TTC first baby 1 year + thread 2

[Mrs71]

@KatBeCool @FlapJackered @Broodyaf @bunhead34 @RosettaR @MotherOfShihTzus @starkid @Lina365

I thought I'd start a new thread as the other one is full. Sorry if I've missed anyone out.

@FlapJackered I don't know! Reading about uterine polyps I do have some of the symptoms, like spotting after af and this month also after dtd. Apparently polyps can cause infertility. But then I did have a scan in June and it didn't spot anything, so maybe the polyp if it does exist is new. I think if there's no polyp we will crack on and maybe do the down regulation drugs over Christmas. If there is a polyp, then it depends on waiting times and then maybe allowing some time to try naturally once it's removed.

The clinic we are looking at is a Fertility Partnership clinic, very middle of the road I think, but they came across well at our appointment, they were very honest about the add-ons they offer like the EmbryoGlue and recommended we don't have any of them. They said I would need the highest dose of medication because of low AMH (anything under 15 gets you the highest dose). So I'm not sure if a more mild form will work for me.

Morning ladies, I'm out this month started spotting this morning which means for me shes on her way, the only silver lining is I've had a 29day cycle which is good for me.

DH got his SA results back and the dr said everything is normal and should have no problem conceiving naturally and to keep trying. However we asked for the results printed out and looking at each thing the morphology came back at 1% apparently 4% is normal; so to me this is low

Does anyone have any idea on SA results?

His were :

Volume - 5ml (above 1.5 is normal)

Ph - 8.6 (7.2 or more is normal)

Motility - 40% total motility and 64% combined progressive motility. ( 32% combined or more is normal)

Count - 40 million /ml (15 million is minimum of normal)
Total sperm number - 200million/ejaculate (39 million per ejaculate is normal)

Morphology - 1% normal forms (4% is normal)

Everything looks good except morphology but the doctor said that's fine given the high other scores? Taking NHS advice always worries me though, so any advice or experience in this would be greatly appreciated

Xxxx

So we had our appt today at the Fertility Clinic to discuss results and next steps. Basically, of the 3 sperm tests my husband has had over the last few months there has been some issue with all of them. Different issues (I.e. first one was morphology, 2nd was motility and count, 3rd was just motility) but they basically said our chances naturally are not great.

So, we have been referred for assisted conception - either icsi or icsi+ivf. Should be done with 18weeks which surprised me as I thought it would be a longer wait.

Mixed feelings. It's obviously great that they are taking us seriously and referring us on nhs with not too long to wait. However, I just feel so sad that it's unlikely to happen naturally (especially as I think we only get 1 free go at ivf??) which makes me feel a bit hopeless. I know I'm very lucky that I'm healthy which should give us a good chance, and should be grateful for the help, as I know some of you don't qualify or have too long a wait, but I'm just so sad at the moment 😥

@PineappleC I think it's natural to feel sad, I have days where I look at where we are and just feel so sad, the things we are having to do to get pregnant when other people just dtd. It feels so unfair. Other days I feel better and grateful for the things I do have like dh and the support to hopefully get through this. Hang in there.

@Maisy24 I don't have any experience, but I guess it kind of makes sense that if a lower % are a normal shape, but there are lots and lots of them, there might still be a good number of normal ones overall. I don't know though and on so many things you seem to get different answers from different places.

Thanks @RosettaR 😊 xx You're totally right, and a few years back I wouldn't have believed how many great things I have in my life today, so I feel really lucky. I just wasn't expecting them to say the chances naturally are so slim. I feel much better now I've had a good cry, and will throw myself into it again soon 😊xx

@maisy24 I also don't have much experience, but my husband's first test was fairly similar, and they weren't as concerned about morphology then because everything else looked good, so that sounds quite consistent!

@PineappleC @RosettaR thanks both, yeah does seem to be consistent that it is the least important one. Who knows I'm sick of all this fertility stuff, why is it so hard for us  yet it seems like everyone else can get pregnant at the drop of a hat.

@PineappleC 18 weeks is amazing, keep thinking positive (I know it's hard sometimes). Try and think of the positive things in your life like @RosettaR said , and maybe try booking a few things over the next few months to look forward to and take your mind off it. Also don't think of it as 1 go. It's your first go and you have lots in your favour for it to work. It's One step at a time with this journey.

Xxx

Gah! I think I missed ovulation. 😩
I assumed it would be delayed after the surgery, as the tiniest upset normally delays it for me. But my temperature is high and no sign of even a slightly darker line on opk.
I am frustrated even though I wasn't really feeling up for sex after the op as we only have three shots naturally at it before we have agreed to do ivf. Now it is only 2. 👎🏻

@Maisy24 my DH has 2% morphology but a good count, he also has another issue with antibodies. The nhs consultant we saw is not worried, but I am. All tests have come up fine for me so it must be his results that are the problem. I am going to a seminar from a Male infertility expert so I will let you know if he has any clarification on it all.

@PineappleC I am sorry it has come to ivf for you. Very frustrating, I am in a similar boat i have been trying to look at it as an end to ttc which I have found so hard. That is great it is not too long to wait for you.

@Maisy24 just saw your comment on the other thread. Antisperm antibodies are not always tested but come up as ASA or MAR test % if they are. Some clinics don't bother with it. It's where at some point blood has come into contact with the sperm due to trauma or an operation and the body then sees the sperm as an invader and the immune system tries to kill them off. They then clump together and are not any use for making babies. My consultant barely looked at DHs result except to say it was ok, as I got pregnant in January, but Dr Google and MN has told me anything over 40% gives you under 1% chance of conceiving naturally. It is hard to know though as you can find whatever answer you're looking for online. We are debating going to a urologist to get an expert opinion on the morphology side and the ASAs so I update the other thread if I find out anything new.

@PineappleC - now you've got a plan I reckon book yourself in for some nice trips/treats the next few weeks like @Maisy24 said
@FlapJackered - sorry you've possibly missed this month, although annoying was probably a good month to have off fort your bodies sake with the op xx

I weirdly think AF is on its way today - had sore boobs last few days, hyper/restlessness yesterday which I usually get the day before AF, and now this morning have sore stomach like it's about to begin... But I'm only on cd24!!!😣 🧐

@FlapJackered ah thanks so much for letting me know, they mustn't have tested for that as I can't see it anywhere. He has never had an operation or anything so hopefully he doesn't have it. We are giving it another 3 months and then going back to the doctors for a referral. I have been reading about morphology and it says drinking can lower this and also hot baths. As we have no kids we do go out drinking quite a fair bit so we are both going to stop that as much as possible and then also my DH has around 5 boiling hot baths a week! So he has swapped to showers. Hoping this will help with the morphology.

@starkid fingers crossed for you that it isn't AF and just a symptom!

@maisy24 Definitely stop the hot baths, my DH was the same and he constantly complains now he hasn't had a bath in years!

@broodyaf How are you doing with the ivf?
I have been trying to work out Reprofit's pricing! Did you have to pay for your medication separately?

Hey @FlapJackered
Yes you pay for medication separately... they send you a prescription and u just price about for the cheapest. Most people go to Asda or fertility2u
Reprofit has a pricelist on their website x

AF is due roughly 2nd November, so I'll be starting my meds the day after 🙏

Thanks @broodyaf that is so exciting! Not long to go!
Do you mind me asking how much the drugs cost in total? I am trying to decide between going to ABC in the UK or reprofit but just trying to work out the price difference between the two.

What type of cycle would you be going for? Is it a regular OE IVF cycle and how much is ABC?
It totally depends on your protocol - I was given a very simple protocol (I am high risk OHSS) and the drugs would have cost me £600 (but a couple of people donated me a few bits so brought the cost down)

Thanks @broodyaf that isn't too bad. I would be going for minimal stimulation IVF. ABC is £3,600 for ICSI and they do minimal stimulation too but that includes everything including all meds.
There aren't many reviews on ABC as it is relatively new and it is also the travel to take into account. The reviews are just so good for Reprofit. Tricky one!

Min stim with Reprofit is €1250 excluding drugs

Have you looked at the £2500 package on ABC?

@broodyaf we would need ICSI because our problem is male factor, which is £3,600 with ABC.
I worked out it will be around €1450 for ICSI min stim with Reprofit + travel etc comes out at about £3000 in total.
Did you consider ABC?

No because travel to London and accommodation is so dear, plus I'm 37, so by the time they'd have their tests all completed I'd be racing against the clock before my 38th birthday

Accommodation and travel to Brno is so cheap ... defo worth while u looking into, plus they're so quick. I filled in my questionnaire on 30th August and had my protocol 1st October

Thanks @Broodyaf - that is quick! Have you started the injections yet? How are you finding it?

@FlapJackered AF is due roughly 2nd Nov so I should be startin injections roughly 3rd Nov 🙌
Can't wait to get the balm rolling

Have you had IVF before? This is my 1st round so I'm like a rabbit in headlights 🙈😂

@broodyaf that is soon! When do you go out to Brno?
It will be my first round too. It is quite overwhelming, but also exciting to have an end to the aimless ttc naturally.

Should be heading over roughly 12th November... CD10/11, for EC probably CD12, ET 5 days later

Are you doin the same as me and going private while you wait for NHS or do u not qualify for a free round on NHS?

@Broodyaf our consultation won't refer us for IVF because I had a miscarriage in January, he doesn't accept there is a problem despite my DHs results showing there is about a 1% chance of us conceiving naturally. We are due to go back to him in 6 months time, but 6 months plus how ever long the NHS waiting list is, is just too long. I will lose my mind! We will have been trying for 2 years and I think that is long enough to have been trying for.

Have you waited to book flights and hotel until AF starts?