The SI Undergraduates: Syringes, Yoghurt Pots and Legs in the Air part 4

[MrsKin90]

I hope this name is okay. It's late and nobody is volunteering so it'll have to do 😂

Starting yet another thread on self insemination before our other one kicks us out!

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. 💖

Err tagging at random but likely to forget someone...

@Makingnumber2
@Janefx40
@primrosechill
@Sydney1986x
@Birchybirch
@Lori23TTC
@Oilyoilyoilgob
@Carol1980

I know I've definitely missed people 😬 sorry!

I'm not tagging our bfp ladies right now (would you want to be tagged?! I've no idea) but hope they keep an eye on us and chip in often with wisdom and support ❤️

Hi ladies!

Thank you for starting this thread! So nice to know i'm not alone in trying SI.

I have been using a 10ml syringe but I have read a lot of you use soft cups? Has anyone here had success with just using a syringe or is there more success when you use a soft cup? They terrify me a bit tbh and i'm very little so thinking it might be too uncomfortable to do!

Are there any that are smaller and more comfortable?

xxx

@Meg5500 welcome! I got pregnant last sept (sadly miscarried) using the syringe only and legs up method. The softdiscs I found surprisingly ok overnight 😊 I had a practice run inserting in and out before using with SI. The taking out is a bit strange at first and I would say it’s normal to feel a bit panicked-they are unusual!

Haven’t used them this cycle so I mix and match.

Wishing you lots of luck!

Hoping everyone is doing well and having a lovely bank holiday weekend xx

@Meg5500 Welcome. I've never used a soft disc but I use a fertilily which looks a bit smaller (although have only seen pics of the soft disc). It did take me a couple of practices now it's really easy.

We've finished our SI for this month. Did a couple of extra mornings. Fingers crossed for a miracle

Still buzzing for you @primrosechill xxx

Welcome @Meg5500
Haven't personally used any soft cups but have heard the girls mention it a few times.

I'm at a loss ladies !
Started testing my opk on cd6 as my latest AF started on cd23 or cd22 I forget but anyway, tested this morning and got a static smiley...I'm cd8 wtf !
Hubby and I were going to BD tonight anyway but given that I have a couple of holders for the opk anyway I tried my other one and got a flashing smiley, which is normal for me cd8 in fact I usually get flashing smiley cd7 onwards until about cd10 when I get my static.
So hubby and I are just going to make sure we BD if we can and SI every day until I'm past my peak date....poor guy is going to be knackered !!

Hi @Carol1980 CD8 does seem early, but if your cycle is currently 23 days then that's about right for a 14 day luteal phase. Good idea to just SI anyway just in case.

When you re-tested with the other holder was it the same wee? Also did you look at the lines when you ejected it? They're a good indicator for me.

Best of luck with all the SI!! Hope this is your month xxx

@Carol1980 Good luck SI this month! Weird about the static smiley coming on suddenly but I agree to check the lines which will give a better indication.

This will be day 5 in a row for us, OH is probably already knackered but it's nice knowing we've covered all our bases.

Welcome @Meg5500!

The first 2 cycles of SI I just used syringe. Then the 3rd- think it was 3rd- I used syringe and soft disc once or twice as in I syringed then layfor 20 mins legs up, then put soft disc in for overnight. That cycle I fell pregnant but sadly ended in MC.
This cycle I used soft discs after syringing every time and got a BFP which I am hoping works out. So for me, I would 100% recommend soft discs. They are very easy to insert but as @Oilyoilyoilgob said- can be tricky to remove the first few times and. You are likely to feel panic that it won’t ever come out. I know i did! Good luck with whatever you decide to try. I should also add that for my latest cycle ending in BFP I had started to take 100mg Ubiquinol supplement as well as conceive plus fertility support tablets about 2-2.5weeks before SI. Again- no idea if that is what made difference but don’t think it did any harm 💁🏻‍♀️

@Carol1980 good luck with all the SI- deffo seems odd that you got two diff readings if they were taken at same time of day. But cover all bases and then you know you’ve done all you can do.

@suzy124 hope the TWW goes quickly for you!

@suzy124 @Sydney1986x @Janefx40 thank you for still buzzing for me ❤️ my cheapie this morning has gotten darker (it was a squinter last two days and today it's a very obvious line) + I got another positive digital so I am starting to let myself believe it's happening! Just need that final confirmation tomorrow that hcg levels are where they should be at this stage.

@Meg5500 welcome! This is such a lovely thread to join. I ended up having to go through ivf after a year of bfn's but last year I DID get pregnant once (sadly MCd) using this method so I'm a firm believer. When I did get pregnant, I used 1ml syringes, pushed them in as far as I could and then went to sleep, as not to move to much after. Good luck xxx

@primrosechill congratulations on your BFP! That’s so exciting! Great to know that syringe method only does work!

@Carol1980 good luck lovely! Keeping everything crossed!

@Makingnumber2 yes I’m taking ubiquinol and pregnacare - been taking them for ages! Congrats on your BFP! Hoping everything works out!

@Janefx40 thanks love! Yes a few people have mentioned the ferti lily as well - I might give it a go! Especially if it’s a bit smaller and easier to get out!

@Oilyoilyoilgob aww great to hear the syringe only method does work! Sorry it ended in MC. Fingers crossed it happens again for too soon abs it sticks! I’m so hoping it works soon for me! Everyone around me is pregnant and it’s getting really hard now! I’m so ready!

Congratulations @primrosechill this is the most amazing news!! I hope this is a sticky bean 🥰 xxxx

@Makingnumber2 thank you. How often did you SI last month? Starting to worry we've been doing it too much!

Also my tests this morning are up the left. Got my static smiley 2 days ago so it had disappeared, decided to test again just to see and got static again and line is super dark. But cheap test strip says negative?!

@primrosechill that is so fantastic!! Come on bean- let's get those lines getting darker and darker. Hope the appointment tomorrow can officially confirm it all!

Thanks @Meg5500 I do too!

@suzy124 this cycle I wasn't expecting to ovulate as I had just had a D&C- so SI was a bit odd. We had sex and DH actually was able to finish which was great. Then 2 days later I had EWCM and so I thought I would do an OPK and got a line which was darker the next day. So we SI-d the 2 days of positive OPKs and two days after as well to try and cover all bases. It's very odd your OPKs are giving another static smiley- do you have PCOS because I've read that can cause LH surges sporadically throughout your cycle. Sometimes women without PCOS also get an LH surge before their period- but it doesn't trigger ovulation but might be picked up on an OPK. So those are potential explanations?

Just popping on quickly to say @primrosechill so so excited for you!! ❤️ 🥰

Haven't read through properly and will do later! Xx

@Makingnumber2 I don't think so, my periods are regular and recently had a TV ultrasound which was all clear. It's just the clearblue though so now I'm skeptical of it, cheapie sticks showing levels decreasing as normal. Had good ewcm all this week which is tapering off now I think

@suzy124 with the CB they display the static smiley for 2 days after a peak so even tho it has disappeared from the display, maybe it was still set on peak somehow?

@MrsKin90 thank you lovely, hope you're having a nice long weekend?

@Makingnumber2 🥰 it's exciting but scary too. For now I'm just excited to see that second line after a full year since the MC and almost 17 months since we started trying - but I am also scared for whether it will work out this time. So, if this bean sticks around, surely I must be only a couple of days behind you? How far along are you in your estimations? How are you feeling?

@suzy124 I only used CB digital opks once but I remember my results were all over the place. I know some ladies swear by them but they gave me positives (statics) way too soon? (i know because I was also doing IUI at the time so was monitored by the doctors) Unlike cheapies, they measure two different hormones - not just LH - so that's what might be causing discrepancies? Weird!

@Meg5500 @Lori23TTC I forgot to say thank you to the two of you too! ❤️

Lori, how are you doing?

@suzy124 I’ve read mixed reviews re clearblue. I used mine but this SI period got nothing but static circles (no ovulation) versus my very obvious and gradual build up on my premom opks (which I’ve used since sept always with great results every month). They do test two hormones so it could possibly be that? Some ladies also have two opk peaks as per their normal ovulation cycle.

@Makingnumber2 and @primrosechill hope your both feeling ok during this time. I have everything firmly crossed for you and those little beans 💚

I got my Medichecks full bloods back and everything is top notch! Also including my hormone levels during my luteal phase. Got my bloods at ivf tomorrow.
I’m praying once I have my scan booked and done there that there’s no sign of the pcos/cysts/fibroids he says I may have.
I’m cd29, due to start fri/sat this week (or hopefully not!)

Hope everyone has had a really nice bank holiday xx

@Janefx40 @primrosechill @Oilyoilyoilgob thank you for the advice. I think I understand why the clearblue gets so many mixed reviews now! I'll just put it down to the 2 hormones and not stress about it. Will do one more SI tonight just for insurance and then done for the month. Phew!

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend x

@Oilyoilyoilgob very happy to hear your tests all came back okay! Hope the IVF testing comes back positively too. Excited that things are moving forward for you ❤️ you're going privately aren't you? Hope no AF and your appointments and tests are unnecessary 🥰

I'm CD21. STILL no ovulation. 🤷 Have had a nice weekend so trying not to obsess as I know it's very unlikely to be a bfp when I do ovulate anyway. Would just be nice to know wtf my cycle is doing. What can you do.

Lovely to know where our ladies are currently 😊

@suzy124 I’ve heard mixed things about clear blue as well! My doc actually said the cheap OPKs are actually much more accurate and they have worked a treat every time for me - so maybe just go off those!

@MrsKin90 my cycles have only just really settled and then I got out on clomid which actually lengthened them last month 😥

How long have your cycles been irregular for?

@Oilyoilyoilgob good luck with your scans! Let’s us know how you get on!

I’ve actually just SI’d and am sat here with legs up reading these messages! I’ve made it my new tradition 🤣🤣🤣 to give me some positive vibes after doing it!

TMI but thought it would be funny for you all to know! Ha!

Personally I hated the cheap OPKs and never had real lines with them. I used clearblue and worked really well for me - fell pregnant 3 times with SI most months only doing it 2-3 times. I also never used soft discs, syringes only. Anyway everyone has to do what works for them!

@MrsKin90 aw thank you! Still awaiting an answer back to see if we can get round one by nhs funding.
If I do start my period this week then I imagine due to timings and scans needed we’ll have one more cycle of SI during May then we’ll get started on ivf.

I’m a bit scared but also really happy that something is getting done now. Had a wobble on our Saturday walk, stopped at a cafe when a little ones dance class had just finished-place swarming with adorable girls in their ballet gear! Then the two tables next to us got filled with two couples and their very new babies, just felt overwhelmed with the ‘I want this’ feeling and the lump in my throat was huge while I absolutely held back tears.
So I just feel right now at least there’s some kind of plan now, which is helping me during these types of wobbles.

I’m sorry to read you haven’t ovulated yet, I hope it comes soon. Has your doctor spoke to you about anything that can help with it? Xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob I know that feeling so well, of just knowing with every fibre of your body that you want to be a mum to someone. I'm sorry you've felt so emotional but I have everything crossed for you that either AF doesnt show up or you get what you so desperately want through ivf...

@MrsKin90 wishing you all the parience in the world with your long cycles - hopefully your ovaries decide to pop some eggos soon!

I am officially in the freakout phase. I know I should be staying away from any sticks right now but there's no talking sense into me. My cheapie this morning seems lighter than yesterday and so obviously I'm worried this pregnancy is not viable - even know I know there are so many variables and also that hcg doubles every two days, not EVERY day 🙄 It's just so scary, this whole ttc thing, especially once you've gone through a loss. I did my bloods this morning and waiting for them to call me back and give results... and BREATHE...