IVF With ICSI
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ICSI treatment has become popular since the introduction of micro injection technology. A quick explanation would be, that a single sperm is injected into the egg.
So if your partner has any problems with sperm motility, abnormality, or for some reason the sperm just won't fertilize the egg, this is a fantastic way of having their very own baby.
IVF with ICSI - The procedure.
As with normal ivf you will be given a cycle of fertility drugs to help you to ovulate. You eggs will then be collected.The eggs will undergo a procedure which will strip away a protective coating of cells that normally surround them.
A sperm sample will be collected from your partner. This sample could contain very little (or in some circumstances) no sperm at all, so more samples may be needed. The sample will be processed carefully, and can then be used for IVF - ICSI.
Some men with varying sperm counts, will be advised to have a sperm sample frozen.
If your partner has a blockage in his tubes, then sperm can be taken using a procedure with a fine needle, or in some cases micro surgery may be carried out to find the sperm.
Other processes are also possible for many more male infertility problems.
IVF with ICSI - The process
The process of injecting the sperm into the egg after collection is all done in a laboratory, using specialist equipment.Once all of the eggs have been injected with sperm, they will be placed into an incubator. After approximately 14 hours they will be checked. If the eggs have been fertilized, then after another 48 - 72 hours they can be transferred into your uterus.
The success rate of ICSI treatment is around 60-80%, so for every 100 eggs injected with sperm, around 60 (maybe slightly more) will be fertilized and form embryo's.
The rate of women to get pregnant with one IVF - ICSI treatment cycle is around 35%, and this is mainly due to the quality and number of eggs, retrieved from the female (her age will also be taken into account)
ICSI risks
There doesn't appear to be any higher risks of birth defects or genetic anomalies than normal with this treatment. Studies have shown though that some of the male children born through ICSI may be infertile as well.Click here to learn more about IVF
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