First time trying, last year. Doing OPKs, and temping, but not charting. All 4 of our insems were timed around 30 hours after +OPK. My temp the morning after the +OPK seemed like it hadn't spiked yet. First 3 tries were IVI using syringe and instead cup, last try was ICI with speculum and syringe with adapter tube and instead cup. All BFN.
We visited an RE the following month, he suggested an HSG before spending more money on cycles that might not be working because of blocked tubes. HSG showed right tube was completely blocked. RE suggested a laproscopy. I had the appointment to have it done, but decided to try 1 IUI with RE before doing such an expensive surgery. We didn't have the money yet to do the IUI, so we waited.
After our money situation improved, we decided to try 2 more home insems before doing an IUI with an RE. Found a more economical sperm bank (we chose the 5-9.9 million MOT[ility] level category). The donor happened to have reported pregnancies (our previous donor had not).
Cycle before the insem, I began temping and charting this time, doing OPKs 4 times a day after I got my first fade-in. Also, was checking CM and cervical position. The evening after my afternoon +OPK, cervical position was high, had EWCM (very little though) and cervix was very open. My temp the morning after my complete positive, had modestly spiked, but still indicated O. Realized our previous attempts were probably after O. Planned for the insem cycle to be 12 hours after positive OPK.
The insem cycle, did the same thing, OPKs 4 times a day after first fade-in and checked CM and cervical position. At 10 hours after +OPK, we did the insem, doing an ICI with a speculum and syringe (didn't have an adapter available and we forewent the instead cup). Immediately before the insem, DSp gave me an orgasm. Immediately after the insem, I stayed with a pillow under my butt for 2 hours.
Abra cadabra, presto chango, BFP!
DSp was very frustrated through the whole process and didn't feel capable of doing the insems and thought a doctor was needed and it absolutely would never work at home.......
*As for stuff I took before TTC, the first time trying, last year, I was taking a prenatal, and also zinc after I got my OPK fade-in and throughout the 2WW.
This year trying, I was taking a prenatal, and also zinc after OPK fade-in. We were attempting to boy-sway, so I was taking 99 mg potassium as well and drinking tomato juice, pineapple juice, and apple juice, low in calcium and magnesium (to increase alkalinity of CM). I was also testing my CM for acidity/alkalinity. I found it too low for boy sperm to survive very well and borderline for girl sperm to even survive very well. I tried to pasteurize an egg myself to use the EW, but ended up fully hard boiling it. So I tired the baking soda finger, where you wet your finger, dip in baking soda, and insert in. Stung a little (it went away after a little bit), but it boosted up my alkalinity and made me produce more CM instantly.