Trying for a baby (12+ M/not straightforward)

gymfiend

Good luck today Bunnie, xx

liloandstitch

Good luck Bunnie 1982, hopefully you will et some things sorted - let us know how you get on. Lilo

Bunnie1982

Not as well as I had hoped.

When I had my internal ultrasound was told I had what looked like polycystic ovaries, so had prepared to be told this, however apparently they got it wrong and because I was OV around the time of the test they are just normal follicles. Bloods were normal, OV normally and got the right amount of eggs for a person of my age.

What I wasn't prepared for was DH's swimmers to come back as not swimmers. They failed every test (the swim up test was a dramatic failure) so doctor has given us the choice of IVF or ICSI, was a lot to take on at the time so we're going back in 6 weeks after we have thought about it.

Just feel so emotionally exhausted at the moment

jiblets1

Sorry to hear your bad news Bunnie. Take a bit of time to give each other some care and attention before you do lots of research and have a good think.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

liloandstitch

Bunnie1982, big hugs to you and DH XXXXX

How bad was it? Were there none? Did none of them move? sorry to be 20 questions, but it may be that with diet and supplements, we can get the little blighters doing a bit more!!! Doctors focus on the medical and surgical, but there is a lot of evidence that what we eat and how we live our lives affect things like sperm and egg quality - smoking, drinking, diet etc can all impact. Post what the doctor said as best you can and we will see what we can suggest.


Lilo

Bunnie1982

They were below average on everything and completely failed the swim up test. He doesn't smoke, doesn't drink, has a healthy diet etc. The doctor didn't really say anything about how to improve quality of sperm, just mentioned that IVF or ICSI was our best option

nottslass_2

Hello Bunnie,
The first bit of good news is you now know what you're up against, the second bit of good news is,if they are suggesting IVF or ICSI it means that although OH's little swimmers may not quite be able to swim the Atlantic ocean,whilst wrestling a few sharks, but it does mean that there are still enough to fertilise an egg !!!

We had the same problem,quantity and quality of OH's swimmers was basically rubbish (confirmed over several tests) we were told that ICSI was our only chance,but I feed him copious amounts of Zinc,selenium,and multi vits (made him rattle abit)But hey,it must of done some good,because when it came to our treatment we didn't need the ICSI,only IVF,as it appears the little blighter's were good enough to swim the channel (well perhaps get to the isle of wight.lol)

I know what you mean about feeling emotionally exhausted -its so much to take in,especially as you got news that you weren't expecting,I don't know why, but when Infertility is due to "male factor" its perceived that the male is somehow "less of a man" -completely untrue,but none the less devastating. Take jiblets advise - have a good think and do lots of research, and as lilo said,post what you can remember and we'll see what we can suggest.

In the mean time have a hug

nottslass x

liloandstitch

Bunnie 1982, sorry tuned out for a while - nottslass is right, and it was her I was thinking of re improving sperm quality. All those supplements will improve the quality and strength of the sperm.

The swim up test sounds slightly different - were they testing compatability ie, did they check what sperm had got through your mucus, or was it just the strength of the sperm themselves. I know that some clinics test the environment in the vagina to see if it is hostile to the sperm. If that is the case, we can see what we can find out for that!!!!

What ages are you? did they give you success rates etc for IVF/ICSI?

More hugs - lilo

shelly

liloandstitch wrote: »

I know that some clinics test the environment in the vagina to see if it is hostile to the sperm. If that is the case, we can see what we can find out for that!!!!

According to the Sperm Race program on tv last week ALL vaginas contain acids that are hostile to sperm. The uterus is more friendly than the vagina with the fallopian place being the nicest.

ETA~ The only thing I can think of that makes the uterus more friendly to sperm is Pre Seed.

Bunnie1982

It was just testing the strength of the sperm themselves. I'm 26 and DH is 28, and they said the success rates were 20% with IVF/ICSI. I didn't feel that confident with the consultant to be honest, he didn't really explain our options to us very well and seemed very matter-of-fact about it all and skirted around all the questions I asked. If I could afford it I would go private.

He offered my Clomid which suprised me a bit, because he told me everything was fine with me.

My mind is just swimming with questions at the moment