ICI: Home Insemination

tna723

Getting ready to try my first home insemination in three weeks, looking for suggestions regarding the type and size of syringe we should us.

Thanks!

Heatherde

Hey there! I don't have anything to offer in terms of syringe size (sorry!) but I was hoping to find some folks on here chatting about the ICI process - can I ask why you are choosing this path vs. IUI? I think it's the way we want to go as well, but don't know anyone who has done it that way, so I'm wondering how solid it is. Cheers!

AlleyDuck

Hi ladies. My wife and I did only 1 ICI at home so far. BFN. I think the first time you try at home is a ittle stressful. Had someone been there with a video camera we probably would have taken home the prize on Funniest Home Videos. LOL. Still I think this is a wonderful way to be an active part in starting your family. And many women have done it successfully. So, here's some advice based on our experience:

Buy a pair/box of gloves
(My wife was slightly grossed out after getting sperm on her hands and had to wash them about 100 times bcuz she was so afraid she would get some on herself and get pregnant, LOL)

Research how to warm up the specimen
(There are many different methods and the tank does come with one but it is crucial you get the specimen to the appropriate temperature.)

Don't freak out if some falls out LOL
(Your body will secrete more of its own fluids and it will feel like your losing all those precious lil sperm but most often than not, its the cervical mucus being loosened)

Try and enjoy it
(Research shows that having an orgasm can increase your chances lol so get to work... just remember no penetration it can be counter-productive.)

When you're finished and you have time, just lay around with your partner and read a baby book or talk about babies. It makes you feel positive : )

As for the syringe... we couldn't find anywhere to get one so we asked the pharmacist at a local drugstore and he said that as long as we showed him the paper stating we had received the specimen that day he would give us a 1cc syringe. However, when he checked the back they had none so we got a medicine syringe. Bad news. The tiny vials you recieve were much to small to put the medicine dropper into so we had to move the sperm to a plastic cup : ( Really try for the Needleless Syringe. It will save you a lot of grief.

Well I know this was really long, but I'm happy if I can help. I remember right before we tried I logged in to see if I could find someone who had tried at home from whom I could get some advice, and it seemed to me that most women using this site prefer IUI (though there were a few helpfuls) So I hope this really makes you feel a bit more confidant when trying at home. Any more questions feel free to ask.

A&K

mimi20

1cc syringe is only 3 to 3.5 inches long. Would that be useful without any tubes attached? Where to get tubes that can be attached to the needless syringe?

AlleyDuck

You can purchase a tube for the end of the syringe but it is important to remember:

DO NOT ALLOW IT TO ENTER THE CERVIX!

If an unwashed (ICI) specimen enters the uterus directly without first being coated in cervical mucus (if doing ICI once inserted into the vaginal canal the sperm get coated before moving through the cervix) it can cause infection and be fairly dangerous. (According to my doctor and some helpful sites)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080629072416AA510QI

The use of a tube can be helpful in getting the sperm closer to the cervix but also may waste more sperm as some of the specimen will coat the inside of the tube.
http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/homeinsem.html

http://www.therainbowbabies.com/At-HomeInsemination.html

To purchase insemination supplies:

http://shop.inseminationsupplies.com/

Good Luck :)

AlleyDuck

tna723, Heatherde? Any luck or new input?

>>BABYDUST<<

tna723

First time was unsuccesful but we are going to try again soon.