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!

@AdriannaP 😱😱 I'm so excited for you! Why isn't it tomorrow already? 🤞🤞 For a bfp on a frer tomorrow!! The spotting sounds positive!

@Carol1980 I agree I think 90% of people with super early BFPs definitely have their dates wrong and it just upsets everyone when they test at 9dpo+ and don't get anything. Fingers crossed for you, you know you're still so early and everything can change in a couple of days.

I am worried as I am still spotting. Have tiny bits of blood about 2-3 times a day when I wipe - but sometimes around 4 hours without spotting. My last pregnancy ended in MC so feel a bit anxious now, but trying to stay calm now!

@AdriannaP spotting is fine though isn't it as long as it doesn't have clots or anything in? Although I'm not an expert at all. Try not to worry if you can, you can't change anything by worrying so best to try and distract yourself and stay relaxed.

Yeah agree, the unfortunate reality is that if it's a MC there's absolutely nothing that you have done or can do x

Got everything crossed for you though, easier said than done but try to keep positive x

What colour is the spotting ?

@AdriannaP congratulations on your positive and hoping you get your confirmation on frer tomorrow! Apparently as many as 1/3 of pregnancies are associated with light bleeding so please try not to stress - light bleeding without any pain is usually a sign of your uterus stretching for the new role (and implantation!). Keep us updated tomorrow, and try to get a good nights’ sleep in the meantime 🤞🏼

@MrsKin90 @Carol1980 sorry to hear about your mum and dad, respectively. It’s been such a tough time for so many people - hoping for some happy news soon in this thread - and lots of it!, starting with @AdriannaP’s 😊

I tested at 2.30am (woke up in the night for a wee and didn’t know if this is now the first morning urine). I did a FRER and a One Step cheapo. Both are very faint positive.
I am worried that they are so faint though.

The spotting is pinkish and only when I wipe (not every time). Last year I had a MC and was cramping a lot and spotting turned heavier. This time it’s very on/off.

I have changed a couple of things this month too - will post later today, after I had more sleep.
I am still so (cautiously) excited, as already have an appointment at the fertility clinic jn a month to discuss IVF. I so hope I can cancel.

Here is the test.

I am so glad to be able to share with you all. I have struggled so much with not having DC2, husband’s ED and the pressure around TCC.
My DH is also not getting excited yet as he is still cautious. So it’s great to have you all and I know if we managed to do it (with only 2 inseminations per month) you all will be able to do it too.

Same test in the daylight. (FRER can be read 48hours)

Eek! That definitely looks positive! congratulations!

I imagine it will get darker over the next couple of days - some people don’t get a bfp until several days after AF is due so it may just take some time for HCG to build up. A bfp in three tests is pretty irrefutable! Xx

Ahhh some good news 👌🏼

My 21 yr old syringe conceived dd and I send you all hope

Thank you! i am a bit nervous as I said due to my previous MC.
but cautiously optimistic. the line has gotten stronger, but my DH still can't see it.

Three things I did differently this month (in case it helps anyone):
-bought smaller syringes (only 1ml), this led to no air bubbles and I felt like was more efficient. the small syringe is thin and long, so not shorter than the ones that hold more. I inserted twice: the day before ovulation and the day of. Both times in the evenings, had my legs up for 20mins roughly and then stayed in bed. didn't get up at all until the morning.

-changed my diet: my fertility doc (I hope I will never see him again!) told me that my ovaries are polycystic in appearance, to have better quality eggs I need to cut down on carbs and sugar. Keep insulin down and eat protein with every meal. I followed keto diet (not super strict, also had an icecream on the weekends etc), lost 4kg this month too.
Also didn't drink alcohol.

-Went to see a chinese doctor: she started me on acupuncture twice a week and gave me TCM. It cost me a fortune, but cheaper than IVF for sure (and less hassle). She also told me to sleep more, so I have been trying to keep to 8 hours a day.

Good luck everyone and hoping hoping hoping this one will stick.
I have been trying for over two years now, with one MC, ED, and I think this was our 6th cycle of self insemination. I was also deeply depressed after my MC.
Now I have hope again! I am convinced the acupuncture and change of diet has helped.

to all of you - I know so well that t is a tough journey and I am so grateful for this board and all of you!

I got these on amazon: Ciringe 1 ml Syringe - Pack of 20 and didn't use any lube.

@AdriannaP this is amazing news!! So happy for you I wish you a healthy 9 months! Please stay on this thread and keep us updated on your journey!

Thanks for the tips, we use the 1ml too and go to bed with it but the diet is interesting so I may look into that!!

Hope everyone else is ok Xxx

@Lori23TTC thank you! Will definitely keep you all updated. I am still very anxious, think I will feel better once I am a bit further gone.

Good luck and lots of baby dust to you and the others.

This is the line my DH can’t see

@AdriannaP excellent news xxxxxx hopefully there will be many more positives on this thread x

Sorry pic here

Congrats @AdriannaP - I completely understand why you would be so nervous after a MC - I'm sure I will be the same, when it finally happens again for me! - but hoping everything goes well this time and keeping fingers crossed for a smooth sailing pregnancy for you. Keep us updated and thanks for sharing what worked for you. I think if I'm not successful this cycle, I might have a harder look at my diet, too xx

How is everyone else doing? Is anyone currently just before or after their ovulation? I had a peak on my OPK yesterday and, very fittingly, am currently in the Peak District for a week lol. We had a few stressful weeks and thought that a change of scenery might relax us and maybe help with ttc. We'll see! Managed to inseminate 4 times in the last 6 days and will try again tonight & tomorrow. How are all of you ladies getting on?

Thank you both xxx

Eeeek how exciting! Congratulations @AdriannaP!! Hopefully a much darker line tomorrow to ease your worries? Thank you for saying what you did differently, always really helpful.

@primrosechill I think I might finally be 1dpo but may be wishful thinking. All EWCM seems to have left me, had an increase in BBT today after three very stable days at the same temp and an increase in resting heart rate on my Fitbit which usually goes hand in hand with my BBT. 🤞 We inseminated yesterday evening and on Wednesday and that's as good as it's going to get unfortunately. I hope the Peak District is lovely! Sounds like you're doing as much as you can with inseminating!

@AdriannaP how are things today ? X

Hi @Carol1980 spotting has stopped yesterday, I tested this afternoon and was positive but still faint. I have some very early symptoms so hoping those are all good signs. Spoke to my GP today to discuss a prescription and she said that spotting can be a good sign/can just be implantation. So feeling cautiously optimistic.

DH still very anxious.

Awww that's excellent news xx

I haven't told my hubby yet as I'm worried that it might be another chemical but the test at the top was early yesterday morning, and the other two were evening x

I don't want to get my hopes up as I took a 'how many weeks clearblue' one this afternoon and it's came up not pregnant' but I'm pretty sure that you need to be well past your AF date to get a positive on that one.

The ones in the pic are the early detection ones from clear blue x

Obviously the last one is pretty bloody clear but again I'm going to wait until well past my AF date before I get proper excited x
If I am this will be such an amazing gift for us and more so I'm so looking forward to telling my mum x
My dads funeral is on Friday but I'm going to wait a few weeks if this little bean sticks x

Probably going to go for an early scan too (6/8 weeks one privately) just to make sure all is ok !

But I'm getting ahead of myself here, knowing my luck it will be another chemical ! 🙄😢

@Carol1980 fingers crossed for both of us! How many DP are you?
I will also book an early private scan if I am still pregnant in two weeks!
Keep us posted x