IVF freeze backup sperm?

kaseycoco

Hi all, I'm starting my first IVF cycle and my nurse called today to ask if we wanted to freeze a backup sample of DH's sperm. She said this was in case he couldn't produce sperm for some reason the day of retrieval. He hasn't had a problem producing a sample in the past, but of course her question planted the seed of doubt. It's an extra cost to freeze and I'm wondering if it's really necessary. Have any of you done this? Would you suggest it? Looking for advice and/or experience with this. Thanks and happy Friday!

Isthisthereallife

@kaseycoco I would 100% recommend doing it. While the issue didn't come up during our IVF cycle, during one of our IUI cycles, we had to cancel on the day of because my DH got food poisoning and it killed his motility. I'm not sure if that would be the case for everyone as we already have MFI. But that was our situation. During IVF, you spend so much time and money that for me, the risk just wasn't worth it. Not to mention my clinic only charged $150 to freeze a sample. Pennies in comparison to what a whole cycle costs. I hope that helps and good luck!

rainbowwishes5

We did it! $300 though. But they keep it for a year so there's that.

liljoy-2

Ugh, I have ER this weekend and didn't do this (although I asked my RE about it because DH had a fever). Ughhh, now I have one more thing to worry about, great. DH is prone to having issues (mostly psychological) with the deed so eeeek

hibiscus118

We did it since we have MFI issues and the urologist suggested as an "insurance policy" it in case the sample was bad that day.  I didn't even think of all the other reasons like people have already listed!  Ours was $500 though! 

[Deleted User]

*lurker*  We are not quite at ivf yet, but it's looming on the horizon for us.  We would be freezing any samples they get through TESE bc we would rather have that just in case, than have to have donor backup.  Totally worth ANY price, imho. ;)

JuliaGoolia719

We are doing it, DH actually went in yesterday to do it.  We have some MFI issues and the Dr said he recommends it for a variety of reasons, in case the day of sample isn't good, or enough (they're anticipating I respond very well to the meds bc of PCOS and that there may be a lot of eggs), but he also said he recommends it bc anything can happen that might impact the day of sample.

LadyMillil

We are doing it. DH had no problem with IUI samples but I'd rather have some frozen sperm just in case something happens that day like he was sick. With the amount of money we are paying for IVF the extra $300 to ensure we have sperm on ER day is worth it to me.

kaseycoco

Thanks everyone! We are going to do it. You guys made me realize that you never know when something unpredictable can happen, so it's better to be prepared. I think it costs $300 for us but at least we will have the peace of mind that we have all our bases covered. 

JESSABER0414

@kaseycoco
I think that's wise, too. We did it with MFI, but also because of the issues that the others mentioned. I would have been devastated if something happened that day, illness, bad sample etc. So it seemed like an easier decision. I can't remember how much it was but since we got 12 embryos (from day of ER sample) I mentioned to my husband the other day about not needing it. He reminded me it was a one time fee and it's being kept anyway. So, it's still on ice for emergency.

kaseycoco

@JESSABER0414 you're right, it's good to have even if we don't end up needing it for this cycle

Hopeful_mom

glad to see you're doing it.  You don't think things come up however I had a cancelled IUI as My OHs mom needed emergency surgery and I had a funeral same day.  Like I didn't think that was bad enough and at that time begged OH to give a sample and he didn't listen as lightening cant strike 2x.  My first IVF ER his daughter had to be rushed to the hospital, so there went that whole procedure.  So now I have 2 samples frozen and in time will be doing a 3rd as one isn't as strong as I would like.  The expense sucks but doesn't all of this, and i spent more on all the meds through the wasted cycles then i did on the frozen sample....know you have one thing done to help u relax - best of luck!

kaseycoco

@hopefulmom I'm sorry you had such bad luck. It's true you NEVER know what can happen! Wishing you the best of luck too.

sugarhead-2

We also have sperm frozen just in case. Our urologist recommended it and it does seem pragmatic 

-Sugar

NandJ4Ever

I would do it to be on the safe side. You can always disgard it later if no longer needed so you don't have to continue to pay storage fees. Worse case scenario if no sperm is frozen and he cannot produce a sample they can always do sperm aspiration with a needle into the testicle. So there are emergency ways to get sperm but aspiration will cost much more as in $1,000-$2,000. 

KLake42

I agree that it's a good idea.  I've heard a couple stories of IVF cycles failing because the guy couldn't perform under that sort of pressure. 

I mean, I probably couldn't either-- go in an awkward closet, knowing that if you fail, that's $20k down the drain?  That would not get me in the mood. 

kaseycoco

Ouch, aspiration sounds painful! I'm glad we ended up freezing the sample to take some of the pressure off. 

[Deleted User]

@kaseycoco. TESE is performed under general anesthesia, or a cord block.