Self insemination - Any success stories?!

[TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks]

Hi everyone,

I have NC'd for this to save our blushes!
DH and I have just had our first round of IVF which was sadly unsuccessful after an early miscarriage.
We have 2 frozen embryos but we would like to TTC naturally for the next 6 month's first in the hope the IVF hormones might help boost our chances.
DH has always struggled to ejaculate inside me when DTD. Therefore we have decided to try self insemination in the hope it will take away some of the stress.

I would love to hear any success stories.

Also which insemination kit did you buy?

Has anyone tried a soft cup / Ferti Lily conception cup after inserting the syringe to help things along?

Thanks everyone!

Thanks. It’s been one year this week since my MC. It’s been such a difficult and heartbreaking journey.

So sorry @AdriannaP! That sucks so much and a year must be tough - I have told myself that if I’m pregnant by my old due date (Dec 17th) I will be happy - otherwise it must be so difficult just constantly thinking what could have been. Please be kind to yourself - we’re here to listen if you need a moan, too!

@AdriannaP I’m so sorry AF has come 🙁 sending you a big hug. I know it’s hard but try to stay positive, you can start trying again in a few weeks. When I come on I do the things I’m not aloud the rest of the month, have a few glasses of wine and a take away with my hubby. Really feel for you today xx

Thank you xx

Ah @AdriannaP I’m sorry - as @Lori23TTC said, I do the things that I don’t normally do during the month like have a glass or 2 of wine. Oh and Chocolate! (I have it all month... but what’s a better excuse than horrid AF?)

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks how are you getting on? You haven't posted recently so just checking on you 😊

I hope everyone else is okay!
I'm trying to remain positive but feel my hope dwindling. I've been very confused about my DPO this cycle as I usually temp and just gave up half way through and relied on my resting heart rate instead 😂 I have concluded I must be 11dpo, no AF signs and no BFP either! I tested today just because I secretly really did think I was 15dpo but BFN. My own fault for not waiting. I only had to wait until Sunday to be able to test for either DPO anyway, so now I feel a bit sad. I had a really painful sharp cramp yesterday for about 30 seconds which almost doubled me over in pain so I'm not feeling hopeful that that was anything good 🥺
My friend was over with her little boy yesterday talking about trying for her second which made me feel like falling off a cliff and I cried when someone on TV announced they were having a baby 😆 so I'm completely emotionally stable this cycle and not over dramatic at all. I'd blame this on AF approaching but I've been crying at everything at random on and off for at least a week now! I will need looking after when AF arrives.

Hi @MrsKin90 how are you doing now? Has AF arrived? I have been feeling a bit low and lethargic this cycle myself so can completely relate to how you’re feeling - I am so sick of seeing other women on my instagram showing off their bumps and I can’t help but keep thinking that if it wasn’t for the MC then I’d be almost 4 months now :(

But ANYWAY, I’m on CD10 today so starting inseminating again - we will probably try every day for the next 4-5 days. BABY DUST. xxx

@primrosechill sorry to hear you've been feeling down but completely understandable! I can't imagine how hard that is. Do you chat about it to your OH?

I'm 14 dpo today (I think but maybe I'm wrong) and a BFN on easy@home test. I then had a bit of pink spotting so assume AF will be along soon. My LP has been up to 18dpo but 14dpo on average so it's just a waiting game now. I'm really sad because I really did think this had to be it. Never mind. Not out until AF I guess but feel out. Headache and backache and spotting sounds like AF to me. I've been feeling awfully sick and have had a stomach ache but I feel like that must be related to something else.

CD10 is exciting; the stage where you have all the power as tww is a bit helpless for us all! Good luck to you, wishing for a BFP for you. Doing everyday is really good! 🤞🤞

We can only manage every three max so feel like maybe we aren't doing enough but you can't do more than everyday!

AF arrived today. I feel like it's never ever going to happen.

I’m so sorry @MrsKin90 that really sucks! Spoil yourself today however you can. Someone better get pregnant on here quick so we can break this shitty spell that we’ve been having!!

I was wondering if there is anything ‘new’ that I could try while inseminating. Two questions I wanted to throw out there:

1. Mixing sperm with preseed or other “baby-making” lube: I read on other forums that some people put a bit of it into container before the guy/donor does his thing - anyone using it that way currently?
2. Anyone tried softcups or anything like that to keep the sperm “in” for longer? I usually dont have a problem with spillage right away but 20-30mins after the deed once I leave the bed I can certainly feel loads coming out of me.

Also hello to any newcomers on here whom I might have accidentaly - but rudely - ignored :) @MrsCSmith

Thanks so much 😊 I'll be okay. Just having a very melodramatic day and then will pick myself back up tomorrow! Sorry for being a Debbie downer. I know it WILL work for all of us.

In regards to your questions:

1. I used to put a tiny bit in the bottom of the container but have never "mixed" it and read somewhere that the coldness of the lube might upset the sperm when they meet? Unless holding the container keeps the lube warm but it always feels cold to me. So I stopped 😟 do people say it helps?
2. I've tried this too for the first two cycles! I stopped because it felt messy putting it in after! However it's got good success stories and I think maybe it's a good thing to try? If you're prone to bacterial infections/yeast infections I'd consider it carefully before doing it but otherwise there's no harm in it! 😊 Maybe I'll try it too this cycle!

I'm thinking maybe I haven't been inserting the syringe... 'far' enough when inseminating 😳 for fear it would just spurt everywhere 🤣 so maybe I'll also be a bit brave about that. Do others put it in as far as it'll go?

@MrsKin90 I’m sorry to hear that 😔 hope you are ok.

@primrosechill you have said to are feeling really down this cycle... weirdly I have too. I normally try to be positive but this cycle i just feel really emotional. 3 of my friends (who all have children under 18 months) were saying at the weekend that they are thinking of trying for a second and I just feel like i want to cry as it will be a year trying next year for our first. It’s so hard when all it seems to be is pregnant belly’s everywhere! I really hope it happens soon I feel like it’s just a rollercoaster of emotions going through each stage of the month, I get emotional when I’m on anyway. I’m hoping I snap out of this feeling soon... I’m DPO7... my cycles are a bit longer at 31/32 days.

It would be great if one of us did get pregnant it would be some positivity that we can do it this way!

Also I have tried mixing pre-seed with the sperm, tried putting pre-seed in first but then more comes out after my 30 mins of legs in the air than so I don’t bother with it anymore.
I’m also scared it damages the sperm but that’s just me thinking surly my body should be enough to do this part without additional lube!?

I’ve not tried a soft cup - I brought a cup that is used for your period (not sure if this is the same thing) and I haven’t been able to get it in! It’s so painful so I’ve given up!

I don’t have anymore tips as such apart from I heard you should climax after the sperm is in there. If we do it before bed I put my legs up for 30 mins then tend to go to sleep but sometimes it feel like so much comes out I need to go to the loo! I try to keep it in there tho, wish I could get the soft cup in as that would solve it! I think in 30 mins they should have got to where they are supposed too anyway... who knows.

One thing I do think about is with normal sex the sperm gets shot out quicker and when inserting it with the syringe it gets put in slowly so I’m not sure if that would make a difference or not? I would think if they get put in slower they should be in better state to swim as they could get damaged being shot out!?

Xxx

@MrsKin90 I forgot to reply to the part about how far the syringe goes in, I just put it in as far as it will go, the top bit of the syringe is out so I can push down on the top bit, not to sure exactly how far you should put it tbh x

Hi ladies,

Sorry to hear AF has come. I think I may be in the same boat soon. I’m 11dpo. Had loads of unusual symptoms for me and felt really different so thought it might be my month. Stupidly tested yesterday (10dpo) with a clear blue ultra early and got a BFN. My temp is still high so keeping fingers crossed that it was just too early to test by my symptoms have gone so thinking AF might be on her way.

I also put the whole syringe in. I actually think I might need longer ones as I apparently have a ‘high cervix’ (according to anyone that has done my smear test). Wish now I’d actually asked what that meant!

I don’t mix the preseed- I put it inside me before the syringe. I have heard people say they put it in the pot but that’s the trickiest bit for me so not sure I want to make it more complicated! I might get some soft cups next cycle and try out DH doing his business directly into them. It sounds difficult to insert but takes away one step of the process that could damage the speed so worth a try maybe. I use a mooncup for AF so hopefully could get it in without spilling. That said, DH completely over shot his collection cup on one occasion last month so maybe it would be a harder target for him 😂🙈

@LuckyFlash fingers crossed for you! 12dpo today? How are you feeling? Definitely need some positive outcomes on this thread 😊
Your poor DH!! 🤣 What a waste. It happens though unfortunately!!

@primrosechill you've inspired me to be a bit more gung-ho this new cycle and it's given me a better attitude.
I'm going to try a few new things, put the syringe in further, refuse to move for 20 minutes afterwards (will remember to have phone or book with me as easily bored!), Reducing my caffeine in take as apparently not good with PCOS and upping my exercise as I've gotten lazy during lockdown. I've stopped taking seven seas trying for a baby tablets as feel it's £5 a month I'm peeing away so just taking normal folic acid and hoping it doesn't ruin anything. If my cycle goes bonkers I'll go back on them next month. The thing is my cycle is so long I need more than one pack per cycle which feels even worse.
@Lori23 over half way through your tww! Are you feeling okay today? It's so hard not to get down about TTC sometimes, and it makes it worse not being able to do things traditionally. Lots of my friends (most younger than me!) Are talking about having their second so I understand how disheartening it is to hear and be trying for your first. We'll all get there ❤️

Hope everyone is okay today!

Hello all! Just checking in.

@Lori23TTC hope you’re not feeling as down anymore - I certainly have been very lethargic this cycle as you said. I think you have every reason to feel a bit deflated so dont be too harsh on yourself. One year is a long while when this is something you want so badly, I do hope you get your good news soon - and in the meantime please try to be kind to yourself. Also, just a thought but a year in is usually when NHS would recommend that you see a GP to check that there’s nothing else going on - have you considered it maybe? Just a thought.

@MrsKin90 YES loving the enthusiasm. To answer some of your questions, yes I do insert the syringe as far as I can - the 1ml one is probably shorter than an average penis anyway, so I figured I’s thrust as far as I could haha. I have also tried every imaginable approach with preseed this cycle: I’ve put a syringe-full inside me one day, put just a bit with my finger yesterday and today we added some to the cup before my husband came. Can’t say we’re not exhausting our options!

I’m CD13 today, had LH surge yesterday so today/tomorrow should be O. We’ve inseminated for the last four days, including today. We’ll try again tomorrow and then the dreadful TWW begins!

@primrosechill I did call my doctors last month and said it’s been a year (I’m only a month off) and I went for 2 lots of bloods at different times in my cycle and I had a internal ultrasound. One of my ovarys showed very mild PCOS but everything else was fine, doctor said this shouldn’t effect me getting pregnant. Waiting on hubby’s sperm analysis to come back. Makes me feel relieved I’m ok but just don’t know why it’s not happening!

Sounds like you have done well with the inseminating this month so fingers crossed, the tww really does drag!

@MrsKin90 still feeling down and emotional for some reason, not sure why I’m struggling this month. CD10 today, been really bloated and have had period like pains for 2 days, no other symptoms yet, due AF on Monday 6th.
I’ve been taking the boots trying for a baby tablets since January and they are expensive too I think about £17 per month, I don’t mind paying it but I feel like they aren’t helping so might just do folic acid once this cycle finishes too! X

AF has got me today! Grr. I feel like a fraud for being so sad about it when I’ve not been trying nearly as long as others here but this month felt like such a positive step forward and I had such high hopes. Will try and stay more realistic next month. As I’m on furlough I feel like I’m constantly googling fertility stuff/ watching baby programmes. I think maybe I need to step back from it for a while - at least for the next couple of weeks until I’m back in my FW!

@Lori23TTC it’s great that the docs have still seen you despite Covid. Hopefully the tests will help

@primrosechill sounds like you’ve covered all bases with DTD! Keeping everything crossed it works this month! Wishing you sanity in your tww

@MrsKin90 keen to hear if you end up doing anything new or different this month. I think I’ll get some soft cups and see if they work. Might have to have a practice drill before doing it for real though!

@primrosechill happy tww to you! 😊 You've done such a good job inseminating so much and doing a variety of methods🤞🤞 crossing everything for you.
@Lori23TTC I hope your husband's SA comes back clear. Were your tests just to show if you ovulated? Hopefully they can be a bit more helpful if nothing wrong with your hubby's swimmers! There are lots of other things they can do can't they? (She asks, hopefully with not much idea). Out of interest does your doctor know that you're using home insem. as a method? £17 a month 😱😱 I don't think I could do it to myself lol. I'd expect a baby pronto at that price! Some people I talk to seem to take absolutely everything going, it sounds exhausting. I'm sorry you're feeling down still. I think life right now is a bit like that for everyone and TTC on top of it is even harder. Can you do something nice as a pick me up? Not long until AF for you!! 🤞
@LuckyFlash I'm so sorry AF got you 😟 you're absolutely allowed to feel sad regardless of how long you've been trying and you're not even slightly fraud-like for it. Everyone's journey is different and we all feel it each month when it doesn't happen. I am a terrible one for googling or reading success stories or just reading about pregnancy and it is obsessive. I've been trying to read books with the least likely chance of having pregnancy in them - horror or crime books! 😊

Hi all, happy Friday!

@Lori23TTC - so glad to hear that the doctors were able to confirm that there's nothing more serious going on, though I know that in some ways that can be even more frustrating sometimes. You end up thinking "well if nothing is wrong then why the bloody hell isn't this happening for me?!" Let us know when your husband's tests come back, too. Keeping everything crossed.

@LuckyFlash don't feel like a fraud - just because others have been trying for longer doesn't make your disappointment any less real! By that same token, some lucky beasts literally get pregnant the first time round so if we were to compare ourselves to them, surely we would be allowed to moan for days on end hahah. So sorry that AF got you. I can imagine that being on furlough and having all that extra time to think about it isn't necessarily helpful. I have been on the exact opposite of the spectrum - work has been non stop and super stressful. I keep thinking that this increased level of stress can't be good for TTC, meh.

@MrsKin90 how have you been? Are you done with AF? Exciting part of the month starting for you soon and sounds like you're in high spirits this cycle. I'm only on day 2 of TWW and already can't stand the wait haha.

Do you mind if I ask everyone how old you are? I can see some numbers in your nicknames and assume some might stand for YOB or current age but don't want to presume.

Heya everyone!

Sorry I've been a bit MIA, but my shifts have changed at work and I'm starting at 4am now, so my whole sleeping pattern is a bit off... and I am assuming that its not doing any good for my cycle either!

I'm on CD 18 and I haven't had a Peak result on CB yet, its just been high since CD 9.... so no idea if I have Ovulated or not this month.Last month I Ovulated around CD 17 however being able to DTD has been slim pickings. CD 11 and CD 14 we inseminated so... theres always a chance but I'm not hopeful this cycle :(

How is everyone feeling?
@LuckyFlash - as the ladies previously said, don't feel like a fraud for the fact you have only been trying for a little while. It's still your journey, and you have every right to feel it. Damn I felt it the 1st month after I had my IUD out and it didn't happen. All those years of worrying that if I didn't use any BC I'll fall pregnant... if only I knew that it doesn't happen that way always! haha

@MrsCSmith the shift changes sound stressful - I imagine that kind of thing can change your ovulation pattern, but at least you have managed a couple of insems. It only takes 1!

@primrosechill I am 32 and DH is 39. I was feeling quite chill at 31 but turned 32 last month and immediately started to panic that time was getting away from us. I seem to be doing a better job of being a sane person this week lol. Feeling quite positive to be in a new cycle. How old are you?

Hi all. I’m massively under the weather today - had to take a day off and am just in bed watching shows and reading. I woke up feeling a bit nauseous and having weird hot flushes (my cheeks were all read and burning up) so OF COURSE I immediatwly started googling whether these could be early symptoms hahaha - 5/6DPO and I’m already going nuts. Most likely I’m just quite run down.

@LuckyFlash I’m 29. For a while I really wanted to be a mum while still in my 20s - I was almost on track because with the last pregnancy my due date was supposed to be in December - a month before I turn 30. But then I miscarried and everything seems so silly and insignificant now - I don’t care about how old I am, I just want a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby soon pretty please. But I can relate to you in that before the miscarriage I felt like I had all the time in the world - now I feel a bit more aware of my own body and the dreaded clock...

@LuckyFlash I also turned 32 last month and feel very similar to you with feeling like time is getting away from us. Don’t feel like a fraud... ttc is a tough journey at any time!

@MrsCSmith I hope you have had your peak now??

@primrosechill My husbands sperm analysts has come back normal so that’s good, why isn’t it happening if we are both healthy . Got to keep trying...

@MrsKin90 they did blood tests to check my hormones ect and an internal ultrasound which I suppose they were just checking everything was working how it should, she told me she could see my egg for that month and it would be releasing in about a week. I’m glad me and the hubby are ok health wise just so frustrating it isn’t happening. I haven’t told the doctors yet about inseminating, feel embarrassed tbh but I will tell them if they start investigating more.

Has anyone told the doctors? If so what was the reaction?

I’ve had a very odd tww... I normally only get sore boobs and that’s it really. I’m dpo14, on dpo10 I had bright red blood when I wiped, and then major bloating for around 3 days and boobs are not as sore as normally are. Since the blood on day 10 I’ve had brown spotting or when I wipe... I normally get spotting day 14/15 then period comes on 16 so I’m expecting my period to show up in the next few day’s. the spotting has been earlier than normal this month and my body has felt different so I was hoping for the best but I got a negative on dpo11 so lost all hope now and waiting for AF.

Hope everyone is ok xx

Hi @Lori23TTC sorry to hear about the BFN but it ain't over until the period arrives! Let us know if it shows up. It's so disappointing when you manage to convince yourself that you're feeling symptoms and then you get the bad news again...

I have a feeling I will be in a similar boat this cycle. Last cycle, I didn't have too much hope but this cycle I just "feel" like I could be pregnant - my cheeks have been super red strangely, I have been on an emotional swing most days and feeling nauseous, too. I'm trying to remind myself that it could be a symptom of 87576698 other things: a cold, work stress, being back in polluted city etc. But I know very well I have gotten my hopes up now, so the disappointment will be real if it's not my month!!