Infertility Paranoia

[MadCow]

My wife and I are trying to have our first baby. We've been trying for about half a year now, and still no luck--we've only been going on unprotected for this time. Only now have we started taking other measures to help with the goal, such as ovulation tests and timing.

The thought of infertility has always been haunting us. Everyone has told us that we are young and should be ok, but we can't stop thinking about it.

My family doctor warned me that OHIP does not cover infertility tests. He told me to keep trying for another 6 months before going ahead with any tests. Does anyone know how much these tests cost (for myself and for my wife)?

Any other true and tried ways to help with getting pregnant (other than fertility drugs) that have worked for you?

My wife and I would greatly appreciate some help. Thanks!

[notanexpert]

The one person that's real easy to test is you. Just put a sample under a microscope, and you'll see for yourself - there should be lots of "swimmers". I think I've done that when I was about 15... :)
I'd also say keep trying for a bit longer. Don't worry that much about timing, if you have sex at least every 3 days, timing should not matter, but if you both enjoy it as opposed to having it as a chore, it sure helps!
There are a couple of things you can do to better your chances: stay in bed for a while after sex - that is don't let your wife run out immediately to the toilet and/or shower, etc. The other thing is keeping your "equipment" cool, like wearing loose fitting underwear, loose fitting pants, etc. That increases your sperm count. Good luck.

[Rehan]

My wife and I are trying to have our first baby. We've been trying for about half a year now, and still no luck--we've only been going on unprotected for this time. Only now have we started taking other measures to help with the goal, such as ovulation tests and timing. In case you haven't already checked it out, take a look at the reviews for the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor:
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0000532QB/ref=cm_cr_pr_recent?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

It might be worth a try.

Good luck!

[lochlan651]

It is one of our ages great jokes.

We spend the first half of our lives trying our best not to get pregnant, then when we want to it can be harder that heck :)

Dont sweat it. 6 months is not very long to be trying for.

Our OB told us it might take 18 months. Alot of women still have birth control hormones in their system 6 months after they stop taking it.

Keep trying, and good luck.

[HBP]

If you use a laptop on your lap... don't.

The heat will cause your sperm production to be reduced by 90% over 1/2 an hour. Scared me shitless when I learnt this.

[nalababe]

as a poster said, you might have to wait 6 months for the full effects of the birth control pill (if used) to be removed from the system.

I believe that infertility testing can be covered, but IVF is not. Also, check your insurance through work (if you have it).

There are things you can start looking at as well. Are you charting her cycle. My wife has a short Luetal phase and this could be problematic when trying to conceive.

As a side note, we had no luck for 8+ months...no have a 4 year old.

[dooferella]

Infertility testing is covered by OHIP, just the drugs etc. are not. You have been trying for some time, and most people are "diagnosed" with infertility after a year of trying. Honestly, I would ask to be referred.

You can go by what your doctor is saying to wait another 6 months but it could be a simple issue that a specialist can fix.

I have PCOS (polycystic ovaries) which means that I don't ovulate...the doctor put me on clomid (a drug to ensure that you ovulate), it was about $80 for the cycle and we got pregnant the first cycle, and now we have an awesome 2 month old baby girl.

They also do other tests like finding out if the woman's tubes and uterus are not blocked or misshapen and stuff...and they also check the guy as well.

We went to New Life Fertility, they have a bunch of locations, were very helpful and follow your cycle closely.

Infertility can be difficult to deal with, there are lots of forums online for support. I'm not saying that this is what you're dealing with, but if you're itching to become parents, then you might want to start advocating for yourself. But, in the end, it's your and your spouse's choice, of course!

Good Luck!

[miguel sanchez]

Six months is not that long, and many couples take more than a year to get pregnant on the first try.

We were trying for a year when we were referred to a fertility specialist, who turned out to be a great doctor. But six weeks after we started seeing her, my wife got pregnant naturally and now we have a beautiful daughter.

So don't sweat it. Remember the act is supposed to be fun, not clouded by insecurity and anxiety. And as mentioned already, chart your wife's cycle, it can help a lot.

P.S. OHIP covers fertility tests, but not IVF unless there is a medical reason for it i.e. blocked Fallopian Tubes. (low sperm count is not considered a good enough reason for OHIP to cover IVF).

[Topher]

I can't relate to what you're going through, but I hope all works out for you. (My wife got pregnant the first month we tried. I was kind of hoping to have more "practice".)

[Bullseye]

We took eleven months with our first, and then it happened on the first try with our second. We have several friends, plus my sister, who've taken 5+ YEARS before getting pregnant. Six months is nothing to worry about.

[knapper]

In case you haven't already checked it out, take a look at the reviews for the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor:
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0000532QB/ref=cm_cr_pr_recent?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

It might be worth a try.

Good luck!

Similar product is used in Europe, but in reverse as a birth control method. Shows 'red' (no go) when you are fertile. Friend used it for a long time successfully...

[nelsonmp5]

Just wanted to add, like the others. Keep up the hard work.
Don't worry, sometimes it just takes time.
If your wife's been on the pill it can take a long time. A year is what I heard before really trying other measures.
Fertility drugs are expensive, just keep trying the natural way. One friend of mine spent 5k and another 10k, but the second friend is now resorting to adoption. The first had twins.

[S U]

Wow it seems like lots of people here are giving you some advice that in my opinion is too laid back.

Not to go into too much detail - my husband and I have tried to conceive for 8 years. After A LOT of heartache, doctors, probing, $$$$, and similar advice, we will finally have twins here in May. However, I am not the one carrying - we've had to get a surrogate. We love our surrogate and we count ourselves blessed to know her; but I've suffered a great loss, which is hard to deal with at times.

My advice to anyone wanting to have a baby is - DON'T WAIT too long to get started.

In your situation, where you've been trying for 6 months....well, does your doctor realize that it can take almost a year to get an appointment with a good infertility doctor?????? Does your doctor realize that his/her easy go attitude could push this even further into the future for you and your wife??? Why doesn't your doctor get things started with an infertility specialist (with a referral) and if in the meantime you conceive, you can cancel that appointment. At least, you've got all your bases covered.

Regarding cost, much of the initial work up like checking your swimmers and blood work is covered. If you want to check the DNA of your swimmers - that will cost (we paid $350 8 years ago). Also, some of the more specific ultrasounds on the uterus also cost, but that one isn't too much (I think around $100).

The only advice I can give you is to be well informed. All these infertility clinics and doctors are overwhelmed with how busy they are. Be your own advocate and always be on top of EVERYTHING. They may make something slip because they are so busy.

Also, any of the the things that claim you'll conceive right away, don't necessarily work. I've tried many of them.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope that you're holding your little bundle of joy very soon.

Feel free to ask me anything through this thread or even PM me.

[Topher]

^ It's posts like these that make this place great. Way to help out the OP with some detailed, and even personal info. I'd suggest the OP take you up on that.

[MadCow]

Thank you for all sharing your experiences and your advice!! And thank you so much, S U!! My wife and I really appreciate all of you sharing your knowledge and experience.

I was able to score an appointment with the New Life Fertility Clinic for the end of this month. I asked my doctor to send a referral form to the clinic over a week ago and he hasn't done it yet. I called the fertility clinic this morning and they haven't received anything. I called my doctor again this morning and left a message with the receptionist to get back to me. I haven't heard anything yet, and the no one is answering at my doctor's office--they're probably closed.

Like S U mentioned, I want to discuss everything over with an infertility doctor to make sure my wife and I are ok.

Please keep all your experiences and advice coming. I'm sure it is helpful for everybody who is trying to bring a bundle of joy to this world.

[canabiz]

Good evening,

My wife and I are planning to have a baby and she told me to go see my family doctor for what she calls a *sperm test*

Does anyone have any more info on this as to what the process entails and what type of results will be available ? Is there a similar test for women ?

From some Googling, I was able to gather some ideas but this is new frontier to us so if you have had one done, please let me know

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/men/reproductive/766.html

Please feel free to post here or PM me if you think this issue is best discussed via private messaging.

Thanks

[LoveRFD]

Good evening,

My wife and I are planning to have a baby and she told me to go see my family doctor for what she calls a *sperm test*

Does anyone have any more info on this as to what the process entails and what type of results will be available ? Is there a similar test for women ?

From some Googling, I was able to gather some ideas but this is new frontier to us so if you have had one done, please let me know

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/men/reproductive/766.html

Please feel free to post here or PM me if you think this issue is best discussed via private messaging.

Thanks


You need to see your family doctor first and then make an appointment with the lab to do the sperm test. The lab will tell you all the info you need to know.

[CSK'sMom]

Honestly if you haven't already been trying for some time there is absolutely no reason for a motility test. All it will tell you is if you have live sperm, their condition and how many. It may be recommended as one of the first things to check if you are having fertility issues as a couple because it's quick and easy to do. But as I said, if you're not even trying yet there is no reason to do it and a responsible doctor probably won't even order it.

[goldilocks4]

The sperm test is easy to do - you get a referral to a lab, go into a private room and give the sample to the front desk. Or you can bring a sample from home in the bottle your doctor will give you and take it to the lab - keeping it warm under your arm or in a front pocket. It's usually recommended after 1 year of trying. Your wife should ask for an ultrasound and request a specialist after your test has come back okay. I would give it a year if she is not experiencing other problems (for example heavy periods, severe cramps, bleeding with intercourse, etc) which could indicate a more serious problem. Good luck and stay out of hot tubs and wear boxers!

[MadCow]

Just an update...

It's been over a year of trying through normal means now and still nothing. My wife was late for a few days last month and we were crushed when it wasn't the news we were looking for.

My wife and I did happen to go see a fertility doctor. We (or I should say she) completed her investigative cycle and we found that there was nothing wrong with her. My motility is normal and my count is just below the average, but nothing to be concerned about.

Everyone tells us to stay patient and to not let it stress us, but it's easier said than done. My wife and I are now considering using other methods through the fertility clinic but a lot of the methods are extremely pricey.

Sometimes I think it's not fair how there are some people unworthy of having children end up with what they call "mistakes" and at the same time there are people in this world who plan to have a child and run into difficulties.

Another month and another path towards potential upset or lifelong joy. Here's hoping.

[canabiz]

The sperm test is easy to do - you get a referral to a lab, go into a private room and give the sample to the front desk. Or you can bring a sample from home in the bottle your doctor will give you and take it to the lab - keeping it warm under your arm or in a front pocket. It's usually recommended after 1 year of trying. Your wife should ask for an ultrasound and request a specialist after your test has come back okay. I would give it a year if she is not experiencing other problems (for example heavy periods, severe cramps, bleeding with intercourse, etc) which could indicate a more serious problem. Good luck and stay out of hot tubs and wear boxers!

Why boxers and not briefs ?

[TheZodiac]

My wife's tubes are blocked, our next step is IVF, lucky for us OHIP covers half and my company benefits cover 80 percent of the medication she needs.

What's frustrating is sex changes covered 100 percent by OHIP and IVF is not.

[AnnaBanana]

Don't forget. the AVERAGE time required for conception is a year. So yes, many (they're the ones that will annoy you) get pregnant the first month, but MANY take a year, or longer... Your doctor will likely not refer you for infertility testing until at least a year. Yes it sucks that you may have to wait a while to finally get to see the specialist, but a year is nothing unusual (it just feels unusual when people say "we got pregnant the first month!!"). ignore those people, and relax.
stressing about it will make it more like a 'chore', and won't help with the process either...
the 'trying to get pregnant' should be the best part!!! my husband cannot WAIT for us to start 'trying' again!