Considering at-home insemination with donor sperm...?

[sam#3]

Huge huge huge congratualtions erin, sending lots of sticky dust, hope and wishes for you xxxxxxx

 

[Trippymama]

I'm really stressing about my lack of cervical mucus. There's just none there. None. And today/tomorrow is when the computer says I should be ovulating. What the heck? Can that be right?

 

[Nimyra]

Hey Trippy... I don't know, but I do think using the preseed or egg whites or something like that will help. Are you also tracking your temps? That could make a nice 3rd way to confirm that you are timing ovulation correctly.

 

[Trippymama]

No I haven't checked temps this month, but I should track my temps next month, because this the second month in a row that this has happened. The computer says I'm ovulating on day 21 or so, but I have all the signs on days 16-18. I'm not sure what that means. Then I just dry up completely from day 19 on. Ugh. I'm going to use the pre-seed oil again today, but I'm worried now that I've missed my window. However last month when I felt the same way, my period started on day 35, so there's little possibility that it could have really been on day 17-18. I dunno.

 

[LunaBean]

def use preseed or eggwhites!!!

 

[sam#3]

i think we may have found our donor!!!
weve been chatting to a few guys and there is one that we have clicked really well with. we can talk to him for ages and we can have a laugh with him, he seems really honest and will talk about any of our worries etc with him.
he is mixed race with mixed origins and vikki has got blonde hair and blue eyes. we're both excited about it

 

[Nimyra]

Congrats Sam! That is so exciting! when are you planning to start?

 

[sam#3]

i dont know we are just talking about that now actually!!! ive been on to that fertility friend site to try and work out ov days from cycle and we got some ov kits too so maybe in a couple of months - probably in the summer

 

[EpdTTC]

Congrats Sam! If you are anything like me, you will end up starting to try sooner now that you have found your donor! I wasn't planning to start until January but I found my donor in October and began immediately the next month! Good luck! I thought a mixed race donor as well, I think people of mixed races are very beautiful.

Trippymama-definitely use the preseed again. Also, are you using OPKs at all? I really like the digital clearblue easy ones and there is no room for misinterpretation with the smiley face-you either are having your LH surge or you're not-no lines to read. I wouldn't rely on a computer to tell you when you are going to ovulate-go with your intuition and gut feeling, and-definitely check temps, CM, cervical position and feel, OPKs, sex drive, and consider getting a saliva microscope. I have one-it was only about $20-25 and it is another good indicator of impending ovulation. I also borrowed Em_Maryland's Ov watch-I used it the first time I got pregnant and it was really helpful (BTW Em, if all goes well with this little bean, I will send it back to you soon!). I would definitely consider charting if you don't get your BFP this cycle. Do you have the Brill book? It is a Godsend-a wealth of info.

 

[RubyRainbows]

Erin -- What wonderful news! I KNEW it! I had a really good feeling about this month for you!!!!!!!

Sam -- Congrats on finding a donor you connect with! You are half-way there now!!!!!

One of my clients was talking to me today about the possibility of putting her baby up for adoption now that her girlfriend broke up with her -- i wanted to scream, "I want your baby!" Of course i didn't -- but it's so tempting!!!!! I know that wouldn't be allowed tho, due to boundaries & stuff. Plus she isn't very stable & would probably change her mind anyhow. Just so frustrating!

Lizzie -- i am so sorry about the loss of your 3rd angel baby. My heart goes out to you. I really hope your doctor will send you for testing to find out what is going on. It's just so unfair.

My brother's baby was born this morning at 6:15am. She is 2 lbs 8 oz. She is doing well -- but will have a long road ahead of her. This whole situation has been so unexpected. You never know what life has in store for you. I am taking a half day at work tomorrow & driving out to see her. My brother's OH is still having a very difficult time getting her blood pressure lowered. So scary!

 

[RubyRainbows]

double post

 

[Trippymama]

Well, I'm finished with this month's cycle. I inseminated three times, used the Pre-Seed the last two, and the "computer" that I refer to is actually an OPK.. the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor. It's supposed to be the best on the market because it measures your estrogen levels as well as the LH surge, so I inseminated every 36 hours like the doc suggested. I hope it works!

So, this is month number three. I hope that my donor does not get tired of doing this. Now I just have two weeks of waiting with the worry that it didn't work again. I just wish something could tell us why. Why doesn't it work when everything seems to be timed/done precisely? Lizzie, I've been thinking about you so much lately. There's got to be something that can help you overcome these short pregnancies. It's clear that you are going to be a wonderful mother with your red sling.

I love this forum. Thanks for the advice about the CM. Now I seem to have some, but it's probably leftover Pre-Seed. That stuff is worth every penny of the money. I love it!

 

[LunaBean]

Good luck!!! I'm sure your donor wont give up!

I'm gona hafta stop baby buying things, I have alot of things in the nursery already, and I just end up using it for the babies I looks after lol. At least I have an excuse to buy more then!

 

[EpdTTC]

Mommy Tammy-Thanks! I am nervous considering that things didn't go so well last time, but I am just hoping that last time was a totally different scenario and that this time will be successful. I do have a better feeling about things this time-I don't know if that is just wishful thinking or intuition, but I have to think positive! No point in stressing out my little bean. Welcome to your brand new baby niece. I am glad she is doing well. I hope that things continue to go well for her and your brother and OH. That is very scary about her blood pressure. I hope they are able to be more aggressive in getting it under control now that the baby is here.

Trippy-Sounds like you did everything right this cycle! Glad to hear you are using the CBFM-I have heard good things about them. The pre-seed seems to be good stuff, a lot of people swear by it. The not knowing why it doesn't work some months is very frustrating, but it is just one of those things we will NEVER know, which is so so frustrating, especially for a type A like me! Sending you calm energy and baby vibes in your tww. Waiting is the hardest part.

Lizzie-no harm in buying baby stuff. I believe that you will have your little one and you are gonna need all of that stuff! Are your doctors willing to do some more tests now considering all that you have been through? i really do think they could find an answer to this issue and that things can be done to prevent mc in the future. It is amazing how different the health care systems are...it is fabulous that you guys have free health care-that would really help people in the US...but also, in the US, if a woman had two miscarriages and she was trying to prevent a third, and the doctor wouldn't see her and order tests and she miscarried again...that doctor would have his reputation ruined and would be sued to high hell. Both good and bad. It just makes me mad, I want them to do more for you!

Anyway...me and little bean seem to be doing well. I took a digital clearblue test yesterday and it said "pregnant". Yay! I am hoping that means that my hcg level is increasing because I don't know if the 20 that I had on Sunday would have been enough to give me a positive on one of those. I know I am corny but I will attach the pic to share with you guys. It made me smile to see it "in writing" so to speak!

 

[Trippymama]

So cool.... Epd

I hope my turn is coming soon. You'll be fine...

 

[RubyRainbows]

There it is Erin! "Pregnant" -- Looks good!!!

 

[Nimyra]

So I know I've said just about a million times that I adore my OBGYN... but I'm thinking about changing practices to a midwife/birthing center. Ever since my ultrasound and the news about maybe needing a c-section, I've been doing a ton of research about hospital policies and birthing practices. I am so happy with the prenatal care I've received from my Dr. but I really want to try to have an unmedicated and am super nervous about being pressured to take pitocin and winding up with an emergency c-section. I'm also concerned that in the case of a c-section the hospital staff would take the baby away and I'd have to fight to keep the baby with me during recovery.

I found out yesterday that my insurance WILL cover care if I get a referral to a birthing center/MW practice (linked to a different hospital) about 40 minutes away. I could still have a hospital birth (at a different hospital with slightly better policies) under the care of one of the MWs or opt for a birthing center birth if everything looks promising.

I have an appointment on Thursday with my OBGYN and plan to discuss my long list of requests/concerns about the hospital and its policies and talk to her about my thoughts about switching to the other practice. I just don't want to have to fight tooth and nail to have the birth experience i want.

I really never thought I'd be saying I want an unmedicated birth - I thought getting an epidural was a no-brainer... but as I'm learning more my feelings have changed. What a crazy journey this is.

My head is swimming with all of this. Just wanted to share.

 

[Trippymama]

Just waiting.... and waiting and waiting. Ummmmmm... more waiting.

 

[EpdTTC]

Em-
I think that you should make an appointment at the birth center that you are interested in and talk with a midwife there and talk to your doctor about your list of concerns and questions. I would do both before making your decision. I know that you love your OB but if you feel like your birth plan is going to possibly be compromised because of the facility that she works with then it is totally your right to make changes. Even if your birth plan doesn't go as planned and you decide to make changes at the last minute, I still think that you have the right to plan it as close to what you desire as possible.

You are a braver woman than I-I will probably go for the epidural! Unless of course you can sell me otherwise-and I'm sure you can!

I hope things go well with your conversation with your Dr today. I know you really love her so I am hoping that she can accommodate your birth plan!
Erin

 

[LunaBean]

Epd, digitals usually pick up over 50 hcg, so Im sure your levels are brilliant!!! I'm excited for you!!!!

Em, it's great that you can change, I thought I wanted an unmedicated birth, but after the agony of 3 miscarriages, the most recent being the most painful, I dont think I'd be able to take it, and may opt for everything!

Trippy, when can you test? We're gona need an actual rainbow mummies forum, Ive emailed mods about one, but no reply!