Does your DH/DP have poor morphology? Encouragement here.....

[Treats]

DH and I have been ttc for about 15 months and went to the GP back in October. DH was sent for a sperm test, which came back showing that although he had a high count and good motility, he only had 2% morphology.

Since then DH has stopped drinking alcohol, started an exercise regime and taken all manner of vitamins. We're waiting for the results of his follow up test (done at the beginning of Jan) at our gynae appt in two weeks time.

But in the meantime I got a BFP! I can't say whether it's the result of his regime or whether one of the undamaged sperm finally sneaked through, but we have managed to conceive so I wanted you all to know that it can be done!

I'm only 4+3, so no idea if this is a sticker, but it feels like we've overcome a major hurdle. DH still wants to know the follow up results - I think he wants a gold star in his exercise book for being good! - and I'll post them here when we know. It won't prove conclusively that diet, vits, etc. can improve morphology but it should prove if it doesn't!

Hope this is encouraging to somebody. I know this is an issue for a lot of people. Good luck everyone!

Hi treats,

I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on your BFP - you must be delighted! I used to lurk on the old tempers thread (as I'm an intermittent temper myself) so really glad to hear your good news and am hoping this little bean sticks .

My DH has a low count, so thanks for giving hope to those of us with male factor issues!

Caitni x

Thanks Caitni - still really shocked tbh - the news hasn't quite sunk in yet. When you've been ttc for such a long time (although I know it's nothing compared to some), it's quite hard to accept that it's finally happened!

I was hoping some of the temping buddies might see this. Some of them graduated to the AC thread, and I thought it would be a bit insensitive to post about my BFP there.....

How are things for you?

TREATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations!!!!
So pleased for you!!!

I saw the title and thought I can post on that thread if they need another good news story, my DH had poor morph and we were successful! It wasn't until I went to post my reply that I realized it was you!!!

so so excited for you!!!!! You should come join us on the Wagon thread in the antenatal clubs!

Tell me the whole story {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Many congratulations! Your news has really given me hope. My DH was told his sperm count was poor following a SA, it's hard to remain positive after receiving news like that!

We've been TTC for around 16 months, already have one DS so we are v.v.fortunate to have him.

Can I ask what vitamins your husband took? All the best with your pregnancy .

don't want to steal Treats' thunder, but sumo we had same issue. DH's count and motility were fine, but his morph was about 6%. He took Marilyn Glenville's vitamins and pycogenol for only about 6 weeks and BFP! Not sure if that's what did it in the end, or the fact that I was super relaxed as I thought we were in for a 3 month wait to see any improvement at all and wasn't expecting it to happen IYSWIM? Good luck!

I know it must be hard to accept after so long trying but I hope you can relax and enjoy your news - you're pregnant! Your DH must be so happy/relieved too as I also know how hard it is on the menfolk when they're told their swimmers aren't gold medal standard .

Things grand for us - CD1 of cycle 18 ttc today and have my fertility appointment on Monday - so far all my results are fine (even my HSG), which makes DH feel even worse about his low sperm count, poor soul - so curious to know what the consultant says re next steps. But since we just moved back to London (am having the appointment back in Brighton) we're expecting to go private as don't know if I can face more months of waiting for a new NHS referal in London.

Still, we're still actively trying and your news gives me even more hope that it might still happen naturally for us

hi LBOT - Great to hear from you! I just saw a message from you on the Pregnancy board and was debating whether to crash it to tell you my news.

I got my BFP on Wednesday evening. My period was only just late. Thanks to my excessive temping and monitoring over the last few months, I knew exactly when it was due to start and started obsessing as soon as it was HOURS late....... I bought the Clearblue Digital on my way home but DH had to really cajole me to actually do the test. As soon as we found out we just screamed at each other for about five minutes (in a good way ) and then couldn't think what to say.......

I called the nurse at Guys yesterday to tell her and she said that if I still go for my follow up gynae appt on Feb 11, they'll do a scan instead - I'll be just 6 weeks then. It still hasn't sunk in! I haven't even thought about prams yet......

I'm so glad everything's going well for you! I've started posting on the due in October thread, but i'll check out the wagon too!

sumomum - we borrowed the Marilyn Glenville book from the library and followed her advice. DH pretty much took care of it, but I know he was taking L-Arginine, L-Carnitine, Pycogenol, Zinc and Selenium - to supplement a multivitamin. It was quite a lot! We got them all from Boots/Holland and Barrett though and they often have good 3 for 2 offers. Also they're higher strength than some of the male fertility pills you see. Hope that helps.

Hi Caitni - sorry to hear that AF has just got you, but at least you have your appt to look forward to. don't be too gloomy about the NHS in London. It took us about two months to get our initial appt but we were treated very well and they accelerate things once you're 'in the system'. Good luck .

Yes, definitely come visit us! It's a bit overwhelming at first because everyone seems to know one another so well, but I will take you under my wing And Ses is there too!

Wonderful story! I especially love the screaming part! Congratulations again to you and your DH! And now the worrying REALLY starts!

Also wanted to say DON'T PANIC if you don't see a heartbeat at your scan - 6 weeks is a really up in the air time and it may be too early.

sumo Also forgot to mention - the month we did conceive we really made an effort to have frequent sex throughout the month. Every two to three days regardless of whether or not it was ov time. There's a really great thread on fertilityzone.co.uk called Life in the Lab where a sperm expert can answer your questions. Lots of good stories on there. If you like that kind of thing

Sorry being nosey from the Wagon. LBOT put a link for Ses.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come join us in the Wagon!!

Hi Lottie
How are you?

Hi lottie - great to hear from you!! Thanks for your congratulations. It's gradually dawning on me that I'm FINALLY pregnant. You wouldn't have thought I'd be so shocked about it given that I've barely thought of anything else for the last 15 months!

I've been sneaking onto the AC thread a few times to see how you're getting on. I've got my fingers crossed for your next round of IVF and am pleased for you that you're feeling positive. And any baby dust that I now have has just been sprinkled all over you!! Very best wishes.....

Now, this is really encouraging: contratulations and thank you for thinking of those int he same boat as you were some weeks ago.
DH has just got back his second set of tests results and everything seems ok, but morphology is 1%. Will relate your story as at the moment he is feeling quite down, as can be expected...
Any advice on doctors, supplements, anything else? He is taking Wellman and Sanatogen baby pills for men (the grey ones in the his and hers pack) on alternate days and excercises almost daily...

sorry if this sounds really dumb guys but what is morphology?

DH already has a dd from prev relationship but she is in her teens now so cant be sure there isnt an underlying issue with his little swimmers, he is taking extra vitamens and suplements this month, i have just got him some wellman though.

Also will a gp just check his sperm or does it have to be a fertility specialist??

xxxx

Hi SuiGeneris - sorry to hear about your DH's test result. What does your doctor suggest is the next step? Our GP was useless when the results came back, but you should be able to demand a referral to a urologist to look for underlying issues. I've read in various places that giving up alcohol is the key thing and that any changes to lifestyle, diet etc., would usually take about 100 days to have an effect - which was certainly our experience. Hope things go well for you.

Wishing - hello again! Just replied to your other message about PreSeed. Morphology describes the shape of the sperm, so a low morphology indicates a high level of abnormality in the sperm - two heads or two tails or something like that. The official term for poor morphology is teratazoospermia (get me!)which actually means 'monster sperm'! The GP can refer your DH for a test, but if he's anything like ours he will have no idea what the results mean or what your next course of action should be! If you get referred to a fertility specialist, it might be better to get them to order the test as they'll know more about the results.

thanks treats, yeah i just posted back on that thread aasking you even more questions when i realised it was you!

dh wants to give vitamens etc a go first any recommendations??Xx