Trying to get (my wife) pregnant

DanC

Member
Messages
5
Hello everyone.

My name's Dan, I'm 29 years old and I live in the south-east UK, quite near to Reading. I was diagnosed as being Type I Diabetic when I was 16 and currently have to inject 4 times a day.

Over the 13 years that I've been living with my Diabetes I think I've gradually developed rather a relaxed attitude to it and as a consequence I haven't always looked after my blood sugar nearly as carefully as I should have done.

The reason for my post is to ask whether anyone here knows anything much about how Diabetes can affect fertility. My wife and I did manage to get pregnant back in June but we lost the baby at the beginning of August and have now started trying again. I've read several things online though, saying that there's an increased chance of miscarriage if the father suffers from Diabetes and also that sperm can be damaged by poor blood-sugar regulation. I've also read articles saying that being Diabetic has no bearing on male fertility whatsoever so this has left me a little confused.

At the moment I'm feeling rather angry and frustrated at myself for potentially jeopardising our chances of falling pregnant again by my complete absence of will-power. Obviously I'm working hard to rectify this now but I would love to hear from anyone who has been in the same situation who is now a parent!

Many thanks for your time!
Dan
 

hanadr

Expert
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Hi Dan
I'm in Reading
As far as I'm aware, diabetes when under even partial control doesn't affect male fertility.
I would go to the GP to discuss this.
Hana
 

cugila

Master
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Hi Dan.

there has been a small study at Sheffield University that MAY show Diabetes to be linked with male fertility. Here is a link to a BBC News article about the subject. There are other links on the net if you care to look.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6615261.stm

The condition may be treatable and as Hana says you should discuss this with your GP and possibly a Specialist to ensure you get the best advice and any treatment.
 

pavlosn

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,705
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dear Dan

I am sorry to hear of the recent miscarriage suffered by your wife.

I do not know if diabetes is linked to male infertility. It sounds like doctors do not know that much on the subject either. I do know though, from personal experience, that there is a lot that the medical profession can do to assist couples with fertility problems, irrespective of what the cause of these problems are.

It was before I was diagnosed with diabetes but my wife and I did have trouble conceiving as well.

In fact, we had to undergo several unsuccessful cycles of IVF treatment before finally my wife became pregnant with our son. Each unsuccessful cycle, taking an increasingly heavy emotional toll from both of us. Each time hopes rekindled only to be cruelly dashed away, making it all the harder to try again the next time.

So although we never went through an actual miscarriage, I believe that my own experience gives me some idea of what you must be going through.

Coming to terms with such a loss can not be easy on either of you. Perhaps you can use the anger and frustration you are now feeling as motivation to bring your diabetes under better control, whether this is linked to any fertility issues or not.

When bad things happen to us, I believe it is in our nature to blame ourselves and feel guilty as a result. I really do not think that you should think like that. It does not matter what or which partner is the cause of the infertility. It is a problem for you as a couple and what is importand is that you suport each other and seek medical help to assist you, first to determine if such an infertility issue exists and then on how best to overcome it.

I would advise you to discuss the matter with your doctor but also, when the two of you feel emotionally up to it, to see your wife's gynecologist who may refer you to a fertility clinic for tests and if necessary treatment.

As I said dealing and overcoming infertility is emotionally highly taxing, however percevierence is worth it in the end.

Our son is now six and the joy of both our lives!

I wish you both well.

Regards

Pavlos
 

DanC

Member
Messages
5
Hello again,

Thanks for your kind words and support; it has all been very helpful. I have got an appointment with my GP today so I will see what he says and then decide how to proceed from there.

Thanks again,
Dan
 

sugar2

Well-Known Member
Messages
833
Hi Dan,
Hope the GP was able to help! I am near Reading too...there are a lot of us about!
I can not help really, as I am Type 1 Mum, not a type 1 dad, but can say, that what you have to do, is say, the past is the past, and I have been foolish, but what would be really daft is not to put more effort in now. I was in this position, and never thought that I would have childrens, but with lots of effort, I now have 2 healthy bundles of joy.

My cousins husband is Type 1, but this is not something we have discussed...but he too has 2 beautiful daughters.

If my family is anything to go by though, the children of diabetics are on average, 30% cheekier than teh children of none diabetics :D
Good luck!