Your ultimate guide to at-home insemination

At-home insemination: where does it ‘fit in’?

If you’re trying to conceive (TTC) and it’s taking longer than expected, chances are you’ve already started building your DIY fertility toolkit. You might be tracking ovulation, monitoring your hormones, switching up your lifestyle, and loading up on supplements – all very doable at home.

For heterosexual couples, sperm-friendly lube might already be part of the mix. And when conception doesn’t happen naturally, many couples begin exploring other options in the bedroom too, without jumping straight into the world of IVF or IUI.

That’s where at-home insemination can come in.

Whether it’s the rising cost of fertility treatment, long waitlists, or just wanting to avoid clinical settings altogether, more people are turning to at-home insemination kits as a first step. It’s private, less invasive, and can be a gentler way to begin your conception journey, especially if you’re not quite ready for the clinic route.

To demystify the process, we’re partnering with Mosie Baby to bring you a no-nonsense, step-by-step guide to at-home insemination. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from timing and tools to real-life tips and what to expect.

A complete guide to at-home insemination

Officially called intracervical insemination (ICI), at-home insemination typically involves putting sperm into the vagina near the cervix to mimic penis-in-vagina intercourse.

You will need…

• specimen of healthy sperm
• collection cup
• Mosie syringe
• somewhere comfortable to lie down for approx. 30 mins.

A note on sperm:

You can use Mosie with fresh or frozen sperm. Collect it from your (consenting) partner, purchase a vial from a sperm bank or ask a known donor. If using frozen sperm, thaw it to room temperature first – your sperm bank will tell you how.

A note on collection cups:

Just like Goldilocks, this needs to be not too big and not too small – otherwise transferring the specimen into the syringe will be trickier than it needs to be. (Mosie’s collection cup is “just right”, and comes with a helpful lid for transportation – just be sure to use the sperm sample within an hour.)

How to prep & perform self-insemination

Prepping sperm for insemination

1. Find a private, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed—your bedroom is a great option since you can lie down and rest afterward.
2. Take an empty syringe, pull the plunger all the way up, then push it back down fully to remove any air and prevent bubbles.
3. Dip the tip of the syringe into the sample cup so it’s in direct contact with the semen.
4. Slowly pull the plunger up to draw the semen into the syringe.
5. Once the sample is inside, gently push the plunger down slightly and tap the syringe to remove air bubbles—but be careful not to lose any of the sample!

Self-insemination

1. Lie down in a comfortable position and, if possible, place a pillow under your hips to keep them slightly elevated.
2. Insert the syringe into your vagina, similar to how you’d insert a tampon—ideally up to the syringe handles.
3. Fully press the plunger to release the sample.
4. Slowly remove the syringe.
5. Stay lying down and relax for 15 to 30 minutes to give the sperm the best chance to do its thing.

Top Tips for Successful At-Home Insemination

• Use each Mosie syringe only once
• Track your ovulation
• Use your first Mosie within 12 hours of the first signs of ovulation
• Use your second Mosie 24 to 36 hours after that
• Focus on removing the big air bubbles – tiny air bubbles in the syringe are okay
• Play with the syringe a bit; when it’s empty, practise pulling it back and forth a few times
• Be patient – of the people who get pregnant with Mosie, 92% get pregnant within 4 months of use.