10 Step Recipe to Make a Baby

I know this is a long time coming since it's the road I'm taking I should have done this a long time ago but here it is finally a step by step on in home inseming. I did find a website that explains it awesomely but mine will be specifically for in home alone ICI inseming with NW cryo bank. Something I can share with my fellow ttcers and so all of you out there can know exactly what I'm doing and maybe just maybe this might help someone out in their own ttc journey.

What you will need:

*sperm (duh)- this will come in your dewar from NW straight to your house and here is the link form the NW forum that will take you step by step from its contents to when your specimen is ready to be used. I don't think I could have done as good of a job so I'm taking you straight to the source. http://iamtryingtoconceive.com/topic/15815/pictures-of-dewer-nw-instructions-and-supplies/

*an instead cup- this is optional but I will be using one. This will help everything stay where it belongs for a little while and takes out the laying/sitting time after the actual insem but I will cover this too since I'm being super careful and will be doing both for at least my first insem. (yes it may take more than one try and yes I may do this again if the right one hasn't come along after a few yrs cus I want 2 lo no more than 4-7yrs apart.)

*a needleless syringe- you can get one with a needle if you prefer, to get every last bit of semen out the container but do not I repeat DO NOT stick the needle inside you. You can use a normal medicine syringe but it must have a plunger and please get a new one. Don't try to just clean the one from your kids cough meds. One that is 4" or longer and 3mm will be best.

*preseed- this is a sperm-friendly lubricant that is just awesome. You can use any conception aid lube but I recommend preseed. Do not use regular lube. It will kill the sperm and mess with your natural ph balance. Even if it doesn't kill them they can't swim through it and I don't know about you but I don't have $200+ (yes one little and I mean little vial cost that much) to throw away cus of a $2 tube of lube.

*a vibrater or other clitoral stimulator to induce orgasm- I know this sounds weird but there is a great debate on to cum or not to cum. The spasms of the vaginal muscles when orgasming help pull in the sperm deeper to get them where they need to be. Since this is not technically necessary some women especially ones going this route don't cum and go on to get pregnant and have healthy babies. I personally feel it'd be taking out one of the best parts of conceiving and if it'll help, even better. Notice I did say "clitoral" this is because sticking something inside can not only contaminate the sperm but actually pull them out and we don't want that. This is of course optional as well.

*pillow- this is to prop your hips up during and after inseming.

*gloves- winter ones not latex ones. This is to aid in getting the sperm out of the dewar because it is literally freezing cold.

*time- time to insem time to relax time for thawing (sperm will be frozen and MUST thaw first)

Prep time- In this time you can make sure everything is within reach and clean and ready to go. Also if you don't have much cm or just want to give the little guys a good head start in the big race you can insert a little preseed inside you using the provided syringe from the preseed box. (Note: this syringe is not suitable for inseming as it doesn't have a nozzle on the end and does not actually have suction to pull up the sperm. These syringes actually screw on to the preseed bottle and you squeeze the preseed into it.) If doing this (I probably will be) per box instructions wait about 15-30 mins b4 inseming. Doing this before you start to thaw is ideal. (2birds 1stone) The box will tell you to use a full syringe but this is WAY too much. About a quarter to a third should due. You will need about 10 min. or so for the sperm to thaw. Since it was frozen you'll need to warm it to body temp after it thaws, do this by placing it in your bra a few mins or holding it in your hand.

Now that you're prepped and ready it's time to cook. Keep in mind frozen sperm only lives about 24hrs or so after thawing and it takes about 12hrs for the sperm to reach the egg when starting from outside the cervix. You will want to time it so that you're not missing the mark cus you forgot to prep or "shot up" too early in your cycle.

Directions:

Step 1- fill the syringe with air (just pull the plunger back) and release (push it back in) this will help create a good tight seal and give you an idea of how hard you have to pull back and push forward.

2- This time pull just a little preseed into the syringe. This will make sure that when you get to the end all the sperm is in you and none is left behind.

3- Pull in all the sperm into the syringe right on top of the preseed. If you get most of it in the syringe you should be ok. This is the time having the needle on the syringe will come in handy.

4- (Especially if you still have the needle on) suck up a little more preseed. This will get all the swimmers out the needle and give you a little wiggle room for step 6.

5- Take the needle off the syringe. If it doesn't have one, skip this step.

6- Tap any air bubbles out of the syringe. Do this by slowly rotating the syringe so that it is facing nozzle up plunger down. Flicking it with your finger or LIGHTLY tapping it on something should bring any air bubbles to the top (nozzle). Push the plunger in just enough to get the air out without spilling over. If a little comes out that's ok cus it's just preseed. See what I meant about that wiggle room? ;)

7- Get into position either on your back (best) or on your side. Place the pillow just under the small of your back and butt. This should feel pretty comfortable with your knees up.

(This is where you need to pay attention and follow directions carefully)

8a- if you are just not comfortable putting the syringe directly in you, you can squirt its contents into the instead cup and place the cup inside, per directions on the box, just over your cervix.

8b- insert the syringe just in front of your cervix (if you're not sure where that is basically don't poke yourself or force the syringe in deep)and slowly expel the contents inside you (without moving the syringe, just the plunger). The goal is to coat your cervix with the semen. 

8c- (best of both worlds) follow 8b THEN insert the instead cup to keep everything in place.

9- Rock your own world! Do your thang for as long as you'd like or at least until you cum. completely optional of course. Feel free to skip this step (or do it twice) whatever floats your boat.

10a- (same group for 8a) Laying down for about 30 min is optional but with the cup you will want to sit up for about 30min so your cervix can dip into the mix and the swimmers can get where they need to be, especially if you skipped step 9. Other than that you are good to go about your day but remember the cup only cups your cervix not actually touches it so much, so you may want to consider taking it easy for about an hour or so if you can.

10b- lay in the hip raised position for about 15-30min so gravity works with you instead of against you. Step 9 could have caused some added natural moisture so keep that in mind when deciding how long to lie down. Hate to lose swimmers just cus you got up too fast. Unless going to bed after about 30 min there is no need to continue lying down but I wouldn't go running a marathon either. Take it easy for about an hour or so if you can.

10c- you've inserted directly onto the cervix you have your cup in and you may or may not have seen stars ;) so other than sitting for about 30 min just so your cervix has some time to sit in the mix you are good to go about your day. I would still take it easy but doing it the "c" way your cervix has already been coated so you don't have to worry about dipping it (sitting or laying) so much. 

From start to finish this should take about 2hrs plus however long step 9 takes. Once you get the hang of it you may be able to cut down on the time some but hopefully you won't get that chance. Also if you purchase your syringes and things while you're charting and tracking you can do a couple mock cycles to familiarize yourself with the process. A mock cycle is basically everything minus the sperm. Practice for the big race so to speak lol. For those using the cups do not leave them in for longer than 4-6hrs. There may be something in the cup after but that's ok. Your cervix can't lick it clean (eww gross visual sorry) and not EVERYTHING ever gets inside the cervix doing an ICI. Once you o the cervix closes.

Super glue sticky baby dust and beans and a H&H 9months to all!