QUESTION

My husband and I have been trying for a baby for two years. We’re in our mid-30s and both healthy. My husband has been told that he has a low sperm count and now he is devastated that he might not get to be a father.

Cheryl

ANSWER

AS you mention, you have been trying to have a baby for two years, which is a good time to now seek help.

There are many risk

factors for low sperm and they can include lifestyle choices as well as physical conditions, but in the majority of cases, no clear cause is found.

Having no sperm whatsoever would stop your husband from becoming a biological father.

A low sperm count may be helped by In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), which involves taking an egg from the woman and injecting it with semen in a laboratory setting.

The fertilised egg is then replaced in the woman’s womb to hopefully grow into a baby.

QUESTION

Can fathers get baby blues? My partner was really looking forward to the birth of our first child, but six weeks later he seems withdrawn and hardly interacts with me or our little girl.

Laura, 32.

ANSWER

The arrival of a new one can be a time of great joy, but also a massive upheaval.

If your partner has been used to a relatively commitment free life beforehand, the realisation that having a baby is not plain sailing can often be a shock to the system.

If lack of sleep is also an issue, this can make any feelings worse.

Although traditionally assumed to only affect women, it is increasingly recognised that postnatal

low mood may afflict fathers too.

If you haven’t already, it would be worth talking to him finding out what is upsetting him.

If he is really struggling, a consultation with his regular GP would be an important first step.

If you have a question for Dr Zak, please email: askdoctorzak@gmail.com

W: doctorzak.co.uk

T: @AskDoctorZak

Dr Uddin’s advice is provided in good faith and in accordance with currently accepted evidence. However, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always seek the advice of a GP, or other qualified health provider, regarding a medical condition.