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!

@Cardigan2020 thank you so much for this! After you mentioned it I’ve checked my cervix everyday, couldn’t find it for ages but I think I may have now ha still not 100% sure though. If what I think I’m feeling is it then mine seems to be more on the left so maybe I’ll aim for that this month! Mine does seem quite hight but I am coming into ovulation so that could be why, if AF comes this month I’ll do it after my period to have more of an idea! Thank you I need all the help I can get 🤣 slowly loosing the plot I hate ttc! Xx

@Cardigan2020 thanks for this, it's really really helpful to hear. Will get searching...!

I'm feeling a bit all over the place today. We saw the fertility specialist yesterday to analyse our results and we indeed have an issue with my husband's sperm morphology and motility - nothing too serious but because he has a lower percentage of healthy looking sperm, it:

1. Might have potentially been the reason for my miscarriage - though they could never know that for sure and it likewise might have nothing to do with it
2. It might mean that if we can't get pregnant in the next few months, we will explore IUI - because it involves "cleansing" the sperm and making sue only the healthy guys are allowed into my cervix haha. Of course, with my vaginismus, it could be a nightmare of a procedure - we would probably consider putting me under for it...

The doctor told my husband to eat healthily, exercise and destress so we can check in two months time if the quality of his sperm has improved - and to continue trying in the meantime. As you can probably imagine, telling someone to destress is the fastest way to make them more stressed out - I can sense he's been feeling really low since yesterday, like he's failing us or something, and it makes me feel so sad - I keep telling him we're young and have plenty of time to figure this out!

On the other hand... and sorry for TMI... I have been feeling SO horny the past couple of days hahaha. I'm 4DPO so in 2ww and obviously hoping it's a symptom... Will I ever learn not to tell myself these stories and get my hopes up?! Gahhh.

@primrosechill sorry you didn't have the results you wanted from your SA. However, I have read a great deal about how various elements of the SA are relevant rather than viewing morphology or mortility in isolation. Was the morphology below the 4% threshold? It does maybe mean it could take longer but doesn't mean it won't happen!

I've also been advised if I have IUI I'll have to be sedated for the transfer, but not a big deal! There are always ways around it so try not to worry

Good luck for your TWW!

@Busybee93 Thanks for your lovely words. How are YOU doing, whereabouts in your cycle are you?

Yes, his results came back at 2.5% - so not dramatic, but significantly below the threshold (personally I find it crazy to think that as low as 4% is a norm!). Like you said, it might mean it takes us longer or that we explore other options - but at least we know it now, so we can plan accordingly :) Also, the good news is that he has a lot of volume, so I keep telling myself that 2.5% of A LOT of sperm is still more good sperm than 4% of VERY LITTLE sperm haha (oh the TTC math equations!), which hopefully means that something like IUI could potentially have a high chance of success for us, if it comes down to that... For now I'm staying positive and hoping that if it happened for us once, it will happen again.

@MrsKin90 keep us in the loop if you decide to test again! & @Cardigan2020 thanks for all the tips! I haven't really familiarise myself with my cervix, so if this cycle is not our cycle, I will do that during my next period :)

@Cardigan2020 thanks for the tips re the cervix! I had a feel last night, kinda weird but it did feel like a nose!! I'm going to try and keep a record of where it is!

P.s. The 2 week wait is awful isn't it?! I'm on 8 days dpo. I did a test 2 days ago for curiosity which wasn't positive but was probably too early in any case. Debating whether to carry on testing or just to wait to see. Feel like I'm starting to get pmt symptoms though :(

@primrosechill I've heard Vitamin D and C can help with morphology? Not sure how true that is but it can't hurt right?!

I'm about a week away from my fertile week! This will be my second month TTC this way. I had to have a break a few months ago because of health / and also found out my MMR vaccinations had worn off so had them redone which means you can't try and conceive for the 28 days between both doses which was a pain! Trying to remain calm though and not spend hours on end in forums or researching stuff online. Developing serious health anxiety with dr google!

Aww you guys are so lush. I'm so glad I found you all!! 🥰

@primrosechill I'm so sorry you've had that news. I can't imagine how your OH feels. Big hugs to you both! I hope you don't need IUI but at least it is a valid option for you, and it's a good opportunity to have a really deep nap if they have to put you to sleep?? 😊 You need to do something lovely for yourselves. I hope your randy feelings are a symptom!

I hope everyone is okay!! I can't seem to retain the posts people have made as it has all made me a bit emotional!

I've got lots of back pain and tummy cramps and loads of heartburn today as well as being an emotional loon. I've been monitoring my RHR on Fitbit which has come allllll the way down as it does for AF so I've not bothered testing again. Defo will test if no AF by Thursday but I'd be shocked if it didn't come in time for my holiday.

TTC is so weird and crazy sometimes 😂 is my cervix weird or is my nose?! Mine definitely doesn't feel like my nose but I'm not sure which one of them is in the wrong!!

@Cardigan2020 thanks so much for your tips and advise. Trying tomorrow!!! Lost the flamin' syringe so will be going to find it or buy a box of nurofen for kids hahaha. According to flo I ovulate in 3 days. So going for it in morning and the next 3-4 days. Fingers crossed xx

@MrsKin90 ah your so sweet 🥰 I’m glad I’ve found you all too!

I’ve beeb trying to find my cervix all week ha I keep thinking yes that’s it but I’m not sure, in past smear tests ect I’ve been told I’m quite small/tight down there so maybe I just can’t get my finger in enough I’m not sure!! Or maybe it’s just high as I’m due to ovulate around the weekend?! I can’t find a syringe without the top bit so I’ve been using my normal 1ml, any ideas where I can get one from?? Xx

Hi everyone, I'm feeling a bit pessimistic this month. I've been using opks on DW's (who is going to be carrying) FMU for this whole cycle to try to spot a peak - never been able to before, and she's really irregular. But is def ovulating according to blood tests. Anyway, the apps say she's due to ovulate in 5 days but that's just an average so doesn't mean too much. LH went up on Sunday and Monday just gone, not enough to count as a surge for most people but maybe it was her peak? Its come right down again since.

We tried last night and will do again in Sunday, it's the best we could manage with donors timetable and ours. So if it was weirdly early ov, we might have caught it with last night's, otherwise just hoping for an obvious surge at the weekend or later. Even with all the tracking there's so much guessing and timings and variables that need to work together, plus then the pure luck it takes to actually conceive even if everything is right, it's hard to believe we will ever get that lucky.

Sorry to offload, any positivity welcome!

Well that 30 mins seemed like 3hrs. Haha. First time trying with syringe. Fingers crossed I did it right, and fingers crossed they're swimming for glory!!! X

@bigblueboots dont panic. You did the best you could with your timetables etc. Keep your testing strips with date on to try work out approx ovulation time. X

@LAG1986 Everytime I wonder if I'm getting the right angle, speed, whatever - I remember how many people have conceived accidentally with terrible drunk sex, and I have a bit more hope again!

Hi everyone!
I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant using self insemination. It worked on our first try which we were amazed about but obviously it's still very early days.
I also suffer with vaginismus and SI has been a life saver in making my dreams come true. I'm terrified of having to explain to midwives about vaginismus and terrified of any internal exams I have to have!
Just wanted to share a little about me :)

Good luck to you all xx

Is it just me or is there a possible troll in our midsts ?

@Carol1980 oh no 😱 I see the word troll all the time on Mumsnet and I can never tell!

I'm just slightly suspicious that within a couple of days we have two 'different' people claiming to have gotten pregnant using the SI method who both have a similar format to their user name....and it's the only posts that they have made using these user names ?......I'm a totally cynical and naturally suspicious person anyway but it just doesn't feel right....

Oh I see what you mean!! But why would someone do that? 🤨
I've never understood people who troll. It's properly bizarre.

Maybe I'm too pure 😂 or just too lazy. I'm almost too lazy to give my own updates let alone making some up for shits and giggles!!

On that note.. Still no AF for me so going to have to test tomorrow as we are going for a spa and cocktails and a few days away. 😒 if it's a BFN as I'm expecting I've no idea when AF thinks she's arriving!

@MrsKin90 me neither !!

I'm so behind most of the time with updating my Ovia app !!

So how many days late are you now ?
What DPO ?

Test test test test !!!!

I'm 1DPO today I think x me wventually got the static smiley which is great, hopefully we put enough swimmers in !!

I'm proper excited for you though x

@Carol1980 Ahh 1dpo! 😊 Glad you got your static smiley. I'm sure you did all you could and now I hope your tww doesn't go too slowly!
FF thinks I'm 20dpo but who knows? Maybe I didn't ovulate at all 😬
I will test in the morning but I begrudge wasting the test lol please don't be too excited. The only time I've ever been more sure I was not pregnant is when I didn't have sex at all 😂
If I get a BFN tomorrow I'm just gonna have to sit and wait for AF as zero chance based on when we last dtd which will be frustrating! It happens though 😊

I'm so confused about the troll thing haha 😂 Maybe I'm just too trusting. And hope that their honest. Xx

I'm so sorry that my username has caused you to think I'm a troll. I can assure you I am not. I have been reading through this thread for a while but I am not really the type of person to get involved - I sit back and watch.

Vaginismus is something I have struggled with for over 15 years and is something I take seriously and after seeing a few others pop up with the condition, it made me want to share some of my story and give you some hope.

I did get inspiration from the other username, I must admit. I'm useless at coming up with names and thought hers was pretty simple! So I looked to the right of me, saw a teddy bear we named Proposal after my boyfriend proposed using it and just chucked the year on after.

I have absolutely no reason to troll; it's definitely not in my nature. I fully support the SI method and I can assure you I am pregnant and am in no way linked to Cardigan2020.

I am being 100% honest - I know I can't make you believe me, but all I can do is tell the truth.

Just a quick one from me to say BFN today as expected. Absolutely no idea if or when I ovulated now 😂 will be having a lovely weekend and worrying about it next week instead. Hope everyone is ok today!

@MrsKin90 sorry about the BFN... just goes to show that you really know your body well - you knew all along. Sorry if somewhere deeper down you still had a glimpse of hope though - hope you get to enjoy a lovely weekend to take your mind off it. Have all the wine you can find lol

@Proposal2020 wowza FIRST try? Your ovaries were roaring to go weren't they? Hahaha. Sorry vaginismus has been a struggle for you, too - it's awful isn't it? I feel so betrayed my own body by it, but the more stories you hear, the more assured you are that you're not alone in this.

Hope everyone else is doing well. I'm 6DPO today and still feeling unusually horny for myself, but also feeling a bit under the weather - the latter is unlikely to be a symptom of anything other than just being ran down ha - I'm off on holiday from the 26th, hope I'm not going to get ill beforehand!!