A sperm count of below 10 million is considered poor
A healthy sperm count is above 40 million, and a count of 10 million or less is considered low. Men with sperm counts between 10 and 40 million may still cause pregnancy if the sperm has good motility, movement, and morphology, or shape.
Science is pretty damn amazing. Throughout this process, I’ve really been blown away (and kind of terrified) by the possibilities and magic that science and doctors bring to the table of infertility. The crazy thing about infertility is, there’s still a lot of unknown.
Justin has had a few procedures done over the past 6 months to try to get to the bottom of his low sperm count. (Thanks for hanging in there for those, babe!) Sidenote- As we laughed at how many people have handled his testicles over the past year, I told him it’s still nothing compared to dropping your drawers and sliding your feet into cold metal stirrups, right ladies? 😉
We still haven’t really figured out why his levels are where they are, which is ZERO. Not even just low, they are zero. In reality, there’s really nothing that should have impacted that since he was able to conceive Austin in 2011.
In early March, we headed into a procedure called a TESE. Basically, they just go directly into the testicle and try to extract active sperm with a needle. This procedure was important. If this didn’t work, we were faced with a more extensive procedure that required me to start all of the meds for IVF, Justin to undergo yet another surgery, and, at the chance of not finding enough sperm from Justin, we would have to decide if we would consider donor sperm.
I was really nervous about us going into the TESE. The doctor wasn’t super optimistic as she reviewed all of the information with us, and as I sat in the lobby waiting for him to come out of the operation a little piece of me was already convinced we were doomed. We had just lost our sweet boy, Diesel, the week before and my heart was just not ready for another break.
The doctor called me as soon as the procedure ended and told us that she was amazed that they were able to find enough active sperm for a round of IVF. I was shocked. I silently sobbed in the waiting room before they brought me back to see Justin. As I saw him, barely awake from his anesthesia slumber, he said “How’d I do?” With tears rolling down my cheeks I told him “You did it, we get to have a baby together!” With a sleepy full toothed smile, he said “Yes! I did it. I can’t wait to have babies with you… Let’s party.” and if you know Justin, you know that’s really what he said haha!
I’ve interviewed some amazing people about their own process and journey through infertility through Be Unstoppable Radio. The unique thing about infertility is that everyone is experiencing such different emotions, problems, and obstacles all for the same goal, which is to start a family with someone they love.
If you know someone in a similar situation, spread the love and share the word with this post and help others feel the support they need during a difficult time.
Love, Cass
