My 29 year old husband and I (aged 27) wed in on April 2nd, 2011, at which time I went off the birth control pill. We used protection for several months, after which I went back on the pill (in early August), with the intention of waiting until the following year to attempt conception.

On August 21st, 2011, my husband, a fireman, suffered an Aortic Dissection while fighting a fire. The dissection resulted in a 90% blockage via blood clot. An hour prior to his heart attack, he had inhaled a large dose of exhaust from a 2-stroke vent saw, which caused him immediate vomitting. He survived the dissection with moderate damage to his heart muscle. He now has a Stent and is on your typical dosage of meds, blood thinners, cholestorol meds, meds to slow the heart rate etc. My husband has always been very fit, as we both workout out regularly. We eat very well (white bread has never entered our home). There was no plaque in his arteries, no family history, and no previous medical issues.

My question is this; how has all of this affected his fertility? Since August 21st, I have again stopped taking the birth control pill, and would very much like to conceive. He is feeling well enough to try. What are the chances of conception within the first month, considering having back on the pill for two weeks.

Thanks so much,
Lisa

As far as the fertility rate is concerned, that is never affected by any cardiac problem. However, as common sense indicates, a man with some cardiac problem may feel pain, pressure or some other symptom in his chest. His cardiac problems have nothing to do with his fertility rate. However, I would advise you to give him rest at least for the next 2 months. That will take him to lot more safe side. He is a young man and need some time to recover. You can start such activities once his veins get strong enough to bear a little pressure of his blood. Before he involves in sex, he should try to increase his stamina by walking and at later times, running. During the whole time, he must remain in touch with his cardiologist.

Unless he is getting erectile dysfunction then fertility on his part is probably pretty good.

It will take a while for the hormones from the pill to get out of your system as well as your hormones to stabilize. This could be immediate or take a couple months. Just take it slow and you'll be fine. If you don't get pregnant within a year then it would be worth your while to consult a fertility expert.

It takes the average couple one year to get pregnant.

That means your odds of it happening the very first month you try are pretty low.

It CAN happen--think how often it happens to those NOT trying! However, unless you are working with a fertility specialist and have been plotting your ovulation charts for months, the odds of it happening in month 1 are pretty low.

Do not focus completely on getting pregnant, but do start charting your basal body temperature so that you KNOW when you are ovulating. Once you know your cycle inside and out, start having sex the 2-3 days BEFORE you expect to ovulate. Once you ovulate, it's actually generally too late to get pregnant that month.

Make an appointment with your OB/Gyn and let her know you are trying to get pregnant so that you can get on pre-natal vitamins and so that she can help you get pregnant sooner.

Yes, the odds of getting preganant, the first month, esp after just stopping birth control pills is low.

As long as his doctor has cleared him for sexual activity, there should be no issue. He can of course get a sperm count if there is a concern