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!    

Tools For Your Box Pt. 2

Ok so now that you've got your cycle down and you're charts together its time to start baby making :D. I will be covering what you'll need/need to do for in-home ICI IUI (interuteral insemination) and traditional baby dancing.

 
One thing you'll need/want to have no matter which way you're ttc (trying to conceive) is an hpt. After that 10+ days wait you'll be glad you have one of these. You can get them at any grocery store but I recommend buying in bulk at www.early-pregnancy-test.com or on eBay. Hpts measure the amount of LH in your urine. Not all tests are created equal; they measure a different amount per test. You can find some as sensitive as 10mlU which is just barely pregnant. Doctors don't even consider you pregnant until after 5mlU. These will have to be purchased online and are fairly cheap. Remember to use fmu and the lower the hcg level tested for the sooner you can test. Wait at least ten days b4 your first test. Also keep in mind hcg levels double ever two days do unless you are using a very sensitive test wait a day or so b4 testing again.


Now for those doing in-home ici something you have to have (unless using a bank) is some form of collection container. You may use a collection condom or sample cup to hold the seamen. Most important is to make sure it is clean.
 

Again for in-home ici as well as ici you will need a needless syringe. This will allow you to get the sperm where it needs to be once collected or taken from the thawed vial.
 

Another good thing to have is a sperm safe lube. I recommend preseed. It's also raved about on many ttc and pregnancy forums. Even if not traditionally baby dancing some women prefer to suck up a little b4 and after the seamen to make sure the not to lose any in the syringe when inseming. This also works great as a normal lube even if not ttcing. You can purchase this at most drug stores as well as online.
 
 
For all of you ttcers these are good positions to bdance and/or lay in for no more than 30min unless going to sleep after. Keeping your hips up helps to insure the sperm gets to where it needs to be. For the traditional ttcers its more important to enjoy yourself and your partner during and just relax in this position after.

Tools For Your Box

It has come to my attention that in this smbc ttc journey there are a few things you should have to get the job done as effectively as possible. Especially if you're doing in-home inseming.

First and foremost you need a tracker for your cycle. With all the smart phones and internet these days there really is no reason not to have one. Even just to know when you'll start. For the purposes of ttc you will want one that lets you add and change data like temps and opks (I'll get to these). I have fertility friend which I recommend for ttcers. Currently I have the free mobile app version and if you learn how to read your chart (it has tutorials and quizes to teach you) you wont need to pay. I will say they offer specials via fb (WWW page only so you'll have to click desktop site at the bottom of your fb menu if on your mobile) and regardless its worth the money if you can afford it. It can be switched to a pregnancy tracker once pregnant as well. It predicts when I'll start but wont start a new cycle until I actually confirm a period. Same with ovulation.

Once you've found a tracker that works for you you'll want to consider purchasing a thermometer. It doesn't have to be a bbt (basal body thermometer/temperature) but it should be digital and go to the hundredth degree (.00). This will insure you get the most accurate change in temp and reading. Bbt is your lowest body temp when resting. You should take your temp everyday (@ the same time) as soon as you wake starting no later than the last day of your period. Record your temp into your chart or at least write it down and the time for later. It is important to be honest with yourself and your chart so try to be diligent in your schedule. Gf will actually graph your temps for you as you put them in so you can see what patterns your cycle may have. Remember to continue temping past ovulation as continuous high temps after the post ovulation spike could mean baby! You can get a bbt from any grocery or drug store. You can temp orally or vaginally but be consistent. One or the other, never both in a cycle and make a note if you switch from cycle to cycle (tho not recommended).


Another thing to consider doing is using opks (ovulation prediction kits). They look exactly like hpts (home pregnancy tests) and are used the same way (peed on or dipped). So for those of you poas (pee on a stick) addicts you'll love these. You should start these closer to your o day and stop once you get a positive. A chart I found helpful to know when to start opks goes as follows: for a 21 or 22 day cycle start testing on CD (cycle day) 5
23 day cycle start testing CD 6
24 test CD 7
25 CD 8
So on and so forth. I have a 27 day cycle so I should start CD 10. If you feel like you've missed it try starting sooner. The cart can be found on WWW.peeonastick.com Something to know is that unlike hpts, opks are only positive if the test line is as dark as or darker than the control line. Opks only detect the surge of LH (luteinizing hormone) not actual ovulation. Once you receive a positive opk you will ovulate 24-48 hrs later. This is the space you should insem in. Opks should be done during the day after you've been up for awhile. Not with fmu (first morning urine) like an hpt. Also keep in mind (if you didn't know) it takes about 12 hrs for sperm to get where it needs to be so for ICI or traditional baby making keep that in mind for your timings. Opks can be purchased at any grocery or drug store but I recommend ordering in bulk online at www.early-pregnancy-tests.com or even cheaper on eBay.

Those alone should help you find the right time to insem and pinpoint your o day. If you don't like these or want to be extra prepared you can also use a saliva microscope. This I've only found online for purchase. What these do is similar to an opk in that they give you a heads up on when you'll o. This will show you the salt crystals in your saliva as they form a fern like pattern called ferning. As estrogen surges b4 you o (much like lh) salt builds in your saliva. What you do is first thing in the morning, same time you temp, put saliva from under your tongue on the scope and let it completely dry. As you get closer to o you will see it start to go from specks to branching to full on fern looking patterns. Then in reverse back to specks. The day of o will be full of ferns. Branching should occur around the same time of your positive opk. Some Scopes are made to see ferning in cm (cervical mucus) as well and others just cm. Again please be consistent the whole cycle and make a note if you switch. I recommend find which works best and stick with it to see the most accurate patterns from cycle to cycle. FF will allow you to enter this data daily into your chart as well as opk results.

Checking cm in general is a good way to help detect o as well. As you get closer to o most women experience increased cm of a more clear egg white consistency.

There are fertility monitors you can buy that do a lot of this for you but they are very expensive. You can get 5hpts 25opks and the microscope all for about 23 usd including shipping. The monitor is around 200+.

To be continued...

Update

So excited! I have found a bank that not only ships to my house but also does not require a doctor.
It is called NW cryobank. I have checked out there forum and connected with real ppl who have used using or considering them. I've heard good things. ;D Hope has been restored anew, thank you God.

I FAX my paperwork today and then I'll just be waiting on the money that's on it's way. I have also found 2 donors and I think I've decided on the winner. Keeping the second as a back up. They are both Chinese and have similar stats.

I will start looking for a job tomorrow and so far the car is holding up.