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!

@MrsKin90 sorry to hear about your mum too.

I’m Nearing my period... I don’t know when I ovulated as we were having a month off tracking, needed to do it for only mental health as was really getting to me. Started spotting today so that’s me out. We go back to tracking this month. We have been trying a year now I’m not pregnant this month 😬 makes me feel sad. I am also trying to stay away from baby related gatherings! Just making excuses.

Hope everyone is ok x

@Lori23TTC I'm so sorry you've started spotting! 😔 I'm not far off of a year. September I think. We said we'd get hubby's sperm checked if no BFPs by the end of the year. Seems a life time away.

@MrsKin90 you should do it now if it is worrying you? My hubby got his checked and he’s ok so I think it’s just life stresses and ttc stress getting to me so need to try and relax! X

He doesn't want to do it yet 😔. Suppose it's a hard thing for a man to think about. He takes medication which can impact sperm though so we know it might be an issue... I'm trying not to press it and will wait for him to be ready I guess. If there IS something wrong with his swimmers, we'd not get any NHS help due to my BMI I imagine so we'd need to go private for help and can't afford to so in a way there's no point just yet.

@MrsKin90
We got a lot off of a website called Dr Fertility to check my hubbys sperm a couple of months ago and it came out fine x you get two tests in the kit and its pretty simple to do x
I would try to get him to test as soon as you can as the longer you wait the longer it would be until he was able to get something for it etc if it's not a great result x

Thanks @Carol1980. Will see!
Can they actually do anything for sperm issues?
Due to the medication he's on there's so much he can't have/take.

@MrsKin90 I have no idea to be honest.
My husband takes conception vitamins from vitabiotics x

I'm sure with a bit of googling there will be something online about certain diets or foods to eat x

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to pop back onto the thread and say I haven’t forgotten about you all! I have been reading the updates. I am so glad this thread is such a lovely, warm and supportive place with so much good advice.

I haven’t posted for quite a while because after DH and I had been TTC via self insemination for around 4 months without success we decided to go for a second round of IVF. The chances of us conceiving on our own was slim because of both of our fertility issues but we are so glad we tried it.
We have just completed our second IVF cycle with a frozen embryo and so we are bracing ourselves for whatever happens next after our first cycle sadly ended in an early miscarriage. We have a glimmer of hope and are being as positive as we can about the whole thing.

Please remember to take care of yourselves and your own wellbeing too. I have just started going to reflexology again now they can safely open with all the appropriate PPE and precautions. It’s so relaxing and I think we all need things to help manage our stress levels and make us feel better right now.

I wish you all so much luck with TTC. I will keep popping back and reading your updates and keep my fingers and toes crossed for all of you!
Sending positive energy to everyone! xxx

P.s. Has anyone been taking the Proceive Max sachets? They taste yuck and are very expensive but I read an article whereby the couple swore by them making all the difference. I bit the bullet and starting taking them, who knows! I’m not recommending or promoting them at all BTW I just wondered if anyone had tried them.x

@Carol1980 to be fair we haven't looked at diets so maybe I'll look at that. He can't take pre-conception vitamins or anything else containing magnesium or zinc 😟 makes me nervous to let him have anything lol so currently just has a multivitamin that his doctor okay'd! Will look at diets too 😊

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks so lovely to hear from you. Will cross all my fingers and toes for you that the IVF round works 🤞🤞 let us know how you get on! Reflexology sounds lovely. Is it expensive? I wanted to try acupuncture but was too much of a cheapskate to pay for it 😳

Haven't tried proceive max, will have a Google out of interest. Hope they make a difference 😊

@MrsKin90 - Thank you for your message, I’ll keep you posted! I wish you the very best of luck too.
My local reflexologist charges £40 a treatment but last time I had a course of treatments leading up to the IVF and she charged £35 a time then. This time I couldn’t do that because of Covid so I only managed one treatment beforehand. It’s not cheap as such but I really feel it helps me. I did look at acupuncture and wasn’t quite sure whether to try both but decided I’d stick to the reflexology.

How are you getting on with your journey? I saw you mention your BMI slightly up thread. I too had to get my BMI right down last year before we had one cycle on the NHS. I managed to lose 4 stone last year with the help of a slimming world referral by my GP. But I’m having a battle because I weigh 10lbs more than I did at my lowest. It’s a constant issue for me 😭

@MrsKin90 and @Carol1980 I’m ever so sorry to read about the loss of your parents. I hope you’re both as ok as you can be at this time. Just catching up but didn’t want to read and run over your posts xx

Hi all,

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks glad to hear from you - fingers crossed for success in your next round of IVF!

@MrsKin90 you must be coming near to the end of your tww now? Have you tested yet?

I’m so sad to hear that it’s been such a tough week for some of you. I haven’t posted in a few days because I didn’t want to add to that feeling but I got my BFP on Monday (13dpo). It’s an odd feeling - Lots of excitement but also some anxiety that everything will go wrong. My family are joining us on our holiday tomorrow so I guess it will start to feel more real then when I’ve told them! I’ve only taken one test so I’m just hoping for the best until I see a midwife (not sure if that’s sensible or not as I see lots of people on here take multiple tests after their BFP)

Hope you’re all doing ok x

@AdriannaP and @Carol1980 again, I’m really sorry to read up thread what’s been happening with you both. Sending my best wishes that you’re both ok and looking after yourselves. Reading these threads can be heartbreaking 🙁

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks hope you’re well. I’ve not heard of those sachets. I think I’m a shit ttc person as I don’t really know what’s going on 😂

I was due to ovulate last sun according to my period and Fitbit trackers, got ovulation sticks on Monday and they haven’t shown me ovulating yet. So I either missed it over that weekend or I ovulate early. Been doing them every day this week and now I’m papping myself that’s there’s something wrong with me. Anyway we did our very first syringe sperms on sat and sun and tues 😃 so we’ll see. I made sure to orgasm then went on games on my phone for 20mins, it’s quite nice relaxation time.

I do have huge anxiety around being pregnant and especially giving birth so starting this journey is one of trepidation to be honest. I’m very very scared of the thought of labour and being out of any control.

But then at the same time I want to be a mum and currently (and awfully) have been pleased that due to corona we haven’t yet seen a friends newborn as it makes me feel so shit, a failure. Especially when for this friend, it was unplanned due to an antibiotic failure and I feel awful at the feelings it conjures up. I’m normally so happy and giving but I felt really fed up to hear that. This is the only place I can say this without fear of judgement xx

@LuckyFlash OMG just seen your post, that’s amazing news for you! Hoping everything continues to go well ☺️ Did you use the syringe method? Xx

@LuckyFlash omg 🥰 I'm so happy for you! It's always such a good feeling when someone gets a bfp. Fingers crossed for the stickiest bean for you. Congratulations! Also hope you're having a lovely holiday (which I imagine even if you weren't you are now!) It's FRIDAY. I can't believe your got your BFP on Monday and kept it to yourself 😱

@Oilyoilyoilgob Thanks so much for your thoughts and kind comments. How exciting that you've done your first lot of inseminations! I can understand the fear of being pregnant and giving birth but lots of people do it loads of times so it can't be that bad can it?? (Or so I keep telling myself). Are you going to do any further inseminations/keep using OPKs until you catch your peak? Or is that it for your this cycle? 😊 If you did O over the weekend at least you would have a good chance of catching the egg.

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks reflexology sounds cheaper than acupuncture! I hate my feet (it is to do with feet isn't it?!) But will consider it! 😊 well done losing all that weight! I lost 2.5 stone with SW and kept it off for over two years and then since coming off birth control have managed to gain it all back (in less than a year!) And it doesn't feel fair at all. Sometimes I think we need to go back to basics!

I'm 13dpo today. My BBT is up but my resting heart rate on Fitbit is on its typical downward trend for AF and j have atrocious cramps and some spotting yesterday 😟 ah well. Couldn't have done more than we did this cycle given the circumstances we were lucky to have managed to try at all.

@LuckyFlash congratulations that is fabulous news! Did you do it by insemination? Any tips you did differently?

Hope everyone else is ok xx

Hi @MrsKin90 I hope you’re well. It sounds like you’ve done everything you can this month so if your period arrives it’s not for lack of trying. I will keep my fingers crossed for you 💚
It’s bloody hard on the weight loss isn’t it? I got so (too!) skinny a few years ago for getting married but I’ve now piled weight on due to a tough few years and just not looking after myself. Lockdown has made me realise that I was giving all to my clients and work and nothing to myself. TTC is making me take healthier options so even a pound a week off would be great 🙏🏻😄

I’m going to keep tracking ovulation with the sticks, I’m due period in 9 days but finding out about womens ovulation in the last few weeks has been eye opening (like I said above I’ve been a crap person at this!) I just want to start getting to know my cycle in depth. If I did O over the weekend then at least we had two days of syringing! We used the onesmy husband bought then my stuff came Monday so we have 300+ syringes hidden in the house ha!
Think we’ll do it again tonight, might as well and it gives me 20 mins playing merge dragons in peace!

I hope everyone has some beautiful weather today, it’s gorgeous here in Yorkshire. Sending positive energy to you all on this journey. I’m ever so grateful to you group of lovely strangers 💚

Thanks ladies! Yes we only did insemination during my fw so it definitely worked that way! I’ve attached my chart to see when we did it (chart is a total mess after O due to insomnia!)

The only thing I did differently this month was take evening primrose oil from CD1 up to ovulation as I wasn’t producing any EWCM. I definitely noticed a little bit this month so it helped. Whether it made the difference in getting the BFP is anyone’s guess!

I had worries about DH’s sperm too as he is on antidepressants that supposedly harm them so we were going to get a SA privately next month if it didn’t work

Hi @LuckyFlash, Thank you for your good wishes. Huge congratulations on your BFP. I really hope everything goes well. Have a lovely time on holiday with your family and try and relax (easier said than done I know!)

Hi @Oilyoilyoilgob - I’m doing okay thanks. I wish you much luck. I’m starting to think I’ve just talked myself into these sachets to justify the cost 😂!
I know just how you feel with the anxiety around pregnancy and also when others are having babies. This is certainly a place of no judgement. The support for everyone on this thread has been amazing. I’ll have my fingers crossed for you and all you ladies that this is your month x

Hi @MrsKin90 - I didn’t realise acupuncture was dearer, I felt guilty saying I was spending £40 for each session of reflexology! Yes that’s right it’s to do with feet but they can also work on the hands in normal circumstances but not during the pandemic (because it would mean being nearer to the persons face). I know how you feel about feet, my feet are wide and certainly not pretty but I thought surely mine can’t be the worst she’s seen so I thought just go for it!! I was worried I’d find it ticklish and awkward but as soon as she starts it’s like I switch off and relax. At some stages I don’t even notice she is doing anything I almost zone out and sometimes almost nod off! Maybe consider trying one appointment and see how you find it.
Well done for losing the weight before, it shows you can do it. Knowing I had to get the 4 stone off for the IVF was the only thing that made me do it, I had that target. Don’t be hard on yourself, coming off the birth control has a lot to do with the weight creeping back. I agree re: SW, I found once I stopped looking at the books and keeping a record of what I was eating that’s when my weight started creeping up again. Be kind to yourself, you’ll find something that works for you. Like you say going back to basics isn’t a bad thing!
There is a thread I saw yesterday that made me smile about appreciating carbs, I’ve found my foodie people! I ate tons of carbs on SW and I still lost the weight!
You had a really tough cycle this time around, you certainly couldn’t have done any more. Best of luck to you x

Have a good day everyone, stay cool! ☀️

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks I really hope this round of IVF works for you lovely.

@LuckyFlash thank you for sharing it’s just so reassuring that this method works! I also take evening primrose oil... I only take one tablet per day. I’m on CD2 argh so fingers crossed for this month! X

@LuckyFlash huge congrats!! It’s such an incredible feeling to see that second line on a test after so many BFNs, isn’t it? Enjoy your holiday - what a great surprise right before you go!!

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks so lovely to hear from you! Keep us posted on your IVF progress, I really hope you get your good news soon - these future babies better appreciate the anxiety, heartbreak, scheduling and money that went into creating them! Haha.

@MrsKin90 I think we’re in similar stages of thr cycle this month. I’m about to get my AF this weekend, too. I’m CD25 today and got a BFN this morning so onto another cycle we go...

@LuckyFlash thanks so much for sharing your chart. So happy for you! 😊

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks how are you feeling today? When do you find out if the IVF has worked this time? 🤞🤞I'll look into reflexology as sounds like some nice "me time".

@primrosechill sorry about your BFN 😟 any chance you're just testing a bit early?!

@Lori23TTC I'm on CD1 today as AF started properly today. Have had weird spotting for three days though and my BBT went up with the spotting so I was a little bit hopeful but obviously shouldn't have been! 🙄

We are trying smaller syringes this cycle as we were using 5ml ones which were unnecessarily large. I'm also swapping to a plastic pot as I'd been using a rubber menstrual cup, which I feel it's hard to keep warm whilst sperm are in there also they stick to the side a bit 😂 so plastic pot it is! I'm thinking I might not bother with using fertility lube this cycle as I have been for the last three cycles but clearly isn't making any difference and tried a variety of adding to semen/inserting before the semen/having it already in the syringe and then adding the semen to that. I've exhausted the options and worry it's just more to worry about.
I'm on another forum where 4/5 people I was talking to have gotten their BFPs in the last cycle or two. I definitely feel like it's never going to happen 🥺 which I know is how everyone feels. Hubby said we can get SA done sooner if I want to so will do one more cycle and then look into that.
Not sure if I should take Coq10/ubiquitol to help my egg quality but cautious of taking too much. Does anyone else take this? As I O quite late I wonder if itdi be worth it.

Hi everyone! Just checking in hoping that everyone is ok 😊

My period is due in three days, I’m spotty and ravenous so assuming the first round of syringing hasn’t worked but onwards and upwards! At least this cycle I can use the ovulation strips and find out what’s going on with my innards.

Getting a mole checked out on my face and after consulting dr Google I think I’ll need it cut out and I’m bricking it. Then I think how will I cope with pregnancy and childbirth 😳 I’m winding myself up today.

Hope everyone is feeling ok and @TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks hope you’re feeling well xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob you're not out until AF shows as the saying goes so you never know.
Don't be too scared about your mole, it's hard to tell by looking at things on Google. And you'll be all numbed up if it does need to be removed, sometimes they laser them rather than cut them. You can't worry about labour already 😂