Anyone used/considering home insemination?

[tmc14]

Hello
Bit niche probably... but DH & I have been ttc #2 for a year now. We were successful last summer but I suffered a miscarriage at 10.5 weeks. Our main problem is performance issues with DH, meaning in the four cycles since the miscarriage, we haven’t successfully timed dtd. It’s causing us both a lot of stress & heartache not being even able to try. We’ve talked about doing home insemination, as he can manage it on his own... I’ve been reading loads about it but finding the idea a bit overwhelming. So just wondered if anyone else was in the same position or had tried it, any hints and tips, what kit did you use etc... thanks in advance! x

Have either of you been to the Doctors?

Hi @Nomorelaundry my DH has previously about this issue, after tests & therapy it was deemed to be psychological. We actually haven’t had this issue much, our first born was conceived easily. I think the combination of our ages (so a feeling if urgency) the miscarriage & really wanting a second child has just made the whole thing too stressful. I’ve read that some women with vaginismus have used home insemination, as have some same sex couples, so thought someone might have some personal experience of this.

@tmc14 did the home insemination work for you? The pressure of DTD at the right times (we’ve been trying for our second for over a year) affects DH sometimes so thinking of combining BD with home insemination…

@poppet131 hello :-)
Yes! I used preseed, then used the applicator. DH was next to me doing his thing. Worked second time. Wasn’t as clinical as I thought it would be as everything had been ‘normal’ up to the end point. It is such a difficult time, you have my sympathy. It really affected us but was pleased we had those tricky conversations and did what was needed.

Hello! I'm using home insemination - I'm a lesbian TTC with a gay man and this was our first month. We used the Tilly Bloom kit (via Amazon) but tbh you can buy all the bits separately. I've also heard great things about the Mosie Baby syringe. Stuff I'd recommend:

• round ended syringe
• pre seed or any speed friendly lube
• cervical disc/cup (we used Ferti Lily)
• have an orgasm after insemination

We inseminated three times this month and I'm on my TWW. I did a lot of research beforehand and talked to other couples who conceived this way to get advice, happy to go into the process in more detail or answer any Qs, though obviously I don't know whether this method will be successful for us yet as we are in our first month ❤️

@tmc14 Thanks and congratulations!! That gives me so much hope. Did you use OPKS and how often did you inseminate (everyday or EOD)?

@lakejupiter - thanks for the tips! Will have a look at rounded tip syringes on Amazon. Good luck for your TWW and really hope you get your BFP!

I did use opks, and we only tried one per month. I realise this isn’t ideal and we were lucky but any more and the stress would have got in the way I think. I also tried to do it a couple of days before ovulation as I was worried about missing it with so little effort. I didn’t use a cup or anything, but I did put a cushion under my bum to give gravity a hand 🤣

Good luck @lakejupiter I hope it works out for you!

Hi OP, It took us over a year (but had some infertility issues as well), but we used home insemination method, and now have a beautiful girl. To be honest we didn't use any kits or anything fancy - just got some small syringes off amazon and tracked ovulation. It worked eventually!

@tmc14 thank you and great to hear a success story - haven't found many people using this method ❤️

Congratulations @Hawse 🥰
@lakejupiter yeah, I read stuff but couldn’t find much and got myself all tied up about methods and technicalities etc. I think that yes you have to transfer asap, and it matters where you store it if you have to (I’m guessing you’re not in the same room!) but it’s not as complex as some of the kit makers make out.

@tmc14 for the first round my coparent did his thing and then put it into the syringe then I swapped places w him to do the insemination, but it was def in the syringe for a few minutes as we got ourselves sorted. Next cycle if we go again I might try and find ways to reduce the time it's out and about and get it transferred from him to me ASAP, as I do worry that the sperm quality suffers from hanging about!

@tmc14 We’ve been using easy@home OPKS so fingers crossed we can ‘DTD’ on the right days on our next cycle!

Congratulations @Hawse! And so great to hear that this method actually works. Until recently, my DH had sperm issues and our timing has sometimes been off but his latest SA was normal so keeping fingers crossed. I also suspect I may have endo as I have spotting for up to 5 days before my periods but my consultant isn’t convinced as my symptoms aren’t severe.

@lakejupiter - will definitely try this so offering you a virtual handhold! Let’s keep each other updated.

@poppet131 - I had endo as well - and even with endo it worked in the end (though took a while) - so there is hope out there! @lakejupiter has some good tips above as well (as we did similar).

My DH has delayed ejaculation which made conception tricky so we artificially inseminated at home and now have a toddler and baby.

It was easy - he did his thing into a sterile cup, I mixed it with a bit of preseed, warmed it up for a bit/let it ‘settle’ then used a syringe and then a moon cup to keep it up there, then orgasmed. Took 11 months first time and 3 second time. All products bought on Amazon.

Good luck!

Oh and I never really got on with OPKs so we did it every 2 days for 2 weeks…we sometimes had a month off. It was much easier second time round as since my first I get ovulation pain so I know when I am ovulating. A silver lining!

@MrsCremuel - glad it worked twice for you! I think we’ll try and do this every other day for two weeks too. We’ve been using OPKs but it’s now adding to the stress factor.

@lakejupiter - fingers crossed that your 2WW results in a bfp! X