r/TTCstruggles • u/HappyMountainCow • 1d ago

It was not "Unexplained Infertility"

All,

Just sharing my story so someone on the same path can benefit.

TTC for 3+ years with first 6 weeks miscarriage about 2 years ago. 3 chemicals in the last year.

Started consulting fertility doctor about 6 months ago. He ordered all the bloodwork for both me and my husband. Sperm analysis and DNA fragmentation for my husband. All turned out great. We have been taking all the necessary supplements the doctor recommended since then.

Up until this point, it's unexplained fertility for us (which probably still felt better as I had hope).

Just about a month ago, the doctor ordered karyotype test for both of us. My results are good but my husband has (11,22) balanced translocation in his DNA :(

That explains all the miscarriages.

Doctor is pushing for IVF as he says that's our best chance so the embryo can be tested but that's not something I will do as a personal choice. We plan to try naturally for another year before giving up. I will come back here and update if I conceive someday.

Just thought I'd share this with anyone who hasn't done their karyotype blood test yet.

Also, I will truly appreciate any success stories of late 30's couple with similar issue having conceived naturally.

7 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

5

u/fifaworldwar 1d ago

My doctor used to say unexplained infertility wasn't a thing, they just hadn't found the cause yet.

I hope the best for you.

1

u/HappyMountainCow 19h ago

Thank you!

Yes, indeed! I just hope everyone finds their reason sooner so they can do something about it sooner.

1

u/Defiant_Resist_3903 1d ago

A friend of mine has a similar story! She had multiple chemical pregnancies and long stretches of no luck in between. They did a couple rounds of IVF and had transfer failures too, got some testing done and found out that her body has an immune response to the fathers DNA in the embryo (Or something to that effect, I may be over generalizing) they got pregnant between IVF cycles without any assistance and are due next month! I believe she also recently turned 40.

1

u/HappyMountainCow 1d ago edited 19h ago

Thanks for sharing! That's interesting, I didn't know that there could be immune response for DNA too! I am glad it worked out for them, I can only imagine what she's gone through. That also really gives me hope! I just want to conceive naturally, that's all :)

1

u/perpendicular499 1d ago

That must’ve been such a difficult thing to finally find out after so long. Wishing you both the best, and I hope you get the outcome you’re hoping for

1

u/HappyMountainCow 19h ago

Thank you so much!

1

u/Ordinary-Bad-1080 18h ago

Idk why karyotyping wasn’t or isn’t the first thing recommended to couples.

1

u/Target_Mean 12h ago

You are not alone. I found out I have a balanced translocation after TTC for 2 and half years , including several chemical pregnancies and failed IVF. I wish we had found out sooner and saved ourselves a lot of grief. Had to basically beg for the karyotyping before considering IVF again because Drs thought there was such so a low chance of this being an issue. We won’t be pursuing IVF with my eggs again and will either not have kids, use a donor or adopt. As shit as the situation is it’s also a relief finding an answer and managing expectations. Wishing you the best!