Cooking is a science and an art, requiring you to apply heat to ingredients and create something greater than the sum of its parts. However, cooking a delicious dish isn’t just about following a recipe because so many factors are at play. For one, the equipment you have might not be what the recipe’s writer used.
This rings true for couples who’re trying to conceive (TTC). It’s not just about squeezing in as much unprotected sex as you can in a month because everyone’s bodies and circumstances are unique. You need to work smart while working hard, which makes consultations with your gynecologist crucial.
Therefore, the “Turkey Baster Baby” method may interest you. Essentially, it helps you deposit semen as close to the cervix as possible to give the sperm a better chance of reaching the egg. It’s less invasive than it sounds and can be done in the comfort of your home, albeit not 100% medically approved or germ-free.
Here’s all you need to know about the turkey baster insemination method — along with a more hygienic alternative to it.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended as medical advice.
What Does “Turkey Baster Baby” Even Mean? 🧐
“Turkey Baster Baby” simply refers to the end product after the turkey baster insemination method is applied.
In a nutshell, it means you’ve successfully conceived by using this artificial insemination technique. It’s akin to how “test tube baby” refers to a child who was conceived via in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Despite the odd name, the “Turkey Baster Baby” method could be another way of referring to intracervical insemination (ICI). This means sperm is delivered right to the cervical opening or near it, but with a needleless syringe instead of a penis.
This artificial insemination technique comes in handy when you’re ovulating but aren’t in the mood for sex. (Or if your partner is having performance issues — don’t worry, we get that, too.)
Can You Get Pregnant With a Turkey Baster?
Here's what you need for turkey baster insemination at home:
- A needleless syringe
- A small cup to hold your partner's semen
It takes just three quick steps to complete the process:
- Draw the semen from the cup into the syringe.
- Then, insert the syringe into your vagina.
- Lastly, press the plunger to release the semen inside your body.
As you can see, the “Turkey Baster Baby” method is a quick and simple way to inseminate yourself.
What’s more, a “refined” version, dubbed intrauterine insemination (IUI), was shown to boost live birth rates by almost three times in couples experiencing unexplained infertility, according to a 2017 study by the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
When compared with an IVF procedure, the turkey baster insemination method is much more affordable. After all, an IVF package in Singapore will set you back anywhere between S$10,000 and S$22,000, depending on the hospital.
On the other hand, every round of “turkey basting” at home costs just a few dollars.
Is the “Turkey Baster Baby” Method Safe?
The turkey baster insemination method is straightforward, taking just three steps and several minutes to complete.
Despite its simplicity, there are a few things to keep in mind before you get started. This largely revolves around hygiene and preventing yourself from getting hurt.
1. Make Sure Your Equipment Is Sanitized
Firstly, ensure the equipment you’re using is sanitized.
Ideally, your needless syringe and small container should be brand new. For obvious reasons, do not reuse disposable syringes. Keeping things clean prevents infections and keeps as much sperm alive as possible.
With that said, do note that these precautions do not necessarily ensure the equipment you have on hand is 100% sterile, so proceed at your own discretion.
2. Get Comfortable
Once you’ve decided to take the risk with the “Turkey Baster Baby” method, get into a comfortable position before inserting the syringe.
Lying down and placing a pillow below your hips gives you the best angle for insertion. Alternatively, get your partner to lend you a hand because they have a much better view.
Communicate with each other and make sure you aren’t inserting the syringe too far in. You wouldn’t want the turkey baster pregnancy preparation to turn into a nasty turkey baster injury 🤕
3. Stay Still
Lastly, you might want to leave the syringe inside you for a few minutes while staying in the same position to prevent any immediate semen leakage.
Remember, every drop of semen will help in your journey to conceive!
When’s the Best Time to Use the “Turkey Baster Baby” Method? 📅
The “Turkey Baster Baby” method is best used during your fertile period, i.e., Ovulation Day plus the 4-5 days leading up to it.
The success rate for the turkey baster insemination method, or ICI (intracervical insemination), is approximately 37.9% after six treatment cycles in a Netherlands-based study.
However, a successful pregnancy using this at-home insemination method depends on a number of factors, including age and sperm quality. The aforementioned study took note of these, along with the participating fertility clinics’ differing operating procedures.
How Does the twoplus Applicator Extra Differ From The “Turkey Baster Baby” Method?
Using the twoplus Applicator Extra is slightly different from the “Turkey Baster Baby” method, although they both help you take charge of your conception journey.
Here’s a lowdown on the differences:
- The twoplus Applicator Extra is sperm-friendly, and its material has undergone tests for biocompatibility and human sperm survival. A normal syringe and even a regular plastic cup can contain materials and compounds that might be harmful to human sperm.
- The Applicator Extra is designed with a rounded barrel that ensures >90% of semen flows from the syringe to the vagina. In contrast, self-inseminating with conventional syringes is much less efficient because their narrow tip trap semen, causing a significant loss in volume.
- The Applicator Extra comes with a unique Soft Tip accessory made of medical-grade silicone. The Soft Tip makes inserting the Applicator Extra much more comfortable than a conventional syringe. You can detach the Soft Tip after the deed is done to halt immediate semen leakage out of the vagina. No mess whatsoever!
How Is the twoplus Applicator Extra Similar to the “Turkey Baster Baby” Method?
On the flip side, the twoplus Applicator Extra is also similar to the “Turkey Baster Baby” method in a few ways. As mentioned earlier, each technique takes just a few steps and several minutes to complete, with minimal clean-up as well.
Plus, you can perform either home insemination method if your partner experiences performance anxiety or has trouble with ejaculation and/or erection at times. They’ll be able to ejaculate in full privacy and comfort before you proceed to perform self-insemination. This takes a large amount of stress away, especially if you’ve been TTC for a while.
Same-sex couples and single mothers by choice can benefit from the Applicator Extra or the “Turkey Baster Baby” method too. Both at-home insemination techniques are compatible with donated sperm.
With that said, the Applicator Extra may help to minimize semen leakage more efficiently, thanks to its one-of-a-kind Soft Tip.
Self-Insemination at Home Made Easy With twoplus 😌
If neither of you feel like performing procreative sex during your fertile period, the “Turkey Baster Baby” method is a simple and convenient artificial insemination technique. All you need are a sanitized needleless syringe and a cup.
That said, for maximum comfort and hygiene, you may want to consider the twoplus Applicator Extra instead. This at-home insemination kit is specially designed for ICI in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Last but not least, the Applicator Extra allows you to self-inseminate using only one hand without medical help. The sperm syringe also comes with a collection cup for donated or ejaculated semen, along with detailed instructions.
Have you gotten pregnant with twoplus’ products? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line via this form to share your story with the twoplus community and spread hope among folks trying to conceive.