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Conception

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Original poster

Teratozoospermia

65 replies

onelifeonechance · 08/02/2014 09:07

Anyone?
We've been ttc #1 with no sniff of a BFP, currently on cycle 9. Got fed up of being an emotional wreck so told a porky to the GP that we'd been trying for 12 months so that we could both be tested in the naive hope that it would all be fine, we'd feel reassured and could just relax and wait for things to happen. That has just blown up spectacularly in our faces as we went to GP yst who has said my bloods are all fine and show I am oving but my husband's sperm test has shown an issue. Sperm count and progressive motility all fine/good, no antibodies killing his sperm. But his morphology is abnormal. He's been diagnosed with teratozoospermia. Apparently they like it to be greater than 4% and his is 1% (cut off for 'severe teratozoospermia is less than 1% so he's only just not in that category).
GP admitted he didn't know much more and has referred us to fertility clinic, no idea how long that it going to take. From googling it's looking like ICSI route but not sure that's right?? Don't know what to think til we speak to expert but no idea how long that's going to be and already feeling it.
Has anyone got any experience of this - the positive and the negative, don't hold back, rather know what we're dealing with.

OP posts:
m33r · 24/02/2014 19:10

one I could've written that post. Also trying to manage my expectations and started to try to come to terms with maybe it not working out for us and maybe I need a new plan... We've still got a while to go I guess but I'm trying to play the hand I've been dealt so-to-speak. Like you, my DH is amazing.

Makes me sad as he is desperate for kids but just trying to stay positive, keep trying but live our lives.

So incredibly sad but so incredibly lucky in other ways ...

I have everything crossed that you'll be one of those stories that starts 'there was this girl on mn &c &c ... And she got pregnant naturally'

X

RPopz · 24/02/2014 18:05

Definitely agree it is the lack of knowing. Obviously I'd prefer it if we could conceive naturally but if intervention was needed that'd be fine... if I could just know NOW! Instead of waiting around oblivious and not being able to do anything about it... I'm such a control freak....

Debating seeing someone privately as next month will be 6 cycles. Just at least so I can know either way and RELAX!

(Shouldn't be this hard, should it...)

Jessewalt · 24/02/2014 09:04

One life, you sound so like me. I have been saying all of those things over and over in my head for the last 10months. It is the lack of knowing. If I was to know that we would conceive, naturally or assisted, in for example, 2 years from now, I would feel ok. It is the thought that there is a chance it may never happen. I have a very close friend who is a gynaecologist, albeit not a fertility subspecialist, and she is forever telling me to stay calm, as from her perspective, assisted conception is so successful. (Latest figures from my area my age 40% take home). However, I do not want to be insensitive as I am sure there are many couples on mumsnet who have not been as lucky.

Original poster
onelifeonechance · 24/02/2014 08:25

Aw Timpani, thank you Thanks What a lovely story to read and I'm so pleased for you. Always good to hear peoples successes after similar experiences, v uplifting. Same thing happened to a friend of mine, they struggled to conceive their first and needed intervention, then wham! second one popped out of nowhere, easy as anything!!! Enjoy them Smile and thank you for the encouragement, gratefully received.

Littlefish, that's v interesting about your cyst, suppose you'll never know for sure, but glad it was safely removed and sorted for you. Yes I think you're right about expectation management. I'm just trying so hard to follow my lovely late nanas advice, because I know for sure if she was here and I was able to tell her what we're going through she would say to me 'take it one day at a time'. So I'm really trying not to focus on thinking if we don't have the first for another few years, how will we or indeed will we be able to even have anymore...because that's what's stressing me out I suppose, because it's feeling like it's not going to 'plan'. Whereas actually we may not get there at all, or we may be incredibly lucky and actually realise our dream of three, but we're not going to know that until we get there, wherever 'there' is, so the only thing we can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other and focus on the here and now. I have such a lovely dh and my life is good in so many other ways that I don't want to wish it away and waste it being too sad because I do know I'm already so lucky compared to some. So we've just got to wait and see what's meant for us. Sorry to waffle, hope that makes some sense!

OP posts:
Timpani · 23/02/2014 21:05

We tried for 10 months when I pushed for tests (same reason as you!). We'd had a brief bfp in cycle 4 and had had a chemical pregnancy and I got AF when I would have been 5 weeks.

So I was shocked when my DH's results came back as totally shit. 1 million count, 1% morph and shite motlility (can't remember exactly!). We got referred for icsi straight away. I was devastated. Icsi worked first time 9 months later! It has a 50% ish success rate at some clinics with your age.

Weirdly, I conceived naturally without trying while still bf DS. DS is not quite 2 and I have a beautiful DD who's 4 weeks old. Still can't believe my luck. I only had 2 AFs in between pregnancies and didn't suspect or find out with second pregnancy until I was about 8 weeks. Such a shock.

From starting TTC to having our son was 2.5 years and now I have two.

There's much hope for you. Really, there is xxx

Littlefish · 23/02/2014 20:53

We were trying for about 2 and a half years. Like you, I told a small fib to the GP - we went to see him after 9 months as we were both 34(ish).

I have also since found out that I had a large dermoid cyst which gradually wrapped itself around my ovary which mean that 2 years ago, at the age of 43, I had to have my left ovary and fallopian tube removed. I will never know how much that affected my fertility, quite apart from dh's issues!

I think it's really good to try and manage your expectations. I always thought I would have 4 children. Most of the time I'm fine about having 1, and know how incredibly lucky we are. I have had times when I've regretted not going for IVF, but somehow it didn't feel right for us as a family.

Original poster
onelifeonechance · 23/02/2014 17:46

Meant to ask, how long were you trying for out of interest?

OP posts:
Original poster
onelifeonechance · 23/02/2014 17:45

It's lovely to hear your story littlefish. I'm very much hoping we can get there naturally before the need for intervention, but we'll just have to see. I've also had to completely have a word with myself about expectations. I have always pictured having three children, but with what we're going through I've soon realised it doesn't work that easily for everybody and it's not just about what you decide you want. So we are just going to focus on hoping we're lucky enough for it to work even once

OP posts:
Littlefish · 23/02/2014 17:30

My dh had poor morphology, motility and count. We were referred almost immediately for ICSI after our second set of tests. We were told that it was virtually impossible for us to conceive due to dh's incredibly poor test results.

We changed our diet completely, cutting out red meat, cow dairy, aspartame, alcohol, caffeine, as many additives as possible in a bid to ensure that if I ever did get pregnant, that we would give it the best possible chance to stick. It was also a way of feeling a little more in control of the roller coaster of medical interventions.

In the end, the month before we were due to start ICSI, I fell pregnant naturally. Dd is now 9. Unfortunately, we were never successful again, but just consider ourselves unbelievably fortunate to have dd.

Original poster
onelifeonechance · 23/02/2014 17:20

Sorry af got you too littlebear, it sucks doesn't it, even harder the months when you think you're in with more of a chance. I'm doing ok thanks, just fed up but kind of accepting this is just how it is. It's as though the first few months were harder in one sense as I was expecting it to work more at the beginning (when I was naive and thought having unprotected sex led to pregnancy...yeah right) so felt rubbish when it didn't, whereas now I'm not expecting it to work so then I just feel proved right when af turns up, sigh and move on to the next month. But had a good chat with dh and feel determined to not let it completely take over everything. Unless we get pregnant this month then then the likelihood is we're not having a baby this year and I really don't want the whole year to be sad and painful, so we've agreed we're going to have little treats all through the year to help counteract the waiting and the clinic appointments.

Littlebear, can I ask, once they retested your dh and his morphology was the same did they just say they we're referring you for ivf (and is this with ICSI?) or did they offer you something else? And how creative we're you with timing (I.e how long do the clinic think you've been trying for?) We're not going to know til we're seen at the clinic but from what I can work out ivf funding only kicks in after been trying for two years, which with what we've told gp would mean we can't do anything until Jan next year......seems so far away.

Rpopz, you are def not a crazy lady, unless indeed we are all crazy!! I'm so glad I went and was economical with the truth. As much as it was a shock to find out the results, I feel it's better we know and least we're in the system now (already discovering how slow the system is, sure by the time we're seen cycle 12 will have been and gone) Know some people won't approve but I've spent my whole life always doing the right thing and abiding by rules, this is one area I'm glad I've been 'naughty' about!!!

Hope your hubby's SA goes ok Jesse, just so you know we had to wait just under two weeks for the results, I thought it'd be sooner than that but sadly not. Fingers crossed all ok for you.

OP posts:
LittleBear01 · 22/02/2014 23:23

Hi Jesse. Good luck with your husband's SA. Have all the tests been ok on your side?

I was just looking at Andrology Solutions, after reading back and seeing that Eurochick had mentioned them. I'm wondering if I should chat with my DH about booking an appointment there for some more indepth SA and advice. What do you all think? Is it worth the cost/hassle?

Jessewalt · 22/02/2014 22:45

I am also just starting cycle 10. My day 21 prog was normal, but period unusually came a bit early this month. Husband getting semen analysis done a week on Monday. Can't deny I am a little nervous. Just need to wait and see what that brings.

LittleBear01 · 22/02/2014 22:04

Hi OneLife, AF got me today as well! I was actually starting to think we might have done it this month... :(

So, cycle 10 for me too. Need to go to hospital this week to get those blood tests done so my consultant will send the IVF paperwork off. Feeling really hard done by, it all seems so unfair.

Hope you're feeling ok?

RPopz · 22/02/2014 18:11

Hi onelifeonechance. Sorry to hear about the sperm troubles, no advice here. Just wanted to say your original post made me smile a bit because I'm so contemplating fibbing to the GP as well, couldn't decide if it was a crazy woman thing to do or not!! What TTC does to us eh - 6 months here. Hope things are going okay x

Original poster
onelifeonechance · 22/02/2014 17:04

How are you getting on littlebear? Af got me this morning so onto cycle 10. Feeling like we're not going to do this without some help, still waiting for clinic letter to come through. Rang them and they're saying hopefully by end of March so we'll see. Hope you're having better luck.

M33r, if you read this I hope you're ok and you're finding the reflexology helpful. I went for my second appt yst and found it much more relaxing than the first so think I'll continue for a bit and see. The lady is ever so nice which helps. Hope all your tests are going ok and not too stressful for you. Take care x

OP posts:
LittleBear01 · 09/02/2014 21:30

Lovely news Eurochick - congratulations and good luck :)

m33r · 09/02/2014 19:58

Hang in there one. Yeah, I'm trying not to get too involved but do lurk occasionally and look out for you guys. Got AF Friday so another month gone. Going for reflexology this month and for next load of tests so fingers crossed.

I hope you and dp are both doing ok.

Xx

Original poster
onelifeonechance · 09/02/2014 19:31

Thanks m33r. Yes, it's all still sinking in. Been a very up and down weekend emotionally! But, really trying to look on the bright side and realising just got to take things as they come. Hope you're getting on ok, think you're lying low but so nice to get your message and hoping for you too x

OP posts:
m33r · 09/02/2014 18:04

Hi one. Sorry to hear this news. Don't have any wisdom to offer but am glad you know where you are at least and am hoping you get your BFP soon x

Original poster
onelifeonechance · 09/02/2014 17:55

Ditto what Littlebear said eurochick and great news about your BFP, know you'll be tentative with what happened last time so hope it sticks, fx

OP posts:
eurochick · 09/02/2014 16:53

Thanks. I got a BFP from cycle 4. Now hoping it sticks (my last one didn't).

LittleBear01 · 09/02/2014 16:44

Will do onelife, here's hoping for us both :)

Sorry to hear that it's been tough Eurochick, you must be strong to have gone through it multiple times. Hope you get your BFP soon.

Original poster
onelifeonechance · 09/02/2014 14:12

Littlebear, I'm due af (bfp!?) 20th too, let me know how you go

OP posts:
Original poster
onelifeonechance · 09/02/2014 14:03

Tigger, thank you. Glad things worked for you, always nice to hear about happy endings! We've tried the less sex approach this cycle, all other cycles we've gone for it all before and over ov, but this cycle we thought we'd try a different approach and have only dtd cd11, 13 and 14, think I ov cd 13 so we'll see. But then it's all so confusing because you read online about the need to have sex regularly to rev up dh's sperm production and other pages saying not to dtd so often if there are issues, so who the heckers knows?

Eurochick, yes that's what I'm thinking it's like, excellent description.
Naty, yes I'm sure the emotional roller coaster just gets harder - more in the Nemesis category... Thats good your clinic is supportive, imagine it makes it a whole heap easier if you have faith in the people treating you.

Little bear, totally with you and so hoping we don't need to go down that route, but if we do we do and it's good to be prepared and have some idea what to expect. Good luck!

OP posts:
naty1 · 09/02/2014 12:27

It is very emotional from yeh ive got x eggs to oh no only y have fertilized or carried on growing.
The worry of trying to remember to take the meds (i was on a nasal spray every 4 hours but meds vary)
I have found our clinic really good.

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