Self-Insemination: Does it work?

[FailureToLaunch]

Hello, I've name-changed because of the nature of our problem. Also, I hope you will forgive me but I've also posted this in Chat in case there is more traffic there.

My husband has occasionally suffered from erectile dysfunction when under pressure to perform and since TTC has taken our will to live recently he has found it much, much harder to ejaculate around ovulation time. I have tried keeping my fertile window to myself but he knows (why else would I want sex three days on the trot? ). He can usually ejaculate the first time of asking (so perhaps two days before ovulation) but then the two successive attempts are a shambles. I suggested he masturbate into a cup and my sister gave me an old syringe she used to use for her baby's ibuprofen. It seems like any other kind of syringe so we used it for the first time today.

What I am here for is to shamelessly ask for some encouraging stories from women who have self-inseminated. Which days did you inseminate and where did you buy your kit from? Is it essential to use one of those vaginal clamp things that a doctor would use during a smear (I don't have one)? Am I being pathetic to think this could work? I only have one fallopian tube, too

Hello sparkly good to know we're not the only ones. How is your tww going?

And you Failure to launch!!

Hi ninja how you doing? My TWW is driving me insane this month! I am officially a mad woman! Ha. I'm on CD 24 usually have 27/28 day cycles. BBT chart same as always only no sore boobs/brown spotting etc that I usually get at this stage. Every time I go to the toilet in scared to look incase the spotting starts!! Like I said- crazy woman!! So it's just trying to keep positive for me at the mo and hope things happen.!!! What about you? What stage you at? Hope you are doing ok

Hi

Oh dear sparkly it's a bit early and I hit send before writing the post. I'm okay thanks. Trying not to obsess as we weren't very organised this month so not holding out too much hope. I'm on dpo 12 and according to my app it after is due tomorrow although I think it will be the 13th. Trying to ignore Tww by going out and exercising lots to get back in shape. I nearly caved on Friday when lots of peeps on the Jan bus were testing. Even peed in a pot then flushed it as tests wouldn't have picked anything up (the were super cheap ones). Was quite proud. Have had lots of cramping during tww but have tried hard not to spot symptoms. Hang on in there not long to go now!

May I ask what this 'bus' is that you mention?

What days in your fertile window did you have sex this month (or is that too personal a question?) We had sex the evening of my OPK and then inseminated lunchtime the day after. That is it. Pathetic, huh?

Ninja that's amazing willpower! Go you!! Not long at all for you to go then!!!! Great. Keeping everything crossed for you!!

Failuretolaunch all the threads on the conception page- myself and Ninja are on the "January Bus".. You join whichever month you are expecting a BFP/AF. It's good as you get lots of support from everyone else with similar cycles to yourself.
With insemination- this month we really went for it! We followed something called the SMEP plan that I read about on these threads. So basically did insem CD 10, CD 12,13,14,15,16 missed a day then CD 18. To cover all bases! We have put so much effort in this month so really really hoping it happens. Last month we upped to four days over OV. The clinic originally told us just to do CD 12 and CD 14.. But because my CM didn't correspond specifically we changed those dates. I wouldn't worry.. Not pathetic at all, you have a good chance anyway as you have dtd In your fertile days so as they say... It only takes once!

Thanks, Sparkly, I am coming to join you and ninja....!

Hi failuretolaunch and sparkly, we only did cd13 and 15 this month so if it doesn't happen I know why. I Had a positive opk on the 13 and ewcm. Will try SMEP next month I think if it doesn't go to plan this month. Also this week we are going to see a therapist to try and get to the root of our current issue. I'm utterly terrified to be honest. Hopefully a nice BFP will take my mind off it!

Well those are two key days ninja so fingers crossed!!

I'm feeling really Teary just now as I think that AF is on route. Have brown spotting which I always get on this day. I had convinced myself this would be it this month!

Re the therapist... I really hope it helps. I'm honestly sure it will. Obviously I don't know the nature of your issues etc but I have/am going down same route with therapist at the moment and i find it very helpful. I think sometimes when you are caught up in the issue yourself that outside assistance can really help! Just my opinion.. But don't be too terrified, look on it that this may be the thing that really helps you! Sending

Thanks sparkly hang on in there. It's so tricky when the hormones strike. Sending lots of positive vibes in your direction.

We're trying it this way; my husband has phimosis and finds sex without condoms just excruciatingly agonising - we actually assumed we'd never be able to try until we found out about this method. It's been easier than I expected and makes TTC distinct from just having fun! Only one chemical pregnancy sadly so far but we're only on cycle 4 and about to trial The Stork product too, so fingers crossed.

When we started, I googled a LOT, and messaged another poster on mumsnet about it who very kindly told me about her successful journey using this method too. I discussed it with two doctors - the first seemed baffled beyond belief and almost made me not try it, but he didn't know much about it all apparently. The second GP (the 'fertility expert' at our clinic) shrugged, said that yes, it was actually a very common method, and could actually be much more practical then the alternative, and had a similar success rate.

Some links from when I was still researching and worrying over it were...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/586037-anyone-ever-used-the-turkey-baster-method-and-got-pregnant/AllOnOnePage

www.fertilityplus.com/faq/homeinsem.html

hiv.ucsf.edu/care/perinatal/forpatients/HomeinseminationforHIVfemalediscordantcouple.pdf

www.ourbabynamer.com/ttc/ivf-iui-ici.html

And this kit can last a while, it also had the easiest syringes out of the ones I tried out: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DECVL68.

We usually: add Preseed about 10 minutes beforehand, have a nice cuddly time, get all the sperm in a cup, keep it warm and a few seconds later add some Preseed into the syringe, suck up the sperm while being careful of air bubbles - wait a few minutes for it to liquify totally if you have to before using the syringe - and inseminate (I admit to propping bum up against the wall as a desperate extra measure but apparently that's not necessary!) I got totally freaked out by the Softcups and actually have a box of unopened ones left if anyone wants me to mail them or something...

Anyway, sorry for rambling, but thought this might help reassure another worrying "me" out there to go for it!

Ninja, I am all for therapy! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I hope the therapist is a belter

Sparkly, I'm so sorry about the blasted spotting. That feeling of renewed doom is just horrid

Anddeepbreath, you are so kind to share those links. What relics those doctors are. Best of luck with TTC. I'm off to read your articles....

Well if you think people in same sex relationships use this method all the time. Me and my partner used a syringe method. Don't get me wrong I'm still on my two week wait but have heard plenty of success stories. The only thing I would advice is not to use a clamp like the doctors use when found a smear test. Don't take what I say the wrong way I just don't want you to be poorly. Sperm and seamen are two different things, when the man ejaculated inside the body naturally separates the two so no seamen actually goes into the cervix but the sperm does and this apparently can cause infection if you were to try it this way. I used a syringe 10ml and once the donor had done what he needed to do in the pot I made sure it was heated to body temperature. We then had 30mins to complete the transaction as the sperm will die. They say it is best to orgasm but not essential. I have also need a lot of success starts with the cap people are talking about. Good luck to you :-)

How's everyone getting on this month?

Slow progress here. Hubby working like stink and only cd9. He's having sperm analysis next week so we shall see what happens. What about you?

Thank god it's Friday!

Just started the tww. We have really given it a good go this month so fingers crossed! Really don't want to get too hopeful.

Hello,
Anyone still TTC or had any bfp on this method? Xx

Hi, I feel like crying reading this article as we are having the same problems and I feel so stressed and devastated. We are trying self insemination and I find it so hard and degrading. I hope it works as I am so tired of this whole TTC.

Hi can someone please tell me how to do this method how long will the sperm live out of the body in a condom

Yes I conceived this way very easily, first attempt, just an ordinary pot and a syringe from Boots.
It helps if you orgasm during the process though, plenty of way to arrange that

it can work! can work really well! and is often better than IUI in a clinic, or, even depending on circumstances, regular sex. surely it is great for single women and lesbian couples.
i am now mom to twin 18 mos old and 47 yrs old. i was TTC as a single woman since i turned 40 and i DID have a FEW successes with at-home insemination both with fresh and frozen donations. (as an older woman, not every egg is good, and those few times apparently the egg was not)

i am writing into threads now, only because i SO want to SHARE with women and couples dearly wanting to conceive that there are many DIY options that cost very little and maintain your privacy and intimacy. DIY options for optimizing your chances to conceive and for at-home insemination
so - surely the best is with the "instead cup". not just a syringe. pre-seed is an option if you do not have fertile CF, but best to get your own body's CF up to par. a woman's orgasm (at least one) AFTER the cup with seeds is well placed against the cervix is best.
DO a trial run first. so you get used to how to insert the cup without spilling. for some squatting is best, for some - lying back is best. for some, best to have the partner insert it. a trial run should be done days before you are even in your fertile window and you can use kefir. is is runny , like the semen will be, and is basically healthy for the vaginal tract in any case.
best of luck! get smart, think positive, optimize health on all levels and never give up hope.:-)

I know a same sex couple who managed on their first try - totally possible.

Hello, I know this is such an old thread , but wondering if you had success with this xx

@Sparkly123 which fertility clinic? Does the cathetar get to the cervix?

@AndDeepBreath thanks for all the links shall be looking through them.

I hope all the ladies got their BFP to complete their families. Xx