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 ❤️

I’m so sorry @Carol1980 - such cruel tricks our bodies play on us. Sending you love and hope
You can move forward to the next cycle and fingers crossed it happens soon! ❤️❤️❤️

Will be interesting to see if my AF is still my usual 3 days or if it will be a little longer until my system clears out. 🤷‍♀️

@Carol1980 ugh you have been through it this month! Sorry that things didn't work out. How are you feeling?

I am on flashing smileys. We SI'd Monday night, should go tonight again but going to re-test and see if I I get the static smiley tonight. If so may wait until tomorrow. Not sure whether to rinse DP dry or save up a bit for a bit hurrah at the best possible time!

How is everyone? X

I’m sorry @Carol1980 :(

My blank test at 10dpo was accurate.
I’m on CD 3. But thank you carol1980 and @Janefx40 for seeing me through the last few days before AF.

Since TTC I’ve had a chemical in cycle 1, a mc in cycle 2, skipped cycle 3, was in hospital with little boy so couldn’t SI in cycle 4 and cycle 5 didn’t work. Will see what cycle 6 brings.

I'm so sorry Carol, that's really cruel. I hope you're looking after yourself ❤️

Sorry your AF came @birdbybird. You're having a bit of a rough time of it. Lucky cycle six!!

@Janefx40 what have you done previously? Do you wait until the right time or do as frequently as possible as you move towards fertile time?

CD2 for me today so luckily only a 43 day cycle! Could have been longer. I'm very much feeling like SI isn't going to work because of our issues. I've been coming to terms with it and focussing on my weight loss to get to IVF, which is as slow as ever, something else to come to terms with. So I've not been on here much. I feel a bit of a fraud talking about SI or encouraging people with SI questions when it clearly doesn't work for us 🙁 ha sorry this wasn't meant to be a mopey post! Also as my last cycle went on forever I haven't had much to report. My period is properly kicking my ass though 😂

Hope everyone is okay? Hopefully life is treating everyone as kindly as possible and the weather is starting to get brighter for us all!

@MrsKin90 please do stay and keep us updated x it's not just about SI it's about the journey as a whole and to be honest most of the ladies here will also be thinking if ivf possibly as a back up x

I'm doing ok, had quite a few clots today, but my AF doesn't seem it's usual flow. Def got a negative test so no chance it's just early pregnancy bleeding etc

I've went and bought myself the clear blue advanced, I probably should have bought it last year !! Would have been more cost effective !!

Anyway I'm cd 3 today and just waiting for the AF to pass so we can start again x

@Carol1980 I’m sorry to hear this - such a hard time your having.

I’m sorry to everyone who’s AF arrived too... I’m in the same boat my AF came and I am CD5 today. Will start SI again next week but like MrsKin said I feel SI isn’t the way for us either. We are onto cycle 22 with no medical issues so it’s clearly the method for us. Hoping to start IVF in around 4 months as we are on the waiting list now!

Hardest thing I’ve ever had to do is ttc with a husband who has ED!!

Xxx

Hello ladies. Sorry I've not been very present recently. We are doing SI so hoping it works but realistically we know it is unlikely for us.

Have been changing IVF clinics which is really stressful as it's a big decision. We've chosen now so that feels positive. Have started tablets to prepare for cycle to begin in 2 weeks. We are going to do 2 rounds of egg collection, then PGS testing if we get any blastocysts then a transfer if there is anything that comes back normal. Really hoping we get that miracle positive this month instead tho.

@Lori23TTC sorry that you feel SI isn't going to work for you. How are you feeling about IVF?

@MrsKin90 you are more than welcome to have a moan. That is what we are here for. I feel for you with the weight loss. It is so hard losing weight at the best of times but during a pandemic when you're stressed about fertility, it is super tough.

I have no tips on weight loss although there are diets (not for losing weight) that are recommended for fertility that can be useful when starting IVF. They take a few months to work so might be worth considering now . It's always worth reading the IVF diet/supplement bible aka It Starts With an Egg if you haven't already. There is also a cookbook that I love (because the stuff I have made from it is really nice!) by Zita West called Eat Yourself Pregnant. Eggs are only half the story so worth getting your other halves to think about diet etc too while you have a few months. Sorry if that adds more stress but I only found this stuff during my second round of IVF when it was too late to help us!!

@Carol1980 glad you are ok. Let me know how the advanced fertility monitor goes. Have you ever done charting? I've always avoided it because I think I would get more obsessed/stressed (and now it's too late) but loads of people swear by it

Xxx

@Janefx40 morning x
Glad to hear from you and I've got my fingers crossed that all goes well this month, but equally glad that you're all gearing up for the ivf xx

I tried charting the first time round with my daughter and just couldn't do it, I prefer just using the opk's to be honest x I don't have the patience for charting x

Af seems to have now finished so think I'll be testing in the next day or so for ovulation. Kick in the teeth would be that I get pregnant this month and don't need the monitor 🤣🤣 I really should have bought the thing last year but it always seemed like it would be a waste of money and even now i know it won't arrive in time for this cycle ! So if it turns out we actually get pregnant this cycle then I won't hopefully need it 🤷‍♀️

@Carol1980 really sorry to read what has been happening, how cruel yet again.

Hope everyone is doing ok. Sorry I’ve not been on, had guests the weekend before last and we had a really fabulous weekend-much needed food out and laughter with them.
Then mulling over things really. If I’d kept my September pregnancy I’d have been due to have a baby the last week of May.
I really did think and hope I’d get pregnant again so just had some reflective time coming to terms with the fact that hasn’t happened 🙁

Im cd7, had sex 5 days before ovulation so that was good, then did x3 SI over my fertile few days. So let’s see but I’d say this is the month I’ve been the most switched off from SI, we’ve been busy and it’s so good to start being out for meals and days out (esp in this weather!) I’ve just opted to take the pressure off and see where SI and IVF takes us.

We had some really deep chats and acknowledged what will be will be, if we don’t get a baby we will have a bloody awesome time travelling and enjoying life etc, that’s the plan for us now-we’ve had to alter our way of thinking for the future as we were both getting angry, upset and miserable stuck in ttc mode.

Anyway, that’s my life story over with (!)

@Lori23TTC so lovely to see you on here and I’m delighted to see in a few months you’ll hopefully start ivf 💚

@Janefx40 so glad to read you’re happy with your new clinic. Wishing you the very best of luck you get a bfp cycle xx

@Meg5500 and @birdbybird hope you’re both well xx

@MrsKin90 please don’t leave! We are all here originally with an unconventional way to start conceiving, for some of us that’s worked fantastically, some it’s had sad endings, some of us are branching out into other methods. Irrespective of that, we are here for each other to offer an ear or a hug and whatever your path will be, we are here to support you 💚

I have only tagged the people in the most recent posts but as ever, thinking of everyone no matter which stage you are at xx

I wasn't going to leave 😊 I've just got a lot less to say as SI clearly isn't going to work for us and I'm on more of a weight loss train than a TTC one now. Surprised and impressed by my own determination but my body is not on board and is determined to lose 1lb a week regardless of how much I do/do not eat/exercise. 🤷

Carol I hope you're looking after yourself and being extra kind to you ❤️ I hope your fertility monitor quickly becomes pointless 🤞🤞

@Janefx40 thank you for that! Good to know there's an IVF/fertility recommended diet. I'll look into that when I'm closer to target! There's no point currently with how far away I am adding anything else to worry about to be honest. Maybe I'll look at that after we've been referred as that'll give me several months to get into it. Excited for you that you've got two rounds of egg collection on the horizon. It all sounds fascinating. Not ideally how anyone would want to be conceive but very magical when you think about it and it deeply appeals to the control freak in me!

@Oilyoilyoilgob I'm definitely not going anywhere but may be more of an observer than a participant 😊 like Lori we've been trying for almost two years now and I'm sort of stuck between two journeys.
My heart breaks for you honestly, what a hard time to have go past you ❤️ sending you lots of hugs. Are you 7dpo or CD7? Sounds like you've given it a good go and have a good frame of mind. I really do believe you'll get your baby and won't be able to do your travelling plans 🥰

Where are all our other lovely ladies I wonder how you're all getting on ❤️

Hey ladies x

Nice to hear from you

I'm doing ok. But stressed at work at the moment, but I'm getting the support from my line management. Like I mentioned before I'm working somewhere different from my usual workplace with people who aren't actually doing the job I do, in fact it's a different organisations complete, unfortunately I have a person in a senior position who seems to have this belief that they are in charge of me when it's not the case and is being a total dick ! Thankfully like I said my actual bosses are livid about it and giving me lots of support.

All going well this end. Wish my fertility monitor had turned up a few days ago as it turns out you can't program the monitor properly unless you start the cycle day 1 or within 4 days of it....I'm cid 8 so I'm going to have to wait until my next cycle to properly be able to use it. I'm hoping that I won't need to but 🤷‍♀️

I'm feeling ok, I suppose I'm just getting on with things to be honest x

@MrsKin90 so happy you’re not going anywhere, observer or participant, it’ll always be lovely to see you on here ☺️ Really pleased that mentally you’re in a nice headspace for your ttc/ivf weight loss journey. Slow and steady wins the race on weight loss, even if it’s a few months longer than you’d ideally like you will do this!
It’s good to hear from you and you’ve been in my thoughts. Take care of yourself 💚

I’m 7 days past ovulation, not cd7 oops! I know what you mean about less to say, and thank you for the hugs. Like you, we’ve been ttc for a couple of years and since last sept giving it our absolute all with opk tracking/si/sex (when it happens) and although we got that lovely positive it’s been once that whole time.
Until ivf starts we will of course keep trying but I’ve definitely taken a step back from the stress of it in the best way possible, because let’s face it-days on end of SI/stressing over ttc etc hasn’t worked for me so what’s the point in adding on extra crap mentally.

Hope everyone is doing well and getting a chance to enjoy this lovely weather. So nice to be out walking, gardening etc and feeling some sunshine 🌞 xx

Hello all

@Carol1980 sorry about the eejet at work. So frustrating but always helps to have back up. Also annoying about the fertility monitor. Let us know how you get on once it arrives and you can start using it.

@MrsKin90 impressed with your discipline! I have none at all at the moment. Hopefully the weight will start coming off quicker soon.

@Oilyoilyoilgob hoping this is your lucky cycle but good to think about alternatives. We have been having similar chats tho I know we are already lucky with our one DD. It's good tho to start imagining a different future and it being ok.

@Lori23TTC @birdbybird @Meg5500 hope you are all ok

@primrosechill I will confess to peeking at the other thread and was thrilled to see you had good news. You give hope to us all. Hope you're doing ok xxx

Thank you @Janefx40 that's very kind of you ❤️ Yes, I had my first scan last week at 7+2 and saw a heartbeat which was incredible. My booking appointment is today.

I also peek on this thread all the time to check in on all of you ladies hoping to see some good news - keeping my fingers crossed for you all!

@Oilyoilyoilgob I just wanted to say that I know very well how hard it is to see your old due date go by and still not be pregnant - I had the same in December and it took me good five more months to get that second line on a test; it felt like a lifetime and it doesn't help at all that we put this stress on ourselves all the time like "i need to be pregnant by my old due date", "i need to be pregnant by the time I'm x years old" etc. I'm glad to hear you are giving yourself a bit more mental space now.

Sending hugs and baby dust to all of you regardless of where in the cycle/ttc journey you are at the moment! x

@Janefx40 thank you, let’s see. I’m due to start my period when I’m on holiday so if I’m not pregnant I’m going to try my best to keep a lid on my pmt 😅

I think since 2020 especially we’ve seen getting pregnant as THE goal and we’ve just let up on it now.
We’ve had an absolute blast over the years together, have been fortunate enough to travel the world and see and do so much and we will have a lovely life together if we don’t have a child.
We’ve realised that we were both getting absolutely lost within ttc and just want to enjoy the present.
I’m now just taking the ‘what will be will be’ approach to SI/IVF because I want to start enjoy living again and not beating myself up for not getting pregnant.

Hoping all goes well with your new clinic and your treatments 💚

@primrosechill I had a peek this morning and I’m delighted for you, absolutely delighted. I’m hoping you are as relaxed as you can be and I bet you’re so thrilled seeing your babies heartbeat-how amazing and magical 💖 Aww I’m just so happy for you!

Thank you, yes I really did think and put the pressure on that I absolutely WOULD be pregnant by my old due date. Looking back a stupid amount of pressure for the last 8 months, led with a good bit of hope but nonetheless I really didn’t help myself.

I cross posted with you above so hopefully you can see I’ve licked my wounds and had a good mind shift. I wasn’t allowed to open my business due to Covid so it didn’t help on ruminating, now real life is starting back up again it’s given me a real get up and go. I’m working but now part time, enjoying looking after myself, my husband, my house and garden etc and the sun and eating out helps!

A baby and being a mum would be lovely but I’m now reminding myself to not shake a stick at my current life and just bloody enjoy it xx

@Carol1980 that sounds like a terrible working situation. I'm finding work so incredibly difficult right now you have all my sympathies! Glad your bosses are supportive though so I suppose it could be worse... I didn't know that about the fertility monitor. Maybe you won't need it and can send it back for a refund?? Maybe wishful thinking!

Oooh @primrosechill how exciting 🥰 so so happy for you lovely. I hope everyone else on the graduate thread are doing okay as well.

@Oilyoilyoilgob I'm impressed with your mentality. I'm glad you've got some get up and go and a good attitude around SI/IVF. How far away from IVF are you? Have you started your business now or are you not going to anymore? It's lovely you've got such positive things in life to reflect on ❤️

Hello @MrsKin90 (I’ve been awake researching backpacks 😅)
We have our follow up consultation next week, husband did his SA in the clinic today-he was done quickly and sent me pics of the wipe clean sofa and toilet roll dispenser-we’ve had a laugh today about him doing it and just rolling with it all.

I imagine we’ll find out more next week and go from there, I have no idea currently and I quite like that!

I’d had my business open 2.5 years and it was in a good place just before Covid but I had to shut down and after hospitality was quite hard hit. So I’ve done a slow opening and not going mad. I don’t know how I’ll react to ivf meds and I’m aware I may need the scans etc regularly that go with it. Keeping my diary quieter means less faffing around for my clients and I’m also enjoying having time for the house and garden and cooking!
Aww that’s kind to say and I do feel I’ve had a mental shift and hopefully it keeps that way.

You sound in a good place yourself now you have a path to follow for ivf for the future, long may that continue too 💚

@Oilyoilyoilgob the sentence that started "he was done quickly and sent me pics" made me hesitate reading any further 😂 well done rolling with things as they come along. Potentially an exciting time not too far away! That sounds positive that you've been able to open up but work a bit less so you've got flexibility for appointments and hopefully time to relax as well to keep you calm throughout.

I'm in a good place mentally for weight loss but I'm not in a great place baby-wise. I go through periods of feeling like we'll get there but a lot of the time I just feel so upset about it all I can't be anywhere near pregnant people. My best friend is pregnant due in July and I've only seen her once in person since she told me she was pregnant, and that was only briefly. I feel like it's something I won't get over if we don't have kids and that frightens me. We have no back up plan. I don't know. I'm pretty sure I've gained weight this week as well so that'll be devastating!!

@MrsKin90 I’m chuckling at your hesitation to read further! It definitely helped laughing with what’s going on and I knew us joking about it would take the stress off for him. He said he was done within 7 minutes but stayed in a little bit longer so he didn’t look sus coming out so quickly, we were cackling about it 😂

I’m really sorry that you’re struggling around this journey, it’s so difficult not knowing if a pregnancy will happen. Actually when you think about it it’s bloody tortuous!

You have to do whatever you need to to look after yourself. It might be in time you do feel ok around pregnant friends/their babies, however I do absolutely understand the pain of seeing friends with their baby bumps.
I can’t offer any other advice other than do what it takes to keep you mentally healthy, this journey is tough enough as it is.
You have both given it your all over these two years and right now you just have a little break in your journey until ivf, it may be when you start investigations with a clinic it’ll at least feel like the ball is rolling for you both.
Sending big hugs 💚 xx

Thanks for your kind words @Oilyoilyoilgob 😊 how are you getting on? Sorry for not replying for a few days, I've had a very busy work week which hasn't helped ontop of the heat!

I'm CD16 today and no ovulation or signs of ovulation yet so I assume it's going to be another long cycle.

It's about time for more good news on this thread isn't it? ❤️ Hope everyone is okay!

Morning @MrsKin90 hope you get that positive test soon. Frustrating to have long cycles when TTC.

No positive news over here so we are due to start IVF this weekend. We are doing embryo banking (collecting as many embryos as possible over two back to back cycles) but we won't be transferring any so no chances of getting pregnant for at least a few months. It makes sense but I am finding it hard to have that possibility taken away.

Still all will be well.

We are also planning our extension which is taking endless thinking and re-drawing of plans so that is a good distraction xxx

Love to you all xxxx

Morning, I think I have ovulated 2 or 3 days ago but am not sure as switched from oral to vaginal temping a few days before ovulation but then had disturbed sleep for a few days so could read temperature properly.
Will test again at 10dpo when I have a call with a gynae.