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

[EpdTTC]

Em-I'm glad things are going so well. I have been thinking of you a lot lately and picturing you with your big pregnancy belly. I bet you look so cute! Are you still feeling good?

Lizzie-I don't know what to say hunnie. I imagine you are feeling exhausted and defeated. I'm really sad to hear about your most recent loss. Are the docs going to look into things?

MommyTammy-Good luck in July. Are you doing an at-home insemination or an IUI? If you are really concerned about timing you might want to consider getting a trigger shot from your doc to ensure ovulation. Mine cost me about $80. The two times I got pregnant I had a trigger shot and then an IUI the next day. If a trigger shot is out of the question and if you can only inseminate one time I would suggest doing it the minute you get a positive OPK and when you have EWCM. I would suggest doing OPKs at least twice a day so that you know exactly when it turns positive. If you only do it at nigh it could be positive the next morning and you wouldn't know it until the next night and likewise if you only do it in the morning, it could be positive by evening and you wouldn't know it until the next morning. Make sense?

I am debating about doing a couple at home inseminations. I had planned on skipping this month entirely but as I approach ovulation (which will probably happen within the next couple days) I am getting the urge to give it a shot. My plan was to take this month off and enjoy my new place and some drinks with friends and try not to stress but it is so hard to pass up an opportunity, especially with a willing donor and now that I am settled in my new place. Uggh! Not sure what I should do. I am going to CA with a friend for a couple of days in July and planned to not try until after that trip but let's be real, if I got pregnant before my trip, it's not like I'd be bummed that I couldn't have as much fun! I'd be thrilled to be pregnant, but probably worried. What to do, what to do....

Sorry I've been so absent lately, hopefully now that I'm a little more settled, I'll be a little more present.


Erin

 

[RubyRainbows]

Erin -- i think you should try this month! Don't let a whole cycle pass you by!!! Maybe try a few attempts but with a carefree approach/attitude! Good luck!

My OH should ovulate on July 6th -- we ordered two vials of frozen sperm which will arrive on July 3rd. I am so mad at all the money i wasted last time! We switched sperm banks & this place is sooo much cheaper!!!!!!!!! Last time for two vials + shipping it cost like $1300! This time it is only costing $350!!!!!!!!! WTF! Plus the tank stays frozen for 8 - 14 days, rather than 5 - 7 days like at the last sperm bank we used!

If only i had found this place sooner, i would have been able to afford a few more attempts!!

The manager at this sperm bank recommends inseminating 12 hours after the 1st + OPK and again the next day. I think i would be afraid of missing ovulation though?! I think once we get a positive, we will insem soon after & then again the next day.

Plus, the other sperm bank gave directions that said to defrost the sperm by holding the vial in warm water -- but this guy said to NEVER put it in warm water bc it could "cook" the sperm (kill it) if it's "too warm". I am so mad i went with that other place last time!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nimyra]

MommyTammy,

I think they have you wait 12 hours after +OPK because the frozen sperm doesn't live very long... your egg may have a longer life than the sperm. Do your research, but the 12 hour wait may be what is recommended.

I've heard the same thing about warm water.

I'm glad you are happy with the switch. Hope everything works smoothly for you this time around!

 

[lindseyry]

Hey guys! I just want to touch bases with you all. Im Linds 32 and DP is 36. Together we have three boys ages 22, 10 and 4 and a live in grandson who's 20 months. DS4 was conceived with fresh known donor spermies on the second cycle ttc. We are actively ttc again using fresh known donor help. This time however, it has not been so easy. Were on cycle 10 of ttc. I have no idea what the problem is - but I know its driving me batty. Right now Im 11 dpo and am expecting af on Tuesday. With a pretty good drop in bbt this morning I know she's incredibly going to show. Heres to a July BFP and another April baby (DS4 and DS10 are both April babies)!!

 

[RubyRainbows]

Hello Linds & welcome! Hope the witch stays away from you this month!! But if not -- i feel July will be lucky for ALL OF US!!!!!!!

 

[Nimyra]

welcome, Linds!

 

[EpdTTC]

Welcome Linds!

MommyTammy: It won't be long now before insemination time! I'll be thinking of you! What sperm bank did you end up going with to find it so cheap? I know that Midwest in Chicago is very reasonable, but I don't think they are quite that low. If things don't work out, you should give them a try. My RE recommends them, he says they are reasonable (like $200 per vial and $75 for shipping to Ohio) and use donors with high counts. Hopefully after July you won't have to worry about it!

Well ladies, I did go ahead and do a couple of inseminations, one on Saturday night around 10pm, an hour after my first positive OPK and then another on the next day around 1:30pm. Around 5:00 I started having what I'm pretty sure was obvious ovulation pain. I'm hoping that means the insems were well timed. Trying to have a Hakuna Matada attitude about the whole thing...but it's hard to keep the little thoughts from creeping into my mind. What will be will be...

LizzieMoon: How are you? I have been thinking of you a lot lately.

I hope every one has a good holiday weekend,
Erin

 

[EpdTTC]

Yeehaw! MommyTammy's little swimmers arrive today! Good luck with everything!

 

[RubyRainbows]

Lol!! Thanks, Erin! Yes, our little swimmers arrived today safe & sound!!!!! This big contraption arrived & is sitting in our foyer -- so comical when you think about it! The FEDEX guy was probably like "what the hell is this thing!" It looks like something from a sci-fi movie! My GF put on gloves & goggles to open the lid & check it out -- she peered in & i said "Does it look like a Lily in there??" Lol... that is one of the names we have picked out of we have a baby girl!

We ordered from Cryos International in NYC.

Thanks for thinking of us, Erin!!!!!!!!! I will be hoping & praying for you as well! How are you feeling after your inseminations??? FX'ed!!! Hakuna Matada!!

 

[LunaBean]

Hope everything goes well!

Sorry I havnt been around much,dont feel much like posting these days, have alot going on at the mo, hope everyone is ok and the bumps are growing nicely Hope everyone else gets their bfps soon!

 

[topazicatzbet]

hey girls, do you mind if i join you.

im a single mummy who used a donor and AI to concieve callum and im now using the same donor for number 2.

 

[LunaBean]

Welcome to the madhouse!!!! Good luck this month!

 

[topazicatzbet]

thanks. tested this morning and BFN, nevermind was only the first cycle. took 3 cycles to concieve callum.

 

[Nimyra]

welcome!

 

[RubyRainbows]

Hi Topaz & welcome! :wave: Are you using a known donor -- or frozen sperm from a sperm bank? Good luck on your journey! Seeing little Callum gives me hope -- so nice to see success stories!!

Em, can't wait to see your little baby soon!

Lizzie -- How are you doing? Glad you are keeping busy! I wish you all the sticky baby dust in the world!! Don't give up, chicky! One of my co-workers had 3 miscarriages & then a successful pregnancy -- her daughter is now 4 & they are in the process of adopting baby # 2! And another friend of mine was TTC with her husband for 12 years... she had practically given up & then surprise, found out she was 6 months pregnant!! Now, her son is 4 and she has a 1 year old too! I truly believe in miracles! Your miracle is yet to come!!

For everyone!!!!!!!

 

[topazicatzbet]

im using a known donor, i found him through a website. i give him regular updates on callum and take him to see him every so often, but he was happy to have what ever contact i wanted.

thankfully it doesnt cost me anything (except petrol to his) i couldnt afford to pay the amounts some of you are.

hope you all get your BFP nice and quick.

 

[EpdTTC]

Welcome Topaz. Callum is beautiful! Don't be too convinced that you're out this cycle, you're only 8 dpo...I didn't get a BFP on an at home test last time until 14-15 dpo and it was faint. A few days later I got a positive on a digi (ended in mc a couple weeks later).

MommyTammy-I am feeling ok. One minute I feel lucky and the next minute I remind myself I have felt all of this before and some months I was pregnant and some months I wasn't. There really isn't a sure fire way to tell until the pregnancy test. I swear I am really thirsty and that was one of my first symptoms but then again it was also 90 freaking degrees here today so that would totally explain it too. I am actually remaining pretty peaceful about things...my best job of doing that so far since TTC. Let us know how things go this week! I will be sending good vibes your way.

LizzyMoon-Totally understandable you haven't been feeling like posting. I was the same way after my last mc. Just know that I think of you often.

Em-Got your email, I'll write back soon.

 

[no name 2010]

Hi ladies, i hope you dont mind me joining you (excuse the stupid forum name) ive been looking on a few forums for a thread like this as theres a question i would love an answer to. Sorry if its too much information but im sure you will understand how ttc gets to you when its just not working.

My husband has problems ejaculating inside me, but can do it himself or with my help (its such a relief to see that were not alone in this). We decided several months ago to try at home insemenation while we are waiting for his appointment at the erectile dysfunction clinic.

We have tried both a syringe, and an instead cup, which i found hard to use as i felt i spilt most of the contents as it squashed inside me.

We have tried this for a while, together with me charting and using opks and things, with no luck, and are now thinking of asking his doctor for SA to check his swimmers.

The problem is we are both nervous of telling the doctor what we have been doing (i know its really stupid) and he will assume there is no need to do the SA as he will think there has been no attempt at getting pregnant, even tho he knows this is the reason we asked for the appointment at the ED clinic. Due to my age we want to get things checked out as soon as possible.

What i would like to know is has anyone ever spoken to their doctor about it, and what was his response?


Thanks in avance for your help ladies and good luck to everyone

 

[Nimyra]

Its not shameful to do artificial insemination with your husband's sperm or even that unusual among people with your husband's problem. I say, just bite the bullet and put it out on the table. If your doctor is weird about it, time to get a new doctor.

I was scared to tell my OBGYN (who knew I was having fertility challenges) that I got pregnant using a known donor - because I didn't want a lecture about STDs. Turned out she was absolutely fine with it.

 

[no name 2010]

Thanks for replying, i know its probably stupid to be worried but sometimes things just seem like bigger problem than they are.

I asked about my own doctor doing checks on me but they sid i had to wait a further 2 years from them being aware i was trying, making it around 3 years in total! im already 36!!!!

i feel so much better having seen this thread as i had not previously seen much evidence that it works! i work in an all male environment and they dont know were ttc, but make jokes all the time about me not being pregnant and getting old. its so hard sometimes but when i said to them its not possible for everyone they just acted as if i was joking and carried on winding me up!

good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, it must be so exciting