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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Abnormal SA - first Fertility Clinic apt

30 replies

redstrawberry · 16/11/2012 12:16

Hi

Short story -We've been ttc for 7 months, had a CP in July. DH and I had tests done. My uterus and ovary scan came back normal.

Just got DH's SA result and all the GP could say was higher abnormal count than normal :( GP hasn't offered any further info or guidance - hes not sure how to read the results properly. Told us the fertility clinic will be able to explain.

We have our first appointment at the clinic next week. And apart from being very sad and upset, I am wondering what to expect? Anyone know what sort of questions I should be asking? Also what does an abnormal SA actually mean for me? Will I be able to conceive?

I can't focus on work and I just don't know when I'll be able to hold a baby in my arms.

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Original poster
redstrawberry · 20/11/2012 18:33

Just wanted to provide an update after our appt with the FS.
She didn't seem to concern although she said morphology was a little concern but more importantly the abnormal diagnosis was because of Antisperm Antibodies (ASA). Dh has 25% of ASA and the normal should be 10% and under.

The presence of ASA impairs the motility of sperm. They Antisperm stick to the good sperm and prevent them from swimming further trapping them within the cervical passage. The morphed sperm are not a problem apparently.

She said the wellman conception pills would help to bring the numbers of ASA down. She's asked some more tests on me and said if mine come back normal again then she wants us to keep trying naturally first, but if we want she will refer us for an IUI treatment and clomid.

Dh and I talked and we have decided to try conceiving naturally for another 6-8months and then she where that leaves us.

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winkle2 · 17/11/2012 13:47

Thanks red!

I think the chances question is a good one too.

Also how to improve morphology, is there anything he can do?

rabbitonthemoon · 17/11/2012 12:26

I read there should be 16million motile normally formed sperm in one load to put you in with a chance of conceiving on this fertilichat website. Not sure how accurate this is though..

Original poster
redstrawberry · 17/11/2012 12:17

I was going to ask the same question winkle! And the most important one - what are our chances of conceiving naturally?

His total sperm count was 348m per ejaculate, and concentrated was 138m, Total motile count was 60m so I am not sure what all the varying counts mean.

I know 348m is loads but f it wasn't an issue why has it not happened in 7months. If you hv any other questions let me know - happy to ask them all!

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winkle2 · 17/11/2012 09:34

I think it's good that the count is so high. 2% of 348 million is millions!

One thing I'd like to know ( if you don't mind asking the clinic) is do the abnormal ones die pretty much quickly or are they getting in the way of the normal ones swimming to the egg?

EuroShagmore · 17/11/2012 08:13

Viscosity showed up as abnormal in one of Mr Euro's tests. It was normal in the other two though. We had a good joke about his sperm being too thick to find the egg though - you have to get your laughs where you can when you are a long term ttcer!

rabbitonthemoon · 16/11/2012 22:04

strawberry our GP went on google too Angry they must see SA quite often - I'm amazed they have to look on google.

Original poster
redstrawberry · 16/11/2012 21:33

I am hoping the higher count makes up for the low morphology...30% seems so high. Ours was the strict one - so 4% doesn't seem like a daunting target to achieve!

Also I read SAs vary everytime you test so maybe they order another test and the result is more positive

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Original poster
redstrawberry · 16/11/2012 21:30

I spoke to DH yes and he's okay just ready to do whatever it takes.

Ill add pine bark to my list of things toget. Wow that's a tremendous increase rabbit
Hope you get your bfp soon too

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winkle2 · 16/11/2012 21:25

It used to be 15% but its gone down to 4%.

It must have some effect because we've been trying 15 months and the one thing that's been flagged up from our results is the low morphology.

Cortana · 16/11/2012 21:19

I'd take what the GP says with a pinch of salt. Your GP is not a fertility expert. Try and stay away from Dr Google until your appointment, he's a bastard and will do nothing but worry you.

Have you heard from your DH? If he's avoiding your calls he may be upset by the results and in need of your support. Sad

Original poster
redstrawberry · 16/11/2012 21:16

Thanks feel much more reassured now. Just wish the process could be slightly different to prevent all this worry and anxiety. GPs aren't trained to interpret SA results so why can't someone like a fertility specialist actually explain them to you in the first place - rather than an empty 'your result is higher abnormal than normal sperm' sentence uttered by a GP who has no clue! He was actually sat with google open on his screen and DH said he just didn't know what the results meant

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Geeklette · 16/11/2012 21:16

rabbit I was told we had 2% morphology whereas the expected was minimum of 30%, found out later that the 30% related to a different categorisation of morphology and the 2% related to 'strict'. On second analysis we had 1%, but either way it wasn't as bad as we had originally thought it would be! Congrats on your increase to 7% Grin

rabbitonthemoon · 16/11/2012 21:12

I'm not sure my last post was brill, I blame Friday night. The gp said it should have been 15% morphology and that we wouldn't be able to conceive - but she was ill Informed it is now 4% as the limit.

rabbitonthemoon · 16/11/2012 20:35

Hi - we had a 3% morphology and were gutted. But all other variables great. 10 weeks later after vits and pine bark (may or may not have helped) it was 7% and actually the count outweighs the morph of it is high. I'm still not pregnant but there have been uterine factors with me and I'm not a spring chicken. I regret how upset we were about it. We still don't know for sure of its sperm or womb or eggs or age or whatever. But please don't fret too much. Get a repeat and take it from there and bear in mind Gps don't always know loads about fertility. Good luck with things.

Geeklette · 16/11/2012 20:27

I would say from those figures, the count and progressive %ages are way up, and would more than compensate for what you feel is low morphology. Anything between 3% and 5% (going on 'strict' standards) is 'normal' so I would say there is not much to worry about with your 2%, particularly given the other figures. As already said, your CP is a positive thing in a way as it proves things are going in the right direction, though it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. Viscosity is one of those contentious figures, but given the sheer numbers you are dealing with I don't think you need to worry. The very best of luck with your journey, and wishing you an early BFP.

winkle2 · 16/11/2012 19:42

Normal is 4%.

I don't know about the viscosity. Might be too thick for sperm to swim in?

Original poster
redstrawberry · 16/11/2012 19:41

Thanks everyone - I think I'll sleep a bit better tonight. It helps and I appreciate your replies so so much xx

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Original poster
redstrawberry · 16/11/2012 19:40

winkle do you know what viscosity means? He has a note on his result from the lab saying " very viscous sample"

Dr.google saying this is not good and needs to be thinned....

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EuroShagmore · 16/11/2012 19:34

As I said about, I think normal is 3%. I can't google to check as at work! So he is only marginally outside the normal limits. And his count is enormous! Really don't get too gloomy. It's really not bad at all.

Some drs give out clomid even if ovulating. My clinic said there is no point. Opinions differ.

winkle2 · 16/11/2012 19:34

348 million is amazing! My hubs was 48 million!

Original poster
redstrawberry · 16/11/2012 19:23

Will I have to clomid if I have no problems ovulating? Sad

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Christelle2207 · 16/11/2012 18:28

yes morphology is a bit low but 2% is still millions. there are women on here whose dhs SA has come back as almost no sperm at all.
dont beat yourselves up. you may get clomid like me which will increase eggs and therefore the odds.

Original poster
redstrawberry · 16/11/2012 18:00

Got a print out of his results-
Progressive sperm 44%
Immotile - 49%
Sperm count 348mill
Morphology - 2%

Looks like morphology is low and I am not sure what normal is or how it can be improved. Everything else looks normal or so I think.

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Original poster
redstrawberry · 16/11/2012 14:45

Thanks Christelle I'll keep repeating what you and others have said to stop me from panicking. DH has been a bit distant since he found out and avoiding my calls. He didn't ask the GP any many questions at all. I feel like I need so many answers.

I really hope its unnecessary panic and nothing that can't be improved through vitamins and lifestyle changes.

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