New To Board

cpolmanteer829

Hello, I'm new to the board, and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Chelsea, I'm 26. My DH is 35. My DH and I have been TTC for a little over a year. We just got a little better understanding on what's going on. Which has definitely been helpful with the whole ordeal. DH's first SA showed a count of 2 million, our RE sent us to their lab to have another one done, just to be safe. The second SA showed a count of 5 million with what our RE called good motility. I don't know whether it was my nerves or just feeling overwhelmed, I didn't ask him to go further into depth with it, but definitely realizing that with my next consult I need to ask our RE to explain it with a little better detail. He's starting me on Clomid with my next cycle and suggested an IUI or doing IVF with ICSI. My DH and I have agreed to try IUI and go from there. I really look forward to reading more about your stories, they've helped me to remember why we're pushing forward, and that I'm not alone in all of this. 

halips

Welcome @cpolmanteer829 ! Best of luck in this journey!

bbkidz

Welcome, prayers for you!

wifeinraleigh28

Welcome to our community!  We're also dealing with MFI and have tried 2 IUIs so far that were unsuccessful.  While it didn't work for us, I've met some other ladies on here who were successful with IUI with very low sperm counts.  I hope you have luck with it!!  If not, IVF is wonderful for couples like us.  We're now moving on to IVF and I'm just so thankful that it's an option.  Best of luck to you!

LittleSap92014

Hi there! I'm new too, and also dealing with MFI.  We've been TTC #1 since September 2014, and just recently found out my husband has a very low sperm count.  He's only done one SA, which showed his count at 1.7 million -- my OB/GYN said 20 million is normal.  We have our initial consultation at the fertility clinic on April 4th and I cannot wait.  I'm in the process of getting onto my husband's insurance which takes effect the end of May .. and we are extremely blessed that it covers IVF 100%.  In the meantime, I'm hoping to get started right away and give IUI a shot while we wait on his insurance, because mine currently covers it. 

Do doctors recommend a minimum sperm count number pre-wash in order to do IUI? I'm trying to be hopeful, but 1.7 just seems so low to me.

cpolmanteer829

Thank you so much! I spoke to our RE today, and we got the green light for IUI, so we'll be doing that with my April cycle. @wifeinraleigh28 when are you starting IVF? I figured IUI was at least worth a try. I was slightly discouraged by the success rates, but am going to go into it with positive thoughts.
@littlesap92104 that is so awesome that your insurance covers IVF 100% My RE didn't say whether there was a specific number that they look for, just as long as his sperm make it through the wash, we're set to go. But he did say that his motility was high enough where it gives us a 5-10% chance. Which seems low compared to IVF, but way higher than attempting naturally. I'd definitely give IUI a shot, because if there's any chance that it will work, it'd be worth it. 

LittleSap92014

That's right @cpolmanteer829 stay positive! As I've seen others say .. it only takes ONE! :-) Do you mind if I ask if your RE had you do any tests or anything to make sure you didn't have any issues as well?  I'm just curious what I may be in for since it's a MFI with us as well.

cpolmanteer829

I did an HSG with this cycle, and my RE had me come in for an US before ovulation to see how my follicles were doing. Which I actually ovulated late this cycle so my follicle was at a 10, but I ended up ovulating about a week later. My RE is starting me on Clomid in April though and I'm getting blood work done on day 3. Our RE said that he believes it's a sperm problem, which the IUI may help with. I hope your RE gives you the green light to try IUI, 

LittleSap92014

I hope so too.  I'm trying so hard to be patient.  I know some others have been trying for years and years, I don't know how they do it.  I'm so anxious about getting started and it's only been 1 and a half years of trying for us.  Thank you for sharing your experiences with me -- it gives me a little insight about what I may be doing in the future.  I'm really hoping this works out for you.

cpolmanteer829

I know what you mean. I'm such a patient person and I've almost lost my patience several times. And we've only been trying since December of 2014. It's really cool that we've been trying for close to the same amount of time and are both experiencing MFI. Definitely a reminder that we aren't the only ones going through it. 

LittleSap92014

Oh for sure.  Sometimes it does definitely feel that way.  I have a few real close friends I discuss it with .. but its so different to talk to someone that's been through it and understands.  Sometimes I feel absolutely CRAZY -- and maybe this just me and I actually AM crazy.. but when I see pregnancy announcements, or pregnant girls, or even women interacting with their children it kills me.  A girl at work just announced her pregnancy, and she said "it's about time, we've been trying for 6 months".  On one hand I am truly happy for her because I'm sure growing a family is an amazing feeling, but on the other hand I'm crazy jealous and want to slap her for saying "it's about time, its been 6 months". UGH.

cpolmanteer829

People who don't understand what it's like seem to be huge into saying "just relax and it'll happen". You cannot relax infertility away. I wish it worked like that, that'd be wonderful. You're not crazy. I get like that too. I love kids, always have. I get so excited for people who are expecting. It just makes it a little harder for you when you're giving it everything you've got trying to get there. When you're younger, you do everything in your power to avoid getting pregnant, who would have thought it'd be this difficult. 

LittleSap92014

I know .. isn't that crazy?  Never thought I'd be in this position -- but so excited to do something about it! How soon after you saw your RE and decided to move forward were you actually able to?

cpolmanteer829

Me either. But it's relieving after all of this time trying to have a better understanding of why we haven't been able to get PG. I had my initial consultation with my RE on March 8th, my HSG on March 9th, US on March 17th, my DH had his second SA on the 21st to make sure that the count was correct on the first SA. We had our second consultation with our RE on the 22nd to go over the results of everything. I called our RE today to let them know that I want to go forward with trying IUI and they said we could do it on this coming cycle.

LittleSap92014

That's SO great.. I'm so happy for you!!

cpolmanteer829

Thank you!

wifeinraleigh28

@cpolmanteer829 - I'm currently undergoing testing to see if I qualify for the Megaset Trial.  We don't have any insurance coverage for IVF so qualifying for this trial (which would cover almost all of it) would be a huge relief!  The requirements for the trial are that your AMH is 5 or higher, BMI 30 or less, that you're between the ages of 21-35, and have regular menstrual cycles (23-45 days long I think).  I meet all of those but there are other labs you need to pass that I don't know all the details of.  If I qualify for the trial, it looks like my egg retrieval and transfer will be at the end of April or early May.  If I don't qualify, the timeline will probably change a little but not by much. 

@LittleSap92014 - My RE said that the minimum sperm requirement for IUI is 1 million sperm post wash.  The washing process eliminates sperm that aren't moving and aren't shaped right.  Because my husband has low motility and morphology, his total sperm count of 51 million was decreased to 9 million post wash.  For IUI to have a 20% chance of success, they say you need a post wash count to be around 20 million.  Even with normal sperm, IUI doesn't have the best odds, but like I said I've met women on here who were successful with around 1 million sperm post wash.  It can definitely happen!

cpolmanteer829

I think it's amazing that they have trials and grants to help people conceive who wouldn't be able to without them. It definitely relieves a little bit of the stress that can come with infertility. I hope you qualify! 

wifeinraleigh28

I agree!!  There are a couple different ones, but the one that my clinic participates in is comparing two medications for ovarian stimulation (Menopur and Gonal-F).  Both are already widely used for both IUIs and IVF so I won't feel like a guinea pig!  The study is just trying to see if one results in more live births with IVF than the other.

cpolmanteer829

That's even better! We have three grants we can apply for. Our insurance only covers tests, no treatment. Which, I'm still extremely grateful for. But our RE is way cheaper than most, which is great. My DH doesn't want to ask for assistance with paying for it, so hopefully IUI works. When will you find out if you qualify for the trial?

wifeinraleigh28

@cpolmanteer829, hopefully soon!  Right now I'm waiting for my period to start (which should be any day now... I don't think I've ever wanted it to start so badly!) so that I can go in on CD3 for labs.  If my labs show appropriate levels for the trial, then I'll sign consents and do another blood draw to be sent to the trial so they can verify my AMH level (apparently they don't trust AMH results from other labs, lol).  The nurse I talked to at my clinic said that I should know if I qualify within 1-2 weeks after my CD3 labs are done.  If I qualify, then I can start injections on day 2 or 3 of my NEXT period, with egg retrieval 9ish days after that.  Really hoping I qualify for this trial, as it will save us around $17k.

I guess you're also waiting for you period so you can start clomid?  I feel like all I'm ever doing is waiting!

LittleSap92014

@wifeinraleigh28 thank you so much for that info.  Those numbers are kind of scary.  Your DH going from 51 million to 9 million -- that's a huge difference! With mine starting out at 1.7 million, it doesn't look like we'd be a good candidate for IUI.  I guess time will tell. My fingers are crossed for the trial to work in your favor! That's excellent!

cpolmanteer829

I'm kind of excited for AF to start so we can get going with IUI. But at the same time, really hope she doesn't rear her ugly head. ;-) I still have about a week and a half. Hopefully all your labs come back great. FX!

meli123k

@cpolmanteer829 I'm new here too, and this was my first cycle with Clomid and IUI. IUI was Thurs, so now I'm in the dreaded tww. Good luck and fingers crossed for you!

cpolmanteer829

FX that you get your BFP! :-D 

wifeinraleigh28

@LittleSap92014 - You never know!  If your DH's numbers are 1.7M but good motility you could be above the 1 million mark for IUI.  We have a normal count but unfortunately poor motility and morphology.  It's the total motile sperm count that matters, not the total count!