At-home Artificial Insemination - HOW TO and success stories.

[Oxygen7880]

1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor
I used a known donor.

2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation.
Opk's, tempting and CB digital ovulation predictor.

3. What method(s) of insemination did you use.
Syringe.

4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)?
Twice- once the day before ov and also the morning after ov.

5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur?
Donor lives near so did his thing and then dropped the goods round to my house and left.

6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take?
Got lucky first cycle.

7. If you used a donor, what is the relationship you have (or intend to have) with your donor?
Donor is a very good friend of mine. He will be part of the babies life but not as a father.

8. Anything else you think people should know?
I left the syringe in for approx 5 mins before injecting the sperm (in order for the temp to regulate to mine). I also left the syringe in for approx 30 mins after injecting and had my legs up for the same amount of time. I also had the big 'o'.

 

[K.N]

1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor?
I've used donor sperm, found through an online sperm donor community, sifted through the "defo donors, maybe donors, and no way donors" before actually finding 'the chosen one'

2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation?
Temping, & Charting.

3. What method(s) of insemination did you use?
A sterile cup with a lid, which the donor does his thing in the bathroom - he then hands it over and goes home, a few minutes later it is inserted via either a 5ml or 10ml syringe; however I find the 10ml ones a lot better.

4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)?
2 days before, the day of, the day after (just in case oday delays by a day)

5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur?
We met at a cafe where we introduced ourselves and discussed what needs to happen, what each person wants etc etc, Now the donor drives over, as he lives local and either does his thing at my house, or a close friends house in the bathroom, hands the container over and goes home; I wait a couple/few minutes then is inserted. Usually i fold a blanket up, and place a towel down and lay in bed for 30/40 minutes reading something, makes time pass faster

6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take? Currently waiting for a success.
Feb - Not successful, March - Was out of the country at time of ovulation, April - Not Successful, May - thought we were successful, tested negative multiple times, period was 12 days late. June - Making sure cycle is back to normal, July - Waiting and ready to try again!

7. If you used a donor, what is the relationship you have (or intend to have) with your donor?
We get on really well now, we've discussed the possibility to meet up after a baby is born annually - and share photos etc. He's happy with this, However we've signed a contract just in case

 

[Cris2013]

1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor
Travel to another country and meet a person.
2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation
US
3. What method(s) of insemination did you use
We used a syringe to inseminate and orgasm after inseminating.
4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)?
2 times. The day before and the day of ovulation.
5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur?
Abroad, it happened at a flat we rented just for the occasion.
6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take?
First time using meds and US will find out in a few days
7. If you used a donor, what is the relationship you have (or intend to have) with your donor?
None. He's awared of that.
8. Anything else you think people should know?
Last month it didn't work. So this month we went to a fertility clinic , used clomid, menopur and tracked ovulation with US every other day.

 

[My_Baby_Dream]

We get a lot of questions about how to do at-home artificial insemination with donor sperm. I'm going to list some common questions and I invite everyone with some experience on this topic to answer with information on what they did and how well it worked.

Please keep your replies to the format:

Questions:
1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor
2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation
3. What method(s) of insemination did you use
4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)?
5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur?
6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take?
7. If you used a donor, what is the relationship you have (or intend to have) with your donor?
8. Anything else you think people should know?

Hello Nimyra,

I had a question about the legal contract you created between you and your donor. I will be going through a similar situation. And I want to have a contract between the donor and myself to protect both parties. But I'm unsure how to go about it? Any advice or feedback would be so appreciated!!!

Thanks!

 

[Nimyra]

You can find sample contracts online. Knowndonorregisty has some you can copy. Please be aware that donor contracts are not legally binding in most states. Seeking legal counsel is advised. Some mothers find that their interests are best served by not signing a contract or putting a donors name on the birth certificate. This is a complicated and evolving area of family law.

 

[jury3]

So excited to finally post here!

1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor:
Our donor was a good friend. It really all started as a joke, but eventually we all started to seriously consider it. Before we knew it, we had a contract drawn up and a start date...

2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation:
I used temping, clearblue easy digital opks and tracked my cm and cervix using a speculum.

3. What method(s) of insemination did you use:
We tried different things, but eventually got comfortable with our donor putting donation in a soft cup and leaving it in the bathroom. Then I would go in and put the cup in. I would put 1-2ml of preseed in about 30 min before putting the donation in. After the cup was in, I would elevate my hips as soon as possible. I would lie down in the back of the car on the way home or this month I layed on the floor at donor's house with legs on a chair while we all watched tv lol I usually tried to rotate to my sides/stomach each 20 minutes until all sides were "coated". I also tried to do what Nimyra said and when I put the soft cup in, I would kind of push up on the center of it to try and help the sperms come in direct contact with my cervix.

4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)?
We did 2-4 inseminations a cycle. My earliest O date was cd13 and average was cd18. I wanted to do the SMEP, but obviously we didn't have an unlimited supply of sperm...So, starting around cd12 we would inseminate every other day until I got a pos opk, then we would do one that day no matter what. We didn't start that early every month, I would watch my cm and cervix to see how close they looked. This cycle we did cd13, cd15 and cd16. I had a pos opk cd15.

5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur?
A few times he came to our house, but really it was just more comfortable at his house. We would usually wait until his daughter went to bed, then he would go in to do his thing in his bathroom while we would talk to the wife, play with the baby and/or watch tv.

6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take?
Yes, just got our bfp a few days ago! This was our 7th cycle of actually trying. However, I found out I had low progesterone because of "weak ovulation" (not releasing a good egg). So, this was my 2nd month on clomid (100mg this cycle). If we would've known about the low progesterone, it very well could have happened sooner.

7. If you used a donor, what is the relationship you have (or intend to have) with your donor?
We intend to remain friends with our donor and his wife. Their kids call us aunt and our kids will call them aunt and uncle. We met with a lawyer and talked everything out. We went through a million different scenarios it seemed like! lol We have a contract detailing everything we agreed to. He will give up his parental rights after baby is born and my wife will adopt. We hope our kids will grow up together, but have also agreed that if we go our separate ways...that is ok too.

8. Anything else you think people should know?
Do your research and do what you feel comfortable with! People would question me about whether or not it would work this way and if we were doing it the right way...Not only had I done tons of research online, read books, etc, but I had also read all the success stories on here! Have faith in yourself and trust the process.

 

[Kat S]

Congratulations, Nimyra and Jury!! Happy and Healthy 9 months to you both!

 

[Kat S]

Hey, everyone! We've done two nights of syringe inseminations and I can't get the bubbles out at the top. I pull back the plunger, press it forward so all the air is out, dip the syringe into The Goods, and pull back slowly. The first night I also pulled the plunger back again a little before I sucked up The Goods as I'd read that helps. Neither method resulted in no/little bubbles. I tried pushing a little air out, but I lose sperm. I tried tapping, but only a few bubbles went away. Any advice?

One more question! Today I got a solid smiley on my CB advanced digital ovulation test. We inseminated last night. My husband needs a day in between to recharge or his swimmers have poor quantity. Should we risk it and do it again tonight? Should we split the difference and do it tomorrow morning, or is doing it tomorrow night (what I think is ideal sperm-wise) just fine?

 

[WizzBang]

Hi Ladies!

Thought I'd join as my partner and I are beginning our TTC journey next cycle!
Came across this forum doing research and you've all been most helpful and it's comforting seeing some success stories!
I've miscarried once before, and spent 6 weeks in hosp after a messy D&C, hoping for better luck this time around, it has been over 18 months.

We are a lesbian couple using my partners brother as a sperm donor (obviously I will carry) as he has children of his own and can literally be the uncle. I have had a few weird reactions regarding it, but we are excited that it will still be a relative of my partners.

Will keep you posted! Wish us luck, and good luck to all

 

[Nimyra]

WizzBang and others:

Please join us at:
https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/assisted-conception/165424-considering-home-insemination-donor-sperm.html

This thread is the How To "knowledge bank" - and the other is a free-for-all discussion.

Thanks!

 

[ChaiLatte]

1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor Donor was my DH. He was suffering from some performance anxiety-related ED. Did some googling and we decided to try this at-home method.

2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation I just used an app on my phone.

3. What method(s) of insemination did you use Purchased syringe and sterile cup off Amazon. Used a new cup each time. Also made myself reach orgasm afterwards, as recommended on here.

4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)? I believe it was 2 days before and 1 day before O.

5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur? n/a

6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take? Thankfully, it worked on the 2nd cycle First cycle may not have even counted because I don't think we inserted the syringe far enough.

I just want to give a huge heartfelt thanks to all that have contributed and given advice about the at-home method. I asked about it on other boards and was laughed off. Our lack of success using traditional method was starting to cause friction in our marriage, and there was definitely potential for more marital problems if this didn't work. I think this method may have also saved us money by having to avoid IUI/IVF. DH was also diagnosed with low morphology and we were worried about that too.

So again, thank you SO much and good luck to all! We are expecting our little girl in March and we are so grateful!

 

[jury3]

Congrats!!! I'm so glad you guys found a method that worked for you Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do...not everyone understands that. H&H 9 months

 

[HopefulFairy]

OMG So exciting to post in the success story blog!

1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor:
We asked our good friend we had known for 8 years and lived with in the past

2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation:
temping, OPK, ferning, blood tests to track hormone levels (I have PCOS)

3. What method(s) of insemination did you use:
We used the old cup and syringe approach. Inserted, my partner squirted in the contents at same time I had an O. Left syringe in for 30 mins and then took out but fell asleep with hips propped up on pillows.

4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)?
We did it 3, 2 & 1 days before ovulation, ovulation and the day after. Waiting 24 hours between inseminations. We used Mayby Baby, inserted 10 min prior to insemination. We also asked donor to used Mayby Baby to keep it all sperm friendly. At first we tried using a femmecup to keep it in but didnt like the feel and so ditched it after 2nd night.

5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur?
Our donor lives interstate so we flew him down for a holiday and he stayed at our house. At night before bed he went to bathroom to do the deed in a cup and then would knock on our bedroom door with the cup in a paper bag. Actually I loved the paper bag he chose as it was kind of funny cos it was a LUSH store bag that said "Not tested on animals"

6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take?
YES IT WORKED!!!! 2nd cycle

7. If you used a donor, what is the relationship you have (or intend to have) with your donor?
We are great friends. He will be known as the donor but will not be a co-parent. He is happy to meet the child though and is just an all round lovely guy.

8. Anything else you think people should know?
Fertility friend is great for tracking your cycle. Before we started trying I went and had a full medical check up and asked donor to be screened for STDs. I took pregnancy vitamins for 4 months and quit coffee and alcohol. We also sought legal advice as a lesbian couple in Australia to make sure that our rights were protected as parents even though we trusted our donor and we all went through and signed a donor agreement contract before the first insemination.

Good luck to every one else trying. Hope you all get your BFPs soon! Its such a wonderful feeling

 

[FarmerMoms]

1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor
We used the brother of the non-carrying mother.

2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation
CB Digital Ovulation Test

3. What method(s) of insemination did you use
We tried a few different ways depending on where we were at the time. When we weren't at home we used the softcup with a bit of preseed applied directer to her. Other times when it was convenient he used a small mason jar to collect the sample and we used an oral syringe with a couple ml of preseed sucked up first. We tried to bring her to an orgasm afterward, but sometimes it was not practical - like when we were at the donor's house. We think the time that worked was with donation directly in the softcup, some preseed applied directly to her, and then we sat in a car for about 45 minutes.

4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)?
First two cycles we only got one shot each on the day of or after +OPK due to timing issues while traveling. The third (successful) cycle we tried on CD17, 19, 21, and 23, with the +OPK on CD23. She ovulated late this month, which is why it appears that we started so early.

5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur?
The first time we were all so nervous and freaked out (and a little grossed out, I will admit) so we had a very elaborate plan so we'd never have to look each other in the eyes. After that we started getting more relaxed and just got a rhythm where we'd agree on a meeting time and place (his house or ours) and then he'd go do his thing and leave it there, then we'd go in and do our thing.

6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take?
Yes, it worked! We got our BFP on her third cycle.

7. If you used a donor, what is the relationship you have (or intend to have) with your donor?
We had a lawyer help us write a contract that specifies our wishes and protects both us and the donor. Since he is my brother, he will have a natural connection to the child as an uncle.

8. Anything else you think people should know?
We found that not testing early was much easier on our emotions. We tried to really focus on staying positive and remembering that 6 months is the average time that people usually have to try so we decided not to start stressing until then.

Good luck everyone!

 

[GrassRoots]

I have gotten pregnant twice with four cycles of at-home insems. The first ended in a miscarriage and this pregnancy is still very new but nevertheless, this DOES work.

Questions:
1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor --We used a friend's husband.

2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation --I was already highly aware of my cycle and fertile times. I am super, super regular and paired up all the physical symptoms with ovulation strips and can also feel ovulation so I have it down to a fairly perfect science, lol.

3. What method(s) of insemination did you use --Just used a 10ml syringe, inserted it and let it 'warm' to my temperature for a few minutes and then slooooowly "injected" the sperm. Propped my butt for half an hour afterward, and then inserted a Softcup with Preseed in it and left it in until the next morning (our insems were done in the evening).

4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)? -- 1-2 insems per cycle. The first pregnancy was two insems (day before, day of), the second was just 1 due to crazy holiday schedules. We insemmed one day before I ovulated and it still took


5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur? --They live pretty close to us so when they were ready, they gave me a 15 minute head start, I'd head their way and it would be super fresh when I got there, lol. By the time I got home, it was only about 15-20 minutes old and I did the insem at my home. Also, I kept the specimen cup in my bra on the drive home to help regulate the temp.

6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take? --Sure did! Twice. Worked on second cycle each time.

7. If you used a donor, what is the relationship you have (or intend to have) with your donor? --I do not know my friend's husband very well. My husband knows neither of them. She knew of our infertility journey and felt led to help us out and we all prayed and carefully considered it and decided to move forward. We do have legal paperwork covering all of our hineys, too.

8. Anything else you think people should know? --Try to relax as best you can. I will say I think doing it this way is terrible and I hated it BUT it was worth it to me. I hope this pregnancy is a sticky baby and we are done. Lol.

 

[middleeast]

1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor Donor was my DH. He was suffering from some performance anxiety-related ED. Did some googling and we decided to try this at-home method.

2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation I just used an app on my phone.

3. What method(s) of insemination did you use Purchased syringe and sterile cup off Amazon. Used a new cup each time. Also made myself reach orgasm afterwards, as recommended on here.

4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)? I believe it was 2 days before and 1 day before O.

5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur? n/a

6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take? Thankfully, it worked on the 2nd cycle First cycle may not have even counted because I don't think we inserted the syringe far enough.

I just want to give a huge heartfelt thanks to all that have contributed and given advice about the at-home method. I asked about it on other boards and was laughed off. Our lack of success using traditional method was starting to cause friction in our marriage, and there was definitely potential for more marital problems if this didn't work. I think this method may have also saved us money by having to avoid IUI/IVF. DH was also diagnosed with low morphology and we were worried about that too.

So again, thank you SO much and good luck to all! We are expecting our little girl in March and we are so grateful!

I am exactly in the same situation, I am a father for a wonderful girl but started facing Performance Anxiety ED after trying to conceive a Baby BOY for 6 months!

We are trying this in a week time.. cup and syringe

But I wonder how do you know if the syringe went far enough or not! and if the semen is close to the cervix or not.

Any help is really appreciated.. we are doing insem day after day

 

[ThinkPositiv]

My hubby has performance anxiety...... Always has. Our daughter and all our miscarriages are miracles! Hubby can perform into a cup no problem..... So after joking about it we realized we weren't kidding and did our first home insemjnation tonight. I'm extremely fertile but having sex time and time again with no chance of conceiving is tearing me up inside.

Will try for 2 cycles then pay for iui.

Any updates?

 

[LunaBean]

So many new sucess stories

 

[LadyMidnight]

Hi ladies my new on here. My wife and I have been trying TTC for the past 10 months on an off. we are extremely anxious to be mommies and would any helpful tips! My wife has been inseminating me at home with fresh sperm. We use a 10ml syringe and thats it. We did try using speculum but that didn't work out so well for numerous reason very painful and my wife didn't feel comfortable using it.. so we stuck to just using syringe I'm just now recently hearing about the Instead cups and learning that it has huge success rates in home insemination.. I would love any advice from woman who have used this method and have had successful pregnancies! thanks ladies! look forward to all the stories

 

[LadyMidnight]

OMG So exciting to post in the success story blog!

1. If you used a donor (rather than your spouse), how did you find your donor:
We asked our good friend we had known for 8 years and lived with in the past

2. What method(s) did you use to track ovulation:
temping, OPK, ferning, blood tests to track hormone levels (I have PCOS)

3. What method(s) of insemination did you use:
We used the old cup and syringe approach. Inserted, my partner squirted in the contents at same time I had an O. Left syringe in for 30 mins and then took out but fell asleep with hips propped up on pillows.

4. How many times per cycle did you inseminate and what was the timing relative to ovulation (e.g. 2 days before and day of)?
We did it 3, 2 & 1 days before ovulation, ovulation and the day after. Waiting 24 hours between inseminations. We used Mayby Baby, inserted 10 min prior to insemination. We also asked donor to used Mayby Baby to keep it all sperm friendly. At first we tried using a femmecup to keep it in but didnt like the feel and so ditched it after 2nd night.

5. Logistics. Where did you meet your donor and how did the donation occur?
Our donor lives interstate so we flew him down for a holiday and he stayed at our house. At night before bed he went to bathroom to do the deed in a cup and then would knock on our bedroom door with the cup in a paper bag. Actually I loved the paper bag he chose as it was kind of funny cos it was a LUSH store bag that said "Not tested on animals"

6. Did it work? If so, how many cycles did it take?
YES IT WORKED!!!! 2nd cycle

7. If you used a donor, what is the relationship you have (or intend to have) with your donor?
We are great friends. He will be known as the donor but will not be a co-parent. He is happy to meet the child though and is just an all round lovely guy.

8. Anything else you think people should know?
Fertility friend is great for tracking your cycle. Before we started trying I went and had a full medical check up and asked donor to be screened for STDs. I took pregnancy vitamins for 4 months and quit coffee and alcohol. We also sought legal advice as a lesbian couple in Australia to make sure that our rights were protected as parents even though we trusted our donor and we all went through and signed a donor agreement contract before the first insemination.

Good luck to every one else trying. Hope you all get your BFPs soon! Its such a wonderful feeling

Congrats! how exciting only after 2nd try! so awesome! please post pic of baby girl when born so happy for you ladies! My wife and i have been TTC for 10 months on and off... its really get frustrating but hearing all these positive stories and other mommies getting pregnant makes me happy and hopeful!! congrats again and thank you for sharing your wonderful new! do you have name picked out?!

-Ashlee