First R.E. Appointment. IVF only recommendation.

musicsmysoul · January 2015

Hi ladies,

Just had my first R.E. appointment and while I thought I'd find a bit of relief after it, I'm just kind of numb right now. My husband has low sperm count (5-6 million with 30% motility, no forward progression) so I knew IVF was going to be her recommendation, but I didn't think it would be our ONLY one. Did anyone else find this when they had a consult? She never really bluntly came out and said "this is it" but when I asked about IUI, etc, she said no way it would work w/ our counts. She said IVF was her choice.

I really liked her and the clinic, but am wondering does she just want to make $ and that's why she ONLY wants to do IVF? I didn't get the impression that we would be just another # there, but my negative self is left wondering.

I also found it odd that she didn't seem to care about my ovulation or lack thereof. Is it because with IVF, they control everything and there's no point in looking into it further if my husband is the main problem? She ordered a saline sonohysterogram (not HSG.. interesting), ultrasound on day 3 of period and bloodwork and we'll go from there.

emmuffy · January 2015

Welcome. Sorry the news at the appointment was hard to hear. If you're unsure about the recommendation of moving straight to IVF, seek out a second opinion. There's nothing wrong with this, even if you liked the first RE and even if your gut is telling you IVF is likely where you're heading. You may want to compare different clinics' approaches, protocols, costs, success rates, etc.

musicsmysoul · January 2015

Thank you, ladies. It was a shell shock to only have ONE option, yeah. But at the same time, maybe she's saving us heart ache and time down the road by being honest.

What irritates me is that my husband is just like "well can't we wait and see?" He still seems to think that if he makes enough lifestyle changes and pops enough vitamins, then he can raise his sperm count enough. But how much longer do I want to wait? It's annoying... I think he's afraid to take the big leap. Her saying that my age is still "young" (I'll be 30 in 2 months) doesn't help my argument with him.

They are also doing a more indepth semen analysis and she recommended a few fertility urologists (my husband's current one doesnt specialize in that), so I guess we have our work cut out for us! Maybe his next test will come back a lot higher and then IUI could be an option. Grasping for straws, but whatever.

LoveActually55 · January 2015

My RE wanted to go straight to IVF too, and it was def a shock to me. We are in the midst of a 2nd opinion. (I see new RE Monday)

BunnyBerry · January 2015

Where the SA numbers are now, the post-wash numbers would be so low and/or with such low motility that our RE would not go forward with IUI.

But, has YH seen a urologist? There are things that can often be done to improve counts and motility over a period of a few (or many) months, especially if they find a clear explanation like low T or a varicocele.

Even though I've been dying to just move on to the better success rates of IVF for a long time now, when the RE finally brought it up as our best option, I felt shocked and tearful. It's just so different when it feels real, and it's not what most of us dream of when we imagine expanding our families with children.

DH took a long time to be in a place where he admitted that IVF is needed. It took at least 8-9 months of treatments before he was ready to give up. I know if IVF was our only option at the beginning, I wouldn't have been able to convince him to just jump right in right away. I think it's normal to hope for another option.

Good luck, perhaps a second opinion and a urologist visit will help both of you come to a decision on how to move forward that you're both comfortable with.

Remylove1011 · January 2015

Like PP's said it sounds like from current counts there would not be enough post wash or an IUI (they like to have 5 million). We're also dealing with MFI and the counts were the only reason they recommended IUI first. I don't think the recommend IVF as a money maker, but I totally understand why'd that woul dbe in the back of your mind. If you're feeling unsure, as PP's said it does not hurt anything to get second opinion.

It's good to do the repeat SA to double check and bloodwork to help inform treatment. If you do decide to go the treatment route before going with IVF it will take about 3 months for any treatment to work (whether supplements or clomid). It does push back the start of trying but could possibly give you moe options. If you come to the MFI check-in you'll see lots of people's H's ave gone through treatment, some with success and some without.

musicsmysoul · January 2015

Remylove1011 said:

Like PP's said it sounds like from current counts there would not be enough post wash or an IUI (they like to have 5 million). We're also dealing with MFI and the counts were the only reason they recommended IUI first. I don't think the recommend IVF as a money maker, but I totally understand why'd that woul dbe in the back of your mind. If you're feeling unsure, as PP's said it does not hurt anything to get second opinion.

It's good to do the repeat SA to double check and bloodwork to help inform treatment. If you do decide to go the treatment route before going with IVF it will take about 3 months for any treatment to work (whether supplements or clomid). It does push back the start of trying but could possibly give you moe options. If you come to the MFI check-in you'll see lots of people's H's ave gone through treatment, some with success and some without.

Haha thank you for the laugh... too funny. It's SO easy for men to just want to wait and wait and wait. They are clueless.

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First R.E. Appointment. IVF only recommendation.

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