Yogurt pot yuppies, sexy basters and UFO discs - part 3

[eloiseislost]

Starting yet another thread on self insemination before our second one locks down!

Welcome to THE most supportive group you could wish for if you’re starting or you are already on a self insemination journey.
Remember, nothing is TMI and you are not alone. 💖

Calling the usual suspects, in no particular order (and sorry if I missed anyone 😊):
@ComebackQueen
@Makingnumber2
@Janefx40
@AdriannaP
@MrsKin90
@primrosechill
@bigsweetpotato
@Sydney1986x
@Bluey18
@Birchybirch
@Lori23TTC
@Cathie102
@Labrat3
@DinkBoo
@Oilyoilyoilgob

Let it rain BFPs!!! 🐣

Hey @primrosechill sending you a big hug- it can be so hard to stay positive some days. I'm right there with you today. This grey miserable weather is not helping either! Tomorrow's a new day and the next cycle is a new chance.

I wondered if anyone on here has tried any of the home male fertility test kits? I was looking at this one Bootswww.boots.com/spermcheck-male-fertility-test-10161709

I read on NHS site you want a test that looks at both count and motility too and don't think the home kits do motility. Has anyone ever gone private for this type of test? If so, would you be willing to let me know rough figure for cost? Just need to know how much we need to be saving if this is our next step. (also just to clarify I am aware it could be me that's the issue, but they don't do female fertility home test kits so thought we would check the little guys first!)

Hi @Makingnumber2 my hubby and I did a home test like that last summer - you’re right in that it only really tests for count, but for what it’s worth it was correct in that it showed us that he had loads of sperm lol - however, the detailed SA that we did with the doctor showed that we had issues with morphology. If I were you I wouldn’t bother with the home test tbh because it’s so limited - it won’t give you a good picture of what’s going on either way and it will likely either freak you out or give you a false sense that everything is okay!

We did go private for tests - all in all we paid £200 for a comprehensive set of tests on both of us, not sure how much SA was on its own!

I got a BFN today. My heart rate is teasing me, my RHR went up to 68 after going down yesterday so that means nothing really. Was hoping for a magical big hike. Took my BBT this morning. Still as high as six days ago when I last took it. I haven't had any spotting yet so that's good? But not great to have not gotten a bfp this morning. I assume AF will be here this week. Any chance that royal mail deliver BFPs? We've missed a parcel we weren't expecting and it's now being redelivered Tuesday. I'm hoping it's an omen 😂 and it's thoughts like that, that make me think I need a holiday.

@MrsKin90 how many DPO are you? High bbt and rhr sound like good omens 🤞🏼

@Makingnumber2 my husband did a home motility and a volume sperm test. They both showed ok but that was done mainly to put his mind at rest. He’s now done a ‘proper’ sample which was dropped off at the hospital (ironically the women’s and children’s section 🙄).
If I start my period (which I think I’m going to, I have symptoms 😓) then I need to get my blood tested on cd21. So we have results ready for going further medically.

@primrosechill I’m really sending you a big fat hug. Please don’t worry about coming on here to say you’re down or fed up. I think none of us want this thread to be 100% rainbows and butterflies-that’s not real life. Especially during a pandemic and the ways in which we are trying to get pregnant. It’s ok to be fed up, it’s normal and we will be here for you. Take it easy on yourself over the next few days. A nice treat I sometimes get for myself is a blurt foundation box through the post. The blurt foundation is great for mental health and the goodie bag boxes are lovely as a treat ☺️

If it helps I’ll join you-think I’m going to start my period and have been down and crying the last two days about not being pregnant. Sending hugs xx

@primrosechill I'm supposedly 13dpo today so would have expected something by now if I was going to get anything if I'm honest. I'm sorry you're feeling down ❤️

I'm sorry for everyone feeling a bit hopeless and/or feeling like they're out this cycle.

My husband is calling the doctor to get the ball rolling with tests as soon as my period starts so hopefully that'll help. I'll call my doctor to but expect a lecture about my weight.
Also discovered through a chat with hubby that when he spoke to his doctor six months ago about vitamins (magnesium and zinc specifically) and how they might affect his other medication, I thought the conclusion had been "a multivitamin should be fine but we can't say for certain about magnesium and zinc" so deliberately got him a multivitamin minus these things 🙄 and now he's said no, the doctor said it would be fine to take a multivitamin including them lol. So. That'll be the next step too! Not sure what good it does but worth a go.

@primrosechill I didn’t test today as I’m really struggling this cycle - I feel really low and I really didn’t think I could handle a BFN this morning. I might just wait for AF to arrive as I feel she’s coming. Thank you for asking 🥰

I’m sorry for everyone else who is feeling down this month sending lots of hugs xxx

@MrsKin90 if they are ok to take there’s the pregnacare for men pre conception-normally 3 for 2 at boots. If it helps, for our tests with the GP husband got sent out a kit with a tub and two forms. He made an appointment which had a one hour window to take his sperm sample in. This was to the women’s and children’s dept (the irony!) of our hospital.
I’ll have to go in for blood tests on cd21 (she said a day either side is fine if it falls on a Sunday) and they check if I’ve ovulated, and do a general healthscreen inc hiv, hepatitis etc.
You need to be up to date on your smear checks (thank god my husband got me to go!) and she said bmi should be within a healthy range (I’m 26.6 and normal goes up to 25 🙄). Now this is for nhs referral but private may be slightly different eg bmi, they may give a bit more wiggle room so to speak but I don’t know. I think we’ll go private depending on wait lists.
She said ladies under 35 they’ll refer after a year of trying but over 35 they can refer after 6 months. She did tell me this is not always guaranteed to get you a spot. Hope that helps ☺️

@Lori23TTC hello similar cycle buddy, we are still going at the same rate ☺️ I hope you’re feeling ok? Sending you a big cuddle, take care of yourself xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob that's really helpful thank you 😊 I was also considering the Wellman Conception tablets? (Currently buy one get one free and £10 I think at boots). They seem to have a good reputation.
My BMI is way off being able to get help if that's the case 🙁 😢😭I wonder if hubbo can still get SA if my BMI is high? Good to know the general process though 😊 thank you. I've recently had my smear so at least that's one tick for me. I can't decide if I'm feeling motivated and about to sign up for weight watches or intermittent fasting, or if I'm about to eat a pile of chocolate alongside a bottle of wine 🤔 decisions decisions....

@MrsKin90 you’re very welcome! My husband has been taking them and he’s been exactly the same. He was taking a normal one but I think these have a good level of zinc in. I’m taking the womens ones and it says you can finish the pack if you get pregnant so not money down the drain!

Chat with your GP, it might vary area to area but I know my cousin had to lose some weight to do her nhs one. She then went private but I’m not sure on their rules. Sadly it didn’t work for her 😞

The start of the process seems pretty straight forward but I’m papping myself at the thought of anything else. I guess with weight it’s just taking it a day at a time?
I’m now just trying to eat ok day by day and get my walking in rather than set myself daft big goals. At the end of a day I’ll have a little think of how I’ve eaten and any triggers (I eat like a horse in the run up to a period 🤭) It’s come off super slowly but other things have taken priority tbh. Husband got a peloton so I’m aiming for that 1-2 times a week. I’m finding it much harder and slower to lose weight now I have a few more years on me 😅😬 Take it day by day xx

@MrsKin90 yes it’s the well man conception not pregnacare! Xx

@Lori23TTC sorry you're feeling down too- this TTC malarkey is bloody gruelling and tough. Sending a hug

@MrsKin90 sorry to hear about your BFN- with Dd I didn't even get a squinter until 13dpo though so it's not impossible your BFP could still be coming. I know though that sometimes you just feel in yourself that you're definitely not pregnant, so waiting to see if AF shows is probably wise plan of action. Similarly to you I am well off a healthy BMI- and will definitely get a lecture from GP. I had (until last night anyway...) really cut my booze intake to 2 units a week and also cut sweeties and generally we've really improved our diet in terms of nutrition, lots more fresh veg daily and I'm trying to get some fruit in there too. I thought I was feeling less bloated and like I might have lost some weight but catching a glimpse of myself getting out shower in bathroom mirror earlier and I don't think I have. I need to get the exercise side of things more consistent. With me it always seems I can get either the food or the exercise right- but never manage to match them up successfully at the same time (well not since my mid 20s anyway). Working from home has really not helped because usually I'm working on a large site and clocking up some (not like crazy amounts) of steps, whereas now I'm at a laptop all day and managing to squeeze in a 30 min walk about 3 times a week.

PS. If Royal Mail deliver BFPs then I'm definitely out this month as our sorting office has delays of at least a week currently due to staff illness/isolation!

@primrosechill thanks for the info re: fertility testing. That is good to know. I had a look at some local clinics to us and couldn't find prices, but the Harley street sites that came up on google were all like £500 for a general fertility check up for both man and woman. I guess their prices will be top whack though cos of location etc. so hoping our local one will be closer to £200 like you had!

@Oilyoilyoilgob well done on getting your weight down- that's a real achievement. And coming off slowly is the best way I've read as it's more likely to stay off! Peloton looks hard core from the ads- so that's amazing you and DH are getting stuck into that- well done!

I live in South England and also paid around £500 for private fertility testing. Most local clinics are too small to test sperm samples and send them to London anyway. My DH went to London himself, think it was about £170.

I was told everything ok with my ovaries etc but that it showed I ate too many carbohydrates (polycystic in appearance apparently) and the fertility consultant urged me to lose weight and cut down on carbs.

IME nothing much happens in the NHS at the moment, I was supposed to have tests after MC3. My appointment was changed to a phone call, I didn’t get any follow up tests. I have also been referred to a MC specialist clinic in London, apparently they have a 6 month backlog due to covid. Have not heard a peep since November.

Unfortunately one of the first things they will always tell you is to lose weight if you have a high BMI. I was also constantly told off my midwives when I was pregnant with DC. Apparently I was supposed to diet in pregnancy and not gain any weight 🤦🏻‍♀️😒
Now I am pregnant again with BMI of 30, dreading the appointments and trying to lose weight at least in early pregnancy. It’s hard atm as I feel hungry all the time. I also try and do 10,000 steps five days a week.

@Makingnumber2 the peloton is good, I’m on it twice a week but even the beginner ones feel like torture. The taped classes are very good, the instructors feel like company for me and are all nice speakers and very inspirational. Lockdown has pushed me to seeing them as virtual friends 😅
That’s absolutely fantastic on eating well! I think the bathroom mirror is only forgiving to Victoria secret models ha! Is there time in the early morning or late at night you could go for a quick walk? We’ve done some 6am walks and it’s great-no one to dodge or move for and you feel like the birds are singing just for you 💖

@AdriannaP bloody hell they can tell if you eat carbs-I’m doomed, absolutely doomed. Good grief. I feel sad hearing that now 😭

Hey.

New here - I suspect we'll be on the self insemination wagon this month with work shifts. The boyfriend says his stuff is quite thick. will it be an issue when trying to syringe it up? or is he best off doing his stuff straight into a menstrual cup?

thanks

@Oilyoilyoilgob sorry 😢 I love my carbs too. Basically my ovaries were fine but showed first signs of POS. The consulant said that it can be caused by being overweight and eating too many carbs certainly makes it worse. It was quite the humiliating pep talk and he asked about my daily diet.
Well but I am pregnant again!

Also to bear in mind when you have a higher BMI that you immediately need a higher dose folic acid and you only get that on prescription. That’s quite important.

@AdriannaP oh goodness! That’s so good to know thank you for the info and I’ll steel myself for it! I’m 1.6 over the ‘normal’ bmi so I really would like to get down a bit more. That will spur me on now 😄

Hope you are feeling well and really happy that everything is going well for you 💖 xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob have a lot of pregnancy symptoms which is good but exhausting for me (have headaches, feel nauseous and tired). I am still trying not to get too excited and wait for the scan on Friday. My DH is very cautious too - it’s so sad that after MC your pregnancy experience completely changes. So taking one day at a time and hoping for a good scan...
🙏🏼🌈🙏🏼

@AdriannaP that’s such a positive on strong pregnancy symptoms, and that’s completely understandable that’s your holding back to protect yourself. Keep on looking after yourselves and having a kind and gentle few days until Friday xx

Oh dear 🤣 this conversation has put me right off biscuits and potatoes and rice and pasta.....

@MrsKin90 As I was reading your message, DH was putting away our weekly shop, which includes copious amounts of biscuits, potatoes, rice and pasta… 🤣

@MrsKin90 I love potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, crumpets, crisps 🥺
I don’t drink or smoke or do anything else but eat bloody crumpets. Will there be no joy left for me 😂😰😭

My period is definitely on the way 🥺 RHR has dramatically fallen. Ugh. I'll be hibernating for the next two weeks if anybody wants me. 😭

@MrsKin90 I'll join you in that hibernation. I was hopeful I got to cd28 with no signs of AF and then I started spotting this morning which usually means she's on her way for me

Welcome @Bubblemonkey! Wishing you and your partner best of luck for
Your SI this cycle!

@MrsKin90 and @rs2015 sorry to hear you both feel AF is on her way. I’ll join the club too if that’s ok. I’ve got all the usual cramps on and off and am always crazy weepy which is deffo a sign of PMS for me. I haven’t done a single test yet this cycle- which is a miracle for me. Can’t decide which is best/worst get the BFN confirmed before AF arrives or wait for AF to confirm it. Decisions Decisions 🧐