QuestionHI!
I am a 33 year old trying to conceive. My husband, 28, was injured in Iraq in 2005 which resulted in a paralysis from the waste down. April and May of this year we saw a urology specialist to have his sperm tested - all levels and counts were good. As of June, I have tracked my cycles and we tried turkey basting on our own (I used a hand held massager to force ejaculation into a cup). Three days after ovulation was to have occurred, I had a surge of pregnancy symptoms - tended breasts, cramping, nausea and spotting which continued until two days after my period was to begin. Took two home pregnancy tests tests - both came out negative. Then all symptoms disappeared and the flood gates opened - the heaviest period I have ever had.
This month we tried again (July). Pregnancy symptoms came on alot slower - tender breasts, abdominal pain shooting up into my chest, and a heavy/bloated feeling. At 13 days post ovulation, I had light brown discharge and pink spotting. My period was to start today(July 28th), but I had heavy bleeding last night and into this morning. Now it has disappeared and I just have light cramping and my breasts are not tender. It seemed like a period?
We had a consult with a fertility specialist in June who suggested we get my husband's sperm sample frozen and start fertility shots and have him perform artificial insemination, but we decided to try on our own and see what happened naturally. I'm not sure if we should continue to try on our own and that these occurrences are normal and will just take a few tries or is my body is telling me something is wrong?
Thank You!!
AnswerHello,
I cannot tell you exactly what is going on without some further evaluation, but what you describe in terms of your cycle does not seem normal. That may be why your fertility specialist is recommending IUI. Part of this process is to use fertility drugs to get the ovaries to function correctly and correct any hormonal abnormalities. So, it is a consideration.
If you can have natural intercourse, then you certainly can keep trying on your own. It is recommended for a woman under 35 to try naturally for at least one year. I presume that since you can get ejaculated sperm, your husband is able to keep an erection. If that is the case, then you should be able to have natural intercourse and try that way. I would not recommend that you continue trying with the turkey baster. That is a waste of time. IUI is better. You don't necessarily need to freeze the sperm if you can get a specimen on the day that you need it.
I hope that helps,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com for more information and answers.
