Who Are Good ICSI Candidates?
Have you been trying to get pregnant for at least a year? Have you failed to conceive naturally or through other forms of fertility treatments? First of all, you are not alone. Research has shown that one out of every eight couples in the United States deals with infertility.
At Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, PC, we understand that an infertility diagnosis can be emotionally and physically overwhelming, which is why our team is dedicated to helping patients in the Omaha, NE, area achieve a healthy pregnancy. We offer a variety of fertility treatments, including intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Our doctors often recommend ICSI when other traditional methods have been unsuccessful. So who are good ICSI candidates?
Why Choose ICSI?
Anyone who has been unable to conceive after trying for at least a year may be a good candidate for ICSI. It is also beneficial for patients who have been diagnosed with male factor infertility, female factor infertility, or experienced a failed IVF cycle. A failed IVF cycle is often the result of unsuccessful fertilization.
Through traditional methods of IVF, the best eggs and sperm are combined together in a dish and monitored through microscopic technology by a trained embryologist. Within about 24 hours, some eggs may fertilize. Some eggs may fail to fertilize due to any number of reasons. In such cases, ICSI is recommended.
ICSI is also recommended for patients who have:
- Low or zero sperm count after ejaculation, but have viable sperm in the testes
- Weak sperm mobility
- Premature ejaculation
- Inability to obtain or sustain an erection
- Low fertilizing ability
- Abnormally shaped sperm
- Poor egg quantity or quality
- Undergone a vasectomy
What Does ICSI Involve?
During ICSI, once the eggs and sperm are retrieved and prepared, a single egg is held in place with a special instrument known as a pipette. A hollow needle is then used to pick up the sperm and inject it into the center of the egg. This technique requires specialized training and delicate techniques so as not to damage the egg or sperm, or inhibit the fertilization process.
This procedure can be performed a number of times to ensure a higher success rate. For the next 24 hours, the eggs will then be carefully monitored for fertilization and then transferred to the uterus.
Since the sperm is directly inserted into the egg, ICSI can significantly reduce a number of male factor infertility issues. To determine whether a patient qualifies for this fertility treatment, we perform a full examination in addition to a series of tests on the sperm and egg to ensure viability. In most cases, patients who undergo this procedure are able to increase their pregnancy chances by about 70 percent.
Find Out Whether You’re a Good Candidate
If you are interested in learning more about ICSI and if you are a good candidate, we invite you to schedule a consultation with one of our fertility specialists. We may be able to help you achieve a successful pregnancy and birth. To schedule your consultation, contact Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, PC today online or by calling (402) 717-4200.