from me doesn’t help - but it’s so hard when you so want to be pregnant.

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Original poster
FSGirl · 26/10/2023 22:20

Thats lovely to hear @2welshmums and good luck for baby no.2!
I got some syringes off amazon but now I’m wondering if there’s something lucky with the calpol syringe so might have to jump on that this cycle 😁

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2welshmums · 26/10/2023 22:12

Hey,

Just popped into wish you all the luck.
My wife & I used AI at home with a known donor, took 7 months for my wife. Our DD is now almost 5 and we're trying again for #2 with the same donor.

Month we conceived, we used a calpol syringe, preseed and I think the orgasm definitely helps!

Good luck

AJcats22 · 26/10/2023 21:51

Good im glad its not just me, completely agree our hormones and sex drive (plus want for a baby!) are all over the place!

we had a good conversation about it tonight and turns out we both feel the same pressure, when i felt mad he felt sad and that he was letting me down. We agreed to relax things for a few months and ‘see what happens’ no apps or ovulation tests and not mentioning fertile window. After a few months we will try syringes! I think communication is key and fingers crossed for you next cycle!! X

Original poster
FSGirl · 26/10/2023 21:48

@Sunshineclouds11 congratulations! So pleased it worked for you and I am going to steal the pelvic exercise tip.
I know there are a few on this thread TTC using this method at the moment so thank you for sharing your success, it’s so good to hear about these little calpol syringe babies 👶🏼

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Original poster
FSGirl · 26/10/2023 21:46

You’re not alone @AJcats22 ! Completely empathise with the pressure feeling. Very similar situation playing out in our house - so I think it’s really normal.
I think the issue is DH doesn’t have the same hormonal nudges as I do, when you’re ovulating and TTC your mind and body are both like we need to have a baby!!
Sadly we weren’t successful this cycle but ovulation for me due to start next week so syringes at the ready 😁

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AWIAANGAF · 26/10/2023 12:39

Sunshineclouds11 · 26/10/2023 09:39

We were successful on this method, tried it for 4 months. Currently 24 weeks!

Calpol syringe and a yog pot is all we used.

We would do it just before going to bed so I could stay lying down, once inserted I left syringe in for a minute, took it out and done some pelvic floor exercises.

I let DP sample liquify for afew mins before transferring to syringe.

Good luck! It does work!

This is exactly what we did including the yoghurt pot. Only difference is I put my legs against a wall afterwards. I’ve had 2 successful pregnancies with a calpol syringe!

Sunshineclouds11 · 26/10/2023 09:39

We were successful on this method, tried it for 4 months. Currently 24 weeks!

Calpol syringe and a yog pot is all we used.

We would do it just before going to bed so I could stay lying down, once inserted I left syringe in for a minute, took it out and done some pelvic floor exercises.

I let DP sample liquify for afew mins before transferring to syringe.

Good luck! It does work!

AJcats22 · 26/10/2023 09:16

Hello ladies! So glad i found this thread, currently in the sulky/angry phase as im peak ovulation and partner has not been interested in sex despite knowing this, its had as we want it so bad but i also feel guilty for being mad as i know the pressure he must feel. Earlier in the week i suggested the syringe method to him and he thinks we’re not there yet in terms of sex not working, but for me i feel like i question so much during my fertile window ‘am i being to clingy’ ‘am i coming across to desperate’ ‘why isnt he trying to touch me’ and going to bed in a bad mood when another day passes that you havent done it!

hopefully im not alone in these thoughts, i may try the syringe method from the next cylce for a few months and see how we get on!

Original poster
FSGirl · 15/10/2023 08:17

I caved this morning and did a Boots early test, BFN. Really fed up. I am only 9/10dpo but have a feeling I’m out for this cycle.

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CurlyWurly1991 · 14/10/2023 09:36

Hi @FSGirl still waiting for ovulation here but have managed a couple of goes in the ‘traditional’ way which has been great. Will probably need home insemination though once the pressure is on, so to speak. I have all the kit ready to go… fingers crossed for you x

Original poster
FSGirl · 14/10/2023 08:14

How’s everyone getting on?
I’m around 8/9dpo and we had 2 tried with AI this cycle.

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Original poster
FSGirl · 09/10/2023 18:18

Hi @Hollyhollyt26 welcome to the thread! I’m glad you’ve found us and that seeing some positive stories has been useful. It’s so easy to get disheartened, but good news about your fertility test. Is it something you ordered online?
I think I’ll invest in TwoPlus in January if we don’t have any success before then so let us know how you get on with!

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Hollyhollyt26 · 09/10/2023 09:22

Hi ladies,
Really great thread here! My partner and I have been using AI for over 6 months now, and still no luck 😭 I got a kit off Amazon first, then have been buying TwoPlus kits (which are SO expensive!). Amazing to see others having success though.
We now gone to the doctors to initiate tests. I had done a Hertility test in February and all came back normal, so really needing to see what’s happening with his sperm.
I am really hoping we get lucky soon though. Will let you know if I get a positive result 🤞🏻

Original poster
FSGirl · 06/10/2023 23:14

@Gkb90 I was exactly the same in the lead up to ovulation, syringes at the ready 😂
I gave up with the ovulation tests; I think if this cycle doesn’t work I’ll splurge on some better ones but the cheapies I had the readings were all over the places. Which ones do you use?
I waited until I got my normal signs (cervical mucus, incredibly irrational with poor DH and bloating for me) and we had our first attempt. I think it went ok, the replies on this thread have been great as a little manual but also just the success stories gave me a bit of confidence!
When is your ovulation window looking like it’ll be? You’ll have to report back on the how the Two plus kit goes! I guess they’d be reusable if they’re easy to clean out after use?
I used 10ml flat head syringe off Amazon (really cheap but I’ve got 50 of the buggers) and little “specimen” pots which in hindsight I probably didn’t need as any clean pot would have done.

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Gkb90 · 06/10/2023 18:01

Hey @FSGirl how did your first attempt go? I’m heading into my fertile week early next week, I’m actually so eager for it to come along so I can try this way! Did you use this method as soon as you got your positive ovulation test or before? Just trying to figure out when to use it as my ‘two plus’ kit only came with 3 cups and 3 syringes so I have 3 go’s but I’m not sure if they can be reused (after washing it well) xx

Original poster
FSGirl · 06/10/2023 10:06

Thanks @CurlyWurly1991 and that’s a good point!
I think I’m definitely at my peak today in terms of ovulation so don’t think we’ll try another round this way this cycle so I’ll just be keeping everything crossed 🤞🏻

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CurlyWurly1991 · 06/10/2023 08:10

@FSGirl good luck!! Hope it works for you. I do the same re pillow and stay put. Leakage is inevitable whether doing it this way or ‘traditionally’ 😆 some people use a fertilily or a mooncup to keep the semen in place but from what I have heard, the good sperm zoom through the cervix within half an hour and so what falls out is generally no good anyway. I also tried a flex cup for a bit but I spotted a lot that cycle so stopped, but might try again.

Original poster
FSGirl · 06/10/2023 07:59

Thanks @AWIAANGAF that’s so encouraging to hear, I’m pleased it worked for you so quickly!

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AWIAANGAF · 06/10/2023 00:13

We (like @TeddyBeans ) used the calpol syringe and it worked successfully. After I put it in I put a pillow under my bum and my legs in the air against the wall and stayed like it for about 20 minutes (I read somewhere that it helps). It worked the second month I did it.

Original poster
FSGirl · 06/10/2023 00:01

How is everyone going?
I did my first at home insemination this evening! And obviously I’m already like am I pregnant yet? Had a good read back through this thread to make sure I’d not missed anything - so thanks for all the excellent tips 😁
The tracking using ovulation sticks was genuinely driving me bonkers so I’ve waited for my normal ovulation signs.
My only worry is that there was a little bit of leakage after I’d removed the syringe so I am hoping it’s actually worked - did this happen for anyone?

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LavenderSweetPea · 03/10/2023 07:07

@FSGirl personally I'd ditch the cheap tests and get the easy@home tests that are recommended with the pre mom app. I used some super cheap ones before and they were hopeless. Make sure you're testing after a 3+hour hold, and never first thing in the morning.

Original poster
FSGirl · 02/10/2023 22:48

@CurlyWurly1991 sorry to hear this month wasn’t the month but I’ll be keeping everything crossed for the next one for you.
feeling a bit deflated tonight because I am in my fertile window, according to my iPhone health and the Premom app and have been diligently doing the ovulation tests for 4 days. All very light lines on the sticks up until now which is fine, but today I haven’t even had the faintest of lines?! These are super cheap ones and I’m wondering if it’s the me or the tests?
for context CD8, 9 and 10 were 0.35 average and now I am CD11 and my line is getting fainter, and barely registering on the Premom app.
I have a pretty regular cycle so a bit perplexed. (Also new to this so may be confusing myself massively!)

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CurlyWurly1991 · 29/09/2023 20:19

@FSGirl good luck with your ovulation tests getting darker… I use the Premom app which is great for getting numbers and anything above 0.7-0.8 for me I consider basically a peak. I did get a 0.97 this cycle just gone which was great.
Just finished another failed cycle of this method (mixed with usual TTC) and am on to cycle 6. It can be hard to keep going when you’re not sure if you need to change something but sounds like from this thread that it does work and is worth persisting with 🤞

LavenderSweetPea · 29/09/2023 17:08

@FSGirl keep testing every day (or even twice a day once you think your getting close) and you'll get that positive. Once you do it's 24-48h to ovulation so time to get the cup and syringe out 😉