Hey friends! So, let me share a little story about the journey of designing a new cup for at-home insemination. It’s a project that I’ve been passionate about since our journey began back in 2015, but life always seemed to push it to the back burner. As the designated sperm provider and co-founder of our venture, the sample cup has always held a special significance for me—both practically and emotionally.
My first encounter with sample cups dates back to 2013, two years before I launched this journey with my partner, Sarah. Picture this: I was handed a plain brown paper bag by our fertility doctor, containing a sample cup inside. After trying unsuccessfully to conceive for two years, we were diagnosed with “unexplained infertility.” It felt frustrating, like we were throwing money into the wind on procedures that didn’t seem necessary.
The sample sat on my nightstand for a week, just waiting for the right moment. The day came, and with a mix of anxiety and hope, I was left alone to do my thing. When I finally opened that bag, I was stunned to see a large urine sample cup staring back at me. I felt overwhelmed—it was way more cup than I needed, and I worried my sample would look tiny in comparison.
After what felt like an eternity, I managed to provide a sample that, in my mind, seemed insignificant. Yet, against all odds, it worked! Sarah was pregnant with our little girl. However, that morning and that cup stayed with me, nudging me to think about how we could do better.
Fast forward a few years, and we started our own project, driven by the desire for a home-based option before resorting to expensive clinical procedures. We eventually created a kit that helped us conceive our son using a prototype we developed. Fast forward to today, we’ve sold over 100,000 kits and supported thousands of families, and now we’re ready to unveil the latest version of our kit.
Introducing the New Cup
Enter the new cup, designed specifically for sperm collection. It’s not just functional; it’s beautiful, and it’s personal. From the beginning, we envisioned a cup that would gather the sample effectively, but manufacturing from scratch was costly, and we had to prioritize. While the syringe took center stage in our early days, the cup was always in the back of my mind.
Delays turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Each iteration of the cup brought improvements, and after rigorous testing, we landed on what you see today: a cup that features a rounded inner base for easy sample collection and a stable outer wall that prevents spills. This design is not only user-friendly but also feels more natural for those generating the sample.
It’s amazing to think back to that initial urine cup and how far we’ve come. Our new design makes the home insemination process more intuitive than ever. This cup is a game changer, and I can’t wait to see the families it helps create.
Additional Resources
If you’re curious about more tips for new moms or want to understand the basics of insemination, check out our other blog post on pumping basics. And for those looking for a comprehensive guide on pregnancy and home insemination, I recommend visiting this excellent resource.
In summary, creating a better cup for insemination has been a long and rewarding journey, but it’s all worth it for the families that will benefit from it.