ICSI Treatment: What to Expect Before and After the Procedure
Are you looking for fertility treatments and don’t know which way is better? Well, you may have come across ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. It’s a specialized type of IVF that gives hope to couples facing male infertility or other fertility problems. Let’s learn more about it, including before and after, procedure details, cost, emotional support, etc.
What is ICSI?
ICSI is a modern and advanced fertility treatment in which a single sperm is directly injected into an egg with precision. This is done in a controlled lab setting utlising microscopic instruments. It’s often recommended for:
Male with low sperm count
Not very efficient sperm motility
Prior IVF fails
Cases involving sperm retrieved surgically
Because ICSI does not have to face many natural barriers to fertilization, it significantly Enhances the success rates for couples with male-factor infertility.
Before ICSI Treatment: What You Can Expect
1. Fertility Assessment and Diagnosis
The procedure starts with a consultation with the doctor. Both partners undergo some tests like hormone profiling, ultrasounds, and semen analysis that helps to identify fertility problems in male and the female. According to the issues found on tests, the fertility expert will decide if you can go further with ICSI or not.
2. Ovarian Stimulation
The female begins hormone injections to stimulate the action to procedure multiple mature eggs. This typically lasts a week or two, during the period the fertility expert monitors your progress through blood tests and ultrasounds.
3. Egg Retrieval
Once the eggs are prepared, they are retrieved utilising a minimally invasive treatment done under anaesthesia. This is a short procedure that takes around 20–30-minute guided by ultrasound.
4. Sperm Collection
On the same day, a semen sample is collected from the male partner or a sperm donor. In cases of extremely low sperm count, sperm may be retrieved through a minor surgical procedure.
Then comes the key step: a single sperm is carefully injected into each mature egg using a microneedle under a microscope.
After ICSI Treatment
1. Embryo Monitoring
The fertilized eggs (aka embryos) are monitored in the lab for 3–5 days to examine their growth. Th experts will choose the healthiest ones for transfer or freezing.
2. Embryo Transfer
Embryo transfer is a quick, painless procedure, in which chosen embryo(s) are placed into the uterus through a thin catheter. No anesthesia is needed because the procedure is painless,, and the procedure takes just a few minutes.
3. Two-Week Wait and Pregnancy Test
After the transfer, you’ll start the “two-week wait” to make sure if implantation was a successl. A blood test is scheduled around 12–14 days later to confirm pregnancy. This time duration can be emotionally intense, and emotional support from your doctor or counselor can be very helpful.
Cost of ICSI Treatment
The cost of ICSI procedure changes depending on the hospital settings, locations, and your person’s medical needs.
Average Cost of ICSI Treatment:
- In USD: Approximately $1,500 to $3,000 per cycle
Note: These cost are just an approximation and can change based on add-ons treatments like embryo freezing, advanced genetic testing, orl medications. Some centres offer ICSI as part of an IVF package, while others charge separately.
Emotional and Physical Support
Physically, you may feel mild bloating, spotting, or cramping post-retrieval or transfer. Most women recover within a couple of days. Emotionally, ICSI can be a whirlwind. Don’t hesitate to seek mental health support or join fertility support groups. Many couples find that talking openly about the process helps manage stress and anxiety.
Why Many Couples Choose ICSI
- Overcomes severe male infertility
- Higher fertilization success rate than conventional IVF in certain cases
- Can help in cases of unexplained infertility or past IVF failures
- Allows for precise sperm selection
ICSI has revolutionized fertility care, especially for couples struggling with male infertility. With proper medical guidance, emotional support, and realistic expectations, many couples have found success and joy through this advanced procedure.
If you’re planning to start a family and facing fertility challenges, ICSI could be the breakthrough you need.
