A true life case study of how one woman overcame her allergy to her husband's sperm.
When *Nicola and *Paul got married, they wanted a family like anybody else. A year later, Nicola still wasn't pregnant.
They went to the doctor and underwent tests to determine Paul's sperm count and whether or not Nicola was ovulating. Both tests came back normal.
A laparoscopy was done to see whether there were any scars or adhesions in Nicola's womb, whether she had endometriosis or blocked fallopian tubes. The results came back normal. Her womb and tubes were in healthy condition.
Preplexed, they were told they had 'unexplained infertility' and to carry on trying for a baby.
The following year, Nicola was overjoyed when she got pregnant. Her joy was short lived, however, when early in her pregnancy, she miscarried.
Doctors told her she was too 'hung up' on getting pregnant and that the stress was causing her to be unable to concieve and that if she forgot about it, she might get pregnant.
She was already 28 years old, and three years later had still not managed to attain a pregnancy.
Further tests were done (including a post-coital compatibility test) and it was discovered that she was actually allergic to Paul's sperm and producing ASA (anti-sperm antibodies).
After years of unsuccessful investigations with doctors, Nicola decided to try alternative medicine, specifically Chinese medicine and accupuncture. She took Chinese herbs every week for eight weeks and combined that with a weekly accupuncture treatment.
She soon felt more energised and was able to sleep better. After the eight weeks she discontinued the accupuncture but carried on taking the herbs. She then had a follow up treatment every three weeks.
Eight months later was got pregnant, continued with her treatments until week 12, and was able to maintain the pregnancy.
She carried to full term and gave birth to a healthy baby.
* Names have been changed.
