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!

@primrosechill mine is quite bad. I can't manage penetrative sex, and only managed to have my smear test done after three failed attempts and diazepam. I actually had a transvaginal scan this week by chance - went for a pelvic ultrasound and the radiologist asked if she could take a look and so I thought I'd try (after a failed one a few months before) and I actually managed to tolerate it! She was very slow and also helped me with my breathing.
How severe is yours?
Do you use dilators? I have been this year and they have helped me so much along with kegal exercises!

@primrosechill oops just saw you do use dilators!

@Busybee93 mine was really bad up until about three years ago when I changed my dilator set to a silicone one (it’s a game changer - the stiff plastic ones were horrible and personally I couldnt tolerate them at all) and also started physio with a lovely therapist. I managed to get up to the largest dilator and throughout insemination I’ve been good as well, but I admit that ever since we started SI I’ve become much more complacent with trying to work on my vaginismus which I now of course feel super guilty about because it’s been a while and the method hasn’t worked again since my miscarriage a few months ago I catch myself being really hard on myself and thinking stuff like “If you had overcome vaginismus, you’d have penetrative sex and I bet you’d be pregnant by now” which is NOT constructive at all and only brings me down. Instead, I wish I could be kinder to myself and appreciate the fact that everyone has some issues, this happens to be mine and I’m trying as much as possible to work around it!

@primrosechill yes the silicone changed the game for me too! Had these awful pointy ones which just creeped me out and now have these rather life like ones
So sorry to hear about your MC. It is so easy to fall out of practice and let life take over but don't put too much pressure on yourself. You've done it before, you can do it again. To be honest I have the same thoughts but then try to remember that millions of women are able to do amazing things with their bodies and so can I!
Did you conceive your first child through 'usual' methods or insemination?

@Busybee93 I know what you mean, got to stay positive! Now that days are slowly getting shorter and colder I will try to do a bit more dilating but also focus on things like yoga etc to relax some more. In the meantime, I’ll continue with SI and just accept that this is just as valid of a method to get pregnant as any and that my body certainly prefers it at the moment haha

I don’t have a child yet but if you are asking about my previous pregnancy (the one that ended in MC) - it was through insemination. So it definitely CAN work!

@Busybee93 welcome! 😊
@primrosechill I hope your appointment went okay and wasn't as bad as you were expecting! How did it go?

How is everyone doing today?

I'm 8dpo. I'm symptom spotting 😔 can I make myself pregnant by willing it do you think? I'm dreading AF. This cycle is going to hit me really hard as hubby is pushing for us to think positive or 'think pregnancy' but I'm worried it'll make AF feel even worse. Going along with it anyway just in case.
Does early testing actually make anybody feel a bit of relief from the waiting? Or does it really make it worse?

@MrsKin90 I really hope this is your month! Fingers crossed I also think positive thinking can’t hurt it’s probably better for your mental health and if AF does come then just deal with it then.

I’m dpo15 and no sign of my period however my bbt temp plummeted this morning so I know she is on her way, had a big cry this morning to hubby but onto cycle 14 for us...

Just had a lovely bath with a large glass of wine as I had today booked of work.. this has been a really tough month for us.

Xxx

@Busybee93 welcome! This is a lovely thread 😊

@primrosechill don’t be hard on yourself, you’re doing the very best you can. Tell your brain to stop if it starts going down that route 💪🏻

@MrsKin90 I’m keeping fingers crossed for you! It’s really hard when your husband says that isn’t it? I’ve asked mine to basically not pressure in the run up to my period-we did that in February when I was late and the talking/testing/pressure was awful. Especially as the day I tested negative was the day we saw friends and they told us they were pregnant by a antibiotic accident after saying for years they were never having kids. That hit me hard.
It’s lovely they’re in it with us though and I’m really hoping for you it’s good news. I tested when I was 4 days late and don’t test in the run up to my period xx

@Lori23TTC your bath sounds lovely and very much needed ♥️ I'm so sorry you think AF is coming. 😔

@Oilyoilyoilgob the hardest part is knowing he's going to be as sad as I am where for the first six months he was very chilled about it and never mentioned it. It's nice to know we're in it together but it's hard when you're both sad as it's difficult to look after each other when you both need it.
Ugh life is so unfair. I don't blame you for not testing early! That must have been awful for you.
My husband has never asked me about testing actually 🤨 I think he expects me to just know 😂 don't we wish it was that easy!
I'm waiting for some almighty sign like my bbt going all the way up or my heart rate exploding or something 🤞🤞🤞

Ooh all the talk of relaxing baths has made me want an at home spa day. Unfortunately cleaning and real life comes first 😒

@MrsKin90 I’m sorry for you both, I really am. It’s actually just shit isn’t it? I know what you mean about supporting each other, we were licking our wounds in February after that night with friends/late period and started arguing on and off for a couple of weeks. We still have a therapist (who is awesome!) who we check in with and touched base and worked through that hurt.
That’s why I don’t test at all now and won’t until I’m late (if that happens).

Just like we all say, the symptoms are so similar so it’s an absolute shite show for waiting for a period to arrive and the brain ticking away at all hours.

I’m keeping everything crossed for you both, as I am for everyone on here 🤞🏻🤞🏻 I wish your husband was tight and we did know, would save a fortune on worry (and sticks and tests 😁) xx

**I wish your husband was RIGHT, not tight 😅

Hi everyone 👋🏼 @MrsKin90 I often test early just because I have no patience haha - but I swear whenever I test, my period arrives the same or next day - making the test totally pointless and way too expensive for what it is! I keep telling myself next month I’ll just wait for my period, but I have zero self control lol

My appointment went really well and I managed to do the transvaginal ultrasound! I was super proud of myself because it really is tough for me with vaginismus. I just asked to do it myself, took my time, did my breathing exercises, used LOADS of lube hahaha, and it worked! They checked my Antral Follicle Count and that all looks good. The doctor also put my mind at ease about the method of conception. We also did some blood tests (to check hormone levels and egg reserve) and my hubby did the sperm count test - we are picking up results on monday. 🤞🏼

@Lori23TTC sorry it’s not your month again... hope you pampered yourself! Is AF now officially here? I’m CD6 so just on the other side, my period finished yesterday and I will start SI soon.

Big hugs for everyone x

@Oilyoilyoilgob it's good that you're both willing to see a therapist and work through issues as they arise 😊 TTC is especially stressful so a therapist would come in handy!

My husband is a bit tight 😂 but I'm no better.
I'm 9dpo today! Only 5 days left until AF due but my AF has arrived on 18dpo before.... so maybe 9 more days 😒 I've been feeling really sick today and trying not to read into it whilst also thinking about buying baby stuff in the spirit of being "positive" 🤣 luckily I realised I am insane and just bought food shopping instead!!

@primrosechill so glad to hear your appointment went smoothly. Well done for getting through it and for being proud of yourself! 💐 Sounds like a worthwhile appointment. Fingers crossed all those tests come back with positive results 🤞 Monday will be here before we know it!

Cramps today 😟 10dpo. Trying not to freak out and cry in advance.

@MrsKin90 I know it's so so hard but please try not to assume the worst yet - cramps can be a sign of AF approaching, but they can also be a sign of so many other things, including implantation! Are you going to test early or are you trying to be good?

For everyone on here: I forgot to mention that during my apt last week, the doctor shared a couple of recommendations with me, which I thought would be worth forwarding on!

1. She mentioned that we should get our hands on a nozzle-free syringe - I've attached a photo. You can find them often sold with children's medicine (syrups). Apparently the long nozzle in standard syringes can damage and trap sperm, so these might be a better option. I have since discovered that fancy self-insemination brands like Mosie Baby (mosiebaby.com/) recommend the same.
2. She said to make sure that we let the sperm liquidate FULLY - I know we sometimes get impatient and inseminate with a few "gooey" blobs of sperm still floating on the surface, but she said it will absolutely not damage or kill the sperm to wait a bit longer and we give ourselves a much better chance if it's fully liquidated.

@primrosechill I'm usually quite good but I did test today and got a BFN 11dpo so not looking great. My cramps have gone away but I imagine they'll be back. I keep telling myself it's so out of my control and not worth getting upset in advance.
That's really good advice and good to know! So helpful that they were supportive ♥️ noted re. The liquifying as well. I tried to be better with that this cycle so will wait even longer next time!

@MrsKin90 oh I do hope it’s not AF but keep us posted.

@primrosechill thanks for the advise! I’ve just been using the 1ml syringes as I like the smaller ones but will see if I can get hold of one without the end bit! I also never wait I just do it as soon as hubby does this business.. I found that hubby’s sperm isn’t particularly gloopy tho and it’s quite liquid anyway but I’ll leave it 5 mins or so this cycle!

So I have been in google again... anyone done pregnancy massage? I found some YouTube videos of ones you can do yourself up until ovulation but was wondering if anyone had?

My AF arrived on Saturday so I’m only CD3 argh right back to the start again! Pretty much cried all weekend but feeling slightly better now. Xx

Hi all. So my af came this evening. Bummer. Definetly trying with the syringe next month. Got one of those medicine ones already, so all set to go as soon as af departs!!

@Lori23TTC Hmm I've never heard of pregnancy massage. Interesting that you can do it to yourself!! I'll have a Google; it's a good thing they don't charge for searches as I'd owe a lot of money!! So sorry that AF arrived. A good cry helps get it out but onwards and upwards for us all!

@LAG1986 sorry that AF got you as well. Hope you're okay! At least you're all prepared for the next go around 😊

I'm 12dpo today and cramping is back! Also back pains and a headache so. All typical warning signs for me! If AF does arrive I'm not going to do much differently this cycle... other than work on eating healthily and exercising more and waiting an extra minute for hubby's swimmers to settle before sending them into battle 😁

@Lori23TTC @LAG1986 sorry AF got you - at least it looks like you have found your cycle buddies, though! @MrsKin90 I hope you have a big glass of red and some bath salts on standby - I still hope it's not over till the blood gates open but I know how annoying it can also be when people keep telling you to keep positive...

We got our lab tests back and everything looks good for me but my hubby's swimmers are a bit off - there's a lot of volume but a bit less motility than they would have liked. Nothing too critical but we will see a doctor for a follow up on monday to see if they can maybe prescribe any better supplements or anything else to increase the quality of sperm. This might be also why it's taking us a bit longer this time but I'm trying not to stress - we got pregnant once already so surely it can't be that bad?!

CD9 for me today - we did our first insemination last night and I think we will try again tonight. I have loads of EWCM right now so hoping it's a good sign for this cycles, but who the bloody hell knows...

Thank you ladies. Next month will be taking all the advice i can get on board. Xx

@primrosechill thanks for your support 😊 it is hard being told to be positive although I do try, I definitely don't have the power to create a baby out of positivity lol
That sounds mostly positive about your test results! I'd be interested to know what the doctor suggests for your husband. It can't be that bad as you say! CD9 already, feel like it's gone fast.

No spotting or anything for me today! Not 100% sure I'm 12dpo so won't panic if AF is a few days later than expected.

Hi all, just an update from me - we tried SI two times this cycle so fingers crossed. I also used the Fertilily cup afterwards - don't know how effective it is but worth a try. Thanks everyone for the advice so far!

How often do you ladies try within your ovulation period please? I'm just wondering if every other day is best, or daily? X

@bigsweetpotato everything crossed for you this month. Have you used this method before? X