My partner, Alex, and I were eager to start our journey toward parenthood and wanted to keep the process as straightforward and DIY as possible. With the belief that many individuals successfully conceive at home without medical intervention, we decided to give it a try. We were fortunate to have a close friend, Jamie, who agreed to be our known donor. When Jamie relocated to our city, we knew it would make our home insemination process more comfortable for everyone involved.
Before we began trying to conceive, I ordered the MakeAMom kit and tracked my ovulation using ovulation test strips. I later discovered the Inito fertility tracker, which provided a more detailed insight into my cycle compared to just tracking ovulation days. We officially started trying in September, and our experience with the MakeAMom kit was smooth and rewarding.
On the day of insemination, Jamie would provide the sample, leaving the collection cup on the side table while we prepared for the process. Initially, we attempted to make the experience special, but we soon agreed that I would handle the insemination myself, simplifying the process to just transferring sperm with a syringe—no need for unnecessary stress!
During our second month of trying, we inadvertently invited several friends over for dinner on the day of my ovulation, completely misjudging the timing. Since our friends were aware of our attempts to conceive, they were unfazed when we casually mentioned we’d be performing an insemination later that evening. After Jamie provided the sample, I went downstairs to complete the insemination while Alex continued to cook.
As I lay there for a few moments, propped up with my hips elevated, I could hear laughter and music from upstairs, along with the delightful aroma of dinner. I couldn’t help but think that if there were ever a perfect moment to conceive, it was this one—surrounded by friends, good food, and joy. After relaxing and envisioning our future child for about 15 minutes, I joined my friends upstairs.
Two weeks later, on the morning of our annual Halloween celebration, I took a pregnancy test and was overwhelmed with joy as I saw two pink lines. Fast forward a year, and here I am, cradling my beautiful four-month-old daughter as I share this story. This weekend, we’ll be hosting our Halloween party once again, and I can’t wait to reminisce about that magical morning when we discovered I was pregnant thanks to the assistance from MakeAMom.
If you’re looking for more information on at-home insemination, check out this resource from the Mayo Clinic or explore alternative paths to conception that may suit your needs.
To connect with other families on a similar journey, consider joining a free sperm donor matching group. For those interested in at-home insemination, MakeAMom offers the only reusable option available, which you can learn more about here.
To summarize: MakeAMom played a pivotal role in our conception journey, providing us with the tools and support we needed to create our family. We are forever grateful for this experience!