Conception without paying thousands...

  Although there are many expensive procedures to aid in conception, there haven't been any suggestions to us that are below $9,000. to get pregnant. My husband was told that his seminal fluid is subnormal, but there are about 26 million sperm present. Is there any other procedure besides ixy zift and artificial insemination?
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Dear Kay,
Approximately 15% of all married couples will experience reproductive difficulty.  Conception normally is within 12 month in 80% of couples who are trying.  If after this period of time you have not conceived it is then recommended you proceed with an infertility evaluation of both the male and the female.  I can only assume you have done what I have just described and the semen analysis parameter you have provided is a result of this work-up.
Infertility is a very expensive area of medicine and often attempts fail.  It is unfortunate that all of us who want to conceive are not always able. To begin with below, is a normal semen analysis.
The main semen parameters that should be evaluated are:
Ejaculate volume- 1.5-5.0 ml
Sperm density- >20 million/ml
Motility >60%
Forward progression >2 (scale 1-4)
Morphology >60% normal
As you notice, your husbands sperm count is in the normal range.  You may want to discuss with you doctor  which parameter is abnormal so that you can better understand what the problem is.
Regarding the possible methods of conceiving, unfortunately they are all very expensive and not covered by insurance.  The two procedures that you mention deal with in vitro  techniques and resultant gamete implantation.  There are a number of different acronyms to identify what is actually being done and each type of procedure. The results are measured by a take home baby rate.  It is difficult to comment on the potential options due to the limited information you have given me.
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