real-life

I never thought I’d say this, but Sharon Horgan—yes, that Sharon Horgan—just taught me something unexpected about fertility.

Let me back up. Last night, doomscrolling after another awkward dinner where someone “joked” about baby names for me, I found this BBC article where Sharon Horgan confessed she only found her confidence after the second season of Bad Sisters. Wait, what? A BAFTA-winning, wildly talented woman—someone who literally writes confidence into TV characters—didn’t always feel she belonged?

It hit me like a ton of bricks: confidence isn’t a switch you flip on day one. It’s something you build, fumble, and earn—especially when it comes to trying to conceive (TTC) at home.

The Confidence Gap No One Talks About

Because here’s the raw truth: TTC can make you question everything. Your body, your decisions, your relationships, your sanity. Maybe you’re using an at-home insemination kit for the first time, hunched over a YouTube tutorial and wondering, “Am I doing this right?” Or maybe you’re months in, surrounded by ovulation charts and Instagram success stories, feeling like you’re always one step behind.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Confidence can feel as rare as a positive test result in the early days.

But what Sharon’s story reminded me is this: even the most dazzling, accomplished people feel like imposters sometimes. That feeling doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. So, how do we build confidence when the stakes feel sky-high?

The Power of Owning Your Room (Even if It's Your Bedroom)

Sharon said she finally felt she "belonged in the room"—which made me wonder, what would it take for us to feel like we belong on this fertility journey?

Let’s be real. Medical offices and clinics can feel intimidating. But at home? You’re in charge. The bedroom, bathroom, living room—wherever your journey happens—becomes your space. That’s empowering… and also terrifying. Because now it’s your show.

Here’s what helped me start to own my story:

• Learning is half the battle: The more I understood about fertility—the cycles, the products, what my body was actually up to—the less I panicked. Knowledge = power.
• Experimenting without shame: The first time I unpacked a home insemination kit, I felt like I needed a PhD. But it turns out, kits like MakeAMom’s actually come with step-by-step guides, and their site has real stories and resources. Giving myself permission to learn (and laugh at my mistakes—yep, I once did spill half a vial) was huge.
• Talking about it—out loud: My “fertility friends” chat is the best group text I’ve ever joined. You’d be amazed what sharing a tiny victory or a rough day can do for your confidence.

Why At-Home Fertility Is Actually Revolutionary

Let’s pause for a second. Ten years ago, the idea of doing your own insemination at home—quietly, affordably, on your own schedule—would have sounded like science fiction. Now? It’s normal. And that’s largely thanks to companies like MakeAMom, who’ve intentionally designed reusable, sensitive-friendly kits for different needs.

For example, I learned that:

• The CryoBaby kit is ideal if you’re using frozen sperm or a lower volume.
• The Impregnator kit is designed for low motility sperm (I mean, the name alone gives me a weird rush of power).
• The BabyMaker kit is perfect if you have sensitivities or conditions like vaginismus—which, by the way, is way more common than anyone admits at brunch.

There’s something quietly radical about being able to take this part of your journey into your own hands. No waiting rooms. No stares. Just you and your partner—or you, solo—calling the shots.

The Real Secret: Confidence Grows With You

So, what’s the takeaway from Sharon’s confession, and from all of us figuring this out, cycle by cycle?

• Confidence isn’t instant. It builds. Sometimes, it even lags behind your actions.
• There’s no “right” timeline. Just like Sharon found her stride after two seasons, you might find yours after your second attempt—or your tenth. Both are okay.
• You already belong in this room. Whether your journey starts at home, at a clinic, or somewhere in between, you’re in the room simply by showing up for yourself and your dream.

So if you’re thinking about at-home fertility, or you’re already knee-deep in the process, remember: real confidence comes from showing up, again and again—even when you don’t feel 100% ready.

And the next time you need a little boost, check out some real-life stories or support resources on places like MakeAMom’s site. You might just find the wisdom, or even the laugh, that keeps you going.

What about you? Have you found your confidence yet, or are you still searching? Share your story in the comments—or text that friend who knows exactly where you’re at. Because you absolutely, 100% belong here.

Ever feel like your fertility journey is totally out of your control—like there are pigeons flying around wreaking havoc just when you thought things were finally going smoothly?

I know, it sounds wild. But that’s exactly what popped into my head when I stumbled on this news story: two pigeons somehow made their way inside a Delta plane in Minneapolis, strutting down the cabin aisle, causing delays and chaos as passengers tried (and failed) to catch them. Can you imagine just trying to get to your destination—literally buckled in and ready for liftoff—only to have everything halted by two birds who decided “nope, not today”?

Suddenly, the whole ordeal felt weirdly familiar. If you’re trying to conceive, you probably know exactly what I mean. No matter how much we “plan” or prep, life (and sometimes our own bodies) throw us the same kind of curveballs—unexpected, uncontrollable, and usually just when we thought we were finally making progress.

When Life Throws You Pigeons

Raise your hand if you’ve ever: - Gotten your hopes up, only for your cycle to do the exact opposite of what you expected. - Prepped for the perfect insemination only for something random (work stress, travel, your favorite ovulation test breaking) to block your path. - Felt like everyone but YOU was taking off on their fertility journey while you’re stuck, waiting, wrestling with invisible “pigeons” that no one else seems to see.

Yep, you’re not alone. The news story made me laugh, but it also made me think: these bizarre, out-of-nowhere obstacles are a universal part of trying to build a family. It’s not just you—and it’s not just all in your head.

How Do You “Catch the Pigeons” on Your Fertility Flight?

Here’s the twist: the passengers (and flight crew!) spent ages trying to wrangle those rogue birds, but it wasn’t a strict checklist or frantic chasing that finally did the trick. Sometimes the pigeons just need time to calm down, or someone with a fresh perspective to see the way forward.

Translating that chaos to our fertility journeys, maybe the “solution” isn’t more stress, stricter routines, or endlessly refreshing your ovulation app. Maybe it’s about giving yourself grace for the randomness. Maybe it’s about pausing, breathing, and laughing at the absurdity—even when it’s hard.

Finding Control in the Chaos: At-Home Solutions That Empower

I’ll be honest: what helped me regain my sanity wasn’t forcing myself to “relax” (that phrase deserves its own blog post, am I right?), but finding practical, empowering things I could control. That’s where at-home solutions really shine. When I first discovered resources for home insemination, it was like someone tossed me a net instead of telling me to wait for the pigeons to fly out on their own.

Whether it was reading real stories, comparing kit options, or learning about innovations like the CryoBaby (for frozen sperm) or the BabyMaker (especially great if you struggle with sensitivity or conditions like vaginismus), it helped me feel active in a journey that so often feels passive. I could do it on my timeline, in my safe space, and yes—even laugh at myself a little along the way.

• Privacy and control: No need to shout your business from the rooftops. Plain packaging and clear guides kept things intimate and stress-free.
• Reusable and practical: Knowing I wasn’t just tossing money out the window each cycle was a huge mental relief.
• Realistic hope: With a reported average success rate of 67%, I didn’t feel like I was gambling alone in the dark. (And let’s be honest—when every little thing sets you back, real numbers matter.)

Let’s Normalize the Unexpected (and Maybe Even Laugh About It)

The truth is, everyone has pigeons in their plane. (Okay, maybe not literally, but you get it.) Sometimes they’re medical. Sometimes they’re emotional. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of trying to keep up while life keeps tossing feathers in your face.

If I could go back and whisper something to myself at the start of my TTC (trying to conceive) journey, it wouldn’t be another hack or hormone—just a reminder that the surprising, messy, “pigeon moments” are part of the story. You can’t always predict them, but you can choose how you react. Lean on your community. Find the tools that make you feel seen and empowered, like MakeAMom’s thoughtful kit options. And when chaos strikes (because it WILL), remember: sometimes all you need is a new perspective…and maybe a net.

Ready to take back some control—even if there are pigeons on your plane? Check out real user stories, expert-guided resources, and at-home insemination tools here. And if you’ve had your own “pigeon moment,” share it in the comments! Let’s support each other through the chaos, one wacky story at a time. 🕊️