ICSI

ICSI is most often recommended and implemented in various types of male infertility, such as:

• small number of sperm
• poor sperm motility
• morphological abnormalities of the sperm
• absence of sperm in the ejaculate, but there is sperm production (sperm can be removed from the testicles using the TESE method)
• retrograde ejaculation (sperm in a man's urine)

Other reasons for the ICSI procedure include:

• in patients with damaged fallopian tubes
• in patients with hydrosalpinx
• in women with poor oocyte quality
• use of frozen sperm or eggs
• in previous IVF attempts there were few or no fertilized eggs
• conducting preimplantation genetic diagnostics

When the necessary preparations (necessary tests, analyzes, X-rays, ultrasound, etc.) are performed, almost every treatment begins during the period of a woman's menstrual bleeding (second or third day of menstruation).

Treatment begins with a mild dose of therapy that the patient can give herself..

The length of the stimulation phase depends on the response to the drug. These reactions are monitored by blood tests and ovarian ultrasound.

Ultrasound imaging allows our doctor to count and measure follicles. Blood tests to monitor hormone levels are another indicator of progress. Protocol stimulation and monitoring of follicle growth lasts about 10 days and includes 2-3 clinic visits.

The sampled sperm is prepared in the embryological laboratory "New Life" IVF center. The oocyte fluid is examined in parallel. After detailed control, the embryologist stores the eggs with nutrient mediums in an environmentally controlled incubator. In the afternoon, the ICSI method is takes place, where an embryologist with previously cleaned and selected sperm injects it into a morphologically neat and mature egg cell. After the completion of ICSI, the fertilized eggs are stored in an incubator. The success of ICSI is seen after 17-19 hours.

The embryologist monitors the growth and viability of the embryo to determine (according to the history of the couple, the woman's age, the cause of infertility, etc.) whether the transfer will take place on the 3rd or 5th day. Embryo transfers three days after collection (called “day 3 transfers,” when the embryo contains four to eight cells) have resulted in tens of thousands of successful pregnancies. Alternatively, embryo transfer is often performed five days after collection and fertilization (“day 5 transfer or blastocyst transfer”), with excellent pregnancy rates.

Embryo transfer involves an outpatient procedure that usually does not require anesthesia.

Prior to the procedure, the patient's bladder must be partially full; therefore, it is recommended that the patient does not urinate for two hours before embryo transfer. After staying in our clinic for one hour, the patient goes home and continues to use the medication prescribed by her doctor.

The pregnancy test is scheduled for 12 days from the day of the transfer. Until the test, the patient is recommended normal usual/behavior during the day, only without strenuous physical exertion. If the pregnancy test is positive, an ultrasound is scheduled so that the doctor can confirm the pregnancy and hear the baby's heartbeat.