Hi, I'm a newbie to this board. I've been trying to conceive (ttc) for 2 years and finally went to a reproductive endo for help in November. This weekend we did our 1st Clomid/IUI and am now in the stressful 2 week wait part of the cycle. I found out I had Celiac 3 1/2 years ago and have been stricly gluten-free ever since.

Is there anything special I should do to help our chances of conceiving this cycle? We can't do IVF because of the expense, and I think this procedure will cost about $500. We've already spent about $500 for labwork and tests. Our insurance covers next to nothing. I really don't want to go thru this over and over again. I never thought I'd be infertile. Actually, my hubby has low sperm and low morphology. I know this is a pregnancy forum, but I couldn't find one for those of us ttc. The fertility site I am on does not have many gluten-free members and I feel it's a big issue and could use the support. They just don't understand. Anyway, any stories or advice on how ttc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Lori

I saw no one responded, but I'm not sure that I can offer much help.

I took my temperature and charted, but I'm sure if you are at the point where you are at, then you have already done all of that.

Being gluten-free really hasn't been an issue in my pregnancy. I have had a couple of cravings that I couldn't satisfy but that was not that hard to deal with. I think the bigger issue will be dealing with the baby's diet and hoping he doesn't have celiac.

Good luck. I hope it works out this time!

I'm almost in the same boat as you. I've been TTC for 2 years and have been gluten-free for 10. We haven't really started any fertility 'treatments' yet. We are in the process of getting tested. If I find anything out that might help I'll let you know. I know how it feels to be looking for for answers – good luck!

Have your husband take vitamin C supplements in addition to a good multiple. Vitamin C is safe, any extra goes out in the urine, so I'd have my hubby take it a few times per day in that situation. Vitamin C is good for sperm health in many ways. You might Google Vitamin C and sperm to see what you can find.

I'm sure doc has already told him -- loose fitting underwear and pants ...

Also, do what you can to build up sperm count ... abstain two weeks (or at least 10 days) before ovulation to build up sperm count. You are most fertile when you have cervical mucus present (that mucus that you see mid-month), so when you begin seeing that mucus, start having relations at that time. One month try every-other-day, then the next month every day. Studies vary on which is more effective.

If your mucus never becomes like raw-egg white, then eat carrots ... the beta carotene is good for mucus quality. Mucus is essential for sperm migration, given the low sperm count, you want to be as friendly of an environment as you can!

Don't forget to have fun trying. Stress won't help any.

Thanks everyone for writing. My husband takes a slew of vitamins and amino acids to help his sperm count, including esther C. I chart my temps and cervical mucus, use the clear blue ovulation monitor, and we've tried baby dancing every day during ovulation, every other day, etc. It's been a long two years! At this point, if the IUI doesn't work, we'll try anything. Is there any chance that gluten is passed thru his sperm?

Lori,
There have been numerous threads on this topic (gluten in ..... ) and the resounding answer is no.

Even if it were, unless you were allergic, it wouldn't be a problem, because in general, gluten has to reach your small intestine for the celiac reaction to occur. And, it won't through "baby practicing." It can through other means of intimacy, but like stated above, it IS gluten free.

Good luck,
Laura

Klaya, if I may ask, how old are you? It may be time to see a Dr just for tests to make sure there isn't an easily resolvable solution (ie: thyroid). You can ask your gyno to take some cycle day 3 bloodwork and thyoid tests. I wish we didn't wait as long as we did to see someone. Especially at my age. Oh well, you live and you learn!

I am 35 and we've been trying for 2 years. We've just completed the first set of blood test and have started seeing a specialist. My tests came back 'normal' whatever that means – my husband's results aren't back yet so the answer could be there. He has a Varicocele but his doc told him it wouldn't really be an issue, I'm thinking that doc was wrong. Anyway, we're still in the dark and waiting for answers. Thanks for the advice, I hope everything works out for you.

hi i have diagnosed been 2 years ago,but have been ill for 17 years, i have 5 kids and pregentet again
have you tride takeing agnus castus it is good
good luck

Well, this is not what you want to hear, but it is my story - stop trying!
Seriously, as Carla said, stressing about it will make it never work. We tried for about 2 years, did the clomid and some other drug can't remember the name, then finally gave up and decided we could live together just the 2 of us and maybe get a dog then bam! very next month I had a period and got pregnant. The whole stress thing was lifted off my shoulders so I guess that helped. Now, I am pregnant again (we were not trying - thought I couldn't have another b/c I haven't had a period since that 1 three years ago) but as soon as I stopped taking the pill I got pregnant.

BTW, I was not dx with celiac until after my first pregnancy (1 1/2 years after to be exact), so I was eating gluten all along. Good luck to you!

We (husband and I) got our test results back and all is normal and good. So it appears that celiac disease is not really effecting my fertility at this point. Since I've been off gluten for so long I really didn't think it was an issue but you never know. The next step will be a pelvic x-ray 'Dye' test and then the Lap surgery if needed. Thanks for your encouragement I wish you all the best things that the future can bring.

Hi, I just wanted give you all an update. I had the Dye Test last month and then about a week ago my doc put me on Amoxicillin because I was having a lot of back pain and cramping (he thought I might have an infection form the test). Now I am 8 days late. I took an EPT 2 days before my period was due and it was negative. I am a little hesitant to take another test until I am few more days late. Has anyone had any experience with antibiotics and gluten? I asked the pharmacist if the drug was gluten free but she didn't know. Anyway, I'm feeling very bloated but I don't have my usual PMS symptoms so I'm not sure if I'm pregnant or have some sort of reaction to the antibiotics that has delayed my period. I also cut way back on dairy this month??? Who knows maybe that had some kind of effect.
Any one out there have any insight?

If your husband has a variocele find another doctor and get a second opinion. My husband and I tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant for 5 years. He was also told he did not need to have his variocele corrected. We got a second opionion and were told to make up our own minds. He had his variocele corrected and within 4 months I was pregnant with a healthy baby girl. The variocele surgery is pretty simple and quick. My husband had the surgery on Friday and was up and around and back to work on Monday....and he's a big baby. Plus, our insurance paid for the entire thing. Good Luck to you! Karena

Hi Klaya,

I would get a second opinion about your husbands condition.

Also, have the doctors performed antibody testing? http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-repro...m-Antibody-Test I know it says it's rare however the first test a nutritionist told me I should have is the anitbody testing if I'm not pregnant by the end of the year. It's supposedly not well received in the US but in other countries it's one of the first tests they perform.

I don't have much else for you except a big hug. I'm right in the same boat as you are and it's so frustrating. Our problem this month is DH is traveling right at prime time. Maybe next month! I hope everything works out for you!

Amy

Hi again, here's another update, although there's not much to update...

It's been almost 3 months since the dye test. I am having pain on my right side every other month so I'm sort of thinking that there's something going on in my right ovary. I am scheduled to see the doc at the end of May. I know he is going to suggest the Lap surgery – I am not looking forward that at all. I was thinking about trying acupuncture. Has anyone tried that?

I haven't had the antibody test but I will ask about it at my next appointment. As for my hubby, his test for mobility and sperm quality came back really good. Do you think his variocele could still be an issue?

Thanks for all the advice and support – You are all so generous and I really appreciate it.

Good luck and hugs to you all!

Klay

Hi Klaya,

I would definitely recommend acupuncture for you AND your husband. I frequent on another fertility board and the one group I'm on there is women who have been TTC doing acupuncture. There have been a lot of success stories.

I'm not quite there yet, but working on it. I did the whole IUI thing and it didn't work. I'm also 40. I'm probably going on to IVF.

Does anyone know how Lori's IUI went?

Claire

Hi everyone, it's been a while but I wanted to give an update in case there is anyone else in my shoes who might be looking for help. 3 weeks ago I had the lap and the doc found stage 2 endometriosos. He told me that my infertility was most likely caused by this and I believe him, since all else was normal. He removed it and we are now looking at something like 70% chances of conceiving naturally.
The surgery was a little scary but not as scary as I thought it would be. The recovery has been fairly quick. If your doc suggests having this type of surgery I would seriously consider it . My back and side pain have gone away and it only been 3 weeks. My Husband and I are really excited about our chances now.If anyone has any questions about the Lap surgery I'd be happy to try and help.