The Turkey Baster Gang (gobble gobble)

[Oilyoilyoilgob]

Just starting a new thread on self insemination before our first one locks down!

39 pages of highs and lows and THE most supportive group you could wish for if you’re starting or on a self insemination journey.

💚✨ good luck ✨💚

@Lori23TTC sorry AF got you- absolute cow to be 4 days late too!

@eloiseislost that article is brilliant! Has very much cheered me up (horrendous cramps and another baby announcement from a friend today- and I am SO happy for her but equally it's the classic now I'm sad that it isn't me making any announcements).

@MrsKin90 the ziggy cup looks great- the shape is intriguing and I think I am also going to head over to that site and place an order too...Just as well we are in a lockdown really because I wouldn't have any money to be going out anywhere after ordering all these test sticks and products! Does anyone use pre-seed when SI? I usually get decent EWCM in fertile week so not sure if it's worth using but read a lot about it on other TTC threads.

@primrosechill keep up the good work! Let's hope the laughter over the article is just the ticket to egg fertilisation and implantation!!

I can't. Get. It. In. 😱😱😂😂 Partly I think to do with how massively tense I was when I tried but also maybe not err... Lubricated enough as I was only giving it a go in passing. I'm panicking now though. How on earth is it meant to fit? I couldn't push it back far enough let alone width-wise 😬 I'll try again when we SI tomorrow and hope I'll be calmer and less panicky. It must go in surely???! Surely on top of everything else I can't also be oddly shaped inside?! 😂

@primrosechill six weeks of lockdown sounds like a nightmare doesn't it?! We can only hope we'll have loads of BFPs by then to see us through!

@Bluey18 just re-read the previous page! If you're using OPKs and they work for you I would be tempted not do any SI until you get a positive? As long as your OH can manage to do it on demand. Mine needs a bit of warning (oh the romance) so we agree the morning of the event 😳.

@Makingnumber2 I've tried conceive plus lube but it didn't seem to help. I usually get enough EWCM as well to think it isn't worth it so I stopped after I ran out but I've bought some Tesco conception this month. I can't bring myself to pay for the branded ones! Lots of people swear by them though and I can't think they'll do any harm??

I should be getting commission on these cups! I hope everyone else has more success putting them in as I may need advice 😆

@MrsKin90 oh bless you don’t panic!! Try to relax and if it’s similar to the soft disc then you will need to be sitting on the loo or squatting. Personally I can’t put it in with one leg up like they recommend, I sit back on the loo, squeeze the sides together and put it in horizontal with the floor so not up like a tampon would. I do it really slowly and once it’s pretty much in I push the rest in with my thumb and then up behind the public bone. I think my Ziggy cup is coming tomorrow so I’ll try it and see if I can get it in! It will take a bit of practice. Deff try with some lube on and if you do get it in don’t panic about getting it out, it can’t go anywhere, just sit on the loo as if you are pooping, it will move down slightly then hook it with your finger and slowly pull it out. Xx

@Lori23TTC I definitely wasn't putting it in like that. Maybe I'll try again in a bit. I'm not so worried about getting it back out (not yet anyway 😂). Thank you 😊 your reassurance is appreciated!

That’s if it’s similar to the soft disc but also you tube it that’s what I did with the soft cup and it really helped me! Xx

Bravery not heavy! Ffs!!

@MrsKin90, I'm really sorry, but I did smile at your post because that is exactly what would happen to me, that'd I'd be oddly shaped down there on top of everything else! I really hope that you can get it working . Maybe try and make time for some self-care first? Some deep breathing exercises, a short meditation video or just doing something that relaxes you? You mentioned being tense and I know when I'm tense there is absolutely no way anything is going up there . Easier said than done I know!

I'm tempted to wait for a positive OPK, but I'm worried DP won't be able to "supply" under pressure, like your OH he's more successful with a bit of notice . We might try it this cycle and see if it works out! It does feel a bit like a science experiment. At least DP and I are laughing about it, it's a welcome change after trying the old-fashioned way for so long and getting stressed out!

@Makingnumber2 I'll be trying preseed for the first time this month, I have heard some people swear by it and some who say it's useless so who knows! I know someone who reckons it's the reason she got pregnant after 14 cycles of trying beforehand. I figure it can't hurt anything to give it a go.

@Sydney1986x I'm not sure what you're correcting?! 😆 Have you posted but it hasn't appeared??

@Bluey18 haha don't worry I had giggle hysterics when I couldn't get it in and made lots of innuendos at my hubby 😁 I've approached the whole SI thing as a bit of an experiment with lots of giggles to try and take the awkwardness away. Some deep breathing before I give the cup another go is a good idea!!

The videos of putting these cups in make it seem so easy, however I do think I was definitely doing an incorrect angled-push 😳😂 what is TMI anyway?!

Oh for god sake lol! Sorry about the confusion haha.. I wrote a post about you ladies being brave with the soft cups as they terrify me! I just about managed to use the ferti-lily cup and was so fiddly to use!

Easier said than done but try stay calm and relaxed, the minute you tense up it won’t work or fit. Good luck xx

@MrsKin90 Angle is everything! For some weird reason I always assumed the vaginal canal was a tube that went straight up (I know, I know, I should know better…) so when I first tried to insert the soft disc, I was trying to push it up -and it wasn't going anywhere! The reason squatting helps is because it brings your vaginal canal parallel to the floor. Remember, you're pushing IN not up! (TMI doesn't exist here indeed 🤣)

Right, I'm going to wait to see how you get on with the ones you've ordered because for the life of me I've no idea how to get it in. I've tried squatting, leg up, leg up and into a squat and sitting on the toilet. I haven't tried lying down on the bed with my legs akimbo... But think that would make it even harder.

I've added a representation of my Ziggy cup to this stolen-from-google picture for funsies 😂 I've made it realistic to how big I think the cup is in relation to the space available. I always thought I had a bigger than average vagina (😳🤣) and assumed that was adding to the issue of husband not being able to perform. Maybe I have a smaller than typical one and that's the problem?!?

We usually have some intimacy/fondling before we collect the swimmers , and I can imagine it might be easier going in after that, so I'll try again this evening 🤔

Please feel free to interrupt my ramblings dominating the thread with my spacial issues with anything else 😂

Hi everyone, sorry i have been awol - I took a break off posting over the holidays. Been catching up on the posts and good to see you're all ok!
I have some good news to share - AF was late by 3 days, we did a test and I finally got a BFP - I literally can't believe it still and I know it's early days so I am trying not to get too excited. But I wanted to share with you guys as we really couldn't have done it without all the amazing advice and support from everyone here. Fingers doubly crossed that it sticks but this method clearly does work! Our last try was only SI. Wishing you all love and good luck baby dust xxxxx

Hi ladies

Thank you to all who suggested speaking to my surgery’s practice manager. I explained the situation yesterday and she was lovely and much more sympathetic and kind than the receptionist. I did voice my concerns about how this is impacting my mental health and how I feel like I don’t live a full complete life and obviously the baby is my dream but I desperately want my vaginismus cured.

today I received the call back from her to say they have sent the referral as unfortunately, the doctor referring had started it and went off sick that day and it was assumed the referral was sent but obviously hadn’t as she was unwell and left suddenly.

The practice manager also said I should not wait three months to follow up. There is a massive back log but I should follow up end of January directly with the fertility clinic and get this triaged so at least I join the waiting list.
She said someone from the surgery who was referred in early April 2020 did not follow up and even though the referral was sent unless it’s been triaged to a consultant you won’t get on the official wait list. That person only followed up in September and it was then triaged almost six months after the original referral and that was only for the wait list.

The practice manager said, unofficially, I’m not realistically looking at my first appointment until maybe end of the year. The first appointment also isn’t actually anything to do with IVF per se, she said it’s usually them asking about condition, ordering tests and then when all is collected, a decision will be made if iui/ivf is suitable.

The practice manager was so lovely and helpful.

Also, for anyone who’s surgery is dealing with Covid and long term issues only, it is true that NHS England have directed GP’s not to refer to hospital until further notice. But she said that’s for new conditions, if you’ve been about a condition before and it’s not improving you CAN still make referrals only because all avenues to a GP has been exhausted. But as covid patients will take preference appointments will go to them for obvious reasons.

@bigsweetpotato AHH this is brilliant news!! Congratulations it’s so nice to finally hear some good news!!! Especially doing it this way!! Really happy for you xxx

@ComebackQueen I’m glad you have had more clarity on this now and started the ball rolling - good job you spoke to someone else and they were helpful! I wish everyone was nice all the time would make the plant a lot nicer place to be but hey ho! Hopefully it won’t take a year... xxx

@MrsKin90 mine is getting delivered today so I’ll try it after work 🤣 not sure I’ll get it in as I’ve been told when having my smear that I’m quite small lol but if I succeed then I’m sure you will with some practice xx

😱 @bigsweetpotato I'm so so happy for you. Congratulations on your BFP. Will keep everything crossed for you for a lovely sticky bean and a healthy nine months ahead ❤️ that's really lovely news and has properly cheered me up 🥰

@ComebackQueen well done getting in touch with them! I'm glad the manager was helpful and had some clear information on what to expect and what's reasonable for you to do in regards to following up - how would you ever know that if you hadn't asked?! That's crazy. Even though it sounds like a bit of a long wait ahead, hopefully you feel better knowing what to expect going forward?

@bigsweetpotato that’s AMAZING news, so chuffed for you! How far along are you? (i know you said you tested when AF was 3 days late but wasn’t sure when that was) Love hearing positive stories, congrats 🥰

As seems to be customary nowadays, I’m once again checking in while my legs are up 😂 cheeky lunchtime SI today, at CD9.

@ComebackQueen so glad you got to speak to someone both kind and resourceful - Even if it does seem like a bit of a wait ahead now, at least you know where you stand. Big love.

@MrsKin90 so I tried the Ziggy cup as it arrived today - I inserted it like I would the soft disc and no problems at all! Went in first go... its pretty much the same size as the soft disc which I was so happy about when I saw as I was expecting a monster of a thing from your diagram (really made me laugh that post) so see how I go! I think with some practice you will be fine!
@primrosechill good luck with your SI! How lovely to have a lunchtime go lol that’s when I like when my fw falls on the weekend 🤣 good luck! X

@bigsweetpotato BIG congratulations! This is wonderful news and I hope it's a sticky one and that you have a happy and healthy 9 months Please can you share your frequency of SI during fertile week? And also method of SI - syringes, cup/disc, or syringe then cup in after to keep in place??

@ComebackQueen so pleased the practice manager was kind and helpful and listened fully to what you were telling her. I hope now you have found out what the issue was with the referral and what things look like going forward you at least have managed expectations of what's next and what's to come.

@MrsKin90 your google image cracked me up! A career in graphic design calling perhaps?! It's also given me the fear even more about the ziggy cup though and I've chickened out and am now looking at more of a moon cup design/soft discs.

@eloiseislost I know you use the soft discs and sorry because you've probably said this before on the thread, but does your husband deposit direct onto the disc or do you transfer from a cup to the disc? And if you go cup to disc do you just tip it out or syringe it out??
Sorry so many questions!

@bigsweetpotato Huge congratulations, I'm so happy for you!! Just the news we all needed, most of all you of course! 😄❤️❤️❤️ Wishing you a healthy 9 months and a beautiful, healthy baby at the end! 💝

@Makingnumber2 DH deposits directly into the disc and I try to get it in in less than 30 seconds. Sperm tends to weaken and die when it comes into contact with air and the more you handle it, the more swimmers kick the bucket, which is why I decided to go with soft discs -to make it as direct as possible. Having said all that, it only takes 1 sperm and your mileage will vary depending on sperm count, morphology etc. So don't panic if soft discs don't work for you or your DH. 😉

Thanks @eloiseislost that is really helpful I didn't know that about the contact with air etc.

@bigsweetpotato Congrats to you, so exciting to hear good news on the thread

Congratulations @bigsweetpotato amazing news!! So happy to read this today. Xx

@Lori23TTC I can't believe you've found it so easy. I have tried four times today. 🤔 Ahhh. I'll be gutted for the waste of money if I can't get it to work. It's such a pretty colour but hardly the thing people buy second hand...

Sorry to have put you off @Makingnumber2!! I'm sure I'm probably an anomaly as use a menstrual cup usually I'm just used to something easier 😊

Oh yes @bigsweetpotato would be lovely to know how far along you are and hear all about the process you went through! Did you keep your feet warm in the tww and how much pineapple core did one eat?! 😁

@MrsKin90 Had a proper laugh at your sketch! 😂 What exactly happens when you try to push it in? Does it 'hit a wall' halfway through, is it painful?
Mine arrived today too, it's very similar to the soft discs, went in and out without issues. About to SI for the first time this cycle, it's CD8 so stakes are pretty low and it's an opportunity to put the ziggy in action!