trying to get pregnant

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · May 24, 2005

Hi everyone, this is my 1st time on here!! but on to business i have a few questions. the first is what does healthy sperm look like and by healthy i mean able for the sperm to actively try to march to the egg? the second question i have been trying actively to get pregnant for 2 years with my husband with no luck. he has a son by a previous relationship, but it did take them 3 years for them to concieve. what can i do? and considering that he already has a child could it be me that needs to get checked out by the obgyn to find out why i'm not concieving? thanks for all of your help guys, i tell you that i have never wanted anything so much in my life!!
ab
p.s. my english professor would kick me for all of those run on sentences, especially since that was my minor in college! :uhoh21:

For reasons that I do not wish to indulge you in right now, I happen to be a small expert in sperm and getting pregnant, (or attempting to, anyway).

My first recommendation would be to get a seman analysis. When you ask your (his actually) Dr. for the script, ask for motility and count only. The other stuff doesn't really matter that they get during a seman analysis and it only costs more. Count and motility only can cost 25-45$ all of the other stuff can cost hundreds. Your goal is 20 million motile sperm.

You can also get a check up with your gyne and get some labs drawn during your period, I think of the 3rd day. They measure your hormones. Also, don't rule out a round of clomid for you, and the week before your ovulation and during take robitussin (mucinex is an all day pill instead of the syrup) This will make your fluid thinner and easier for his sperm to make it up the way. Our urologist instituted "sperm friendly rules" which are :avoiding heat down there (no hot tubs, hot showers, jacuzzis, etc), get plenty of sleep in total darkness, sunshine daily, stay well hydrated, take a multivitamin and anti-oxidants such as Vitamins E, C, selenium, coenzyme Q 10, folic acid and B complex. Eat plenty of red meat, and ejaculate frequently. (BTW this is for the man!!)

I have the dosages for the vitamins if you are interested-just let me know!

Good luck to you!

abparks · May 24, 2005

For reasons that I do not wish to indulge you in right now, I happen to be a small expert in sperm and getting pregnant, (or attempting to, anyway).
My first recommendation would be to get a seman analysis. When you ask your (his actually) Dr. for the script, ask for motility and count only. The other stuff doesn't really matter that they get during a seman analysis and it only costs more. Count and motility only can cost 25-45$ all of the other stuff can cost hundreds. Your goal is 20 million motile sperm.
You can also get a check up with your gyne and get some labs drawn during your period, I think of the 3rd day. They measure your hormones. Also, don't rule out a round of clomid for you, and the week before your ovulation and during take robitussin (mucinex is an all day pill instead of the syrup) This will make your fluid thinner and easier for his sperm to make it up the way. Our urologist instituted "sperm friendly rules" which are :avoiding heat down there (no hot tubs, hot showers, jacuzzis, etc), get plenty of sleep in total darkness, sunshine daily, stay well hydrated, take a multivitamin and anti-oxidants such as Vitamins E, C, selenium, coenzyme Q 10, folic acid and B complex. Eat plenty of red meat, and ejaculate frequently. (BTW this is for the man!!)
I have the dosages for the vitamins if you are interested-just let me know!
Good luck to you!

please by all means, tell me everything you know, e-mail me personally if you want to. [email protected]. thanks :)

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · May 24, 2005

please by all means, tell me everything you know, e-mail me personally if you want to. [email protected]. thanks :)

Ok, I just sent you my personal bible of sperm friendly rules in your email. Good luck!

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · May 25, 2005

If I remember right, healthy normal sperm have heads shaped like the upper part of a bullet. Don't quote me on that. :uhoh21:

I agree with the pp about a semen analyisis for your hubby. Usually it is common practice to check out the man first as it is not as invasive.

You can expect your ob/gyn to run some labs: estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, FSH. Have you been charting your cycles? Sometimes doctors want you to chart your temp upon wakening, check your cervical mucus, etc to see if your body is giving signs of ovulation for several months. You can probably expect to have an u/s to look for fibroids and they may recommend an HSG to check the structure of your uterus and fallopian tubes. After this, some also recommend a diagnostic laparascopy to check for endometriosis: endo is a very strange disease-sometimes you can have it and never know it and it is a leading cause of infertility in women.

There is a great book out: "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler (sp). And this is a great website to get info about infertility as well: INCIID

Good luck! I have dealt with infertility for years. After 6 years of trying to bring a baby home, including the devastating (sp) death of our 12 day old son (who was born a preemie and very sick...after 2 years of infertility), we now have a happy, healthy baby girl at home. She is our saving grace. :1luvu: