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11-05-2012 at 8:01 PM
MrsChopp
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MrsChopp is online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 12:01 PMBronze

Donor sperm... need some advice!!!

Talked to the RE today, and we are moving forward with IVF prep. I go in after work on Thursday for some blood work, ultrasound, etc. DH is going in tomorrow morning to freeze a sample (his count/quality is quickly dropping). But RE informed me today that he wants us to have a donor sperm back up going into the cycle in case when the time come for fertilization, DH's isn't usable.

My problem is that DH isn't open to this idea yet. He still has the mind set that if we are going to have kids, they are going to be OUR kids. How do convince him that this isn't a bad thing, and that our kids will be ours no matter who's sperm we use. RE didn't say that there is no way that his is going to work, he just wants us to have a backup plan so that we don't get to that point and have to scratch the entire cycle.

He won't even talk to me about it... he just said that we will discuss it when the time comes. I'm trying to tell him that the time to discuss it is here/now. I know the RE is going to want to go over everything when I'm there on Thursday. Anyone been through this?? Any advice?? I know it is hard for him to hear, but we need to discuss it and make some decisions. 


Married 8/14/10 * TTC since Aug 2010 * Met with RE in Feb 2012 * DH: low motility, low sperm count, elevated FSH * Me: Stage 4 Endometriosis * Laparotomy to remove endo in May 2012 * June 2012 - DH on Rx to hopefully increase count/quality * Re-tested sperm 10/22/12, count/quality have both dropped * IVF #1 w/ICSI * Transferred 2 beautiful embryos on 2/18/13 * Beta #1 3/1/13 - 636!!! Beta #2 3/3/13 - 1796!!! First ultrasound 3/18/13 - We're having TWINS!! Image and video hosting by TinyPic birthday2012_small Anniversary Lilypie Pregnancy tickers 
11-05-2012 at 8:13 PM
cdale86
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cdale86 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 7:25 PMBronze

I'm really sorry you are having to deal with this.  Not really sure I have any good advice.  If anyone knows how to approach your H...it's you.  This is just a really touchy subject.  You definitely need to be on the same page with this before you start your cycle.  If he can't get on board...you may want to discuss with him delaying a cycle.  I agree that there is no point in going through everything, spending all the money and then potentially finding out that your H's sperm isn't usable with no back up.  (((HUGS))) as you try to talk with him about all this. 


Me: 26 DH: 26
Together 12 years, Married 4 years
TTC #1 since 12/2010 with unexplained IF
HSG: normal SA: normal
Jan 2011-April 2011: Femara 2.5 mg with 4 failed cycles
May 2012-Aug 2012: 3 IUIs- 100mg Clomid + Ovidrel + Endometrin = BFNs
November 2012: IVF #1 ER: 11/2 22 eggs retrieved. ET: 5dt on 11/7 (2 transferred)
Beta #1 on 11/19: 1069 Beta #2 on 11/21: 2752
1st ultrasound 12/5- It's TWINS!!!
Baby B with omphalocele and diaphragmatic hernia...We will love him as long as God allows.

 Pregnancy Ticker 
11-06-2012 at 1:36 AM
CutieGirlL...
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CutieGirlLissie is not online. Last active: 04-02-2013, 12:06 PMSilver

I agree with the previous poster. You may want to consider delaying this cycle and I'm sure you don't want to hear that. But you both need to be 100% on the same page, especially if there is a chance that his sample won't be viable. You guys are going to be spending a good amount of money so you should have all your ducks in a row before you get started. 

As for advice, all you can do is put it all out there. Like you said, tell him it's now or never to discuss it. Using donor sperm/eggs is a very personal decision and some people may never feel comfortable with the idea, while others will. Since it sounds like your husband isn't thrilled with the idea, it might be best to start out by telling him that you just want to discuss the options, hear his reasoning, and that you'll support him either way. He may just need time to adjust to the idea and by starting out that way he might feel more comfortable talking about it.

GL! 


My Blog: Maybe, Baby?

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Been with DH since 01/2003
Married 07/24/2010
Began TTC 07/2011
4/2012 DH DX with Retrograde Ejaculation
5/2012 1st IUI, 100mg Clomid, Only 1 Follie - BFN
6/2012 2nd IUI, 150mg Clomid+Menopur, 18 Follies (yikes,too many!!) and Mild OHSS - Cancelled
8/2012 Begin 1st IVF, Menopur+Bravelle+Ganirelix
8/11/2012 ER, Holy Crap we had 31 eggs!! Developed Severe OHSS - Delayed with 10 Frosties
9/2012 Begin 1st FET, Delestrogen+PIO+Crinone
9/13/2012 1st FET, 2 Beautiful Embies... 9/25/2012 Beta - BFN
10/2012 Begin 2nd FET, Delestrogen+PIO+Crinone
10/26/2012 2nd FET, 2 Beautiful Embies...11/7/2012 Beta - BFP
...1st Beta (11/7): 251...2nd Beta (11/9): 618...3rd Beta (11/15): 5,870
***PAIF/SAIF Welcome***

 BabyFruit Ticker 
11-06-2012 at 6:00 AM
precious72...
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Joined on 01-07-2008
Jupiter, Florida
6,499 Points
precious72381 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 6:23 AMNewbie
Have the two of you ever discussed adoption, not saying that as a suggestion, but in adoption, the baby would not be yours through DNA but still your baby. In this case, you guys have a chance for it to be half yours through DNA but still both yours to bring up as your own. Sounds like a tough place to be. And understand both sides. Good luck to you both and whatever choice you make!

Me = 31 husband = 35 Married 6/27/2009 TTC since 8/2010 (off BCP since 8/2009)
Unexplained Infertility,I'm a Hemocromotons mild carrier, also have single mild copy of MTHFR
6/2010 FSH 7.2 4/2013 FSH 8.6 AMH 1.4
I have primary lymphedema in my right leg which as far as I know, is not affecting my IF but not many studies out there.
7/2011 Natural cycle with 25mg clomid BFN
8/2011,1/2012,3/2012 IUI #1-3 25-100mg clomid BFN
6/2012 IVF#1 9ER 5 fertilized 2ET ICSI & assisted hatching BFN
8/2012 IVF#2 FET 2ET BFN
11/2012 IVF#3 7ER 5 fertilized naturally!!!! My hubby can fertilize my eggs :) 11/11 2ET 2 of 5 embryos made it to 5dt
11/19/2012 8dp5dt BFP beta 53 p4 7, PIO shots started ,11/21 beta 138 p4 29! 11/26 beta 698 11/29 beta 1942 12/3 beta 6640
12/10/2012 U/S #1 6w4d - One little baby with heartbeat of 124bpm :)edd 8/1/13
12/26/2012 U/S #2 8w6d - No heartbeat,only measured 6 weeks, dx missed miscarriage
12/28/2012 D&C
1/17/2013 Chromosome testing came back as normal male :(
1/19/2013 RPL testing normal
4/3/2013 SIS showed asherman's syndrome caused by D&C (scar tissue)
4/4/2013 Hysteroscopy to remove scar tissue
June 2013 IVF planned
5/12/2013 SURPRISE BFP! Natural cycle 12dpo beta 93 progesterone 43 5/20/2013 15 dpo Beta #2 466!!! Progesterone 57 5/22/2013 Beta #3 *****ALL WELCOMED*****
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

 
11-06-2012 at 7:56 AM
firesiren
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firesiren is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 9:42 PMBronze
We have severe MFI.  WE are doing testicular sperm extraction. They say there is an 80% chance we will have sperm that day. Our RE is having us get donor sperm as a back up.  We have to do counseling prior to getting donor sperm, our RE requires it.  We would rather not waste my eggs on retrieval day if we don't have sperm.  Donor sperm is not what either of us wanted but after weighing our options it's the best thing we have.  Good Luck to you!!!

Me; 35 DH 32 TTC for over 2 years First mini-IVF Sept 2011... Only 1 egg! ... BFN Switching RE IVF#2 May 2012 9 eggs and only 2 sperm, WTH! BFN IVF#3 Chemical... FML. 2 frosties. SAIF/PAIF ALWAYS WELCOME!!!!!
My Idle Oven Blog!
*~God gives his hardest battles to his toughest solders. Unknown.
 
11-06-2012 at 8:36 AM
mazander
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mazander is not online. Last active: 11-28-2012, 1:53 PMNewbie

I understand what you and your husband are going through. We had a similar situation- DH was fine and healthy, but I was the one who needed donor eggs to concieve.

 I can tell you that for me, coming to terms with the reality that any children we had would not be genetically mine was hard- I went through a process that was similar to the grief you feel when someone passes away, all the same cycles. I don't know your details, but if your RE is telling you this NOW and you are having the IVF transfer soon, you DH may need some time to process and deal with the new reality and maybe you can try just using just him sperm this cycle but know that you may need to try again using a donor in the future once he can have some time to think it over.

 For me, I was especially upset by the idea of having a daughter that would not look like me, there was something about the same sex connection- I was afraid she would not relate to me or resent me when she was older or wish for her "real" mom. Your husband may have some of the same fears about having a son. It really just took time for me to grieve and then come to understand that this was how it had to be if we wanted to concieve.

 But hang in there- for us, using a donor worked out great- my first transfer was a success and we are currently expecting twin boys :)  Good luck, I'll keep you in my thoughts.

 
11-06-2012 at 8:59 AM
firesiren
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firesiren is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 9:42 PMBronze
mazander:

I understand what you and your husband are going through. We had a similar situation- DH was fine and healthy, but I was the one who needed donor eggs to concieve.

 I can tell you that for me, coming to terms with the reality that any children we had would not be genetically mine was hard- I went through a process that was similar to the grief you feel when someone passes away, all the same cycles. I don't know your details, but if your RE is telling you this NOW and you are having the IVF transfer soon, you DH may need some time to process and deal with the new reality and maybe you can try just using just him sperm this cycle but know that you may need to try again using a donor in the future once he can have some time to think it over.

 For me, I was especially upset by the idea of having a daughter that would not look like me, there was something about the same sex connection- I was afraid she would not relate to me or resent me when she was older or wish for her "real" mom. Your husband may have some of the same fears about having a son. It really just took time for me to grieve and then come to understand that this was how it had to be if we wanted to concieve.

 But hang in there- for us, using a donor worked out great- my first transfer was a success and we are currently expecting twin boys :)  Good luck, I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!! 


Me; 35 DH 32 TTC for over 2 years First mini-IVF Sept 2011... Only 1 egg! ... BFN Switching RE IVF#2 May 2012 9 eggs and only 2 sperm, WTH! BFN IVF#3 Chemical... FML. 2 frosties. SAIF/PAIF ALWAYS WELCOME!!!!!
My Idle Oven Blog!
*~God gives his hardest battles to his toughest solders. Unknown.
 
11-06-2012 at 11:56 AM
amy1004
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amy1004 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 11:17 AMBronze
If you are doing ICSI then you only need as many sperm as eggs. If money is no object and YH isn't on board with DS, then you could proceed with just a few samples cryobanked.

If money is a factor then I wouldn't take the risk. I would be devastated to have no embryos just because we didn't have enough sperm.

Have him read Helping the Stork. It is written by a man and two women so it covers the male perspective of using DS. It is not an easy decision and please make sure that you are truly ready also.

Good luck!

2 Pugs in a Blanket

Married 10/08
TTC since 8/09
RE since 6/10
Dx: Azoospermia
D-IUI#8 = BFN
SAIFW
 
11-06-2012 at 12:54 PM
maggie2324
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maggie2324 is not online. Last active: 05-12-2013, 6:04 PMSilver

I would talk to your RE about freezing your unfertilized eggs as a back up plan.

Using donor sperm is not a decision that you and YH can talk about for an hour and decide to do it. If you decide that you are both open to donor sperm, it may take months to find the right donor for you. 


Photobucket   
Me (24) DH (26) TTC #1 Dx: MFI
2/12 IUI #1 - Clomid/HCG trigger = BFN
4/12 IVF #1 - 17r 14m 13f, 2 4AA blasts = BFN, 3 frosties
7/12 IVF #2 - 14r 13m 10f, 3 day 3 embies = BFP, 4 frosties
8/6/12 Beta #1 = 16, 8/15/12 Beta #5 = 72, 8/20/12 Beta #6 = 9. C/P
11/5/12 FET #1, 2 4AA blasts, 11/14/12 Beta #1 - 352, 11/16 Beta #2 - 1100
Vanishing twin, NT scan clear, 3/5/13 A/S
 BabyFruit Ticker 
11-06-2012 at 2:05 PM
Km672
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Joined on 01-02-2012
5,445 Points
Km672 is online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 11:53 AMNewbie
First of all, so sorry youre going through this...its awful, i know.
Donor anything is not something you can just decide to do because your RE says you need it. It needs to be something you and your H want to do.
Your H might need more time or maybe you need to talk to your RE about attempting to use just your H's sperm this cycle. It has taken us years and several failures to be open to trying something donor sperm.
I'm sorry that you probably won't be able to cycle this month given a lot of thought still needs to be put into this. That being said, it's not fair to your H to not give him the time or support he might need to be able to make this decision.

Me (31) DOR/ MH (34) azoo/high DFI TTC#1 since 2009 IVF #1 cancelled dt poor response/ IVF #2 & #3: BFFN/ Natural Surprise BFP, early m/c -endometrial bx & methotrexate administered/ IVF#4:nothing to transfer/ DS IUI#1 BFN/ DS IUI#2 BFN/ IVF#5 (1st w/ DS):another BFFN/ Currently planning on DE and DS cycle Summer 2013. This has to be it- 
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