A zero sperm count diagnosis didn't stop us having our girls

A zero sperm count diagnosis didn’t stand in the way of Becci and Robbie conceiving two beautiful baby girls. Now, they’re sharing their story so that other people in a similar position know options are available when faced with the impossible.  

Becci and Robbie's story

When nursery assistant Becci, now aged 30, met construction manager Robbie, 43, in 2017, they knew almost immediately that children were a part of their future together.  

“With Robbie being a bit older than me we knew it might not be easy,” explains Becci. “We decided to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later.” 

Because of this, they admit to not waiting long before seeking medical help. "When you desperately want a child, and you're told you must wait a year, a year just feels like an eternity." 

In 2018, the couple was referred to the Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital, where they had some fertility tests carried out.  

For Becci, this included various in-depth tests, including a HyCoSy scan, which examines the ovaries and fallopian tubes to check for abnormalities or blockages, all of which came back normal. However, after three semen analyses, Robbie was diagnosed as having a zero sperm count.  

"I felt guilty that I was the cause.”

“To sit across from a doctor and hear that you have a zero sperm count and your chances of having a child are limited is just heartbreaking,” says Robbie.  

“I felt so guilty, too, knowing I was putting my wife through this whole process, and she’d been put through all of these tests for no reason.” 

Following Robbie’s diagnosis, the couple were referred to a specialist in London who recommended a procedure known as microTESE (microsurgical testicular sperm extraction), a surgical procedure used to retrieve sperm from inside a person’s testes. 

During the procedure, the specialists were able to extract four samples of sperm tissue from Robbie, which was then frozen and safely stored for use in later fertility treatments.  

“We feel fortunate that we were able to have this done via the NHS. It was very early stages for that treatment, and I don’t think many people had had it done before me. It was just the one clinic in London offering it at that present time,” explains Robbie.  

“It was a difficult procedure with a two-week recovery time, but it was worth it in the end.” 

"I needed to hear a second opinion.” 

Soon after Robbie’s procedure, the couple returned to the Leicester Royal Infirmary for their first IVF cycle.  

Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful. “We went back in and were told that we could try again, but they would do the same thing and hope that it worked,” recalls Robbie.   

“Already, we were one sample of tissue down with nothing to show for it, and it was quite scary to think that nothing more would be done to improve our chances a second time around.” 

The NHS funded the first cycle, but the couple would have to pay for future rounds if they wanted to try again. “I couldn’t accept that there was nothing more they could do.” 

“I asked Becci to find me another consultant. If they told me the same thing, we’d accept our chances, but I needed to hear it from someone else.” 

After hearing an advert on the radio for TFP Nurture Fertility, the couple booked a consultation. “My first question when we sat down with the consultant was ‘Is it just the same ABC process again?’ and he said that was completely untrue. There were lots more options we could explore.” 

The couple had initially booked a consultation with TFP Nurture and another fertility clinic. “The consultant at TFP Nurture was informative, realistic and positive,” says Becci.  

Having compared success rates between TFP Nurture and the other clinics, Becci and Robbie decided they didn’t need to go elsewhere. “The proof was in the pudding; we now have two beautiful daughters.” 

 "It came down to a single grade A embryo.” 

The results from all of Becci’s tests with the NHS were still in date, so the couple could get the ball rolling quickly.  

Their treatment began in February 2020. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic brought it to a halt. “I was already doing the first set of injections when Nurture phoned to say I had to stop. They explained that other patients were further along with their treatment and that my age was on our side. 

“Knowing that we had to wait for an unknown amount of time was difficult to accept. We respected their decision and understood they were following the guidelines at the time,” says Becci.  

Four months later, restrictions began to lift, and Becci and Robbie were able to commence their treatment. “Everything went smoothly. My body reacted how they wanted it to, and all my scans looked great.” 

When it was time for Becci’s egg collection, more than 20 eggs were retrieved. A sample of Robbie’s sperm tissue was thawed, sperm was carefully extracted and then mixed with Becci’s eggs for fertilisation to take place. By their five-day wait, they were down to just one grade-A embryo. Thankfully, this was all they needed, and baby girl, Luna, was born in April 2021.  

 "I don’t think I was emotionally or physically ready.”

In 2022, the couple decided to try for a sibling for Luna. But with no embryos stored, the couple had to start from scratch.  

“We had more blastocysts left by the end of the five days, but neither were as good as Luna. I think we had a D and an E,” says Becci. “They transferred both, but I started to bleed soon after implantation.  

“Looking back, I’m not sure I was emotionally or physically ready, and we probably should have waited a bit longer.” 

The couple had one final sperm tissue sample remaining that they didn’t want to waste, but they admitted it was a massive financial commitment. They opted for a third and final cycle with TFP Nurture in 2023, which Becci says went as smoothly as their first. Finally, another baby girl, Alba, was born in August 2024, completing their family.  

"People need to hear these experiences to know what’s possible.” 

Reflecting on their experience with TFP Nurture Fertility, Becci and Robbie agree they made the right choice. “Everyone was brilliant. It’s something they do every single day, but it’s transformed our entire lives. And when you get what you thought you would never have, it’s such an amazing feeling,” says Becci.  

Robbie adds, “They helped us to feel as relaxed as we could be throughout all our cycles with them. We speak very highly of them and would always recommend TFP Nurture to anyone that told us they were thinking of having fertility treatment.” 

Becci remembers struggling to find stories of people going through a similar thing when Robbie was first diagnosed, which left them feeling hopeless in the beginning.  

“I’ll happily share my story so that other men out there know that options are available. Science is a wonderful thing,” says Robbie.  

“People need to hear these experiences to know what is possible. You can still have a family even when faced with the impossible.”  

TFP Fertility and HIM Fertility 

In 2024, TFP Fertility partnered with the Fertility Network UK to increase awareness of male infertility and support for men on their fertility journey.  

Male factor infertility is the cause of more than 40% of infertility diagnoses. The partnership aims to break the silence surrounding male infertility and enable men to speak up about the impact a diagnosis of infertility has had on their mental well-being, self-esteem, sex life, career and finances as well as help them navigate the support available.