fertility specialist

**beau_9** · April 5th, 2008, 10:34 AM

We have been TTC for about 15months now and we got our results back from the gynae yesterday and my HSP procedure went well and all my tubes are open and appear normal, but DH sperm count is low, motility is low and slightly lower morphology. We have a appointment with a fertility specialist in a few weeks and are just wondering if anyone can tell us what usually happens from here. do they do more sperm testing, and go through our options?
after we go through this they will also decide when they're going to do a lap on me and check for endometriosis but they want to time it so it's clear at the time.
We had talked about the possibiltiy of either one of us having a problem but now thats it's actually presented to us it's a little daunting, especially when i don't know anyone who's gone though these problems, so i'm glad i can voice my concerns here.
cheers

**numa** · April 6th, 2008, 12:24 PM

Hi Beau

I'm not enough of a veteran to answer all your questions, but know its nice to have someone respond to your post, especially as this whole LTTTC thing can make us feel quite alone at times!

It seems its common to have a lap as part of the infertility workup (I had one), but I do wonder if it is necessary especially if they know it may be a male factor issue, and that the answer to that is IVF ICSI (where they put one sperm into the egg). For ICSI you still go through all the normal IVF processes of medications then egg pickup. Try some further reading such as https://www.bellybelly.com.au/concep...lity-ivf-guide or browse babycenter.com.au or do a google search - there is lots of info out there.

Just take it one step at a time, its not so daunting that way. Also I have read lots of posts on bellybelly about Chinese Medicine - acupuncture and herbs - really helping with sperm count and quality, as well as the usual stop smoking, cut back on alcohol, take a multivitamin etc

All the best...

**numa** · April 6th, 2008, 12:33 PM

I just realised I may have sounded like I was suggesting a laparoscopy wasn't necessary - I didn't mean to!

It seems like an important step in seeing if there are any other factors affecting fertility - eg endometriosis.

Your fertility specialist should explain all the steps and your options when you see them. Good luck!

**briggsy's girl** · April 6th, 2008, 12:57 PM

your FS is likely to put you through another barrage of tests - bloods including hormone work up, STD's, insulin profile (if there is a chance you may have PCOS) - you might be subjected to a pelvic u/s either in the rooms of the FS or referred later. a lap isn't always essential, but it appears to happen frequently as a diagnostic tool for endo, as well as checking for adhesions around your ovaries or tubes that might impact fertility. hormone profile might be done at different points in your cycle as well, to check whether your cycle is ovulatatory or anovulatory

with your first appointment, i would suggest that, if you've been charting temps, you take these with you. it's not neccessary (i don't temp, but i know a lot that do) as well as any prior test results you already have

you may find your DH is sent for a further sperm analysis at the clinic. i think a lot of clinics like to do their own tests as their ranges may not correspond to the local lab - and also as they can guarantee the time frame in which the test is carried out. as much as it shouldn't happen, sometimes normal labs take a little longer to process the sample - giving the sample time to degrade... DH may asl o have to have some BT's if you're being referred for assisted conception - same sort of thing, STD's etc. i know the day DH and i had our BT's - he had one vial, i had 12 or 14 over 3 hours! i felt so ripped!

i honestly can't remember all the tests i had to have - but i know that there were a few - and i'd already been to the gyne, had the lap, used clomid etc, so a lot of my history was there. i remember one test got sent to melbourne to a specialist lab - was something to do with my immunological reaction to DH's sperm or something like that.

before you go to the FS, arm yourself with knowledge. know what your options are (IUI, IVF, ICSI) - work out what you need to know - and take a list of questions with you. if you don't get the answers to your questions just in your general chatter, tell the FS you have more questions. ultimately, you're going to be paying the FS big dollars - it is their job to help you get pregnant - and part of that is making sure you're comfortable with your treatment options, and making sure you're educated on what it means! don't leave with questions unanswered!

depending on your state (sorry, i'm in the reply bit so can't see where you live!), you may be expected to go through counselling before starting assisted conception. i'm in vic, and the counsellor i spoke with was fantastic. she outlined the process in great details, asked us questions to check how we were traveling, was open to being questioned... if you're not in a state that has mandatory counselling before AC, you'll find a lot are still affilliated with counsellors who are an invaluable resource!

**beau_9** · April 7th, 2008, 05:52 PM

oh thank-you for your quick reply's.
DH and i have been reading about everything since we got home, in the hope we'll understand where we're at, when we see the FS.
i'm a scaredy cat when it comes to needles but i suppose i'd better get used to them especially when you had all those vials brissy girl. far out, also we're both looking into accupunture to help.
thanks for your help, good luck to you also..