Artificial Insemination

[LindsayS]

Hi ladies

Anyone got to this stage and can tell me their story?

Not at the IVF stage yet, just artificial insemination.

My husband's white blood cells are killing his sperm, and I've been given Clomid to encourage ovulation. Been on that for 3 months, but I know that it's a waste of time because of my husband's situation.

Any chance we can skip another 3 months of Clomid, then the wait, before we move onto AI?

All stories (good or bad) would be welcomed...

Thanks

Lindsay x

Hi Gilly

Thank you - very useful indeed. I was told about 4 times (after 4 sets of bloods) that I wasn't ov'ing, but then the appt when they gave me the Clomid prescription, I was told I was... However I've since found out that I was borderline ov'ingon some occasions, but since taking the Clomid have ov'd every time. So Clomid works for me.

I'm going to miss this next cycle as the Clomid made my period come earlier and earlier, so my gynae appt (Wednesday) is too late for me to take the tablets this time.

My dh is similar to your dh's - low motility though (but it was ages ago when they told us, and I have learnt loads since - could possibly be more than motility). He's had prednisolone (steriods), and we're in the window of when they should have some effect now - his sperm test is on Wednesday, and the results on 08/08.

I appreciate that IUI is more basic than IVF, but I strongly (I don't know why though!) believe that if the sperm can just be put in the right place at the right time, we at least have a chance.. At the moment, no chance at all..

We've been trying for 20 months, and because of dh's age (42), we were referred after 12 months. We don't want to wait anymore for IUI, and tbh, will be 'giving up' if it doesn't look like we'll be moving onto the next stage soon. I say that because it's really made our life different trying for a baby for so long - to the point where we just want to be us again, and enjoy each other and married life. Don't want the upset that we get every month now.. I know that I can focus on other things, so I think now would be a good time to draw a line under everything if we can't make quicker progress... Feel a bit like a quitter, but it's for our own sanity..

Thanks

I conceived on the 2nd attempt at IUI. In my situation it was me that was sub-fertile and I had had several courses of clomid. At the fertility centre I attended they used alternate day injections (sorry can't remember the name of the drug) to help me to produce the ova, then one injection 36 hoours before the procedure to make me release the ova. On the day, my husband produced a sample which was washed and prepared as already said and then put inside my uterus. I was 38yrs at the time and had been trying to conceive for years.

Hi LindsayS

Was wondering how you found out it was your DHs white blood cells that were killing his sperm? Was he tested for this as part of the general tests they run when you get referred to the infertility clinic? Or was there something that made them suspect this could be causing the issue?

I ask because my DH has been diagnosed with a zero sperm count. We have our first appointment on the 31st, and I'm wondering what questions I should be asking them / tests I should be asking them to perform.

Glasto xxx