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!

[TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks]

Update!

I have just finished my period and so DH and I are planning to start self insemination this week!
Have bought syringes and pots and preseed. Plan is to put a small layer of preseed into pot first, DH to do the biz (!) in the pot then I'll syringe it up and insert. I've read the best thing is to slowly empty the syringe and leave in place for a while, I'm thinking 10 minutes before removing. I intend to prop up my bum on a pillow for half an hour afterwards.
Our plan is to do this twice a week and hope for the best!
I have irregular periods so we aim to keep trying this and test after a month unless I have a period by then (hopefully not!).
Fingers crossed!

Any more tips and or success stories would be great to hear!

[bitheby]

Just be aware of temperatures. The preseed will be cold unless you warm it and could kill off sperm. I put the fertility gel inside me so it warms up and then the Flex Cup with the semen in it into me which goes through the fertility gel to get into place.

I'll let you know in a week if it worked!!

[bitheby]

Also I'm using OPK strips to detect the surge that happens before ovulation. This will help you with the timing.

[TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks]

Hi @bitheby , Thank you for your messages. That's a good tip re: temperature of the preseed I didn't think of that. I had just read somewhere that it might be helpful to put some in the pot first to help with the syringing up and to make conditions better for the sperm. I thought I would also put some preseed on the syringe itself to help it along the way.

I haven't planned to use ovulation strips only because the consultant didn't seem to think they are worthwhile. (This was the first time I had heard this). But I know many people find them helpful.
Plus I understand sperm can stay alive for up to 7 days once inside so I'm hoping this is the case!

Best of luck to you, yes please keep me posted. 🤞🤞🤞

[bitheby]

The Flex Cups I use which are the same as Soft Cups in design sit near the cervix so I'm using them. The reusable menstrual cups sit much lower in the vagina and so don't do much to help the sperm get to where they need to go.

I used it for my first cycle and just ended up with a load of stuff sitting in the cup. My second attempts using the flex cups were much better and there was less left behind, hopefully only seminal fluid and no sperm.

I'm using a donor so it's all quite a big logistical operation to meet up. In your situation you can experiment with different techniques to see what works for you.

[bitheby]

This time I'm having the donation straight into the cup and not bothering with the syringe. Again, I did that the first time and ended up with loads of air bubbles and some left behind in the pot!

[ttcchapter1]

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks

So nice to finally read this on a recent post. I’m 8/9 dpo after my first time trying this method. Did it three times during fertile period using preseed. So really hoping it worked.. doubt it did first time but here is hoping 🙈

I ordered oral medicine syringes and put the preseed inside first and then waiting before putting the liquidised sperm in. Then was lying down using pillows to stay elevated for around 30 mins. On one of the occasions I even used the long tubing putting it in as far as I could and then syringing the preseed and sperm through it. But i had a lot of watery cm after this so didnt do it the two other times (just used the syringe on its own)

🙈

[MissSparkles81]

Hi Ladies ... I am another convert to this method as my bf struggles to maintain an erection when we are dtd.

We managed x2 insemintions this window and 1 babydance but that was 7 days before ovulation so not counting it really.

Currently 8days po with not any symptoms to report apart from tender boobs but fullh aware that could be AF getting ready to visit.

I am not testing unless period is late as i had a mc in November at 8 weeks and its just too painful to see that negative test.

I am looking forward to following everyones journeys using this method ❤

[MissSparkles81]

@ttcchapter1 it sounds like we are at similar stages in our cycle. Mines are 30-31 days usually.

[ttcchapter1]

@MissSparkles81

Yes we seem to be, my cycles are around 31 days average according to my clue app which ive been using 2 years and my AF is due on 14th! But not had any major symptoms, my first cycle ttc was last month and i felt like i had all the symptoms under the sun but this time i have some tender breasts and dizzyness but no idea if its due to conception or not

[bitheby]

I'm due probably 15th/16th so I'm on a similar timetable too. My cycles are shorter than yours. Around 26 days.

[cookielove]

I have never self inseminated but i have had lots of issues with ttc. My advice is to:

Put a towel over the pillow.

I would often lie flat on the bed with legs up, bum on pillow and legs leaning on the wall, with my phone to keep me occupied.

Don't be to worried if stuff comes out after you stand up.

Sperm does live up to seven days in you!

Good luck xx

[TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks]

Hi @ttcchapter1 and @MissSparkles81

Thank you for your posts, it’s really useful to hear your stories. It would be great to hear how you both get on. Best of luck.

Hi @cookielove
Thank you for your post and advice, this is really helpful.

[MissSparkles81]

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks thanks lovely. I hope it works for you too.

[marshallrubblechaserockyzoomer]

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks

I think you should do it as many times as you can rather than just 3. Do you track ovulation? As that is a huge factor in TTC. I would self inseminate 2 days before ovulation, ovulation day and 2 days after as a minimum!

[mrsc1987]

Another here that this has worked for using a syringe, it took us 6 months of trying but im 21 weeks pregnant expecting a little boy, keep at it it deffo works and takes alot of pressure off too.

[mrsc1987]

Another here that this has worked for using a syringe, it took us 6 months of trying but im 21 weeks pregnant expecting a little boy, keep at it it deffo works and takes alot of pressure off too.

[ttcchapter1]

@mrsc1987

Its so nice to hear this! Congratulations and thanks for the encouragement ☺️

[MissSparkles81]

@mrsc1987 wow huge congratulations! So glad to hear a success story. I was just wondering if you did anything different the cycle that you conceived in? Or if you have any tips in general?

[TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks]

Hi @marshallrubblechaserockyzoomer ,

Thanks for your message.
2 to 3 times a week is the recommended amount because the sperm levels need to recover inbetween!
I wasn't planning to track ovulation because our consultant seemed to think it isn't accurate. But on reading lot's of positive things about other people's success with it I'm going to try it for a couple of months. I'm thinking it can't hurt to try it!

[TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks]

Hi @mrsc1987 ,
Thank you for your messages. Congratulations to you both on your pregnancy. I hope everything goes really well.
It's lovely to hear it worked for you. I think it will definitely help take the pressure off my DH using this method.
As others have said, please let us know if you have any advice or thoughts on what might have worked for you on your last cycle.

[mrsc1987]

Thank you, wishing you all the luck and hope it works for you too. Honestly we didnt do anything different that month, we did three tries over ovulation, the day before, on the day and the day after and then relaxed as much as possible. I kept my hips elevated after for about 30 mins, have an orgasm after you've inseminated as it helps, we used pre seed by adding it to the cup first and keeping it at body temp, let the sperm liquidise for about 15 mins and keep it held so its kept at body temperature before inserting. Relax as much as possible. Good luck

[TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks]

Thank you mrsc1987, this is really helpful advice. Especially re: body temperature and the orgasm!
Fingers crossed!

[MissSparkles81]

Thanks @mrsc1987 ❤

Its not looking good for me this month. I caved and done a test last night and it was a BFN 😔 2 days till AF arrives and I am gutted.

[firsttimemumhere]

Hi, we had the same problem, and used self insemination and we now have a 15 week old. We used preseed lubricant and a home insemination kit from Ebay with a catheter to insert it as close to the cervix as possible.