another day, another SA...

farmerlynda

Well, our SA numbers came in from the male fertility specialist.  We figured it was worth a try to get one from this clinic because they do a really detailed analysis, more detailed than than the local RE's, and it might give us some insight into what's going on in those tricky balls of MH's...

MH has had probably a dozen SAs over the past 6 years, so here's one more to add to the long list!

Current numbers:

Volume: 4mL

Millions per mL:  1.3

Motility:  40%

Strict Kruger Morph:  15%

Total motile 2.6 million.

No agglutination or viscosity, and liquefaction normal.  It's incredibly frustrating that all of his numbers are great -- except for the most important one, the count.  Everything else is in the normal range, but he's just not making enough of them, so there's no critical mass to get to the egg.

Anyway, with this kind of number, I can't imagine that our 2nd opinion RE tomorrow will say anything other than IVF/ICSI.  Right? 

MsGMChick

Wow, darlin! Those numbers are great- except for count. Hmm.. With everything else being so good, have you ever considered freezing some and doing an IUI?? Our IF uro really hit on men with good morphs having excellent chances and his thought was over 10%- you have 15%! 

That's my only thought. Good luck with the new RE!  

limpetfan

I think you might hear that IVF will give you the best chance of success, but depending on the RE's philosophy, they might be willing to let you try an IUI since all the other numbers are so good. 

Try to focus on the positive -- it sounds like the sperm he's got are perfect and healthy!

 

eponine7682

limpetfan:

I think you might hear that IVF will give you the best chance of success, but depending on the RE's philosophy, they might be willing to let you try an IUI since all the other numbers are so good. 

Try to focus on the positive -- it sounds like the sperm he's got are perfect and healthy!

 

This! Although it's frustrating that we waited to do IVF for a while, I am glad I gave IUI a chance. It really does feel good to know that we tried everything we could.

farmerlynda

eponine7682:

limpetfan:

I think you might hear that IVF will give you the best chance of success, but depending on the RE's philosophy, they might be willing to let you try an IUI since all the other numbers are so good. 

Try to focus on the positive -- it sounds like the sperm he's got are perfect and healthy!

 

This! Although it's frustrating that we waited to do IVF for a while, I am glad I gave IUI a chance. It really does feel good to know that we tried everything we could.

Thanks for the feedback!  I guess I'll have to see what the doc says tomorrow   It's a little frustrating because the last RE said no-absolutely not-no way when we inquired about IUI, which we really wanted to do at first.   But now IUI feels kind of like going backwards -- and we have a relatively narrow treatment window (December - April) based on our farming schedule.   

tgreenf

I dont have any input on what the docs will say, but just wanted to say that I am sorry you are so frustrated!  Praying that they will let you do an IUI and it will be a success!!

machole513

I agree w/pps, it would be nice if they would let you try IUI..but good luck eitehr way..I know how hard MFI is..I feel like its so much harder to get better results(and takes longer) If my DH doesnt have any positive chnages in 3 months we were told we would move on to IVF..but my doctor is letting us try IUI for now..even though out last one was cancled bc of the sample Good luck with your next appt!

pulga131

Good luck with the next RE appointment. I agree with others, try to focus on the positive since the rest of the numbers look so good. Hopefully they will come up with a great plan for you! FX!

kz's_girlygirl

Aside from count, everything else really does look great!  If the RE is hopeful, and you and YH want to try IUI before IVF, I would say give it a shot. 

If the RE isn't optimistic about it, maybe it would be better to stay on the current plan of doing IVF in the coming months. Especially since you are limited as to when you can do treatment cycles, it might be a better use of time and money to go with what has the best chance? 

Just my 2 cents, and I hope you have great luck with whatever you decide!!

sbrowns08

Hey Lynda- Sorry about the count

A few things to consider tomorrow: Ask your RE what grade the motility was (1-4). If it's a 3 or higher, you'll have a better chance of getting good numbers out of a freeze. MH always had below grade three, so we would only get a few million after the wash of like, 100 million and 35ish% motility. 

Good luck and update when you can!

steff13914

I may be in the minority here when I say that I don't think IUI is your best bet. We've just completed our 4th IUI with post wash numbers ranging from 2.5 to 7.4 million, with the first three being BFNs. The one we did Friday will most likely be a BFN and had 4.3 mil. The success rates of IUI with less than 10 million motile sperm are very low. If you can do IVF, I'd go straight to it to save yourself the heartache.

ukcats27

I'm not sure what the doctor will suggest but I am very curious to know.  Just wanted to wish you luck at your appointment!

farmerlynda

sbrowns08:

Hey Lynda- Sorry about the count

A few things to consider tomorrow: Ask your RE what grade the motility was (1-4). If it's a 3 or higher, you'll have a better chance of getting good numbers out of a freeze. MH always had below grade three, so we would only get a few million after the wash of like, 100 million and 35ish% motility. 

Good luck and update when you can!

I looked at the sheet and it looks like the forward movement was graded a 2.  (I'd never gotten that info before, that's totally new to me.)  It says the normal reference range is 2-4, but since we're on the low end maybe IUI is out after all.  Still, I will specifically discuss that with the RE.

Thanks so much for the info, sbrowns!

sbrowns08

farmerlynda:

sbrowns08:

Hey Lynda- Sorry about the count

A few things to consider tomorrow: Ask your RE what grade the motility was (1-4). If it's a 3 or higher, you'll have a better chance of getting good numbers out of a freeze. MH always had below grade three, so we would only get a few million after the wash of like, 100 million and 35ish% motility. 

Good luck and update when you can!

I looked at the sheet and it looks like the forward movement was graded a 2.  (I'd never gotten that info before, that's totally new to me.)  It says the normal reference range is 2-4, but since we're on the low end maybe IUI is out after all.  Still, I will specifically discuss that with the RE.

Thanks so much for the info, sbrowns!

Hm, yeah grade 2 are generally not forward moving. Great for IVF w/ ICSI but not so great for IUI. Of course this is just our experience and it could totally work for you!