This is going to be long, sorry!
DH and I had an initial consultation with a fertility specialist today. Although, initially trying to set up the appointment was a little confusing, I have to start off saying, I LOVE this place! The staff has been amazing after my initial rough start and I really love the doctor we worked with today (and will continue to work with). After reading through the SA results and making sure we understood that, she said although it looked like bad news, there are options and she wants to help us to get the whole picture put together before making any major decisions.
For those of you who don't know - DH has had 3 Semen Analysis tests and all 3 showed NO sperm (zero, zip, nada). The urologist is 95% sure it is NOT due to a blockage, but is most likely a lack of sperm production. The last time we got the same results at the urologist in December, I all but gave up, heartbroken, lost and pretty much went into a depression along with DH for a few weeks. I even wrote a letter to the little one we wouldn't have - warning, it is sad.
Then I decided that we really only had one piece of the puzzle (DH's piece) and I felt like the urologist wrote us off because of our age and our obvious lack of major mula. So, DH and I talked and decided to go see this specialist and just make sure we know all of the options and resources have been explored before we give up.
So, today was the day! We went in and they took care of us from beginning to end. We walked out with the start of a plan. And I left smiling and a little hopeful.
Here's the plan:
1. First of all, she did a vaginal u/s and found 5-6 follicles on each of my ovaries. She was very happy with that! She said they look for 2-5, so I was good there She also said one on my right side looked like it was about to release an egg! I was so happy! I've had 3 days of positive OPKs (she was impressed with all we've been doing and what all I knew about - thanks TMP!) and started having pain on my right side this morning! She said it looked like there might be a small cyst on my left side, but didn't have any concerns about it and said she will monitor it. She also said my uterus looks great, my cervix looks great and overall things look great! So so happy about this!
2. Both DH and I had bloodwork done today there. Prenatal screen for me, initial screen for him.
3. On my next CD 2, 3 or 4 (I'm CD14 of this cycle today) going to go to a local lab and have them do a draw for E2 & FSH levels.
4. Will schedule an HSG anytime between CD 6-10 to be done in office!! For $56.88!!!! Since they do it in office, it is considered part of treatment instead of a separate procedure so it's not going to cost $850 like I was quoted when trying to do it at the hospital this past summer. I'm just in awe of this right now.
5. When I go in for the HSG, they will draw blood for AMH, Prolactin & TSH.
6. When I go in for the HSG, DH will go in and do another SA with them. All he pays is his co-pay!!! Not $110 like with the first 3!! I still can't get over this. We really should have gone here sooner. Blah.
7. After all of the tests and bloodwork results are back, we go back in for a consult and see what the options are and where to go from there!
So, no more real answers about the possibility of being parents, but we know we won't be able to do it naturally and will definitely have to have help. We still haven't decided about donation (although she did talk to us a bit about it today). For now, we are focusing on getting all of the pieces of the puzzle on one table and then putting it together with their help.
If you're still reading this, you are so amazing!
