Life throws lots of curveballs.
Fortunately, this is a positive one.
Bryan and I had discussed and agreed to get more information on the Barbados IVF. I had just faxed a record release yesterday asking our local clinic to sent our records to Barbados so we could have our phone consult and decide for sure when we wanted to try to go. All the while, he has diligently been taking his hormones prescribed by his endocrinologist, but after 4 less than fabulous SA’s – I didn’t expect this one to go any better, and honestly, I don’t think Bryan did either.
His sperm count is normal.
Yeah, you read that right, NORMAL.
36 million with 70% motility.
Holy crap.
NOW WHAT?
After months of “IVF is your only option”, I’m not even sure what to do with myself. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited, but I am also tired of waiting. It seems absolutely silly to jump into IVF right now, but I think I still need a deadline. I unfortunately tend to fall into the more realistic pessimistic category, thinking still of my PCOS ovaries, my blocked tube, and the ever elusive “unexplained infertility”.
In this case, too much knowledge and the start of yet another new cycle has killed my ability to be positive or excited at this point.
So we’re at yet another fork in the road. Do we keep trying naturally for awhile? Do we try an IUI? At this point I feel more like “put a fork in me, I’m done”.
I think I’ll just use the fork to eat some pie. Maybe a whole one.
April 27th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Wow! That’s great news! I’d be curious to hear more about the hormones for your husband. My husband’s SA’s have been awful, where I think IVF is still the only way for us. After varicocele surgery and a handful a vitamins every day, we’re still not seeing huge improvements. So glad to read your news!
April 27th, 2012 at 10:04 am
I feel so retarded to be so disappointed right now even though its such great news. I’m guessing its just because I started AF today and that regardless of what our chances are, I always hope this might be it.
I can’t say exact doses at this point but I can find out if you want. He took HGC shots 3x a week for 2-3 months, and then his endo added FSH and LH, also 3x a week – at this point he has been doing the combination for about 3 months. He is to continue and has another followup SA in 6 weeks.
I need to pull myself out of this rut and appreciate the good news.
April 27th, 2012 at 10:07 am
We had similar news with the IUI we did last month. My husband had awful motility, the other counts were normal in two different SA last year. My gyn told me that we would have to use donor sperm to get pregnant. Fast forward to last month and everything is NORMAL. He has been taking a multivitamin but that’s it. Amazing.
That’s great news for you guys! Maybe start with an IUI first?
April 27th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Dh wants to wait another month at least. I just need to get my head out of the funk of yet another cycle so I can think more clearly about what to do. I know that if we do an IUI, I only one to do one. I don’t want to drain my savings in IUI’s.
April 27th, 2012 at 10:59 am
Its really good news! Im happy for you! Progress is good!!
April 27th, 2012 at 11:19 am
Have you tried to ‘fix’ your PCOS with metformin and Vitamin D? If that gets accomplished then you might end up needing no intervention at all.
Those PCOS fixes are essential even if you Do go for INVF anyway. Best of luck, so happy you got such good news!
April 27th, 2012 at 11:29 am
I do take metformin and A prenatal vitamin. I’ll have to check the vitamin d it has.. I do ovulate so I have that going for me
April 27th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
That is great news! My jaw dropped!
I can totally understand how confusing it all is now but at least now you have options. At least now you can maybe have a good shot at trying while waiting for the IVF process.
I’m stoked for you guys!
April 30th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
True and thanks!!
April 27th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
That’s great news on his SA!!! If you booked the IVF vacation for later in the summer and kept trying (maybe an IUI?) in the meantime, would you be able to get your money back from the Barbados people?
April 30th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
The current plan is to keep trying through the summer and if it doesn’t work, Barbados in the fall.
April 27th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Wow, congrats about the SA count! Thats fantastic.
Have you talked to your doctor about your chances with trying naturally for a bit? Would it make any difference with your PCOS? I know it sucks to think about putting it off , even for just a little bit, but you want to make sure that you are making the best of the large investment that you’re about to walk into. Sure it sucks but at least go through the list, check everything again and have some fun sex while you’re at it.
April 27th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Great news for the SA count! I can imagine you are feeling very relieved right now.
April 27th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Well with AF breathing down my neck I’m still disappointed about that but I’m sure in a few days I’ll be able to appreciate our chances more!
April 27th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
The problem with infertility is that even when you get good news, it’s almost as confusing as bad, because it adds to the dilemma called, “I want a baby now!” Hang in there. The sperm count is great new info. Any good news WILL work to your advantage!
April 27th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
you hit the nail right on the head. I have AF breathing down my neck right now too. I think once all that’s over I’ll be able to get more excited about our chances
April 27th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Is it weird that I’m a little jealous of your husband’s SA right now? This is awesome news! I know it’s hard to wait, but you weren’t planning on the Barbados thing until later in the summer anyway, right? So maybe a few more months of trying with good sperm and you ovulating will end up with a happy surprise! And if not, there’s always IUI.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Haha no, I totally get it.
I think what we are going to do is try naturally until my 30th birthday, which gives us four more cycles. If no dice, Barbados in the fall.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:09 am
Wow. that’s great news, must be a bit weird though when you have been gearing up and expecting to go with IVF as the next step. I would be confused too, you know what would save money though if you are willing to give it some time. Tricky.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Weird is exactly how it feels, and confusing. Currently the plan is to try naturally until I’m 30. That gives us four more natural cycles After that, all bets are off and I’m signing us up for a trip to Barbados
May 1st, 2012 at 8:00 am
Oooh, best of luck! I truly hope you can do it the old fashion way
I get if you are sceptical but there must be a better chance with the new results!
April 29th, 2012 at 4:28 am
Good luck in your path… I hope everything goes well for you!
April 29th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
This is amazing news!! But I do understand how confusing it must be! You think things are going one way and even though this is good news it’s confusing. What’s up with the Barbados IVF, I haven’t heard about that?!
I’m sorry I’ve fallen off the face of the earth again, things have been so crazy I don’t think I’ve blogged in a month. We’ve taken the last month to try and get some answers as to why we’ve had these two losses – a second opinion, a ton of bloodwork, hsg, acupuncture, upcoming endometrial biopsy… etc. It’s been informative and we’ve gotten some answers and ruled out some questions. We have two snowbabies from our last cycle so we want to try and answer everything we can before proceeding with an FET, hopefully in a few months.
I hope things are going ok for you guys, thank you for thinking of me and checking on me! I’ve met some pretty amazing girls through blogging and it’s helped me through some really dark places. Keep in touch, my email address in on my profile if there’s anything you ever need. The connections we make are an integral part of this journey.
Sending you love!! Lora
April 29th, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Glad to see you back again and glad you’re getting some answers. I actually got the Barbados idea from another blogger who is doing it this summer. That’s what we were planning to do until we got the latest news! If nothing happens naturally in a few months we will probably still pursue it. Keep in touch when you can!
April 30th, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Hi Friend! This is great news! Decisions decisions, good luck!
May 6th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
[...] We started out with zero sperm. Today we have 36 million. [...]
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