So after 2 years of trying and a failed round of IVF, I appear to have got pregnant naturally. (Very very early days, but a line is a line hey). We have MFI (counts of 5-6m plus low motility) so I thought I might share some of the changes we made in case they help anyone in a similar position.
- Diet - my OH had suffered with terrible digestion for 18 years after having food poisoning. As a typical man, he just put up with it instead of seeing a doctor. In November we started to change his diet to a no gluten, low Fodmap one. It's pretty restrictive, but two months later at my egg collection his count had gone up to 12m.
- Supplements - I put my OH on these supplements from America called FH Pro for Men. They're pricey but have everything in them, and in very good quantities. I have also been taking the women's version - also v pricey but again amazing ingredients (pretty much everything mentioned in It Starts with the Egg) and in very good amounts.
- Timing - over my fertile period we did the deed every day. 4 days in a row was quite hard work by the end 😂 but apparently this approach is often more effective where there is MFI.
- Loose boxers - which my OH has hated, but you never know it might have been what made the difference!
Finally (feel free to ignore this if you're not of a religious persuasion):
- Prayer - the Verse of the Day that appeared on my phone just after my first BFP was Matthew 19:26 "in God all things are possible" 🙏
Still can't quite believe it's going to work out but it's another hurdle crossed. I hope some of these ideas might help someone else out there.