by The MakeAmom Team | February 22, 2020
My partner and I tied the knot on August 29, 2015, and by May 2017, we were eager to start our family. After several months of trying without success, I began to worry that something was wrong. Upon conducting my own research, I realized that our timing was off.
I had always believed that conception could happen with every sexual encounter, but I soon learned that this was far from the truth. I started tracking my menstrual cycle, calculating my fertile days, but still faced challenges in getting pregnant. Eventually, I opted to purchase ovulation kits. The excitement I felt when I received my first positive result was short-lived; despite knowing we had a limited window, we tried and nothing happened. This led my partner to develop performance anxiety, making it difficult for him to maintain an erection. This struggle continued for several months, leaving us both increasingly frustrated.
In June 2018, we sought advice from our family doctor. She suggested that there might be underlying issues contributing to our difficulties and recommended counseling. While we were open to the idea, I felt a pressing urgency due to my age—35—and the looming concerns about fertility and potential health issues for a baby.
A friend of mine had success with IUI after struggling to conceive naturally, so I brought this up with my doctor. However, she hesitated to pursue this route since we were both healthy individuals who hadn’t fully exhausted natural methods. Reflecting on this now, I understand her perspective, yet I was desperate and tired of the constant “trying.”
As we prepared for our first appointment at the fertility clinic, we received numerous forms, many of which contained personal questions that made us uncomfortable. Ultimately, we rescheduled our appointment multiple times. In my frustration, I turned to the internet and discovered many stories of couples who had success with home insemination kits before considering IUI or IVF.
After researching various options, I found a home insemination kit that seemed promising. It was small and discreet, resembling a tampon, which appealed to me. I shared the link to the website with my partner, and after he reviewed the testimonials and videos, he urged me to order the kit.
I placed the order in October, but due to my partner’s demanding work schedule, we couldn’t use it until December 4. We only managed to use one syringe as an emergency arose, causing us to miss our second opportunity. I was convinced I wasn’t pregnant, so I ordered another kit to ensure I was ready for my next cycle.
My period was due on December 16, but when it didn’t arrive, I didn’t think much of it since my cycle had been late before. However, by day five, I started to worry and mentioned it to my partner, who encouraged me to take a pregnancy test. To my astonishment, the test came back positive! I was ecstatic and overwhelmed with joy—our dream was finally coming true!
We are incredibly thankful to the team at MakeAmom for removing the shame, stress, and cost associated with conceiving. The process was seamless, and I couldn’t believe I was pregnant after just one attempt using a single syringe! We’re saving our other kit for when we decide to expand our family.
If you’re interested in exploring home insemination options, check out MakeAmom for their reusable kits, which provide a more sustainable choice. Additionally, you can join this free sperm donor matching group to connect with other individuals on similar journeys. For more information on the home insemination process, visit this guide.
For those considering other family-building options, I recommend checking out this comprehensive guide on successful inseminations as well as resources on intrauterine insemination.
To Summarize:
My experience with TTC performance anxiety was transformed through the support and resources provided by MakeAmom. Their innovative approach to home insemination empowered us to overcome our challenges. We are grateful for the positive outcome and excited for our future family.