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Conception

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Original poster

Dh has crap sperm...implications?

35 replies

downbutnotout · 02/06/2008 20:50

We have 1 dd (4) and 3mcs since and I am currently 5.5 weeks pg. As it was taking a long time for me to get pg this time we embarked on fertility tests, but with impeccable timing I then conceived.

The thing is we have now got the test results back and apparently dh's sperm are rubbish: not enough, poor motility, high abnormalities. No great surprise as he has smoked for nearly thirty years and likes a drink or five. BUT I am wondering: could this possibly have a bearing on the mcs - are we conceiving unhealthy embryos due to poor quality sperm?

Hoping for some enlightenment, as I'm wondering what the prospects of the current pg are....

OP posts:
Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:33

And am really not contemplating changing dh, crap sperm or no crap sperm

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Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:32

Sorry - previous remark about levity not really aimed at you - was an x-post!

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Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:31

Thanks chocolate!

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whomovedmychocolate · 03/06/2008 14:30

I'm not going to criticise because you do get to the point where you look at your partner and think 'hang on a second...I'm the one going through the majority of the hardship here and you aren't helping getting pissed'

I do understand your view on that - but you kind of have to accept people as they are. He's probably been the way he has for a while now. Is it worth changing husband to get one with different faults? Probably not.

There is a book called 'Zita West's Guide to getting pregnant ' which has a lot of info about sperm health and lifestyles for conception.

Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:25

And for what it's worth when you've been ttc a healthy baby for three years, a little disrespectful levity is essential for maintaining your sanity, imho.

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whomovedmychocolate · 03/06/2008 14:25

No. Actually the opposite is true, the most potent sperm are the ones that make the trip safely the rest die on the way mostly. It's very unlikely that crap sperm caused your miscarriages.

The other thing to say is that sperm quality can improve. DH had high volumes but low semen levels - so lots of swimmers but no pool to swim in. They need it for food and to protect them from the cells that the vagina keeps specially for killing invaders (yep I know sounds a bit like star wars - and it is).

Too much alcohol and fags won't help, but quite honestly, I'd say that there would be a lot less kids in the world if this is all it took to stop conception!

But if you both looked at your lifestyle, perhaps you'd get further anyway. Or in any case you'd both feel better.

BTW, we were told we couldn't possibly conceive without IVF, we both have problems - I'm 32 weeks with my second baby and have had two miscarriages. Luck of the draw I say!

Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:21

But seriously, dh is philosophical about his poor quality sperm given his lifestyle choices and the fact he has managed to get me pregnant five times.

But I do really want to know whether poor quality sperm make poor quality embryos - does anyone know the answer?

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Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:17

Thanks - I was feeling a bit glum but you've cheered me right up!!!

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Seashell71 · 03/06/2008 14:11

mmh, it's a bit disrespectful to call your dh's sperm "crap" and "rubbish" imo. Sorry but I had to tell you!

Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 13:57

bump

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