lots of questions

[summer06]

OK...I just saw my dr and she finally is referring me to a speciallist. She said that everything looks good - I am ovulating and my tubes are all clear. So I asked her why I can't get pregnant. She said it could be a number of things. But one thing she said was that my cm might have antibodies in it that prevents sperm from breaking through. Has anyone ever heard of this and if so can you get pregnant through other means (she did suggest IUI and a friend highly recommended injections)? Should I be using something like preseed or do anything special to help? Thanks for your help.

[anniesland2]

I would suggest waiting to see what the specialist says good luck to you!

[YvetteY]

I've heard of the issue with your cervical mucous.  It's called hostile mucous.  Perhaps you can research that on the internet.  It has to do with the acidity and PH of your cervical mucous, or the CM being too thick and the sperm can't swim through it.  

In the process of IUI, you bypass the cervical mucous, and the sperm doesn't have to swim up into the fallopian tubes.  

There is a test to check for it, I believe it's called a post-coital (sp?) test.

[msdst6]

I was diagnosed with having cervical mucous that contained antibodies that was killing my husband's sperm. We tried IUI (8/06) and I got pregnant on the first attempt. This process allows sperm to bypass the mucous and go directly into the cervix. I guess because all of my other hormone/lab values associated with infertility testing were acceptable, the only injection I was required to take was 10,000 units of hcg the day prior the injection. To make a long story short-I miscarried at 10 weeks. I was able to have the tissue testing after the d/c and there were no fetal abnormalities so my doctor wanted to do some additional testing to determine the cause if/when my husband were willing to try the procedure again. Well based on a recurrent loss pregnancy panel (this was my first pregancy/first loss-I'm 41), I was told I have a clotting disorder which isn't significant unless you have a fetal loss or a thrombotic event. I would have to take a blood thinner according to my doctor-if I get pregnant again. We tried IUI again on 2/5 (day after we won the Super Bowl) and I go Monday for follow-up and to take a pregnancy test.

Anyway, my doctor made it seem like having the cervical mucous problem is an easy problem to rectify when it comes to treating infertility (for females).

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[msdst6]

I,m sorry, I meant to say with IUI, it allows the sperm to bypass the cervix and go directly into the uterus.

[summer06]

Thank you ladies for you responses but if I have to have an IUI what type of procedure is it - am I in and out in a day, how long will it take (procedure), and is it painful?
Thank you again!

[msdst6]

The IUI is completed on an outpatient basis. I think total time was maybe an hour or so. I took my husband's sperm sample to the lab which happens to be across the parking lot from the specialist's office. It took maybe 20-25 minutes to "wash" the sperm sample (clean it up and get the slow moving sperm out the way). I then took the sample which is now in a test tube to the specialist's office. The nurse checked it one more time (maybe to verify the lab's results). You are placed in the position as if you are having a pap. She inserted a small, flexible catherer in my vagina,up to the uterus and then the sample was released. I had to lie on the exam table maybe 20 minutes after the procedure. After that-you are free to return to work or whatever your day calls for. According to the professionals, the sperm will not fall out. I took the day off and went home, laid down and relaxed.  I had some slight cramping-nothing unbearable and maybe a small amount of bleeding. Afterwards, I continue to keep my temperatures and about 2 weeks later-I returned to take the pregnancy test.

For me-you need to have a flexible work schedule to be able to have labs drawn at certain times or to have the IUI done. When the follicle is ready-you have to be ready. I don't think you can say, "Can I come back in a few days when I'm off from work".

Hope this helps.

[summer06]

Thank you for all your information.