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 ✨💚

@eloiseislost that is an impressive line up you have there! I am intrigued by the pineapple core- what does that do?? You must be close to AF date now? Are you waiting until AF late to test?
@Sydney1986x hope you're ok and the TWW isn't driving you mad!

Hi @Janefx40- welcome! I am pretty new to the world of SI myself, so can only advise that I sterilise a small tupperware for DH's swimmers using boiling water. Then he uses it once it has cooled. We usually get sperm in the syringe asap but I have also read about this liquefying thing- I have no idea what that is though or how/why it happens! There are many SI experts on this thread so I'm sure they'll be along in a bit to fill you in. Hope your SI attempts go well!

Thank you @Makingnumber2 just one week to go for me now to see if AF shows her ugly face ! Xx

Welcome @Janefx40 and good luck for your first SI. I am by no means an expert... this month was our first time too! I’ve watched loads of YouTube’s and read quite a bit about different approaches.

This is what we did:

• partner DTD in a specimen cup, i kept this in my bra to keep room temp and allow to liquify (10mins max) meanwhile I prep everything on the bed, put 1ml of pre seed inside me. When the semen is liquified I then put into the syringe, ensure no air bubbles/ slightly push the syringe to get rid of them. Put the syringe inside me, have na ‘O’ and slowly press the syringe. I stay put for an hour. Have used ferti-lily cup to keep the goods there but tbh it’s such a faff using it. I hear conflicting info re liquifying the sperm vs putting straight in. I will prob try a mixture of both methods this month to cover all bases if AF comes.. Hope that helps xx

@Makingnumber2 Pineapple core contains bromelain which is an enzyme that if taken on an empty stomach has blood thinning and antiflammatory effect on the body. Kind of like nature's aspirin! It probably doesn't make a difference, but I'll try anything! 🤪
AF has been and gone, CD12 today, waiting for ovulation. 🙂 How are you getting on?

Hi @Janefx40, welcome! 🎉
Good luck with your first SI tonight!
In terms of the semen liquifying, I'm not sure about what's the logic behind it. I assume so it's easier to draw on the syringe, which means less pressure and less damage to the sperm? I could be wrong! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks guys! What a lovely welcome.

@eloiseislost you're a total hero for eating pineapple core - I tried it once having read about it and yup a slice of tree trunk is about right! That is tough going. I also take Ubiquinol and am currently on DHEA but a bit nervous about that as I've heard mixed things (I am prescribed it by fertility consultant).

Xxx

@Janefx40 Sometimes you get the odd bit that's OK, but yeah, I'll accept the title of the hero! 🦸🏻‍♀️
I would say if it's prescribed to you by a fertility consultant, no need to read about it. I am guilty of doing too much internet research, so I understand completely!

@Ttc2017 hello, not sure if you are in the right place it depends! We're a group doing at home self insemination (or moving on to IUI/IVF) as traditional sex doesn't work for one reason or another for us and our partners. If you're going through IUI for other reasons I'm sure there are other groups more suited 😊

@eloiseislost that's not too many things! I was expecting an enormous list 😂 some people seem to take lots of vitamins separately and the lists can be never ending. I've never had pineapple core on its own. When I cut up a pineapple I don't remove the middle, I cut the whole thing into slices and get on with it, but I've never been unhappy about the middle? You did the typical thing we all do and said you're 11dpo on the previous page - wishing your tww away before it's here!! 😁

@Janefx40 welcome 😊 I agree with Eloise, I think it's suggested that liquifying the sperm causes less damage when sucking up onto the syringe. I keep the cup warm in my hands until it gets runnier (I use a 'pouring" test where if I tilt the cup and it all starts to pour together it's ready. If it resists like a gel would it isn't). That being said I do a variety! Your method and equipment sounds fine 😊

CD13 for me today and SI'd today. Used conception gel and disc-cup although have decided I don't like it so won't use it next time. Will try for CD15 as well, but will use syringe and no cup and conception gel lol nice to have a variety!

Some of our ladies have gone quiet! I hope you're all doing okay wherever you are 🥰

@MrsKin90 Ah so I did, oops! CD12 today, we did another SI but my OPKs are still negative. I'm at this point in my cycle where I get terrified I won't ovulate, even though I know that my OPKs go from 0 to 100 suddenly. But I'm just impatient. 😟
The middle of the pineapple is hard to eat on its own I have found, and given that I cut the whole core in 5 slices, they are quick thick. I might just make a fruit salad and forget about the TTC myths! 😁
Speaking of myths and TTC craziness, get this: we are doing SMEP this month so SI every other day until I get a positive OPK. Our next scheduled SI is CD14 which is Tuesday. But tomorrow is CD13 and the 11th of the month and my birthday is 13/11 so I'm convinced that it'll be my lucky day and we have to SI! As I type this, I know I'm being totally crazy! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤪

@MrsKin90 In terms of supplements, the Conceive+ ones seem to be supercharged compared to the Seven Seas I used to take, I'm posting the ingredients and %NRVs for reference. I was going to go down the route of buying separate B-complex, D and folic acid but these seem to have more than enough of everything.
The only thing I might change is add a folate supplement -a more easily absorbable form of folic acid.

Wow they are supercharged aren't they?! That's interesting! Are the conceive plus ones more expensive?!
I really hope not taking the seven seas ones this cycle doesn't make me not ovulate or make it really really late. No signs of ovulation for me yet 😕 we shall see. Hopefully you get your peak as you usually do 🤞
I like your crazy logic! You never know, it makes sense to me! 😊 SMEP is all well and good but if you can do tomorrow I would as I'm a believer in the crazy!

@MrsKin90 They are significantly more pricey than the Seven Seas, I get them for £19.89 from Amazon (30-day supply). I'm on my second bottle now, fingers crossed I won't be needing another! 🤞🏼
I don't think not taking supplements will stop you ovulating, but you could start taking them now if it's going to give you some peace of mind?
I hate how unpredictable ovulation can be, for me it seems like it's coming out of nowhere! No signs, no warnings beforehand, one day I just get a bit of CM and a positive OPK. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@MrsKin90 Thank you for being a believer! 💓 It's nice to have a safe space to talk about all the things that go through my mind during TTC. 🙂

Ahh thanks for explaining the pineapple core @eloiseislost- you really are an absolute trooper eating that! I would also be pushing for an Si on 11th just to keep all bases covered can't hurt can it?!? Those vits are really supercharged! Makes my individual zinv, vit d, folic acid and mutli vit vitamins pale into insignificance- I do keep thinking I should just buy a singular supplement which will have high levels of all of those things but we've sort of accrued all these individual bottles over the last few months so I've never got round to streamlining. I read that cruciferous veg can boost fertility so I'm ploughing through broccoli and cauliflower every eve at the mo.
Good luck with your Si too @MrsKin90! I said to DH we were going to do SMEP this cycle but it's fallen by wayside a bit... I am sure your peak is just around the corner and I will keep my fingers crossed that this is your lucky cycle!
My soft discs arrived this afternoon- I haven't yet opened them to have a look or practised with one but will do next weekend. I'm also going to order a moon cup thing. Thought perhaps I could build up to the ziggy . Soft discs and moon cups are a whole new world to me- and I hope I get on with them ok. My FW doesn't start til next Sat so I feel like I've got aaaages to practise with all the new gear and get ready but I know it'll come round in a flash and I'll be cursing myself as I am trying to shove a disc in in a rush- can see it now.
I figured I can at least re use the moon cup for AF as well as SI purposes which has made me feel v environmentally friendly haha!

My brain is so conflicted 😐 The covid rapid self-tests I have to do for work are exactly like pregnancy tests, only you don't want to see a second line! 😁

Good morning everyone, hope you all have a good start to the week! ❤️

@eloiseislost Finally a test be good. I NEVER get a second line on anything 😂 Also I'm a big believer in following your gut/day dreams so if doing it on your birthday means something to you then go for it! Happy birthday for Wednesday.

First SI was good. I decided to put a yoga bolster under me as I usually prop up on a towel which isn't too effective. Only challenge was that I kept rolling off which was quite amusing! Other than that it worked like a dream. I think this is the way forward for us. It saves really stressful sex which ends with DP miserable and me with cystitis. I think we'll probably mix it up but use SI to give DP a break and ensure we can have sex when we actually want to.

@MrsKin90 I think SMEP is a great idea - only reason we've not done it is stress on DP but now we've discovered SI am totally up for it. Good luck with it all.

Thanks ladies again for the warm welcome xxx

@eloiseislost £19.89😱 I just can't justify these things! Definitely worth it if they work but I already hate spending £5 a month 😂 I usually get lots of symptoms of Ovulation but nothing so far. So who knows. You're covering your bases whenever you ovulate though so try not to stress 😊 I do the same tests for work, you've reminded me I forgot to do one, it's funny isn't it? A reverse feeling. Have to keep reminding myself this one should be negative!

@Makingnumber2 there's nothing wrong with individual supplements, other than it feels like a lot to swallow! 😂 Definitely give yourself opportunity to practice or do your first SI and use it after you've finished having your legs in the air? That way you're already lubricated enough for it to go in without it panicking you and it doesn't ruin your SI if you struggle with it?

Happy Monday! I hate Mondays personally 😁 got to be done though..

Hey everyone!

@Janefx40 welcome! I’m glad you’re first SI went well and you are feeling more relaxed, it is weird when you first decide to do it but if it takes the stress of an already stressful process then why not and nobody needs to know apart from you and your partner. Good luck!
@eloiseislost I did the pineapple core for about 4 months and then gave up - it made my mouth really sore - now I just cut up the pineapple core and all and shove it in a smoothie but I won’t be going back to eating pineapple core alone again 🤣 I also eat 3/4 Brazil nuts after I ovulate for about 5 days too. I also have so many vitamins that cost a fortune. We have both been taking boots trying for a baby for about a year and after this month I’m not bothering with them. We now take DHA and Q10. The DHA is about £13 per month and the Q10 is around £30 and as we both take it (good for his sperm) it lasts 45 days. I will just take folic and vitamin D once I stop the boots ones. I also was taking Evening primrose but I’ve ran out and couldn’t get any more this month so I’m going to stop that to. Im surprised I don’t rattle when I walk! Xx

We have started the SMEP this month (first time trying it) first SI was yesterday on CD7 so just got to be patient and wait for ovulation which should be around this weekend!

@MrsKin90 I also hate Mondays! And January 🤣 xx

@eloiseislost that was meant to be a hilarious joke but as always I mistyped. I meant to say "finally a test I'll be good at. I NEVER get a second line". Think I will give up on the comedy!

@Lori23TTC good luck with SMEP. Great idea about putting pineapple core into smoothies too. X

Morning everyone,

stomach cramps have started.. feel like AF is going to make an appearance any time soon 🥺.

If everyone feels comfortable would you mind sharing how long you’ve been trying to conceive via SI? I think I saw this a few pages back but would be good to see again if everyone is happy to share 😃

For me 1st cycle SI - overall TTC for 18+ months.

Xx

@Janefx40 I didn't see your reply! (Going blind at 30 clearly 😆). I love your yoga use! Rolling off will just help the sperm move around surely?! As will the laughter resulting I assume 😂 I was definitely directing my SMEP comments at Eloise as it's not for us! Hubby can't cope with that, neither can I! It's far too intense 😳 we have managed every other day for six days across my fertile window for the past three cycles and it's made no difference so going for a less stressful approach and doing every couple of days if possible this cycle. Goodluck if you try it! I'm glad SI feels like the right thing to include for you both 😊

@Lori23TTC yep, January can eff right off! I like the idea of a pineapple smoothie 🤔 I'm extra sensitive to it and tend to hand bright red tongue and cracked bleeding lips after any pineapple but I just love it so much 😂🤦

@Sydney1986x don't give up! Cramps could go both ways 🤞🤞
I've been TTC for 17 months but with long cycles and only syringing for 12 months. I worked this out a million pages ago and think I've only had 9ish cycles since I started that I'm confident I ovulated.

@Janefx40 glad your first SI went well and the bolster bit did make me chuckle. TTC is absolutely not the most dignified thing in the world- but all good prep for pregnancy and birth which can also be very undignified too!

@Sydney1986x sorry you're feeling crampy- but as @MrsKin90 said it could go either way. We've been TTC for 6 months and this cycle with our 2nd cycle of SI. Thanks for the advice too MrsKin about best time to try and insert- it's good to know that if I don't get a chance for a pre-practice that after SI could still be just as good for a first go!
@eloiseislost I would be good at those tests as well if they don't require a second line to ever show up!
Hope SMEP does the trick for you @Lori23TTC!

Thank you both @Makingnumber2 and @MrsKin90 - it’s so easy to slip into negative mindset and VERY annoying that AF and pregnancy symptoms are so similar lol.

I should probably clarify with the 18 months TTC- I was very naive for first year in not checking ovulation, in fact over last 6 months is the time I’ve really started tracking and understanding my body better. It’s crazy really as a 32 year old I was so out of touch with CM, ovulation etc.. quite embarrassing really but I suppose I had no reason to until recently! Xx

@Sydney1986x nothing to be embarrassed about at all! For many of us, since we are teens we have spent our whole lives desperately trying NOT to get pregnant and all the sex ed at the school I went to was about how to avoid pregnancy. I was the same as you- had no clue about LH surges, ovulation pains, CM, BBT nada- until I came off the pill and started tracking ovulation as part of the rhythm method before we started TTC our first DC.

@Janefx40 I get what you were trying to say despite the typo and made me chuckle 😆 I feel the same way!

@Sydney1986x Cramps can go either way, as @MrsKin90 said, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. 🤞🏼
I started SI in September 2020, got pregnant on the 3rd cycle but miscarried, so I'm trying again now. Overall it's been 4 months (3 unsuccessful cycles + 1 MC). Quite new to it really!