Breanna’s* husband, a T6 paraplegic from the U.K., became wheelchair-bound after a motorcycle accident at the age of 17.
Paraplegia, a condition that causes paralysis in the lower body, can make conception challenging, but not impossible. There are different degrees of paralysis accompanied by distinct symptoms.
In the case of Breanna’s husband, a T6 paraplegic means that they are unable to move their body below the chest area but still has complete control over both arms. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, T6 paraplegics can be self-sufficient with the help of a wheelchair and self-care.
That’s probably why Breanna and her life partner decided to have kids. But due to her husband’s injury, they needed assistance to conceive. After going for fertility tests, the hopeful couple found out that they were dealing with low sperm motility and poor sperm morphology, which complicated matters.
At this point in time, Breanna chanced upon the twoplus Applicator Extra, a self-insemination sperm syringe. They decided to try it before seeing a specialist and successfully became pregnant on their first attempt!
Read on for Breanna’s inspiring story of strength and hope as she shares how the Applicator Extra helped her and her husband fulfill their dreams of becoming parents.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not intended as medical advice.
*Name was changed to protect privacy.
Breanna Spills the Beans on Their Miracle Conception Journey
Interview responses were edited for clarity.
Q: Hi, Breanna! Tell us a bit about yourself! How old are you and your partner? Where do you live and what do you both work as?
A: Both my partner and I are 34 years old. I’m a retail worker, and my partner doesn’t work due to being in a wheelchair as he has paraplegia.
Q: You’ve mentioned that your husband has low sperm motility and would need to be referred to a fertility clinic. Could you share more about your fertility struggles as a couple before the pregnancy?
A: We couldn’t conceive naturally due to my partner’s injury, so we had to have tests to see if they could draw the sperm using a device. We had the sperm tested to be told he had low motility and morphology, so he would need help to conceive.
Q: What led you to purchase the Applicator Extra? What did you like/dislike about it?
A: While waiting for our referral [to see a specialist], I saw the Applicator Extra and thought, “What have we got to lose whilst we wait?” [I liked that] it was easy to use.
Q: Congratulations on getting pregnant with the twoplus Applicator Extra on your first try! Is this your first successful pregnancy? How long have you been trying to conceive?
A: Yes, it’s our first pregnancy. We have been discussing having a baby for a couple of years, and the tests took us months to find out what we needed. [We’re glad to have tried the Applicator Extra as] the referral [to see a specialist] still hadn’t been offered after we found out we were pregnant.
Q: Did you adopt any lifestyle changes to improve your odds of conceiving?
A: I started taking vitamins. My partner didn't do anything.
Q: Would you recommend the Applicator Extra to other people who may have difficulties with natural conception?
A: I would definitely recommend the Applicator Extra, as I think it just kept the sperm where it needed to be longer. Without it, I think I would have lost a lot [of semen] through leakage.
Q: If you could go back to the beginning of your TTC journey, what would you have done differently? Also, what would you suggest to other couples who are TTC?
A: I would do nothing differently. I did a lot of research and used ovulation tests to give us the best odds.
Q: Was it a lifelong dream of you and your husband to have a child?
A: Both of us always wanted children. I felt more strongly when I met my partner at 30 years old; he was the one I wanted a child with.
Q: If you plan on having more children in the future, will you consider the Applicator Extra again?
A: Yes, I would definitely use the Applicator Extra again!
Q: I understand your husband has his sperm tested. Did you, on your part, go for any fertility tests?
A: I went for some blood tests to start our fertility journey, as we needed these for our referral [to see a specialist].
You Don’t Have To Give Up Your Parenthood Dream Due to Physical Limitations
In a world where physical limitations like paraplegia can seem insurmountable, Breanna and her husband never gave up. With the help of the twoplus Applicator Extra, they overcame their challenges and achieved their dream of becoming parents.
Breanna’s journey serves as a reminder that, with the right tools and determination, anything is possible.
So, don’t let obstacles stand in the way of your dreams. If you’re in a similar situation as Breanna, take inspiration from her pregnancy success story, and let the Applicator Extra be your ally in starting a family!