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!

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all doing okay.

AF arrived for me yesterday . We can't really be too down about it though because it was only our first month of trying with self inseminating.
One good thing is that my cycle was quite short this time around at 25 days (I have irregular cycles) so at least it means we can start TTC again sooner than we thought.
I'm wondering if I didn't actually ovulate on this cycle though because the test kit only ever showed me as having 'High' fertility and never 'Peak'. The instructions say it could either mean no ovulation that cycle or the hormone changes were too subtle to detect between high and peak.

Oh well, at least we've learned lots of things from the first cycle, we are treating it as a practice run, roll on cycle 2!

Good luck everyone, please keep the updates and advice going. It's so good knowing we're not alone.

@H8624 - That's a good idea with 2 pillows under your hips. I've found that one goes a bit flat after a while!

Hey, DH has similar problems. We used a syringe and a moon cup. Two pillows under hips for 30mins. Took 10 months but here we are both up at 4am with our 9 month old .

Hoping to try for another in a year or so.

@turkeybasterhopeitworks sorry to hear AF arrived but good luck on your next cycle!

I am now 3dpo according to FF and apparently I ovulate on the same day as my peak OPK! This is based on temp rises.

Are you using the clear blue ones with FMU? I usually use those and also cheapies (one steps) after I get High on that. However I find that I don't get a Peak with FMU, but when my cheapies start getting dark (almost positive) if I test again at lunchtime that's when I get my peak. I read that for some people the LH builds up later so FMU wouldn't catch it! I also have about 5 days of high before me peak as well so stick with it! Do you notice CM on the day around your highs as well? That can be a good sign that you ovulate as well?

Hi @SundayGirlB - That’s so good to hear, congratulations on your 9 month old. I hope you both have a chance to catch up on your sleep this weekend!

Hi @H8624 - Thank you for your message.

I am using the clear blue advanced digital ones using my FMU.
That’s interesting to know about testing again at lunchtime. Do you tend to hold on for 4 hours if testing at lunch time? The instructions say the urine needs to be held for at least that length of time. I’m not sure I could hold on that long in the day time!!
I tested as high fertility for 10 days straight with clear blue and then AF arrived.
I’ve not noticed CM, but thanks for the advice on this.
I’ve ordered another clear blue advanced kit to try next cycle but I might also buy some cheapies and try them too as you suggest.
Thanks again

Plus.... sorry if this is TMI!......
But I didn’t orgasm after each self insemination attempt. Do you all tend to do this?
I’m wondering if this could be a vital missing component!

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks I don't hold for 4 hours but I try for 2-3 I basically don't drink anything for the morning. It's the only time I have had a peak. But I only do this when the cheapies I use have a clear line to try and ration the CB test sticks!. I use the CB advanced as well. They are good but expensive especially if you don't get a peak and keep testing!

I bought the cheapies from eBay - about £3 for 30 which lasts a couple of months that I use alongside the CB.

Not liking the TWW! 3dpo and I just want to know either way 😂

@H8624 - Thank you for the advice.
I agree the clear blues are really expensive. I found Groupon to be the best price at £25 for a 20 test stick kit.
Best of luck with your TWW, I know this is such a difficult time but fingers crossed!

@turkeybasterhopeitworks sorry to hear that AF has arrived! Fingers crossed for next month.

@MissSparkles81 - Thank you 🤞!

Inseminated 8 times in the past 10 days 😭 please pray this is my month. Hope everyone else is doing well!

@ttcchapter1

Wow, that is dedication! I really hope this is your month x

We managed 5 inseminations in the space of 12 days and that was a real struggle with our work schedules! We need to up our game!
AF has just been and gone so we will be gearing up for cycle 2 soon!

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks

I know! We both had time off this week so thought we’d go for it as much as we can, I don’t use a mooncup and I don’t tend to O after. I try doing some pelvic floor exercises but thats mainly because im bored by lying down for 30 odd minutes!

Really hope you have a good month next month too!

Af is due around 14/15th so just a waiting game now. I hate the disappointment of my af coming though and i feel like i feel guilty because my DH wants this as much as I do 😭 but im probably just over thinking it.

I didn’t use preseed everytime so i hope thats not a bad thing!

Wow you ladies are amazing doing all those inseminations!! Im seriously impressed. Im currently in my 2ww at 4 days po.

I ovulated early this month which was a pain but we did manage one babydance. The cycle we conceived last time we only done it the once so hoping for some luck again this month.

Hi Ladies,

I'm just checking in with you all. How are things going?

@MissSparkles81, @ttcchapter1 and @H8624 - Any news? I hope you are all okay.

I've been doing the clearblue ovulation tests for the past week and I'm showing high fertility today so 2nd cycle 1st attempt in the process right now! Currently lying with my bum on a pillow. Maybe I'm going a bit woo woo, but for the first half an hour I led with my legs up in the air too just as an additional thing to try! Surely it can't hurt!

Please keep us all posted on how things are going and any news. Good luck everyone 🤞

@TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks good luck with this cycle!

AF arrived for me unfortunately so on to cycle 4 :(. Starting to lose hope now which isn't good!

This month I'm going to use pre seed to see if that helps at all! I am due to ovulate a week tomorrow so will be inseminating from Friday onwards I think so I hopefully have it covered!

How many Insems are you planning to do this month?

@H8624 - Thank you for your good luck wishes. I'm sorry to hear AF arrived. Try not to lose hope, I know it's easier said than done. But I keep thinking it only takes one egg and one sperm, surely it can't be beyond the realms of possibility!

Last time we managed 5 insems, and I'm hoping to do at least the same this month. It was my first time of using an ovulation kit and I never showed up as peak fertility so I don't know if that was because my hormone change was undetectable or whether I didn't actually ovulate, both possibilities listed in the instructions. I'm hoping I will peak this month but we're going to keep trying nevertheless.

Best of luck with cycle number 4 🤞.

Good luck with this cycle @TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks !!

Well, since my 8 inseminations, the last one was on cycle day 21 and ovulation was cycle day 18/19 according to my app and CM, I am now one day late for my period HOWEVER, i cant get my hopes up because I’m on cycle day 32(33 tomoro) and my cycles have been known to range from 31 to 37 days and i dont really have any symptoms 👀 so its an annoying lingering waiting time.

God I hope this is my month and if its not im inseminating every second day next month 😂 idc what DH thinks! Also going to order opks for next month, a bulk pack from boots the clear and simple ones and test everyday.

Forgot to mention, I did a pregnancy test on cycle day 28 but it was a BFN so don’t wanna do one again until cycle day 35 or till period shows.

@ttcchapter1 - Thank you and fingers crossed for us all!
The waiting is the worst, I really hope this is your month. You've both made a fantastic effort though so you really couldn't have done any more.
I think that's the right plan to test on day 35 or if AF shows up. I intend to do much the same and keep inseminating whilst I'm showing as high fertility with the hope I actually show up as peak fertility this month. I'm tempted to buy some cheapies too and use alongside the clearblue.

@turkeybasterhopeitworks how are you getting on this week? Did you get a peak reading In the end? Are you in the TWW now?

I'm now CD10 so first Insem tonight - please send me positive vibes! Hoping I ovulate Sunday/Monday so can get a few in!

@ttcchapter1 did you get your positive in the end? Got my fingers crossed for you!

Hey. I inseminated this evening. Can we be TWW buddies? I'm due to ovulate tomorrow but I just can't switch off so no idea whether my body will ovulate given the stress I'm under.

Hi, happy to be your TWW buddy. Inseminated on Thursday evening, trying again today, due to ovulate tomorrow.
5-8 Inseminations is unrealistic for us, we try and do 2-3 around ovulation.
I conceived twice DTD only once, so not too worried about quantity. Have one DC and had one MC.