Sperm Check

Sat Jan 12, 2013 3:19 pm

So I have been spotting, but AF hasn't arrived w/all her luggage to stay for a bit, so I'm still optomistic, but I wanted to check into this.

Have any of your SOs used this newish product? If you have, what has been your experience?

We've only been TTC for 3 cycles, but seem to be timing BD at the right times/frequencies and my chart is showing ovulation. I do have a short LP (which I'm trying to fix w/B6 and Progesterone).

Just trying to rule one more thing out. I asked DH and he said he would be willing to try. He asked if I wanted to wait until we went to the Dr. on the 21st and I said I would like to have this information with us when we go (IF I'm not pregnant already - FX!).

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com

Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:51 pm

First, I hope all of this info is useless to you because you get your BFP in the next couple of days!!

I went through most of my huge fertility obstacles before you joined this board, but my DH has infertility, and 3 doctors ended up telling us the only way we could get a take home baby was IVF... so I thought I would share a little info: We never used this test. We got a Rx for a semen analysis from my doctor as a routine check because we were struggling to conceive. A medical semen analysis in an office will check for exact count. This can range from 0 to well over 100,000,000. The home test only tests to see if it is over 20,000,000. 20M is just within the normal range, but it is still pretty low. My doctor said it take 50,000,000 sperm to fertilize one egg! The test performed by professionals will also check motility, morphology, concentration, semen volume, and vitality. All of these things are vital to fertilization and survival of an embryo. It's not just about the count. The semen analysis was $300 for us, but insurance covered it so it went toward DH's deductible. Have you called your insurance company to see what, if any, fertility treatments are covered? Some companies say that they don't cover anything, but they will actually pay for HSG, hormone bloodwork, maybe even a sperm analysis.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/home-sperm-test/AN02181

I hope you get to change your appointment to a pregnancy confirmation appointment!
I'm sorry if my message sounds weird. I typed and retyped it 15 times, but my brain is feeling mushy today, so it's not wating to communicate effectively.

Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:06 pm

I forgot to add at the end, if your DH is willing to do this test, I would suggest doing it soon to rule out any issues with him. Any male issues, if they are treatable, will take 90 days to take effect. The sperm life cycle preparing for ejaculation is over 70 days, so if DH needs surgery or hormones to boost his count, you won't see any results for 90 days. With women, results are a lot faster because meds take effect for the cycle in which you take them.

All this being said, you are only at month 3. It takes fertile couples 3-6 months to conceive. I am keeping my fingers crossed that you and your DH are perfectly fertile, and you will have your BFP in the next few days or in the next cycle!! But, I wanted to share this info because I know you are one of "us" and we need all the info we can get!!!!!

Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:39 pm

Thanks, Kim! Your last sentence made me chuckle! I am one of "us"!

Okay, so first stop is insurance to see if it's covered and then Rx from my doctor will work? Or does he need to go to his doctor? I'm not really concerned about cost at this point, just want to know the results are okay (for peace of mind if nothing else). But good to know that it's not outrageous (if we do have to pay oop).

Still just spotting - not even enough for a pantyliner (nothing on it - tmi). But hoping and FX I get a BFaintP tomorrow morning (12DPO)!

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com

Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:01 pm

Definitely fingers crossed!!!! I'm so glad your spotting is so very minimal! As we saw with Kate a few days ago, very light spotting can definitely be implantation spotting.

My RE gave us the Rx at our first visit. I would guess that OBGYNs would give the Rx too.

Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:25 pm

My DH recently too this test. It was a little useless to me, but my OB suggested it because our insurance wouldn't cover a SA, and they are crazy pricey in Arizona. It was a little bit of a hassle to take with the BD restriction of at lest 2 days, and than the test it self. You have to collect, then wait, then stir, than add to a tube and shake and wait, and then add to the test and wait... over all, it took us a good 45 minutes from start to finish.

The reason I felt like it was useless was exactly what Kim wrote already. Sure, it told us he was above the "normal" range, but not by how much, or the mobility and other info that is even more important than just count. However, my doctor was happy with the results, and suggested trying to find an at-home test with a microscope to maybe take in office with her help. It also did help DH, because he was afraid of being sterile after a case of adult chicken pox.

Hope that my answer help a little. Oh, and in case you were curious, here's a link to the test that my doctor was talking about. Best of luck to you!

http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/spermtest.html

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/3ae834

5 Angels

Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:39 pm

Thank you so much for the information!!

I just had DH read your posts and he said, "Okay."

I'll check w/my doctor when we go IF we need to. So can they do it that day? He needs to not have ejaculated for 2 days (including that day or 2 days before)?

I also saw someone on FF mention that they had 3 tests - is that common? To do more than one?

You ladies are so great! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support and information!

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com

Sat Jan 12, 2013 7:20 pm

You are NOT going to need this because YOU are going to get a beautiful BFP soon!!!
I do think though that some Doctor's will not even entertain the though of infertility until you have tried at least 6 months. If you are under 30 (forgot your ages) not until a year without success.

but like I said- your not gonna need it!

_______________
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Sarah Emily 9/30/94
Isabella Brooklyn 5/12/08
Mariah Louise 10/26/09
Ethan Amir 6/9/11

Owner of http://www.makingmamasmilk.com
Delicious Organic Lactation Cookies to boost your supply

Sat Jan 12, 2013 7:26 pm

They cannot do it it that day. They probably can't do it at your office. We had to go to a lab that has the equipment to do it. They will set up a special appointment because the person who does the analysis has to do it immediately. Sperm begin to die at 45 minutes after ejaculation. Our lab was 45 minutes away. For the first test, DH took care of business in our garage before work and I quickly hopped in the car and drove up to the lab with the little cup sitting between my legs to keep it warm

When the results were bad, we thought it was from the time elapsed before analysis. Our doc knew better, but we had high hopes for a better second result. So, we repeated the test with him going to the special little room with the TV in the lab Surprisingly, he handled it well. I would have flipped if our roles were reversed! Results were only very slightly better, still approx. 5 million count with bad motility and bad morphology. If your lab is 30+ minutes away, I'd suggest just going there. If you're paying OOP, you don't want to have to repeat.

The person on FF may have had bad results, so they ordered a repeat. With my DH, he has had this test done 4-6 times in the last 8 months. That's only because we tried hormones for 3-4 months to try to boost his count. Didn't work/made him CRAZY!!! He quit the hormones when we started IVF. They only need "a few good men" if they are doing ICSI where they directly inject the best sperm into the egg.

Sometimes more info is bad for men! I'm scared I might scare your DH! Make sure he knows everything is probably A-OK with him!

Sat Jan 12, 2013 7:30 pm

I agree with Dori- you will not need this!!!! But, during my second IVF, I started researching adoption, even calling agencies, etc. I think it helps our minds to have a backup plan during all this waiting.

For the test, DH should BD 48-72 hours before the test I think.

Sat Jan 12, 2013 11:37 pm

Thanks!!!

Dori - I am 37 - will be 38 in March and DH will be 46 on the 16th. The Dr. has already agreed to an appointment because "we don't have time to waste". It's scheduled on the 21st (week from Monday).

BUT

I agree w/you ladies. FX and prayers that I don't need any of this information. Just need to keep my mind busy while I'm still waiting. (Thank you for understanding that and providing me with it to ease my mind!)

Still VERY light spotting and I'm peeing every 1 1/2 - 2 hours like clockwork.

Getting ready to spread some more progesterone and pray that tomorrow brings me 2 little pink lines. I'll take a faint one, just give me 2!

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com

Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:42 am

Your chart looks great!! Praying for a BFP!!!! With my first two PG (at home PG miraculously!) I got BFaintP at 18DPO and 14DPO.

Sun Jan 13, 2013 8:49 am

BlueEyed, I am soooo excited about your chart!! Peeing all the time is a good sign!! I've got my fingers crossed for you this morning!

Sun Jan 13, 2013 1:37 pm

Fxed for you! This is it for you I just know it! Prayers for you! : )

My Ovulation Chart

Sun Jan 13, 2013 4:50 pm

Well, ladies, AF showed up with all her luggage this afternoon. Pretty sure she's sticking around for a few days.

I'm sad, but not too bad. Glad that I made that dr. appointment and that I have progesterone to start earlier in the cycle this time!

Come on October bus! An anniversary baby will do just fine, thank you!

Can NOT express how much your support and words of affirmation (yeah, that's my love language if you know about those things) mean to me!

Sticking around for at least another 24 days or so.

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com

Sun Jan 13, 2013 5:06 pm

Grrrrrrr!!!! That witch stinks-I hate her

I'm so glad you made that appointment, and I'm glad you're feeling optimistic for an anniversary baby! That would be so perfect- plus that October bus is going to be awesome with everyone from this board on there!!!!

P.S. I am words of affirmation too!!!!!!!!

Sun Jan 13, 2013 5:17 pm

Kim - I can tell! You do a GREAT job affirming others.

Yes, I had a rough day Friday morning (thank you to everyone that helped me through that!), but keep thinking that we haven't tried for a long time and we are both healthy and we ARE going to have a baby.

I am also so glad I made (and the Dr. will see me) that appointment! I printed off my most current chart and will bring that along w/the calendar from 2012 where I kept track off all my cycles (although didn't temp). And my most recent biometrics from August. Can't think of anything else I should bring to that appointment. Can you??

October baby means getting to celebrate twice that I married the man that I love - once because of him and another because of the miracle of our baby. Bring it on!

Besides, I like DSquared's "little pumpkin" name.

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com

Sun Jan 13, 2013 6:29 pm

Sorry she showed but we will get our little pumpkin I have faith for both of us that name will fit our October babies perfectly!

My Ovulation Chart

Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:11 pm

Thanks! Excited for an October pumpkin!

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com