ICI method - at home - has anyone tried? Tips?

robinhood13 · October 2024

Hello all!

I've been on this board before, but honestly, it was mostly wishful thinking. My husband and I just agreed this will be our first month actually trying (rather than just not-not-trying). Due to some issues, we're going to be trying ICI (basically a cup for him and a syringe for me).

Through the research I've done, I know we are prime candidates and the reviews on the products are generally pretty good. Nothing beats actual discussion, though!

I've bought the disposable kit with two syringes for our first try as Amazon's shipping is quick and I don't want to risk missing our window. I've seen there's reusable kits as well with great reviews.

It's not a commonly discussed method and I was just wondering if anyone here has tried it and the issues you might have run into. Or positive stories!

l3mon · February 2

Hi @robinhood13 ! I noticed you posted this a while ago - how are things going for you? I am trying ICI at home with frozen sperm; we actually just tried yesterday for the first time, so we are waiting to see what happens.

We used the Frida kit, but I am interested in trying the Make a Mom syringe, though the cost is high.

emeraldcity603 · February 2

Can I ask why you’re choosing this route? The good old fashion way is a great place to start.

aisleofviewtwo · February 2

Sounds like this is the right route for @l3mon and her wife at this time.

(Full disclosure: this is a touchy question/topic for me. When we told our MIL we were doing IVF her first and only comment was “I think the old fashioned way would be a lot easier!” It didn’t help us navigate what was already an emotional and overwhelming experience. It’s possible I’m projecting those feelings onto @l3mon now.)

emeraldcity603 · February 3

aisleofviewtwo said:

Sounds like this is the right route for @l3mon and her wife at this time.

(Full disclosure: this is a touchy question/topic for me. When we told our MIL we were doing IVF her first and only comment was “I think the old fashioned way would be a lot easier!” It didn’t help us navigate what was already an emotional and overwhelming experience. It’s possible I’m projecting those feelings onto @l3mon now.)

🤦🏻‍♀️ I didn’t notice that this was such an old post. I read the OP and scanned what @l3mon commented. Obviously the old fashion way isn’t the route for them. 😅

l3mon · February 3

Yeah, the old fashion way hasn’t worked for us yet lol. @aisleofviewtwo thank you for sharing. I don’t think we’ve experienced the exact same emotions we may have if we were a straight couple, but our journey to get to this point has been emotional none the less. Thank you for your kindness.

ferret22 · February 3

Also if the old fashioned way were that easy, there would be a lot less of us on this board. 😂

dpjennifer · February 3

Well, the fancy medical ways aren't even close to a guarantee of success either... Even with doctors and tests and nothing supposedly wrong, it can be a disaster. A huge, financially and emotionally devastating disaster that still leaves you childless and a bitter hag...

aisleofviewtwo · February 3

@dpjennifer I've thought long and hard about if/when to say something, but I am concerned. I cannot imagine that your current style of interaction with this board—heavy on snark, light on giving or allowing yourself to receive support—is serving you. I am so, so sorry for all you've been through. I hope you are taking care of yourself, both online and off.

dpjennifer · February 3

@aisleviewoftwo Thank you for your concern. I've been with this board for a decade, and although I've pulled back in the most recent years, I am not ready to give it up yet. I do give support in places where people are experiencing early MCs and RPL testing and things like that. I know that since COVID this board has really slowed down, especially with the BGs ban-hammering people for even minor offenses (speaking of things that are NOT serving people...) and people fleeing TB because of it.

You don't need to worry about the snark, I've been like that the entire time I've been here. It's just sort of my personality, and I get that I'm not everyone's cup of tea. I'm an advocate for myself, MC, RPL, and the realities that not everyone gets a happy take-home baby, and honestly I think a lot of times people need the reminder that TTGP is not always sunshine and rainbows as so many who show up willy-nilly to this board think it is. I actually had a sign in my cubicle that read "Welcome to the Cube of Happiness: Bringing an Unhealthy Dose of Pessimistic Reality to Your Every Day Life." (and that obviously was not about PG). I say the things people may not want to hear or know about, but exist nonetheless. Because if I can even reach one person like myself to help/comfort, then I really couldn't give a damn about the rest. The resources for helping people support and raising living babies is extremely high... the support for people experiencing RPL, especially unknown RPL, and gaining access to help paying for treatments, etc. is dismally almost non-existent. NO ONE talks about the women who go through this and never end up with a take-home baby. Everyone wants to discuss the MIRACLES and the rainbows after the storms. So when I find that one person here/there that is in similar shoes... I am here to walk them through whatever they need.

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ICI method - at home - has anyone tried? Tips?

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