Msg for Lisa re. dodgy sperm

nicolam · Post by **nicolam** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 2:14 pm

Thought I'd say hello Lisa as your story struck a chord (sorry to all those who've heard this all before, but next go will be my 4th, so I've been here a while...) Our 1st try was in February/March this year as well (after trying for 7yrs naturally, stupidly) - I've got polycystic ovaries and we eagerly went into our first IVF and wham, we got the big fat negative fertilization result as well, what a shock. Especially as we too were told the sperm looked good, but the little blighters just didn't want to get through the eggs' shells. As I egg-shared, I gave the other 11 eggs away and 10 of theirs fertilized... so at least this told us my eggs were OK. We thought ICSI would be it but although thankfully we did get fertilization, unfortunately two goes later and we're back where we started. I want to ask if they gave you any more information about the sperm. You said they had funny necks or something, why didn't they spot this when they did the normal tests? We've not been given any explanation apart from a "sperm functionality" problem and are still waiting to hear back from our clinic re. a possible sperm test DH can have to see if there are chromasone problems. We really want to get this checked out first, rather than go through another emotional 2ww again for possibly no point at all. Did they mention this to you at all? We're having a rest from it all till the New Year as well, so keep in touch. Best wishes Nicola x

lisa · Post by **lisa** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 9:10 pm

Hi Nicola, Thanks for replying. When we were told of the failed fertilisation, they said they would look into it and report when we had our follow up appointment which wasn't for about 2 weeks after that so we were left wondering how and why if the eggs and sperm were good. We assumed we must have an antibody between us until they confirmed that the middle section of sperm is the bit that pushes the head through the shell and dh's were not strong enough to get through, therefore ICSI would overcome that problem. It is only after the event that you start thinking why weren't we tested for those sort of things before we started?? At the end of the day this whole saga is a learning process and there as so many things that can "raise their nasty little heads" so at least they identified the reason and we got over that hurdle (one hurdle and another 100 to go). I think that our failed ICSI was just one of those "wasn't meant to be" failures so hope (and pray)we have a good chance next time without investigating further. Is your clinic requesting you do further tests or is this what you are pushing for?? Did you get through the 2ww with both ICSI attempts or did af arrive before the end of 2ww? Take care lisa xxx

nicolam · Post by **nicolam** » Fri Nov 15, 2002 2:13 pm

Hi Lisa Yes, I've got through both two 2ww - early hrs of day 14 first time and day 16 on the last, which was particularly cruel as I really thought it had worked (and delayed doing the test till day 15). Our consultant suggested we have this test but only after the second failure and we've actually got 5 frozen ones still. But I just don't want to even go down that road if it turns out to be something sinister re. the sperm. DH had mumps as an adult which was really serious, but thankfully he didn't get affected "down there" ie, the gonads didn't get overheated (which is what kills off the sperm). What makes it worse is that he did get an old girlfriend pregnant years ago, but they didn't keep it, so that was another reason they just assumed at first that it must be to do with me. I just can't believe that after two tries of ICSI it hasn't worked still. Oh well, any news I'll keep you posted. best wishes, N x