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 ❤️

Thank you for your kind words @Oilyoilyoilgob and yes definitely check about pain relief as I had a hycosy a few months back and good ibroprofen and paracetamol an hour before- just felt some pressure no pain. I know they are diff procedures but it’s worth doing and if it helps calm you too!

@Janefx40 funnily enough I follow Ruth on insta and a big fan of her podcast finding the funny and I also listened to that episode. She is great. She makes me feel less alone, can relate in terms of being Childless in a group of friends all with children or pregnant. I think I just need to get my act together. A stone is doable and I need to just get on with it I think! Good luck for egg collection!! Eeeek!

@Carol1980 thanks for sharing your tips I am going to paste them into my notes section on my
Phone. Anything is worth a shot! Never heard of any of that stuff so will do some research, thanks!

Hi all. Just a word of caution because DHEA is a mixed blessing. It can be amazing but it can also mess things up if you don't need it. I'm part of a couple of threads on here in which it has been problematic for people.

DHEA increases your level of testosterone (and DHEA) that decrease for many of us as we get older. I was prescribed it from my clinic but just to say in 8 weeks my levels went from the very bottom of the normal range to over the top of normal - if I had kept taking it it could have had a detrimental effect. So ideally it's not something to take without a prescription (you can't technically buy it without one although there are overseas websites that will ship it to you) but if you do, you should check your levels of free testosterone and DHEA first. You can do this with Medichecks if need be.

If you want to learn more about supplements you should read It Starts with an Egg which is the supplement and fertility diet bible. It will advise you on all of this stuff and is recommended reading by clinics. You can also read more about DHEA on her website here

itstartswiththeegg.com/faq/dhea-and-egg-health/

Sorry to jump in like that but I wouldn't want anyone to take this without realising it is powerful stuff. Xxx

Congratulations @Carol1980.
Was really happy and heartening to read your good news.
Wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy!

@Janefx40 thanks so much, I told them that I have medical anxiety and was just told to take two paracetamol. I’m going to ring to change dates and also discuss sedation options with them. I really appreciate you giving that info.
That’s fantastic news on the trigger shot and wishing all the best for lots of eggs tomorrow 🤞🏻💖

@Carol1980 I’d never tell you to F off! I really appreciate that info, the challenge sounds great and I’ll check that out! Glad to read the digital es are back at 2-3 weeks, that’s great news and must be so reassuring ☺️

@Sydney1986x I’m wishing you all the luck in the world for your bfp this month. Take care of yourself during this time xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob lovely to hear from you but sorry you are feeling low with all this ttc shit - I too am on my period. I’m onto cycle 24 now and officially ttc for 2 years 😩 never getting a second link line or a slight chance of a positive. BUT I’m trying to stay positive. It’s great that you were able to do the deed naturally and as we all know even people that can have sex naturally every month still can take a while to fall so don’t beat yourself up over that. Keep at it and I hope your hysteroscopy goes well - I don’t know anyone who’s had that procedure… I’ve had a HSG but can’t offer advice I’m afraid… I hope you don’t have a fibroid and even if it is slightly painful it won’t last long as it will be worth it in the long run ❤️
I completely know how you are feeling - I am utterly fed up to. I have my ivf consultation next week and in that appointment we are booking our IVF in so I could be starting ivf in August/September, if you want to you can Message me as we can be a support for each other. We are going through the same emotions and IVF looks is like it’s going to be hard mentally and physically, I can’t talk to any of my real life friends/family about it (only other person I will be talking to is a lovely friend I’ve already made on this thread - you know who you are ❤️) xx

@Carol1980 congratulations I hope this is your sticky bean ❤️

@Janefx40 I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow I hope all goes well with egg collection.

@Sydney1986x I hope your tww hurry’s up and it’s good news for you ❤️

Hope everyone else is ok xx

@Lori23TTC that’s really lovely. Thank you for your message and kind words. I will pop you a message, I’m away at the min and despite saying I’d have time off this thread I like to try keep up with answering so as not to be rude!

I have cancelled the hysteroscopy. Might regret it but it fell over ovulation. Yes I did make up an excuse, may live to regret it but I need to be in a good place mentally and it felt wrong to do it at ovulation and knowing we couldn’t ttc. Despite not get a bfp yet I just needed another month to try, also during our therapy session I was very honest in how I’m feeling and just need a month to mentally gather myself. I’d always said to my husband it’ll then be a year since getting pregnant and having a miscarriage so at that point I can admit defeat.
We are going to have a month of fun, weekends away are booked and focus on trying fun, intimate times with hopefully natural, unprotected sex. I just want to feel like a normal happy couple tbh and despite trying my best have felt very mentally knocked about the past 2-3 weeks-and I’m sick of life revolving just around ttc to be very honest.

The hospital couldn’t book me another appointment as they’re working month by month. So I will call each week. Will also call bupa this week for info on having it done privately. I’m aware this sounds a bit mad writing this down and really should’ve been ready to tell them I needed to book end of august but we’d been waiting nearly 6 weeks to hear about appointment.
So writing this probably looks crackers and like I said I might regret it as it’ll push it back by maybe a couple of months but it’s just how I feel 🙁

Sorry for the essay. I’ve written loads there, I guess it helps getting it all out. At the moment I feel down, confused, worried etc and a whole lot of feeling sorry for myself tbh.

I hope everyone is ok whether ttc, losing weight, having time off ttc-it’s a really bloody tough journey this xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob I hope you are having a lovely time away 🥰
I think cancelling your hysteroscopy was a good idea if that makes you feel better and I get why you have as it’s over ovulation so why not give yourself an extra chance 🤞🏼 Doing what is best for your mental health is 100% the best thing you can do when you have been ttc so long as it’s sends you a bit mad (it has me anyway) I hope you have a fun month and focus on you and your partner ❤️
If/when my next period starts (about 3 weeks) we will start the scans/blood tests for the IVF to go ahead for my cycle in September - so much involved but we are ready to take it on 👍 scared and excited all at the same time.
I hope everyone else is ok ❤️ Xx

Hi everyone, I hope everyone is doing really well!

Just popping on to say I had my hysteroscopy this morning, I was a bit worried over the last couple of weeks about it but just in case anyone on this thread has to have one-my experience could not have been better. Three toots on gas and air, a bit uncomfortable but I’d gladly do it again. No fibroid found thank goodness, my notes will be passed across to start ivf.

We’ve been having lots of weekends away and just really enjoying life as much as possible and building our sex life up, so although we did our very best to ttc (the reason I pushed the hysteroscopy back) still no pregnancy but I can say we’ve tried our best but at the same time the ttc came secondary to being a happy, loving couple rather than tearing our hair out trying to make a baby!

I’m not going to tag, as I know this journey is a shitty one and I don’t know how people are mentally. I’m thinking of you all, whatever stage of the journey you are on (or aren’t on)

Big hugs 💚

Hi @Oilyoilyoilgob lovely to hear from you. Glad the hysteroscopy was ok. That must feel like such a relief. Glad you are also enjoying time with your DH!!

We've just finished 3 back-to-back egg collections and our embryos have just been tested. If any are healthy we will transfer in a few months. Odds are overwhelmingly against us but I can't help hoping. We get the results in about 2 weeks.

Lots of love to you and everyone else from this thread

Xxx

Good morning @Janefx40 yes it was a relief thank you, no fibroid is fantastic news and I feel like I’m getting my medical setting anxiety cured a little by this exposure therapy! The nurses and doctor were wonderful and I had a really positive experience 😊

I am delighted to read you’ve completed your back to back egg collections-what a star you are! I really do send all my best wishes that you get healthy ones that are viable for a transfer, sorry that it’s a two week wait-I hope it passes quickly.
As we always say on here, you’re not out until you’re out so a healthy dose of hope and positivity at this point is no bad thing.

Big hugs and lots of love for the next two weeks xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob hey! Nice to hear from you… I’m so glad your hysteroscopy was a positive experience in the end! Big relief they haven’t found anything bad too ☺️
Great you have been going on trips and enjoying each others company ❤️ That’s one thing I wish we would have done as ttc with ED massively impacts the relationship and can make some days very hard! We are still trying though!

@Janefx40 3 back to back egg collections wow you are amazing! I hope they weren’t to testing on your mind/body - you must be getting the results soon I do hope you are ok and thinking of you ❤️

Big hugs to you all xxxxx

Thanks @Lori23TTC hope all is ok with you?

Yes we got our results yesterday and we have 2 chromosomally normal embryos! I'm overwhelmed with the result - beyond anyone's expectations. So now we have a few months of tests and then a transfer later in the year maybe. Super happy here (although DP is miserable at the thought of more treatment - our relationship is really at breaking point...)

Love to you all xxx

@Janefx40 I’m ok thank you.. just fed up completely with ttc!
That is fantastic news about your embryos!! Yay I hope your transfer will be sooner rather than later and I will have my fingers crossed for you when that happens!!
Ttc is so hard on a relationship- especially a relationship where the make can’t perform so I feel your pain there - I often feel I’m at braking point too and then it makes you doubt everything.
How are you feeling after all your treatment? Must take it out of you completely and you need the support from your partner xx

Hello @Lori23TTC I hope you are ok? Aw thank you regarding hysteroscopy, I wanted to post about it on here in case anyone ever needed one. Everyone is different but after reading horror stories like ‘it’s worse if you’ve not given birth vaginally/menopausal’ etc I was really anxious. All the staff were wonderful.

I hope you’re feeling ok, sorry you’re feeling fed up about ttc. It’s been such a long journey for you both so take care to look after yourselves. Over the last few months I’ve done my best to just shelve it in a box in my mind, couldn’t be arsed with it anymore, hope that advice helps (!) because it saved my sanity to be honest.

We still have carried on trying but my ‘being arsed about it o’meter’ went down and down. Too draining otherwise.

Big hugs to you, look after yourself and remember there’s so much more to all of us than just trying to get pregnant (I don’t mean that cheesily but a few months ago I found I was neglecting a lot of things in the quest for a bfp)

@Janefx40 I’m absolutely delighted to read your amazing news! I hope everything goes ok over the next few months and you get some relaxation time before going on to implant your embryos!

I got a call off the ivf clinic last week while we were away and we will be starting from my period this month eek! I don’t know fully what I’ll be starting yet as I’ve not read up too much. Again im just trying to roll with it, let them do their scans etc and basically tell me what I have to do!

Hope everyone is doing well, we finally have some rain here in Yorkshire so all of my plants pots and borders will be happy today! Xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob glad you've got the mindset sorted! I need to learn to do that. Best of luck with the IVF.

Are you doing a short or long protocol (ie are you downregulating?) It's actually pretty easy once you get the hang of the injections.

@Lori23TTC sorry I realise you asked how I was feeling. I'm fine. The back to back collections was a little hard mentally but actually the hardest bit is always the transfer so without that part it wasn't too bad. Yes the hardest part has been my relationship but I'm just ploughing on for now and we'll see. Another nice side is that I can finally come off my diet - I've been on quite a strict diet for about 9-10 months and it is lovely having cake again!!! Have to reign it in a bit for transfer but most of it was for egg quality so definitely nice to be able to relax

Hope you're ok

Xxx

Hello @Janefx40 ☺️ Don’t get me wrong the mindset might be a bit of a rollercoaster ride over the next few months! I’m honestly just trying hard now to push this to one side and enjoy my life in the here and now.
We’ve had some good chats this last month and decided that we would do 3-4 rounds then decide from there if ivf doesn’t work. We’ll see where we are at mentally and physically at that point if a pregnancy doesn’t happen!

I honestly have no idea on the protocol, when we were called I was asked if the consultant had called me that morning and he hadn’t, so had a brief chat and was told I’d get all the info in 7-10 days and to call on day 1 of my period.
Thank you for letting me know it’s pretty ok going forward, I think you’ve been absolutely fantastic with everything you’ve done so far, and always a reassuring voice 😊

I hope your relationship is ok and that these few months give you time to just enjoy each other and get back to a bit of normality, you both deserve it xx

Hello everyone,
Haven’t posted on this thread for a while. Just started cycle #9 and invested in an ovusense.
@Janefx40 what was the strict diet you were on?
I just finished a tub of ice cream in one go and am feeling quite guilty about it. Trying to drown my sorrows of starting cycle #9.

@Oilyoilyoilgob nice to hear from you! You are so right we are more than just ttc even tho it is all I seem to think about atm! I need to try and keep my mind on other things!
That’s exciting you can start the ivf ball rolling soon! I hope it all goes well and you get all your info soon!
@Janefx40 wow 10 months on a strict diet must have been hard… but it’s paid off with your good quality eggs you collect so you must feel really proud 🥰 nice you can relax it a little now. Also reassuring to hear you say once you get the hang of the injections it’s not to bad - I’m pretty nervous for egg collection but I think it’s the fear of the unknown and the worry of what the eggs will be like once collected! Got to stay positive!!!
Glad you are ok tho 🥰
@birdbybird I’m sorry you are going into another cycle - it is so hard each month 😞 don’t worry about the Ice cream - it’s ok every now and then especially when you are on your period we need to do anything to cheer ourselves up! ❤️ Xx

@Lori23TTC egg collection is bizarrely nice. It's normal to be nervous about it but the sedative knocks you out completely even tho it isn't a general anaesthetic and it is the loveliest sleep ever. You wake up all cosy and sleepy and they give you biscuits. It's honestly rather nice. Most women on here will say the same thing. I will rather miss it...

@birdbybird hope you're ok. I think we all need something comforting when we're a bit down. Let's hope cycle 9 is the lucky one! I've been on a diet for egg quality that is detailed in a book called It Starts with the egg. But I am 44 - so I think I needed to go all out!! And I've had plenty of lapses in that 10 months but overall I've done pretty well. It's basically no sugar, low/no carbs, high protein, lots of veg. It's been a long haul!!!

Xxx

Hi everyone, I was on an earlier version of this thread a year a when my partner and I were TTC #1 by SI with donor sperm (I have NC'd since). We were successful on the 4th month trying, and our little girl is now 3 months old and wonderful :) so we're beginning to try for #2! Same donor, me hoping to carry this time (was my partner last time) so back on the TTC wagon and hoping we are as lucky this time around...

Hope everyone is having a happy, chilled out month. Where is everyone at with their cycle this month? I am CD8,will be SI on CD15 to try to hit predicted ov between 15 and 19.

Hi ladies, new here and this seemed like a very supportive group. Just wondering if anyone has attempted SI here, and any success stories. DH has performance anxiety and we're trying SI but somehow feel very low that it's not going to happen for us. Wondering how you went about SI and syringing, any information would be helpful

Hey! Just checking in on everyone… hope all is well.

@Dr04 if you read back through the past threads there is soooo much info on SI that I’m sure you would find helpful. I’ve tried it all and for over 2 years with not 1 success but I know lots of people who have so just give it a go! I wish you all the luck!

Dear all,

Long time no speak! Sorry for my absence the last few months have been hella tough and if I’m honest I didn’t know what to add to the group discussion as it’s the same old story month after month of BFN.

We’ve finally had our IVF referral made to the private clinic of our choice and it seems this is the route we will be taking now. This month is our ‘last chance saloon’ I imagine before further discussions with the consultant.

Hope everyone is doing ok irrespective of what journey they are on right now, thinking of you all xx

Hello all, long time no speak but hope you are all well and looking forward to Christmas!
Just wanted to let you know the good news that we did get our bfp finally after the MMC in jan and I am now at 10 weeks. Still early but we had an reassurance scan at nearly 9 weeks and saw the heartbeat so fingers crossed that all is still well.
It was all through SI so if you're on your journey then it is possible! This thread helped us so much, so thank you x Have a great Christmas all