Sucess stories with low sperm count and achieving pregnancy without IUI of IVF

[tinkerbell101]

I would like to know if anyone has any inspiring stories regarding pregnancy with a low sperm count to give me some hope!!!! We have been TTC for around 4.5 years, I managed to fall pregnant last year but had a M/C at 14 weeks. Since then we have been trying again but so far not even a whiff of a BFP. I am growing more despondant with each month that goes past. I live in the UK and have 2 older children from a previous marriage and a 5 year old son with my partner. I went for help with TTC after the last M/C but the GP was not interested so went private. The private fertility clinic perscribed me with clomid as I was ovulating too early in my cycle and also informed us that my partners S/A was a low on all 3 factors.

I recently went back to my dr to see if now a year has passed since my M/C if they would offer any help. They have repeated all the tests FSH, HDG, 21 day bloods, repeated scans etc and mine all came back fine (apart from the above issue) however my partner's came back low/abnormal again.

We have been told that without IUI or IVF achieving a pregnancy is not impossible but unlikely. We don't qualify for help on the NHS for IUI or IVF as we already have a child together so the only other option is private which is far too much money and not something that we can afford :(

The advice the GP gave was to adopt/maintain a healthy lifestyle which we already have (no drinking smoking and to stay fit) we both are very active and fit and neither smoke or drink! I also always chart my cyles, use OPKs and CB fertility monitor so know we hit the right days.... the past few cyles we have been abstaining for 2 days prior to the OPK+ to try and increase the sperm count. We use pre-seed, & I take EPO and take care of myself by drinking green tea, lots of water, cutting out caffiene etc etc...... I also take folic acid and magnesium and my partner takes zinc and vit c supplements and makes sure no alcohol around O time.....

I feel like giving up at the moment - I can't bear to see another BFN and feel like I don't have the strength to carry on as it all seems so pointess. Has anyone been in a similar situation and managed to have a sucessful pregnancy?

[bny807]

Hello! so sorry to hear about your struggles!  We are "hopefully" a success story with male factor (and lots of female factors - one ovary, severe endo, lufs, and pcos, recurrent mc's).  My dh has low morphology - only 2% normal.. We were told by his urologist that the only way we would get preg just with his issue was IVF with ICSI.. but my RE said he had seen it happen so we did IUI's with injectables, got pregnant several times but unfortunately miscarried.. and then a miracle happened! we were taking time off (i know i've heard the stories, but never thought it would happen to us!) and i got pregnant! it was my first month on asprin and folic acid (it was found i had a blood clotting disorder) we got pregnant all natural, which they told us was impossible! and we are 17 weeks with a girl, so miracles can always happen! :)   GOOD LUCK your in  my prayers!

[LisaRG]

Hi again,
FYI - My DH does not "technically" have a low sperm count, but he does have a morphology(?) issue so timing intercourse is ultimately our best chance - give those swimmers all the help they can get.  You can also google preseed  and preconceive  they are lubricants that help sperm stay alive and swim.  It can be bought on the internet.
Stay positive.:)
Lisa

[bree08]

I am also dealing with male infertility. Unfortunately I don't have a success story yet, but I hope to be one soon. I understand your frustration and I know it's painful to go through this. I have read success stories with low counts and I actually have a few friends on this site whose DHs had low counts and got pregnant naturally. I've been through 2 IUIs and I'm on my third right now. I hope next week I can post another success story to give you hope! I also have heard of the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility and I've heard it's really good! I wish you the best of luck {{HUGS}}

[LisaRG]

Hello,
I am following your story and I hate to see you so upset.
First off - low sperm does not mean NO sperm and it only takes one of those swimmers to get pregnant.
Stress is not going to help you now, try to work on that ( almost impossible I know).
I am not sure if you know my story, but I recently had a m/c, but the miracle is that I got pregnant at 45, ( i just need to find a good egg).  I really believe that following TCOYF really helped me get a BFP .  I charted and watched my Cervical mucus very carefully as well as my cervical position.  I don't O when my cervical mucus is the most fertile so OPK sticks don't always help me, if I am reallying on them alone and bbt only confirms O.  I think cervical mucus is the key.  Anyway it's worth a read.
The book is called " taking charge of your fertility".
Good luck
Lisa.