should we switch donors?

thiswillbe · May 2009

We're waiting on a call from the RE with his opinion, but I thought I'd check with all of the knowledgeable folks here while we're waiting to hear back.

Here are the stats from the only vial of this donor we've thawed/used so far:
Total motile: 12 million
Final mot.: 35%
Progression: 2

We have one more vial of this donor on ice at the RE's office. They like 2 vials on hand per IUI just in case something happens to one of them, so we need to buy at least one more vial before our next insem (in about 2 weeks).

Would you go back to the drawing board with stats like these?

Two*True · May 2009

I'm still learning about the last two categories. But I think total motile of 12 million is good. Don't most RE's consider anything over 10 million post-wash for an IUI good? Does your bank have certain guarantees?

thiswillbe · May 2009

Yeah, the RE's nurse said the "official" threshold is that they like to see motile counts of over 10 million, but she hesitated a bit when I asked if we should get more of this same donor. The guarantee from the bank (Fairfax) is 10 million, so the vial we used wasn't eligible for a refund or anything.

As for the other two, the nurse said they like to see progression of 3-4 and they like to see a final motility of 50% or better-- this donor (at least this vial) was a little low on both.

Two*True · May 2009

I'd use the vial you have on hand but not add another. If the office were to mess up and something happen with the first vial (besides making them pay for that), you're close enough you could probably get a second vial in time. That way you aren't wasting money already spent. Or if you do buy another one than maybe just combine them into one IUI so you aren't left with another vial to think about next month. Does that make sense?

thiswillbe · May 2009

Two*True:
Or if you do buy another one than maybe just combine them into one IUI so you aren't left with another vial to think about next month. Does that make sense?

I was thinking about this as a possibility (combining 2 vials), but more to increase the counts than to deal with the "leftovers" issue. But I think your point about having a "leftover" is a good one. (What would we do with an extra vial of a donor we've switched away from? Hmmm...)

Here is when I start to worry about the fact that this donor doesn't have any reported pregnancies...

Duchess1 · May 2009

The numbers aren't too bad. If you have a vial left use it up and if the cycle doesn't pan out switch. Sometimes a donor change makes a big difference. Try to use one with a reported pregnancy. Sending you lots of luck!

bluedaisyus · May 2009

poo, i had a reply all typed out and then my browser died. let's try again...

that's about what the total motile numbers were for our first donor--a little lower, but not much--and he had at least one positive pregnancy reported, but i have no idea what the final or progession was. our second donor had no reported pregnancies, but much higher counts--and it still took three tries and a med switch. i think i would probably use the one you have, but seriously talk about options if you have to try again. i don't think i would buy a second vial unless we were planning to double them up, but that's just me.

Want a personalized experience?

should we switch donors?

Re: should we switch donors?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards