This couple were in their mid 30s, trying to conceive their first baby.
They had tried for over a year, had various tests done, and were referred to the HSE fertility hub in February.
On a recommendation from a friend, they started working with Now Baby at the same time.
Their expectation was that, with our support, they would improve their chance of success when they were referred for IVF by the HSE.
They were wrong.
They were shocked to hear that IVF referrals require an additional set of criteria, and only about one third of all HSE fertility hub patients go on to receive Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) treatment.
The next big surprise was his semen analysis.
He had been told it was “fine”.
But when we reviewed the actual results for sperm count, motility and morphology, they were all hovering close to the 5th percentile.
That is the World Health Organization cut-off for “normal”.
Which means there was 95% room for improvement.
He works shifts and, although he is very physically active, his meal timings, sleep and caffeine consumption were likely to be influencing the metabolic environment in which his sperm were developing.
Stress was a major factor for her, and she already had some good habits around managing it.
What was missing was effective frequency and consistency.
When I explained how her inability to switch off at night and difficulty getting to sleep may be affecting her egg maturation and quality, she saw the sense in doing more of what she was already enjoying.
The supplements they were both taking were good quality, and certainly expensive, but not sufficiently targeted for their needs.
This was an easy upgrade, as they were already in the habit of taking them regularly.
They started to realise that the HSE was not going to address any of this with them, and that much of the solution was in their own hands.
Then came the biggest shock of all.
After almost 18 months of trying, numerous tests and a place on the HSE fertility hub waiting list, they had a positive pregnancy test — just six weeks after starting targeted nutrition and lifestyle changes.
This Is Subfertility
This is subfertility.
Not infertility.
Not set in stone.
Fertility that is not responding as it should — yet.
The medical pathway does not distinguish between the two.
Subfertility and infertility are managed the same way.
Same timelines.
Same criteria.
Same next step.
But they are not the same.
Because subfertility responds when the conditions are right.
And when those conditions are met, conception is no longer an “if” — but when.
