What’s the best problem they can find?

[EmbarrassingMama]

Backstory:
I have one DS with DH, who is 2.5yo. He was conceived naturally on my first cycle of TTC.

We have been trying to conceive for 13 months now (with OPKs, tracking all the obvious stuff) and got pregnant once in that time. Sadly the pregnancy was ectopic and we lost it at 7 weeks.

I have had all my bloods done (normal & I am ovulating), and we are now going to a fertility consultant privately. I had my AMH done this week (no result yet). DH has sperm analysis tomorrow and I have a scan, following which we will see the consultant.

My question is: what’s the best problem we could hear tomorrow? I know that being told everything is fine sounds the most irritating! So is there something that’s negative that’s “fixable”? E.g. low AMH, low sperm mobility/count? Is there anything I should be “hoping” to hear?

Really sorry if there’s anything upsetting or insensitive above, I’m feeling extremely anxious about the appointment.

Thanks.

@EmbarrassingMama

That's a really difficult one to be honest, and I think you might end up doing yourself more harm by trying to predict (I know it's such a hard thing to not do though).

Honestly it all really can vary. I don't think there is any 'best outcome' really. Perhaps not ovulating as you can take clomid and then ovulate but even then it's not guaranteed.
Sperm issues are difficult as they can't be sure they can be improved. You can try healthy diet/supplements though to try improve those.

We are 'unexplained' and were put straight to IVF.

@willithappen thanks for coming back to me. If we are unexplained will pursue IVF also.

Where are you in the process, if you don’t mind me asking?

I'm in a similar position in that my son is nearly 2.5, conceived 2nd cycle. We've had 15 cycles of trying and nothing.

All my results came back ok, but my husbands first semen analysis came back with low morphology. His 2nd analysis then came back with low morphology, although slightly improved, but also low count.

We've been told it still could happen naturally but as we are 37 and 44 we are starting our first IVF cycle in 3 weeks.

I read on this forum that a good bad result is sperm related as even if the results are low there are still millions of them, and it only takes 1.

Good luck.

@EmbarrassingMama
I'm with NHS and just waiting on my Jan period to come so I can call them and say 21 of that will be when I start northisterone and then the scans/injections. Looking like end of Feb for egg collection.

We initially went to GP in Oct 2019 so been a while for us because of the Covid cancellations. We were put on waiting list in April 2020 and got out top of the list appointment in Dec 2020

@embarrassingMama, did you have a tube removed for the ectopic?

@DoctorBambino thankfully no. It was dealt with via Expectant Management.

I'm getting a fibroid removed next week and hoping that's an easily solvable fertility issue. Oh also has 1% motility, but also a high sperm count.

Thanks everyone. Just waiting to go in now.

@Nichola2310 @CycleGirl20

I had the appointment yesterday. My AMH is 19.5 and my follicles look good (12 and 8). DH's semen analysis all fine other than motility was 3% not 4% (but the count was excellent and the other test was at 55% when they want 30%>, so all fine there).

The diagnosis was that my tubes are effed. Abrasions and adhesions as a result of the EMCS with my son. Devastating really, I knew I had no issues prior to his birth. That was the cause of my ectopic in the summer and I've been told to stop trying naturally because any subsequent pregnancy, if it happens, is highly likely to be ectopic also.

IVF is the answer and he's suggested ICSI also but said that we seem good candidates.

In some ways I'm glad to have an answer but it's quite shocking to know that the EMCS (which left me with PTSD) has caused infertility.

@embarrassingmama sorry to hear your news, it must be a real shock for you. On the positive side it sounds like hormonally etc you should respond well to ivf and at least have a clear plan moving forwards.

Was it a hycosy they did to diagnose the tubes? I also have had an ectopic, tube removed as ruptured, and am desperate to find out if my other tube is ok. Like you I've been trying for a year and nothing other than the ectopic. Feel like I'm further behind than when we started ttc!

Be aware that you can still have ectopic pregnancies after ivf. It would be a sensible idea to ask whether or not you might want to consider having them removed (without a 'stump' left behind) to avoid this risk...

Obviously, this isn't always necessary or advisable!!! Just wanted to let you know that the risk of ectopic is not removed by having ivf.

Thanks @physicskate. I will ask the question (id hate that to be honest, though I realise it’s sensible and an irrational moan). I have asked what to do in the meantime and the answer was to use BC just in case.

@EmbarrassingMama

Sorry to hear your news, but encouraging that you are a good candidate for IVF. My AMH is also 19.5 and I think my follicle count was about 22 so very similar results.

Have you heard of the Big Fat Negative podcast? One of the presenters on it had issues with her tubes too and knew that IVF was her only option. Her IVF was successful and she has 4 frozen embryos too so it might be worth a listen.

@Nichola2310 I haven’t heard of that but it sounds positive so I’ll give it a listen. Have you had a round of IVF yet?

@EmbarrassingMama I really liked the podcast and miss it now that I've listened to it all.

I'm currently on the pill, with my baseline scan on 27th Jan and egg collection w/c 8th feb. However I'm very nervous that covid will disrupt that.