Early 30's TTC #1

[Missnikki]

Hi, missnicki. You're in good company here. I'm 32 and have been trying since June, too. I honestly thought we'd be pregnant by August of last year, and yet here we are. I'll piggy-back on SM's question...have you had any testing done? Any blood tests or anything?

Afm, the doc's office is officially closed now, and no one called me. I guess I have to wait ANOTHER day to see if the are good. The only hope I have is that the doc doesn't walk out at 5, but checks his messages and makes phone calls after the office is closed. I know I'm grabbing for straw here, though. It's just so rude to not call, especially with info like that. It's make or break info!

Hi Rosababy,
Sounds like you are exactly in the same boat as me! How frustrating! I have had no tests as of yet but next month I am going to the Doc's to see what is what. Think I have just been putting it off.
I'm so glad I've found this site. Thanks for replying to me

 

[hopefulmama2b]

Nikki- I hope you get some answers next month at the doctor...better yet- I hope you don't need to see him because you get lucky! So I read a news article that was naming different placed and gas prices- is gas really $8 a gallon in the UK??? I'll have to look up the conversion...

 

[mrsmax]

Doc called. Dh has 80 million Holy crap! That's 4 times the amount as normal!
However, his motility was on the lower side of average, only 30% and the morpholity or morphology or something (shape) was only 7%, which is very low. He did say that the most important was the count, and since he has SO many sperm, that it counterbalances the low shape %. He said at this time, continue with the clomid for 4 more months, and if we're not pregnant by then, dh will get another sperm analysis. Whew. Not perfect news, but could have been worse. I feel better just knowing, though. My dh will like the 80 million!

Yay - that is great!! My Dh had the same for morpholity and morphology and I was worried, but like you, DH had such a good count (175mill!!) that they said it was fine to have lower percents for the other two things. I did some investigating on the web (as I wasn't convinced) but it is true. Founds a great website where you could insert the results and it told you how many good ones there were go. Sooo pleased for you.

 

[mrsmax]

Hi, missnicki. You're in good company here. I'm 32 and have been trying since June, too. I honestly thought we'd be pregnant by August of last year, and yet here we are. I'll piggy-back on SM's question...have you had any testing done? Any blood tests or anything?

Afm, the doc's office is officially closed now, and no one called me. I guess I have to wait ANOTHER day to see if the are good. The only hope I have is that the doc doesn't walk out at 5, but checks his messages and makes phone calls after the office is closed. I know I'm grabbing for straw here, though. It's just so rude to not call, especially with info like that. It's make or break info!

Hi Rosababy,
Sounds like you are exactly in the same boat as me! How frustrating! I have had no tests as of yet but next month I am going to the Doc's to see what is what. Think I have just been putting it off.
I'm so glad I've found this site. Thanks for replying to me

HI Nikki - I've been trying since june too. I have had most tests done with my GP - (I am 34 so I pushed for them to be done). I have now been referred to the fertility clinic and have an appointment next week. Althouhg I am frustarted by the wait, I am actually beginning to relaise that fo rmany people it does take a year or so. Have recently spoken to a couple of work collegues and they took 10 months and 12 months to conceive. All is not lost!!

This is a great site and a really good thread.

How old are you by the way? I just found out that we will not qualify for free IVF as you have to have been trying for 3 years and be under 35

 

[mrsmax]

Oh my gosh- I just have to tell you guys- I've been google-ing Royal Jelly tonight to read the benefits (which I may try! Sounds good for healthy eggs, which I so desire!)...Anyway....a girl I went to high school with popped up on a different forum! I read her siggy and couldn't believe it- I don't know her too much- we graduated 12 years ago! But I knew she had twins and I remember people saying, "she always said she didn't want kids I can't believe she was "lucky" enough to get twins." and on and on. Always talking negatively about her. Well according to her siggy she's had unexplained infertility since '08. Went through several rounds of clomid, 2 rounds of IUI, one ectoptic with tubal rupture and then finally an IUI resulting in TWINS! It's just amazing how we don't know people's stories and that people's lives aren't always how they appear on the outside. It will make me think twice about saying how "lucky" someone is in the future.

Sorry about 3 posts in a row - but umnless I do it like this I forget what i wanted tosay!!

I tried Royal Jelly for 2 months - but not sure if to keep going with it as it is soo expensive here. However, it is supposed to be a miracle drug!!

 

[Crumbs]

Welcome to our little corner, Missnikki!

Oh my gosh- I just have to tell you guys- I've been google-ing Royal Jelly tonight to read the benefits (which I may try! Sounds good for healthy eggs, which I so desire!)...Anyway....a girl I went to high school with popped up on a different forum! I read her siggy and couldn't believe it- I don't know her too much- we graduated 12 years ago! But I knew she had twins and I remember people saying, "she always said she didn't want kids I can't believe she was "lucky" enough to get twins." and on and on. Always talking negatively about her. Well according to her siggy she's had unexplained infertility since '08. Went through several rounds of clomid, 2 rounds of IUI, one ectoptic with tubal rupture and then finally an IUI resulting in TWINS! It's just amazing how we don't know people's stories and that people's lives aren't always how they appear on the outside. It will make me think twice about saying how "lucky" someone is in the future.

Thanks for sharing that story hopefulymama! As for the royal jelly, I've also read how about it. Have you looked into honey? I've been battling a flu and cold this past winter and have been taking some hot water with honey and wanted to see if it was TTC friendly. I've read so many benefits even with fertility and continued taking it since - especially during Feb since hubby got me sick with the cold. I'm convinced it's what caused my 5 days of EWCM this past cycle! Last time I remember seeing that much EWCM I was in my teens just starting college! I haven't done anything else different except for the honey and I only take multi-vitamins equivalent to Pre-natals so it has to be it!

I didn't see a difference right away but after having honey + hot water or honey + warm milk about 5 times a week for the last 2 months, it's done wonders for my EWCM. It's pretty cheap as well!

 

[Crumbs]

Doc called. Dh has 80 million Holy crap! That's 4 times the amount as normal!
However, his motility was on the lower side of average, only 30% and the morpholity or morphology or something (shape) was only 7%, which is very low. He did say that the most important was the count, and since he has SO many sperm, that it counterbalances the low shape %. He said at this time, continue with the clomid for 4 more months, and if we're not pregnant by then, dh will get another sperm analysis. Whew. Not perfect news, but could have been worse. I feel better just knowing, though. My dh will like the 80 million!

Yay! Glad to hear the good news!

 

[rosababy]

Thanks, ladies. I'm actually feeling kind of down about the news. I was happy until I got home and saw how disappointed and demasculated my dh was. That sent me soaring downhill, and I haven't stopped crying since. Like literally. I am literally crying while I write this and have been all morning. I have no idea how I am going to teach. I'm actually starting to think it's the clomid making me emotional, because this is ridiculous.

Thank for reassuring me...mrs max, what website did you find? I could sure use some more reassurance, because I'm feeling like I've lost all hope.

 

[hopefulmama2b]

The Royal Jelly I ordered comes mixed with honey I believe. It was $19.50, but after shipping and tax I think it was around $26. I hear it lasts for one month if you take a teaspoon twice a day. I think if I like it I will get it from Vitamin Shoppe or Whole Foods so I don't have to pay shipping. I'll let you guys know how it goes!

I took a FRER today and it was positive, damn thing....so the wait goes on, but I figure trying to increase my egg quality in the mean time won't hurt.

 

[hopefulmama2b]

Rosa

 

[Crumbs]

Thanks, ladies. I'm actually feeling kind of down about the news. I was happy until I got home and saw how disappointed and demasculated my dh was. That sent me soaring downhill, and I haven't stopped crying since. Like literally. I am literally crying while I write this and have been all morning. I have no idea how I am going to teach. I'm actually starting to think it's the clomid making me emotional, because this is ridiculous.

Thank for reassuring me...mrs max, what website did you find? I could sure use some more reassurance, because I'm feeling like I've lost all hope.

Sweetie, I would be thrilled to have those results, hubby would be too! Like SMFirst said, most men are below their "normal" quota because of how stringent they count. 80 million - that's a whole lotta swimmers! Maybe your DH is just stuck on the morph numbers and if you get him to read into the real averages, (for instance, that fertility doc's from NYC claims it's really about it's 2 - 6%), he might feel a lot better!

 

[Crumbs]

Rosababy, here's a quote from the link that SMFirst posted:

"So over the past 20 years, the andrologists have been getting pickier and pickier, and now a man is lucky if his morphology is over 5%, and almost everyone is less than 14%."

I hope you and your DH feel better soon. Try not to worry too much, we all have those days, you're not alone.

 

[rosababy]

Sweetie, I would be thrilled to have those results, hubby would be too! Like SMFirst said, most men are below their "normal" quota because of how stringent they count. 80 million - that's a whole lotta swimmers! Maybe your DH is just stuck on the morph numbers and if you get him to read into the real averages, (for instance, that fertility doc's from NYC claims it's really about it's 2 - 6%), he might feel a lot better!

Thank you, friend. You're right. And my doc did say that the count was the most important thing to look at, morphology being the least. Doc said he was not worried about the numbers. I just think we were shocked...he's healthy, young, takes vitamins, works out, doesn't smoke, etc. So, we assumed my progesterone was the only problem.

Rosababy, here's a quote from the link that SMFirst posted:

"So over the past 20 years, the andrologists have been getting pickier and pickier, and now a man is lucky if his morphology is over 5%, and almost everyone is less than 14%."

I hope you and your DH feel better soon. Try not to worry too much, we all have those days, you're not alone.

And thank you for reminding me about what Susan said. That helps. I'll relay that info to my dh.

We were talking about how we really need to manage our stress levels, as it is obviously affecting both of us physically. I said haha I know stress is bad, blah blah blah and he was like yes, but we need to DO something about it now. Massages, acupuncture, yoga everyday...any other ideas?

Thank you for the support, ladies. I honestly think this is the "miracle drug" clomid working its evil magic on me...it sucks.

 

[SMFirst]

aww Rosa - don't feel sad. You DH's SA results are good, not bad!!

Certainly it's not something to worry about, although that is encouraging that your husband is willing to try other things to manage stress and improve your chances..

Now that spring is here (mostly) can you get out on walks together? - talking and a little exercise is good for stress..

I'd say definitely get him on vitamins (my DH won't take them) and perhaps look into accupuncture.

It must be the Clomid making you emotional.


AFM - I think (hope) AF is going to arrive today or tomorrow - I saw a little bit of brownish stuff on the TP earlier.. So this cycle was a little screwy but I'm excited for this next cycle..

 

[rosababy]

Thanks, SM. The clomid is making me wacko this month. I miss the hot flashes! We both exercise regularly and walk the dog everyday (although we take turns and rarely go together). He does take a multi-vitamin and has been on Maca for 2 or 3 months now. I am wondering if that's why he has such a high count...it's supposed to be good for that. We need to get AWAY together, but spring break is the only opportunity we have, and it's still 3 weeks away!

I'm glad you're almost ready to start your new cycle! I hope this one is the lucky one for you.

 

[Soleil Breeze]

Rosa, I understand why you were (are?) down about the results. My DH's were 84 mill, 39% motile and 4% morphology. I've been convinced that our not getting pregnant has something to do with that (in combination with my weird ass spotting, of course). I dunno. I was just really hoping that they would be faster. If they're slow pokes...well, whatever. I've got the clomid. I start on Saturday. Whether or not I get the IUI is all going to depend on when I get the + OPK. I have a huge exam that I have to pass, and if the +OPK falls the day before the exam, then I definitely won't be getting the IUI this cycle. [I really wasn't planning on it anyway]. I am a bit worried, but excited, too, about the clomid.

Can't remember who have the info. about the EWCM, but thanks! I hear clomid dries up the CM, so I'll look into the honey stuff and leave the maca for this cycle.

Cycle 20; insanity.

 

[rosababy]

Rosa, I understand why you were (are?) down about the results. My DH's were 84 mill, 39% motile and 4% morphology. I've been convinced that our not getting pregnant has something to do with that (in combination with my weird ass spotting, of course). I dunno. I was just really hoping that they would be faster. If they're slow pokes...well, whatever. I've got the clomid. I start on Saturday. Whether or not I get the IUI is all going to depend on when I get the + OPK. I have a huge exam that I have to pass, and if the +OPK falls the day before the exam, then I definitely won't be getting the IUI this cycle. [I really wasn't planning on it anyway]. I am a bit worried, but excited, too, about the clomid.

Can't remember who have the info. about the EWCM, but thanks! I hear clomid dries up the CM, so I'll look into the honey stuff and leave the maca for this cycle.

Cycle 20; insanity.

Cycle 20. You poor thing, that's so long. I hope the clomid does it's magic with you sooner than later. Our dh's stats are about the same. I'm still not thrilled, I guess because we both assumed the only problem was my progesterone. Who would have thought a normal, healthy guy would have not perfect sperm? Oh well. It only takes one.

Don't worry about the clomid. My first cycle, I had mad hot flashes in the middle of the night (took clomid with dinner) and some random little cramps throughout the entire cycle. My LP was longer by a day. This cycle, it appears that it's affecting my emotions. But that's about it so far. Definitely dried up my ewcm. That kind of sucks. Make great eggs and then make the tunnel impossible for the sperm to get through!

What is the honey for again? I'll have to go back and read the previous posts...

 

[finallyready]

ROSA Remember....it only takes 1!

 

[arianne]

Rosa, I think I said this already, but doctors don't seem to care about morphology. I was also devastated when I got my dh results because his morphology was sooo low! but then when I went to see my doctor she told me that the most important thing is the motile sperm (count x motility) which needs to be above 20 millions.
I also thought my dh will have perfect sperm, as he is so healthy, but then I learned that there is no such thing as "good" morphology... at the moment he has 96 motile sperm! that is all it matters, if I would multiply it by his morphology (6%) he will only have 5M! and that is what I did before I went to see my doc and was soo down!
Your hubby has about 24 motile sperm, so above the limit!! don't worry at all! And ask him to keep taking the maca, my dh improved his count big time after just 2 months of maca!

oh! and don't try to find reasons why you are not falling pg.... I have learned that there doesn't have to be something wrong as the reason why there is no pregnancy.... I know so many couples who I thought they would have trouble conceiving (very unhealthy lifestyles, way older than us, etc) and they conceived the first month!!!.... I think it's just luck, or as you told me a while back, god knows when will be the right time for us...

Tomorrow is my hsg!! I am excited but nervous at the same time!!! This will be the last fert test I need to do, and I wish it will happen soon after that... they say that you are 3 times more likely to conceive in the next 3 cycles after the hsg, and 2 times more likely the next 3 cycles... so I really hope it happens within the next 6 months so that I dont have to do the IUI which is what my doc told me that the next step will be

hugs to all

 

[mrsmax]

Rosa - i will google the website and then post it. It will make you feel so much better. I honestly believe your results are good.

Arianne - really good look with the HSG - please report back. I have a fertility appointment next week and they said that will be my first test. Def gona improve your chances I think

Did a HPT this morning and convinced myself that I saw the faintest of faint lines. Began to get excited, but now I think it is my mind playing tricks on me. Still, was a really exciting 5 minutes!!

Happy Friday everyone (Or sat if you are in Oz)