Just found a donor, new here, and now scared!!

[catsmum]

Hello everybody.
Im totally new here and to all the abbreviations so firstly, where can I find a list that translates them? I know opk, bbt, cbfm, and lol !!

Im 38, and have been lucky enough to find me a nice donor for AI at home. I am currently single so Im doing this on my own. Very scary but Ive put it off for a long time waiting till I met the right person, and be in a steady relationship in order to co-parent (Im gay). But my clock is ticking faster and that may not happen for a while so Ive decided to take the plunge now. Baby first then relationship! (hopefully)

So, I met my donor yesterday after several emails and phone calls. He seems ideal and is committed to the long haul if nec.
Now Im a little unsure of what to do next. So any help and support would be greatly appreciated.

I understand that I need to get my body in better condition and to take folic acid.. And lots of vitamins and nutrients. Is it better I visit my gp and get recommendations for this? How long do I need to wait after I start taking them before I start trying?

Ive got Ovulation sticks and specimen cups.. Hopefully my CBFM will arrive today.
My donor works within 20 mins of where I live so I will be collecting his sperm myself. Is it right that if I put the cup in my cleavage and hurry home, it will still be ok? I1ll be using syringes, as simply thats what came in the OPK. Im open to trying anything else that works too. Also, are there any AI groups/forums I could join to meet likeminded women in similar situations?

This is all very new and if Im honest, a little frightening too. Its such a big decision. But one that Im willing and very almost prepared for.

Thanks for reading
Have a good week everyone

 

[vikster79]

Ive just written a long reply and it got eaten! aaarrrrghh

Ok i will start again. My wife has just given birth to our daughter as a consequence of AI - first time lucky so it does work.

Can i firstly suggest you get your donor screened before you do anything and insist on seeing the results. Have you time frame in mind when you want to TTC? If its in the next 3 months then start your folic acid and common sense prevails with regard to diet and exercise - no need to see GP unless you feel you need to.

Have you been tracking your ovulation?
The sperm sample will be fine to transport in your bra until you are ready to inseminat. Use a sterile pot and then suck into the syringe and release SLOWLY (you dont want any of the little swimmers escaping) into your nether regions

Hopefully speak to you soon

 

[catsmum]

Hi Vikster

Thanks for your reply. Congrats on the birth of your daughter How very exciting.

I am waiting for a copy of donors health screen results. He did say everything came back negative but i still want confirmation. I asked him to have a sperm count too as he is 41, which he is happy to have done, so again, just waiting.

My CBFM arrived, but it doesnt come with the stick that the test strip goes into so Im ordering that today.

As far as my cycle goes, well its somewhat irregular, ranging from 19 days to 36 over the last 8 months.

Id like to start TTC within the next 3 months so I will get some folic acid. How long do I take it for?

Thanks for your help

 

[vikster79]

My wife used the CBM but found it really tricky and gave up. She tracked using fertility friend charting and using the cheapy opk's. She concieved first cycle with 3 insems around ovulation so was super lucky. We have decided to ttc (for me this time) in September this year so really excited to get tracking my cycles myself so i have a better knowledge of what is going on.
Folic acid you take up until 12 weeks pregnant or unless you are taking pregnancy or pre-pregnancy vitamins as they will have the daily recommended amount in them.
Yes with irregular cycles and AI its really important to know your ovulation dates. I have loosely been tracking mine this month (albeit from cd12) and reckon i ov'd cd14, but confused the hell out of myself as had EWCM this morning on cd18! my cycles are usually 27/28 days so that seems rather late. I am yet to use the OPK's but will be ordering this month ready for next cycle. Now we have talked about TTC i want to get on with it, but in theory it is not practical and to have two babies in one year probably wouldnt be advisable!
i would give you my email so we can keep in touch but i cant put it in here (even in cryptic code ) as it would be nice to know someone going through AI at similar times. By the way i am 33 - 34 in July and my wife is 34.
My advise would be to get as many donations in the month as you can. Is your donor close to where you live?

 

[puzzle]

I am currently in my 2ww from my 1st AI using a donor. What site did u use to find a donor? i agree with the above that screening results are essential. Sperm should be ok for that short journey if u then use it as soon as u get home. Me and hubby will keep our fingers for u

 

[Kaffee]

Just seen your thread and wanted to wish you lots of luck. Girl in my team has a little girl though AI, but they did it through a clinic, so it cost them about £500 a time.

I really admire you doing this, its tricky enough when the sperm's on tap (so to speak), let alone through AI and by yourself. There is a lady on the site doing the same who has a blog but can't remember her use ID.

 

[Terri1884]

Hi ladies

I really thought I was a loner ;( but clearly I'm not lol

Me and my wife have 3 children 2 via AI our daughter is 6 months and I conceived 1st time with only 1 donation super super lucky my wife carried our youngest son who was 3 in jan she conceived after 2 attempts and I have a little boy who is 9 from a previous relationship x

I recommend an instead/soft cup for insemination worked for us and friends too fantastic little things! Also means less mess with the not so lovely sperm ;/

Good luck

 

[Terri1884]

I also recommend clear blue digital ovulation tests expensive but accurate and no mistaking stupid lines lol

 

[Terri1884]

Puzzle - we found our donors on freespermdonationsworldwide

 

[catsmum]

My wife used the CBM but found it really tricky and gave up. She tracked using fertility friend charting and using the cheapy opk's. She concieved first cycle with 3 insems around ovulation so was super lucky. We have decided to ttc (for me this time) in September this year so really excited to get tracking my cycles myself so i have a better knowledge of what is going on.
Folic acid you take up until 12 weeks pregnant or unless you are taking pregnancy or pre-pregnancy vitamins as they will have the daily recommended amount in them.
Yes with irregular cycles and AI its really important to know your ovulation dates. I have loosely been tracking mine this month (albeit from cd12) and reckon i ov'd cd14, but confused the hell out of myself as had EWCM this morning on cd18! my cycles are usually 27/28 days so that seems rather late. I am yet to use the OPK's but will be ordering this month ready for next cycle. Now we have talked about TTC i want to get on with it, but in theory it is not practical and to have two babies in one year probably wouldnt be advisable!
i would give you my email so we can keep in touch but i cant put it in here (even in cryptic code ) as it would be nice to know someone going through AI at similar times. By the way i am 33 - 34 in July and my wife is 34.
My advise would be to get as many donations in the month as you can. Is your donor close to where you live?

Hiya.

Yes its a shame we cant swap emails. Is there a message system on here that might allow it?
Ive been trying to figure out the CBFM, but Im finding it ever so confusing to understand. I also forgot to start it on CD1. I might try it next month. But Im using the cheap test strips`s for the time being as they are very simple.

Ive decided TTC next month anyway. I havent found a positive day yet. Still counting but my cycles are long so I think it`ll be around CD 17 onwards.
Luckily my donor is reasonably close by so Im hoping it will be quite straight forward.. Ive looked at the syringe and it looks like it might be tricky due to small release hole.. Ive been wondering about using a turkey baster. Maybe I will try both.
OOh september is getting closer! Good luck with your tracking. Exciting times ahead!

 

[catsmum]

I am currently in my 2ww from my 1st AI using a donor. What site did u use to find a donor? i agree with the above that screening results are essential. Sperm should be ok for that short journey if u then use it as soon as u get home. Me and hubby will keep our fingers for u

Thanks!

I found my donor from FSDW (Free sperm donations worldwide) Its a great site too. Good luck

 

[catsmum]

Hi ladies

I really thought I was a loner ;( but clearly I'm not lol

Me and my wife have 3 children 2 via AI our daughter is 6 months and I conceived 1st time with only 1 donation super super lucky my wife carried our youngest son who was 3 in jan she conceived after 2 attempts and I have a little boy who is 9 from a previous relationship x

I recommend an instead/soft cup for insemination worked for us and friends too fantastic little things! Also means less mess with the not so lovely sperm ;/

Good luck

Thanks

 

[catsmum]

I also recommend clear blue digital ovulation tests expensive but accurate and no mistaking stupid lines lol

Hi
I have been trying to understand the CBFM, Im finding it a bit tricky. But perhaps I should drop the instruction manual now and just try it n see what happens. Blinded by the science bit!

 

[Beckyb1991]

Before insiminating yourself try and give yourself an orgasm , also while insiminating have a pillow under your bottom as apparently it allows the cervix to open up. Good luck huni xxxx

 

[Sophie_P]

Hi catsmum
I'm finally pregnant after 11 cycles via AI, here are some tips for you-
Invest in some softcups and conceive plus
Keep your hips raised after insemination
Start taking folic acid
Make sperm runny before inseminating
and finally don't stress, you will get there.

 

[Sophie_P]

Hi catsmum
I'm finally pregnant after 11 cycles via AI, here are some tips for you-
Invest in some softcups and conceive plus
Keep your hips raised after insemination
Start taking folic acid
Make sperm runny before inseminating
and finally don't stress, you will get there.