The Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Conceive when its just not happening (12m+)

time2deal

TeamLowe wrote: »

had a read of your blog T2D, it's really good and informative although i did get confused when you said 'mr martin's contribution' as i thought for a second you meant :money:

Thanks TL for what was a genuine LOL while I was trying to commute around town today! People looked at me funny on the bus...

time2deal

Elsie37 wrote: »

Hi ladies,

I'm popping over here from the TTC thread. We found out yesterday that my partner has low sperm motility and from what I've been reading this makes it difficult to conceive naturally. Does anyone else have experience of this with their partners? Any advice or tips?

He is repeating the test again just to make sure but it has come as bit of a shock to us both.

xxxx

Hi Elsie,

I agree with VK that you should get a second opinion before worrying yourself silly. When DH had his done they left it for over an hour, and when it was tested all the sperm were dead. So he got basically a zero count! Thankfully the GP noticed, otherwise we would have been starting much more worry and tests for something that wasn't really there.

On re-testing, turned out he had 14m/ml, not great, but a hell of a lot better than zero.

If mobility is the problem, then I have been told there are diet changes that make a big difference. Bear in mind sperm take 3 months to grow, so your partner needs to make changes that he can live with - not something he will give up after a week.

I bought DH a laptop support thing, that he uses now, and loose boxers. We have not been trying now due to my situation, but for the ICSI next week he has to give a 'sample' we will see if it made any difference at all. I'll let you know.

This is what he uses now - but he doesn't put the legs up. It still gives a few inches clearance and keeps the danglies cool:
LaptopTable

The tablets I was using, and will make him take again if we get a chance to try, are these. osteocare I hadn't heard it especially recommended, but looking at the ingredients (Selenium, Calcium, Zinc, Vitamin D) that people say are good for sperm. 2 massive tablets a day, so depends how willing your partner is.

time2deal

i_love_holidays wrote: »

hi guys i dont post a lot but wondered if you could help

been referred to st marys manchester as we have been ttc since may 2010

had all tests that came back fine now they say unexplained fertility

the hospital have rang to say that on my next cd1 i should ring them and they will start the ivf process

we have signed all the forms and it was all explained to us but i havent a clue what happens next. they gave us so much info that it was a bit overwhelming but i wished id remembered everything she said.

so the question is what tends to happen next or now it all starts..have googled ivf procedure and some websites mentioned that they put you on the pill for the first month and then second month start injections etc

just a rundown of what i should expect

many thanks

Hiya holidays, and welcome to the thread.

I think with IVF there are lots of different protocols, and it depends on your particular situation or problem. Have you had a AMH test? That tends to tell you how likely you are to respond to the medications. Some people respond quickly and produce lots of eggs, some don't, and some people prefer to do a natural cycle, which means you don't take too many drugs. TBH... given how much it costs, and the chances each cycle, I don't fully understand that.

Then again, I'm doing a cycle now and it's pretty tough, so I can understand if after a few goes it becomes much harder to face it again.

ETA: Here is my protocol, but bear in mind I'm not getting the embryos transferred back again, so I presume if I was there would be tests for the lining + other drugs to help the embryos implant.
blog

time2deal

Holidays, also if you can find it there was a good show on BB4 a few weeks ago called 'Baby makers: The fertility clinic', but it seems to be gone from iplayer now. It shows the whole process.

Keep and eye out as hopefully it will appear again at some stage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p013f91w

http://tryingtogetpregnantafterhavingthedepoinjection.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/bbc-4-documentary-baby-makers-the-fertility-clinic-review/

Good luck with your cycle! You are very lucky to have things moving so fast, I know lots of ladies here who have waited a lot longer. I'm on a quick cycle due to the cancer, but it's self funded and terribly expensive.

Runnerduck

i_love_holidays wrote: »

hi guys i dont post a lot but wondered if you could help

been referred to st marys manchester as we have been ttc since may 2010

had all tests that came back fine now they say unexplained fertility

the hospital have rang to say that on my next cd1 i should ring them and they will start the ivf process

we have signed all the forms and it was all explained to us but i havent a clue what happens next. they gave us so much info that it was a bit overwhelming but i wished id remembered everything she said.

so the question is what tends to happen next or now it all starts..have googled ivf procedure and some websites mentioned that they put you on the pill for the first month and then second month start injections etc

just a rundown of what i should expect

many thanks

hi, i have had 3 fresh cycles and 2 frozen, 4 were icsi and the last was imsi, my hubby has very poor sperm and i have low amh and blood clotting and immune issues. you will probably have ivf if the sperm is ok but its all the same treatment up until the fertilisation. the first full icsi i had was the long protocol, which did involve going on the pill for a short time but that is only to time the treatment right, then with that treatment i had to downreg for a while before starting the stim drugs, so all in all that time i think i was injecting for about 6 weeks. then we moved clinics and they tested and found my amh was low so with the second treatment, i was put on the pill to make sure my period arrived at the right time then given testogel to rub on my arm for 3 weeks then i had a scan on the 3rd day of my period and started injecting the stim drugs, i injected for 12 days then had egg collection, they were then fertilized and put back at 5 days blastos. the last cycle was the same only i stimmed for 14 days and the eggs were fertilized using imsi and put back as 3 day embryos, now i'm 9 weeks pregnant neither of our fets worked but i know some people ave a lot of luck with those, good luck. and pm me if you want any more questions answered x

Peonie

Hi ladies,
I got my CD21 tests back; my serum prolactin (653 mlU/L) and thyroid tsh (9.4 mlU/L) were high. Has anyone else had the same? The doctor has referred me to a specialist but it's the dreaded 10-12 week period until the appointment. It's a very long time. And I have a feeling he will request another blood test to check the results and then it will be another few months until I am prescribed anything.

Mr P's SA results came back normal.

i_love_holidays_2

thanks for your replys...i know i am very lucky to hopefully be starting ivf around my 3 years ttc mark. i know the hospital can refuse you twice before they have to fit you in somewhere.

its just they was very vague on the phone just ring on the first day of your next period and its like and then what, i have to come to hospital that day ill have another test, youll put me on the pill??

i dont know if i have had my AMH test so maybe they will do that aswell...its the not knowing

ive have watched 2 of the babymakers programmes and how amazing i sort of knew those steps of injecting and egg collection etc but the science is incredible!!

T2D your blog is great and the very best of luck to you

i think they are going to freeze the sperm as my OH could not perform on request and ended up having home sample so they have mentioned that. will that delays things at all??

congratulations runnerduck and thanks

bigzippy

Cd1

At least I did ov, I guess, and clomid is still doing it's thing, even if CBFM can't pick it up anymore :cool:

I feel rubbish, inside and out

Peonie

I'm sorry to hear that bigzippy.

vseviour

Hugs BZ. My sis has just announced her pregnancy. Fell pretty shtty too. Hubby making choc fudge brownies. Happy to be an aunt, know it's taken her a while too. Got hol booked with her soon, was looking forward to it as first holiday where family relations improved. Not sure what to expect now :-(