Follistim+IUI with SA results? Help?

[Megg33k]

So, we're starting our 1st IUI cycle and just got OH's SA results back.

Concentration = 24.3mil/mL (>20 considered good)
Motility = 34% (>50% considered good)
Morphology = 5% (>4% considered good)

He said the sample was "good to fair" and there were 33.2mil motile sperm.

But he also talked like he wasn't sure it was a good enough sample to use for IUI. Are we screwed? Like... Am I wasting my time and money on this? I don't understand why he said it was a pretty good sample but then sounded like it was useless to us.

I went from 100% hopeful to 100% hopeless in minutes. I feel like crying or vomiting or something... but nothing is happening now. I think I've run totally out of tears.

Please... Anyone who can shed some light? I would appreciate it so much. I feel like my world is crumbling around me.

 

[Megg33k]

Additional info:

I'm trying to rationalize. Most labs want the sample to be done 2-3 days after the last ejaculation. Their lab says 2-5 days. I've read that there can be more that aren't motile after the 3rd day... He ejaculated last on Sunday morning at ~3am, and then not again until Thursday (today) morning at ~8am. That's a solid 4 days + 5 hours. Maybe they'd have been better at 2-3 days?

 

[MarsMaiden]

hi Megg! The rates of success for IUI are better the better the sperm sample. I am not sure what the minimum recommendations are for motility and morphology but I think they will only go ahead with counts over 5 million (even that being said I know of one lady here who got pregnant on IUI with a 3.5mil count). It sounds like your count isnt too bad and so there is still a good chance of there being plenty of healthy swimmers to work with!

If there is a slight mf issue then waiting too long to give the sample would definitely work against you as the sperm start dying off after two to three days so that could be why the motility and morphology were low. You could ask for another SA with a better window or otherwise they will normally do another test after 3 months (it takes that long for new sperm to be made).

 

[Megg33k]

Thank you! They said they didn't really intend to repeat the test, because we're starting now-ish. I mean, if it doesn't work out, then maybe they'll repeat the test. But, I think they're just hoping that the next sample will be a little better.

I really appreciate the info!

 

[mercyme]

That's total crap. You have a great shot with those numbers & IUI. Obviously there are no guarantees, but that count is about as good as it gets for the basic odds. Even a perfectly healthy fertile couple only has a 20% each month to get pregnant.

 

[Megg33k]

Oh good!!! The person who talked like chances were slim was NOT the fertility specialist. He was the... uhm... sperm count guy? I don't know what he was precisely! But, he wasn't the doctor. I'm glad its not as bleak as he made it sound! I was a lil for a bit...