Fertility Treatment advice please

[littledarling]

Hello :wave:
I just wanted to get some advice about when to see fertility specialist. We have been ttc #1 for 9 months without success. We found out DH has low sperm count. 2 tests said he had 5 million, and one test a bit more (with moderate motility). I have done BT that showed that I was ovulating, and all signs indicate that things are ok with me. Will a FS see us if it hasn't been 1 year? Will they put me through lots of other tests (like laproscopy?- I really don't want that!) Does anyone know the cost of IUI? And do you have to take medications when doing IUI even if your cycle is normal? I'm a bit aprehensive about taking meds and stuff to boost my cycle if everything's already normal with me, but at the same time I don't want this to take forever! Any advice and/or stories of your experience would be very much apreciated. Thank you so much :yes:

[nicoleE]

I have not had IUI however i would definately recommend getting a referral to a FS, they will definately see you if your DH has a sperm issue.
I see Repromed in Adelaide and on their web site they have IUIs initial cost at $880, and cost after Medicare Rebate $176.

There is a run down of what generally happens here http://www.repromed.com.au/article.php?articleID=75&content=4&page_num=0


Good Luck :fingerscrossed:

[littledarling]

Thank you so much for the link nicole, that was great!

[ziggyzena]

Hi little darling, i have been trying for nine months too. i have booked into see a gyno/ob tomorrow, although dh has a good sperm test, but apparently my tubes are blocked, was preg nine months ago but had m/c. So i really now how you feel, frustrating isn't it...I was told last night that ivf costs about $7000 but medicare gives you back $6000. So i am not too sure. Will ask the gyno tomorrow, so i can fill you in if you like. Hang in there you will get there!

[littledarling]

thanks ziggyzena! It is tough, but we are definately not alone, there are plenty of us out there. How did you know your tubes were blocked?

Let me know how you go tomorrow.

[leomeo]

The "one year of TTC before seeing FS" is not set in stone, it is just a general guideline, and as NicoleE said, because they have identified a sperm issue, you shouldn't have any drama. From memory, I think the guideline is: 1 year TTC without luck, or over 35 or if the patient is anxious (!). I went after only a few months (a good few years ago - women's intuition!) and I had no problems getting a referral or seeing a FS.

Good luck to you both. It really is amazing what they do with IUI and selecting the best spermies for the job - they can even withdraw sperm from the testes in cases where the sperm count is zero, with pretty good success, so I am sure you will do great. :hugs:

[littledarling]

thank you leomeo!:hugs:

[littledarling]

Well I made an appointment with FS today for early Feb. It feels good to be actually doing something! The appt is with Dr Graham Hughes (Sydney- nsw ivf). Has anyone had any experience with him?

[ziggyzena]

Hi little darling, thats great you made an appiontment. I have not heard any thing about that doc, im not from nsw. But i am sure he will be fine. :hugs:

I found out i had blocked tubes through a laparoscopy{sorry dont know the correct spelling} in 2005 when we started ttc. I have been told that it doesn't mean i cant fall preg without IVF it just makes it less chance.

In which i did fall preg but m/c. my new gyno wants us to come back in three months since it has only been nine months since m/c. He won't give me another lap yet as i have had two in six years, which is good i don't want to have another one. He checked all my ovulation etc etc and all is spot on so :fingerscrossed: .

My thoughts are with you.
Have you ever considered natural therapies?

[Pebbles]

Little Darling - Havent heard anything about that FS but I am glad you got an appointment. My DH and I didnt get to see a FS until we had been trying for 12 months because they kept saying that coz I had one child already I should be able to have another one. Turns out they were wrong, I have PCOS and I dont ovulate naturally anymore - well if I do it isnt very often. I dont know much about IUI. We need Clomid to help us fall pregnant, I dont like using fertility drugs but I know it will all be worth it in the end so I am willing to try anything!

[littledarling]

pebbles- I'm so sorry to see that you had a m/c recently :hugs: . That is so sad. I hope it won't be long before you get a BFP again. Yes I am glad they didn't make us wait for 12months before seeing FS, but because we already knew there was a prob with DH's spermies we had no trouble getting referral. It must have been frustrating for you to have to wait when you suspected something was wrong. I know what you mean about taking fertility drugs. I would really like to try IUI as DH still has sperm, they just need a bit of help! I would like to do IUI without taking any meds as I'm ovulating ok- but I'm not sure if they will let me- I guess I'll find out soon.

ziggyzena- hello :wave: . I just wanted to ask you if you had any idea beforehand that your tubes were blocked or was the laproscopy just routine and that's what they found? I'm a bit scared that they will make me do one, I'm hoping they won't as we already know what the prob is- but they might still do it anyway. Was it painful and how long did it take to heal? And yes we are thinking about natural therapies, but have to look further into it. I really hope you get your BFP really soon ziggyzena- sounds like you have been trying for ages :fingerscrossed: :hugs: