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!

Eloise wow similar here but with ED. Combined with major life events sex became almost another ‘must do’ on the tick list and it was hard to be intimate living in a house ripped apart (full renovation). Psychosexual therapy has saved our marriage and sex life (and sanity!) as we’re more settled that’s why for me especially, I felt ready to have a baby. But it’s obviously a lot harder than just unprotected sex 😒

I’ve said on this thread before, we have it drummed into us about ‘it only takes once’ etc and yes that’s true but as women we’re told pregnancy happens at the drop of a hat and it’s just not true 😓

Ah I totally get the temping then. I’ve bought a thermometer but for months I’m having horrendous sleep and waking up anywhere from 4am onwards so I haven’t done it. I’m almost certain my opk strips matched my online trackers for ovulation last month and I’m starting them again this afternoon. I honestly wish us all good luck with this, it’s bloody hard going xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob sorry to hear about the two weeks that you’ve been having and glad you treated yourself to a dinner and a nice glass of wine! It’s so awful when your body won’t stop bleeding isn’t it? After my MC I bled for almost six week. I found it to be particularly dark humour from the universe to allow me to know I was pregnant for only two weeks and then to make me witness me losing that pregnancy for three times that time... TTC is hard.

Another friend posted happy pregnancy news on instagram today. I ahould really just get off social media for good! 7DPO for me today - if my estimations are right.

@Busybee93 keeping everything crossed for you! Let us know if you get ypur bfp 🤞🏼

@Oilyoilyoilgob It's nice to feel you are not alone with issues like these. Before we opened up and talked about it with your therapist, I thought we were the only people in the world dealing with something like this and that somehow made it worse.

I'm not sure how the 'regular unprotected sex for TTC' method would feel as I obviously haven't experienced it, but given that I have a very demanding job (I work in healthcare) and most weekdays I'm completely knackered by the evening, there's something comforting about knowing that you can still "get the goods in" without the effort! LOL!

@primrosechill aww thank you, and that sounds awful to bleed for so long ☹️ It’s crap isn’t it? Thought I’d stopped but this morning little brown dregs when I wipe. Sigh. You summed it up so perfectly. Feels like a good two fingers also waved in your face as a good reminder.
I really really enjoyed my wine. Really enjoyed it! We had a lovely Thai meal too and the atmosphere was loud and chatty and it felt good to not think about anything!

@eloiseislost I’m proper chuckling about getting the goods in 😄 and I’m very glad you can!

@Busybee93 keeping everything crossed it’s going ok ☺️ Xx

@primrosechill welcome back glad you had a nice break!

@MrsKin90 I thought you were similar to my cycles? A bit longer than average? I wonder why you could have ovulated earlier this cycle? Someone’s our bodies are just thrown off I think but hopefully if you did ovulate you caught it!

@Oilyoilyoilgob @eloiseislost I am trying to do similar to you, my partner has ED and it’s hard to get any intamacy as I can help but feel frustrated when it doesn’t end in having sex. He has another doctors appointment in the next few weeks to talk about it abs his mental health so I’m hoping it cold get better one day!?

I’ve just finished AF and we are into Cycle 15... feel so fed up but got to stay positive. I can’t help but feel I must be doing it wrong or something, I give the sperm 5 mins (in a dark room) insert it slowly and orgasam, we do it everyday but I keep thinking why isn’t it working what else can I do. It’s a game of luck I suppose and hopefully it will happen for us all soon! Xx

Hi all, totally new to the board but felt like I needed to reach out to have people to talk to in a similar situation after months of trying!
Have read through quite a lot of the pages and it is so nice to hear stories from people in similar positions - I am not down with all the abbreviations yet but will try my best. To update on my situation I feel pregnant about 2 1/2 years ago when we weren't even trying (typical right) and sadly had a missed miscarriage. We didn't want to try straight away and waited but not have been trying really for 9 months with no luck. OH has similar issues to those described on this thread with DE and as others said it started becoming a big stress and barrier between us so at the beginning of this year when I spotted a similar self insemination story I thought why not. Originally I was trying with a soft cup but had no luck so the last few months I have tried with a kit. I don't think I ever get the syringe in far enough though I think I always panic about doing damage!! Its really great to hear all these stories and some positive ones. It is hard as within my friend group I am the only one without kids and they all seemed to just think about getting pregnant and it happened!
I have just turned 38 (yesterday) so had decided to go have a bit of an MOT on me and other half. Had results back today and the clinic is suggesting IVF. Have been told my AMH level is good for my age, but my eggs will be 'mature' and my OH has a slightly low sperm count. Has anyone had any success with this method still with not so good sperm? I am reluctant to jump straight into IVF but aware age isn't on my side.

Any tips much appreciated!

@SR12 Welcome! So far evidence suggests that home insemination has comparable success rates with the traditional method. So I guess sperm quality would affect your chances of conceiving in the same way, whether you are inseminating or having unprotected sex.
I'm afraid I can't offer you much advice on the decision about IVF. I know in NHS Scotland there is an age limit, not sure about elsewhere, so maybe it's a case of "get it while you still can"? Ultimately, it's what feels right to you and your partner and what you consultant advises. I wish you all the best and sending baby dust your way!

@Oilyoilyoilgob clearly you needed that wine! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Sorry you're still spotting 😟
@Lori23TTC I do usually have longer than average cycles! FF had put me at 6dpo but changed its mind today 😊 I'm CD16 so anytime now until CD22 would be a 'normal' time for me to ovulate. Trying to be positive. Are you holding the sperm container when you leave it for five minutes to keep it warm? ☹️ I'm sorry it's taking so long for you (and me! And everyone!!!).

@SR12 unfortunately I can't give any advice re. IVF either! I thought that would only be a last option? Although I expect age is a factor in if they're willing to do it and the success rates etc. So whilst I wouldn't jump straight into it either, maybe something to ask the clinic about a bit more? If I were you I think I'd get the ball rolling with treatments/exploring options (not necessarily straight to IVF) but continue with self insemination as it can't do any harm in the interim? Sorry to not be of any actual help. You're most welcome here and definitely not alone!

We will inseminate this evening and hope for a big temp increase tomorrow as I'm feeling absolutely shattered with lots of twinges and EWCM! More than ever so that's got to be a good sign?? 🤞🤞

@MrsKin90 Lots of EWCM is never a bad thing, good luck tonight!!

FF is adamant I ovulated on CD10 and is ignoring the positive OPK and EWCM on CD13, so I'm either 9DPO or 6DPO, who knows! 🤷🏻‍♀️ In the 2WW either way but I'm not feeling great about this cycle, it's been odd to say the least. I hope to see many BFPs from you guys though, I'm keeping everything crossed! ❤️

Hi everyone 😊 good to see you all and newbies. We’ll need a bigger bus to fit us all on! I have no clue about IVF @SR12 I’m sorry, it may be worth starting to check now though as well as inseminating? I hate the sound of ‘mature’ eggs. I’m 39 next month. I still feel 21 though. Mature eggs but young mind 😰😅

I did my first opk tonight since first week of sept, it’s come back as high on the premom app with the easy @ home strips (the last batch were a different brand) strongest reading yet. Although no ewcm yet. We did sperminating last night instead of couples time and we’ll do it the next two mornings I think.
Had my awful period start 26/9 so I’m cd 18 so surprisingly might still be in sync as my cycle is 34 days average.

@MrsKin90 good luck for sperminating tonight and keeping everything crossed one of those swimmers hits the bullseye 🙏🏻 Xx

Hi everyone, been away for a week or so and seem to have missed a lot! Congrats to @bigblueboots ! And hello to anyone new!

AF is due in a few days. Not holding much hope for this cycle as we SI twice, once at the start of my fertile week and the second was a few days after. I think we need to SI more in the window but we usually can't manage more than twice due to DE. Any tips? Do you get you oh to do his own thing and then SI?

Feeling a bit down about everything at the minute. A colleague at work announced her pregnancy which was really hard. I know I need to stay positive and hate getting upset about it as I feel like it puts even more pressure on but it's very difficult right now. Sorry for bringing mood down!!
:(

@eloiseislost I always argue for trusting yourself over an app. It makes more sense for you to have ovulated when you had the positive OPK and fertile CM. Although I suppose you'll know for sure in a week or so! Fingers crossed 😊
@bigsweetpotato i really think timing is more important than frequency but frequency means you don't have to worry so much about being specific with the timing (if that make sense?). We incorporate SI into intimacy rather than hubby doing his thing separately - but I imagine lots of us do it this way instead, so I think you need to do whatever works for you both! I just like to be involved 😁 are you using OPKs or BBT to help narrow down the timing?
I'm sorry you're feeling down ☹️ understandable though and we all have times like that so it's good for you to share it. Pregnancy announcements are so hard. Big hugs to you. I often feel the same. Xx

@MrsKin90 If I remove the positive OK from CD10, it moves the crosshairs to CD13 so probably it got confused by the double surge. There's definitely been a thermal shift, so I count that as a positive and I'll find out soon enough when did I actually ovulate! Stupidly did a test today (either 7 or 8 DPO 🤷🏻‍♀️) and it was a BFN so I'm mentally preparing myself. I do feel like AF is coming!

@bigsweetpotato It is absolutely normal to feel this way when you're trying and people around you announce pregnancies. But try to remember that you never know what happened before each pregnancy, how long they've been trying, what they've been through. My best friend got pregnant in March and I knew she had been trying for so long, but that's not something she talked to many people about, possibly only me. I hope you find your strength soon and feel a bit better. Baby dust to you! 🧚🏼‍♀️

Hi all,

Sorry I've been MIA for a while, lots of stuff happening this end with a new role at work looming soon and helping my mum etc.

Nothing much happening this end, I'm on 3dpo today def feels like it going slower this month.
I got about 3 days of flashing smileys before I got my static, we managed one insemination the old fashioned way and did one SI.
I'd like to hope that it doesn't matter how much I put in, just that I put it in at the right time so fingers crossed, although I'm beyond nervous about telling my new boss if we do end up pregnant as I won't be able to stay in the role, my employer wraps pregnant women up in cotton wool, so means I'll be stuck in an office as opposed to out in the community working, hence the nervousness about finding out we're pregnant ( if we're lucky that is) and having to tell them 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Good luck to all you ladies xx

@eloiseislost that's very early to be testing! Tut tut! 😊 Try to hold off a bit if you can to avoid the extra sadness that comes with a BFN. I almost wish pregnancy tests didn't exist 😬 and we'd all be forced to get doctor appointments for blood tests 😱 but at least we wouldn't torture ourselves.

Hi @Carol1980! The beginning of the tww is always the worst, but it can go ever so slowly can't it?! Is the new job one you really want to do? You can't put your life on hold for TTC as if you were a man you wouldn't be worrying about it would you?! (This is what my manager always says to me 😂). So I'd only worry about that when you get there 😊 what will be will be.

I'm pretty confident I'm 2dpo today, just need another temp increase tomorrow to confirm it. Although FF still thinks I'm 9dpo today now - will find out if my period turns up on five days! I'm 99% sure FF is wrong.

@eloiseislost implantation doesn't even usually happen before 9DPO or so, so you're testing super early - like @MrsKin90 said, definitely don't treat that result as final yet! I've ran out of pregnancy tests and I've decided I will be strong this cycle - 10DPO today but won't buy one and test unless I miss my period (due on Sunday). I'm oddly less stressed about it this cycle - obviously hopeful but at peace with whatever happens. Let's see how long I manage to maintain this zen state lol...

@primrosechill @MrsKin90 I know, I know! And to think I had my DH hide my FRERs… And what do I do? I add CB ultra early in my weekly shop and here we are! POAS addict, that's what I am! 🤣

@Carol1980 Do you work for the NHS by any chance? I'm starting a new post on Tuesday, which is right around the day my AF is due and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this month of course, but I'm also thinking what's going to happen if I walk into a new role and have to have this awkward conversation. Normally we wouldn't think about these things until the 12th week but now with this bloody virus… 🦠

@MrsKin90 I think FF is completely wrong for me this cycle too! The Peak from CB on CD10 completely threw it off. If I remove that, it gives me solid crosshairs on CD13 -lines up nicely with EWCM and also that's the CD I ovulated last month. I've had high temps the past couple of days so fingers crossed they stay that way! 🤞🏼
I wish you a calm and sane 2WW! 😁

Thanks @eloiseislost @MrsKin90 I do feel a bit better today, work is very busy so keeping my mind off it. AF is also due tomorrow...
Good luck to everyone x

@bigsweetpotato glad you’re feeling ok. Completely normal to feel like it, absolutely! The nice thing is you can come here like we all do and say it to other people as it doesn’t get said in ‘real life’ ☺️

It can be crushing. I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better xx

@bigsweetpotato It's positive that work keeps your mind off things. And if you still need to vent, you know where to find us! 😉

@Oilyoilyoilgob How are you these days? 🙂

Hi all,
Sorry have also been MIA for a bit. Had a miscarriage end of July and have skipped one cycle and not tried at all then. Had further tests and now take progesterone, a stronger folic acid, aspirin and vitamin B. In addition to my super expensive TCM and weekly acupuncture. We tried three times this cycle, I have a good feeling but only 8DPO today. Will test Tuesday I think.

Fingers crossed for us all!

@eloiseislost I think you're right to disagree with FF! My chart looks crazy compared to yours 😬 it went up, but I was very inconsistent with when I too my temp, and then it came down, then I had fertile CM and it went up and has stayed up so I'm believing myself that I'm 3dpo but my chart is less obvious than yours!

@AdriannaP so happy to see you back, sounds like you're taking the right things and getting the right support? Fingers crossed for a beautiful healthy bfp for you ❤️

I'm feeling sorry for myself 🙄🥺😔
If I am 3dpo today then we did the day of and two days before O. So. We shall see. All fertile CM has completely gone. This would mean I ovulated CD16, the earliest I've ovulated since January. I'm feeling really down today and have sort of lost all hope of it ever happening ☹️ looking back over TTC since September 2019, we only started using syringes rather than 'the cup method' in January, and two of those cycles since then were potentially anovulatory. Two of them we didn't SI at the ideal time for O as I thought I ovulated earlier than I did or we just couldn't do it as frequently as needed. That means only 3 out of the 7 cycles I've had since January have had any real chance of working and haven't. I thought this analysis would make me feel better but it makes me feel worse and has made me cry. 😞

@MrsKin90 I'm very sorry you are feeling low. And I know there's probably nothing anyone can say to change that drastically.
When I was seeing a counsellor for my anxiety, she recommended the "courtroom evaluation of bad thoughts". It sounds ridiculous but bear with! So basically, when you have those consuming negative thoughts, close your eyes, take a deep breath and imagine you're in court and you are trying to convince a judge that your thoughts are facts by presenting available evidence. Most of my bad thoughts cannot stand the "court test". It is about the only thing I have found that does make me feel a bit better when I am in one of my very low moods, so that's all I have to suggest to you.
TTC is hard and it absolutely sucks! I'm only on cycle 2 but today I realised it is really consuming my life already. 1 week of AF, 1 week of chasing the elusive ovulation, 1 week of syringes and lubricant, 2 weeks of 2WW HELL and… repeat.
Sometimes it's cathartic to let yourself acknowledge this struggle and feel low for a bit. As long as, in your own time, you can pick yourself up and keep trying. It doesn't matter how long it takes or how it's going to happen, but once you have your baby in your arms, it will all make sense. Baby dust to you and I truly hope you feel better soon!