Hello all ! We're new here to this site and are glad we found it. We're excited to meet new friends who are going through the hopes, struggles, celebrations and disappointments of TTC.
My wife and I recently began trying again. We tried last month but just last night we got the DEFINATE answer that were are not PG . We're going to keep trying but we are wondering if were even "doing it" right. We have a donor (he's wonderful and of course has a clean bill of health) so we are using fresh sperm. He was in the next room - passed the "specimen" on to us and my wife inseminated using a syringe. I tried to use an instead cup but it was so uncomfortable no matter how many times I tried to get it to fit correctly.
My first question is - should we be using a cathedar? I get unclear information on-line. Some sites say using a cathedar is not only NOT NECESSARY but also not recommended with using fresh unwashed sperm.
Also - From what I have been reading, ovulation begins at about day 11 of a 28 day cycle and lasts for about 4 days. Is this correct?
and Finally (for now) we would LOVE to hear from any Insulin Dependent Diabetics who are TTC.

THANKS EVERYONE !

Lucy & Terri

Hi & Welcome. I'm not actually a lesbian, but the other ladies are ok with me posting here, so hopefully you won't mind either.

Anyway, i wanted to answer some of your questions. First, i am Type I IDDM (for 15+yrs). There is a diabetes group at this site, but it is REALLY slow.

About using a catheter: it depends on what you are trying to do. If you're trying to just get the sperm to the cervix, the catheter helps to get it closer to where you want it. If using the cup, put the cup in place, then use the catheter to fill it. However, unwashed sperm should NOT be used for iui (intra uterine), because the chemicals in the sperm can cause a severe reaction. So, as long as the catheter is not going into the cervix, it does help some with placement, but isn't necessary.

About ovulation: from what i've read, ovulation only lasts for a minute or 2. What's important is how long the egg is good after the O (12-24hrs). O can happen almost any time, but in general, occurs sometime around the middle of your cycle. That's why all the temp charting, and ovulation prediction kits, etc. If you are using fresh sperm, you are probably better off trying for 1-2 days before you ovulate. If the donor is willing, then each of the 3 days leading up to, and including O. The sperm can last about 3 days (sometimes as much as 5 days!!!), and you want them already there waiting for the egg to make her big entrance.

HTH
jess

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Hi Lucy and Terri! Welcome to the board. I agree with what LaMkenna said about things.

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Welcome. Hope to hear more from you and your experiences as wel.

I usually O on CD 18...are you temping? or using OPK's? that might help although OPKs never worked for me...
With KK we inseminated right when i had EWCM (egg white Cervical mucus)....first try and boom pg...now we are on cycle # 21 for TTC # 2.... with a new donor ..yay
Good luck and if you have any ?feel fre to ask

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Sue Mom 2 KK (12/17/98)
TTC # 2 cycle # 21
new Donor this time

this is donor #3 1st donor (9 months) had low sperm count...Donor 2 was shipping it, and Donor 3 is a local here and my best friends hubby...
He has a kid already so we know his stuff is good....this is the first cycle with him...

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Sue Mom 2 KK (12/17/98)
TTC # 2 cycle # 21
new Donor this time

Well - it seems from what you are saying that we are doing everything as right as possible. The next step for me is to get REALLY tested - you know? THe first time I went to my OB/GYN all she did was a regular exam and said everything "looked" OK for me to get PG - but I know that doesn't say anything really.

My new concern is that I was 5 days late (talk about a let down) which changed my cycle a little. I used to ovulate on week-ends but now I ovulate Mon-Thurs. That's a problem b/c our donor is three hours away and we all work during the week. But from what I am seeing - is there still a good possibility for success if we inseminate, say Sat and Sun if I don't ovulate until Mon?

This is so scary, exciting and FRUSTRATING all at once.

Thanks for you guys' support and information!

Terri and Lucy

Inseminating on Sat and Sun is good if you are ovulating on Monday if you are using fresh sperm. The sperm can stay alive 3-5 days. Good Luck