New to 3T

EmilieT10 · August 2014

Hi. I'm new to the board. My DH and I have been married 4 years, started TTC on year 3 and after several months with no luck (& a few months off for our sanity)

I scheduled an appt. with my OB/GYN. He referred me immediately to an RE to get testing started and save us time & $$$ (insurance covering 0% so OOP on all testing/procedures). My OB & RE are confident I'm ovulating normally as I have a normal 28 day cyc. and + OPK's on day 13/14. Hubby's SA showed counts of 13 & 31 on SAs. Motility at 37% & morph at 0% on both. I also had an HSG which was all clear. RE ordered bloodwork on hubby for hormone levels and was examined by Dr for any male area probs. Currently waiting on bloodwork results. RE suggested we decide on IUI vs. IVF. He recommends IVF but said he is willing to try one cycle IUI with Follistim & pregnyl if we would like. Not sure which to do. Obviously not wanting to waste $ on one IUI cycle if IVF would be best bet. What are your experiences/advice? I'm honestly feeling a little overwhelmed with the IF treatment process and amount of information I've read. Also, hoping to connect with ladies going through the process. As much as I love my gf's and their support, no one seems to understand unless they are going through it. Looking forward to any advice you all may have.

MrsLolaSky · August 2014

Welcome to the board! We seem to be in similar situations facing similar decisions. My DH also has 0% morph (as well as low count and low motility), and we are unsure whether IUI makes sense though our RE is also willing to do one.

My DH's hormone and genetic tests all came back normal, but the urologist put him on clomiphene for 3 months to see if anything improves. He's also taking a bunch of vitamins. We're considering doing a varicocelectomy surgery since the urologist did find one varicocele, but we've heard mixed things about these surgeries. Given how low his everything is, we're not even sure that a successful surgery will move us into the fertile zone.

But I guess we've decided that we needed a little more time before we move to IVF-ICSI (and ICSI will also be the type recommended for you given the morph issue). If we were older, then I would probably move to IVF right away. This decision might change as we get more information (we confirmed the MFI in June), but that's where we are now.

I'm here if you ever need to talk. MFI is difficult… I've been there, hoping each cycle is the one because the ovulation was perfect, the timing exact, and the signs all there, only to see BFN after BFN. In fact, I just got AF this morning, ending our latest effort. I used to cry on these days, but ever since we got the diagnosis and some part of my mind finally realized that TI was a huge long shot for us despite our best efforts, I've been handling it better.

Good luck to you! This board is wonderful.

adejde · August 2014

Welcome! I'm new here as well, DH also had a not-so-great SA. I hope your stay is short! Best of luck on whatever you decide to pursue

BTW, oh how I wish insurance covered more for infertility! I know it's frustrating dishing out money on something that may or may not work.

BunnyBerry · August 2014

Welcome, sorry you find yourself here. I second PP's, with 0% morph even IVF can be tough. A urologist could try to get to the bottom of it and hopefully a treatment can give him some morph to work with!

denisongirl2007 · August 2014

Welcome! Sending you lots of light and love on your journey.

shirleymaeby · August 2014

I don't have any advice either but wanted to welcome you to the board and wish you luck on your journey.

Hollowvic · August 2014

Welcome, I'm in a very similar situation (dealing with severe MFI). I am also starting to consider IVF. That being said, I would get your husband to a Urologist. I wish we would have done that sooner. We are totally OOP also.

catlover790 · August 2014

I'm sorry you have to be here and for everything you are dealing with, but you will find lots of support here! We are also OOP so I understand the added stress that brings. I hope you are able to get more answers and a treatment plan soon. Welcome and good luck with everything!

Pintobean39 · August 2014

Welcome to the board. Sorry I have no advice on your situation, but I'm OOP too and it sucks!

EmilieT10 · August 2014

Wow! Thanks to you all for the welcomes, advice, and well wishes! At least if I'm here, it's in good company. We did get DH's hormone results yesterday and all was good on his levels. He came home for lunch with a bag of vitamins.

I suggested the urologist appt to him and he seemed a little hesitant, but agreed to go if it could potentially help us. We did notify the RE office yesterday that we are wanting to do IVF-ICSI over IUI (given the morph issue). There's a waiting list so we are tentatively scheduled for end of Nov. Going to be hard to stay patient until then but hoping the next 3 1/2 months will give us time to visit a urologist and continue preparing mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. (However prepared you can really ever be?) So glad to have found you all and best of luck to each of you!

MBJune · August 2014

Welcome to the board. I have no advice but I am sorry that you find yourself here. I'm glad your husband is on board with seeing a urologist and that you have a plan!

JericaLH · August 2014

Welcome to 3T! Sorry you have to be here and I hope your stay is short and sweet.

I'll just start by saying your OB was great in referring you to a RE right off the bat. DH & I wasted a lot of time trying meds with my OB and are currently waiting for our first RE apt. Also, I completely understand about your gfs not really "getting it." IF is definitely something you have to experience firsthand. Though I wouldn't wish this experience on my worst enemy!

Good luck and I hope the IUI does the trick!