TTC - First time home insemination

[libbyidk]

First time posting so bare with me.

We are in a same sex relationship, and I just thought i'd share our story so far to see if anyone else is going through the same or has any advice/tips for myself and my partner.

We first went to a private clinic, and payed hundreds for scans, blood tests, screening etc, only to be told my partner couldn't donate her eggs (we were counting on this as it lowers the price by about 3-4000 pounds!), we were then told we should try IUI at the clinic which would cost us about 2-3000 pounds. We went home after this appointment and had a chat, we decided to try home insemination first, and if it doesn't work after 2 times, we will then go back to the clinic, but I wasn't finding them very helpful, and they were quite rude to us!

We searched online for sperm banks and came across cryos in denmark. We researched all the legal complications and know all about it, and decided as so many people do try this, we were going to as well. We ordered our anonymous washed donor sperm (MOT20) 2 vials (all we could afford.)

It arrived on tuesday (it lasts for 7 days in a nitro tank), and I started using the clear blue dual hormone predictor kit. I also use a fertility app and have been vaguely monitoring my cervical mucas. I tested negative from monday (the start of my fertility window) until yesterday (friday) i went straight from negative to peak on the clear blue monitor! I researched this to make sure it was right and I saw that a lot of people go straight from low to peak, especially if they missed their surge (which i may have done). The app also said I was due to have peak fertility friday and saturday, so i'm confident in the test and we decided to inseminate one vial on friday at 6pm (8 hours after my positive result) and we inseminated again on sunday at 6am. Just before I had the insemination, I was getting pretty bad cramps and I think ovulation may have started, although i'm not 100%. I got some cramp after inseminating too.

Frozen sperm lives in the body for 12-24 hours (apparantly) but some swimmers can last longer. So we inseminated at 6pm which will cover me (hopefully) until 6pm saturday, whilst also inseminating at 6am saturday which would cover me until 6am (hopefully) sunday. We sat and talked constantly about the timing but we just decided to go for it, as like everybody says, even if the timing is perfectly right and your CM is perfect, there is still only a 10-20% chance of conception.

I'm just praying my clearblue test was correct and my peak is friday and saturday like it shows. (My app also shows this like i said). I have a 29 day cycle and it's hardly EVER irregular, so I think we've done all what we should have.

Now we're onto our two week wait which i'm not looking forward to! Like I keep saying to myself, it is our first time trying and we could have done a number of things wrong. It is just trial and error from here on out! If anyone else wants to share their story about home insemination with frozen sperm, using clearblue monitors / success stories, i would really appreciate that!

Hi everyone, another newbie here
Just wanted to let everyone know that I had planned to go down the cryos route until I found out on this thread that they no longer deliver for home insemination (devastated!). But I spoke to them and they said they’ve found a way around it and you need to contact the national fertility society and they deliver to there and you can self-inseminate. Only downside is that you have to do it there and not at home, also no to mention the extra cost just thought I’d let you know in case it was still an option for some of you

Still no static smiley my donor has said he can do tonight or tomorrow really don't know what to do.

Oh no @Waiting2BAMummy have you had any other signs that ovulation is imminent? Any cheapies to maybe try in case there’s an issue with your clear blue?
Is it too cheeky to ask him to do both days?

He came last night @LanieM87 so I think I'm covered today so will see what happens tomorrow and will get him to come tomorrow anyway.

I don't know if I missed it on Monday as it's unusual that I've been having my positive on the same day for months and then it suddenly changes. Or maybe I'm just not ovulating this month. Who knows?!

I doubt I'll be ovulating after tomorrow so if I don't get a positive tomorrow I'm going to do an insem anyway and stop testing for this month.

good luck @Waiting2BAMummy I hope it goes well!

I just did my first ever "home" (actually hotel room) insemination . I was expecting the whole situation to be nerve-wrackingly awkward but it was fine! My donor is really nice and professional about everything, makes me feel very relaxed and like what we're doing is totally normal (which it is, obviously). Not expecting to get knocked up on the very first go, just feeling happy & relieved that it all seemed to go smoothly!

Sounds like you've got all bases covered as much as possible @Waiting2BAMummy it does seem odd about your missing static!

Fingers crossed for you @goodnightsugarpop pleased you've met a good professional donor!

Still no static really fed up and don't know what to do. Since using the CB tests the latest I have had my positive is CD15 and today is CD16.

Do I get my donor to come tonight anyway?

Do I keep testing?

Sorry I'm sure you're all fed up listening to me this month!

Just a thought, @Waiting2BAMummy - how long have you been using the reusable bit of the CB for? Could it be that the battery's dying? I know one month I had issues with the CB and I concluded that was the problem. Think I then switched to the cheap sticks and all was well.

Maybe ask if he'll come tonight just in case, and then stop testing until after AF comes (if she comes). If he's a good donor you want to keep him sweet, and asking him to come the next few nights might annoy him (plus doesn't sperm quality go down or something?).

Do you temp as well?

I don't temp @TimeIhadaNameChange I really should start. I've looked at a thermometer on amazon that automatically links to an app on your phone. The reusable bit of the OPK is new this month. I use them for a max of 2 cycles as I worry about the battery running out mid cycle.

I think you're right I'm going to tell him I got my positive ovulation test and ask him to come tonight and then just stop testing until next month.

Which thermometer are you looking at? I've got the femometer and it seems to be ok, other than when it changes its mind! Temping won't tell you when you're ovulating until after its happened, but at least you might have a clearer picture about this cycle by now.

I think that's the one I was looking at @TimeIhadaNameChange and you're right l, if I was temping I would know if I had ovulated yet.

My donor is coming tonight and then I give up for this cycle.

How at you feeling?

I'd suggest you get a spare battery at the beginning - mine died after a few months. Mind you, I don't always remember to put the lid on which probably doesn't help!

I'm ok. Getting a bit bloated, which is unusual for me. Luckily no-one can see me sat at my desk so I can keep my trousers unzipped! I'm tired, and tend to feel a bit nauseous and a bit crampy but nothing too bad. So far at least!

Oh, and @Waiting2BAMummy - I sent you a PM earlier, but it's come from another username - sorry!

Glad you're not feeling too bad @TimeIhadaNameChange I'll wait for AF to arrive and will order that thermometer.

I've replied to your PM and thank you x

I use natural cycles which comes with a thermometer as part of the subscription. I've never had any issues with it and I've been using it since January so it knows my cycles pretty well now and I must say has been pretty accurate with my dates!

It's probably a bit more then you'd pay for a thermometer on its own but may be worth a think about?

I think you've done all you can this month @Waiting2BAMummy hopefully you caught ovulation.

Buying sperm on my credit card is most likely one of the strangest purchases I'll ever make!!
I hope it bloody works!!

Good luck @LanieM87

I've just done my last round for this month. I'm not testing anymore. Now we wait....

Hi ladies.

My first time posting on here.... Feels so surreal already aaaah.

I have been reading thread after thread for weeks now and it’s so unbelievably helpful to see other people’s experiences of TTC. I literally don’t even use google any more - I use this to answer my questions re OPKs, surges, IUI queries etc. Brilliant

I surged this eve at 9pm so I will be inseminated tomorrow at LWC in Cardiff. Well, I think I will... this is my first go at IUI so EVERYTHING is new. The nurse just told me to ring the clinic when I surge and they will book me in. I hope there’s a slot free for me or I’ll need to wait until Saturday but think I’ll miss the window by then. I’m using donor sperm from Cryos. Scary seeing the £££ pile up!! So many added extras from the bank and the clinic (not to mention OPKs!!)

Any tips would be greatly appreciated for my insem tomorrow? I keep thinking I need to to a Phoebe from Friends and sit upside down for a few hours after

Welcome @Clucky539 hope your insemination went well! I think the 2WW wait is much more nerve wrecking!

Hi @LanieM87

You’re totally right. I’m only two weeks into the TTW and it’s driving me mad already. Maybe it’s a bit of an anti climax as there’s so much prep that goes into it all and now it’s nothing but a waiting game. I know the chances of it working first time are slim but I’ve got everything crossed.

What stage are you at now with it all?

TWO DAYS** (I wish two weeks )

@Clucky539 ha 2 days would be much better!!
I used a "live donor" if you will last month, which was my first cycle, that was unsuccessful. But I learnt a lot from it!
I've just ordered frozen via sellmerdiers which will be delivered this week ready for ovulation at the end of the week, so I'm keeping everything crossed, I've ordered two vials and some preseed so hopefully giving myself the best chance!

Morning all, so, I think I may have actually ovulated yesterday, CD20! I had an abundance of EWCM yesterday, more than I have ever had before. I did think it may be an early pregnancy sign but this morning I'm dry as a bone.

So now to wait for AF and on to August.

How is everyone else doing?

Welcome to the fold @Clucky539, hope everything went well with you insem. Good Luck!

that's annoying that your ovulation was so late @Waiting2BAMummy!

I felt really calm and relaxed for the first 2 days after inseminating but since the weekend I've been obsessing and symptom spotting like mad!

I'm usually okay for the first week @goodnightsugarpop and then in the second week I lose my mind!