Starting to explore IVF with ICSI

kmmd13

Hi--I am new to The Bump discussions, though unfortunately we have been facing infertility challenges for a while now. After extensive testing, we found out yesterday that hubby and I both have issues preventing us from conceiving--me: very low egg reserve even though I'm only 30 and hubby: low sperm numbers/poor motility. We are devastated. The doc said we have a 5% chance of conceiving or less on our own and said our only option is IVF with ICSI. I am overwhelmed. For those who have gone through an IVF cycle, what was it like? What can I expect? Any tips? How do you stay sane? I feel like one minute I'm sobbing and the next I'm angry we're in this situation. Has anyone done ICSI? The doc said ICSI can raise the risk of birth defects which really scares us.

indianaalum

Sorry you have to join us but Welcome.

What to expect?

Weight gain/bloating

possible mood swings (for me, it wasn't actually too bad)

Have to drop everything at the drop of a hat to go to a monitoring appt

but with any luck at all, you will get a cute baby at the end, so focus on that.

I did not to ICSI so can't help you there. Sorry

jlr96

Sorry you find yourself here but welcome to our wonderful group!  DH & I have the same issues you & your hubby have.  I was diagnosed with low ovarian reserve & he has low count/poor motility.  We just completed IVF w/ICSI.  I have also heard that ICSI increases your chances of birth defects-by about 2% I think it is-- but my RE did not seem worried about this.  I think ICSI is the only way we would have had any fertilized eggs & we were willing to take the chance.  I  had 4 mature eggs retrieved & all 4 were fertilized with ICSI. 

IVF can be scary but you have found the right place for help, support & a vast amount of knowledge.  I learned so much from this group & it made my cycle so much easier to be able to talk to others going through the same thing.  Once you get your schedule, you can sign up for the monthly group with other ladies doing retrieval/transfer at the same time as you.  Get ready for lots of monitoring appointments & basically living your life around injections & blood draws.  Take it one day at a time.  The injects are overwhelming at first but you will get used to it & hopefully it will all be worth it in the end.  Best of luck to you!

katib77

There is a lot to IVF yet if you take it one day at a time and hang around here, you'll learn a lot.  You can do this!  PP was right that weight gain/bloating and mood swings are coming your way.  If you want tips, I wrote a blog post in Oct of last year (link to my blog in sig) with some advice that's too long to re-write here as I was going through our first IVF.  

We did ICSI (and will do again in June).  It gives you a higher chance of fertilized eggs after retrieval, so I think of it as a good thing that can help us MFI'ers.  Honestly I've never heard of the higher chance of birth defects so I wonder what research they have suggesting that.  Our first IVF gave us a "genetically normal male" (we learned from genetic testing) before we had a missed miscarriage around New Years.  

But welcome, and stick around!

ejrobbi

Welcome and I am sorry you have abruptly found yourself here, many of us worked our way up to IVF, jumping right in for you may be very difficult.  As hard as it is, try and have comfort knowing you now have some answers. 

As for IVF, it's a brutal, emotional process but for those of that it doesn't work, we keep coming back for more so also have comfort in knowing that no matter how emotional, painful, and hard it gets, the anticipated result is still worth it. 

I just finished my first IVF with ICSI cycle.  My RE always does ICSI even for couples with normal sperm count because they find it better to know for sure each embryo had a chance to fertilize.  In your case it sounds like the best option, although, be prepared, it is more expensive.  We are lucky to have some insurance coverage (not for much longer but we do now) and hopefully you do too.  

Like someone said, take i one day at a time... it's a process but stay close on these boards and you will learn a lot, we are here for you. 

kmmd13

Thank you all for the kind words. It's so helpful knowing there is such a supportive community out there of people who are facing similar situations. I'm ready to put my body through whatever it takes if it helps lead toward the goal of a baby. Bring it on!

ikrystal

*loss mentioned*

I'm sorry you find yourself here.  Infertility is a tough road, but IVF and ICSI may help you tremendously.  We did IVF with ICSI and although it was physically demanding and emotionally draining, support from your significant other helps you through the entire process.  My clinic also does ICSI on at least half the eggs (with ours they did it with all 24).  It is often your best chance at getting as many embryos as possible and then getting to freeze some so you dont have to do a fresh cycle again.  I did hear that the risk of abnormalities was higher, but it was very small.  I can say this - IVF was no cakewalk, and we lost our twins at 22.5 weeks (who were both perfect - our loss had nothing to do with IVF), but I am still proceeding with an FET in May.  @ejrobbi said it best - it is a hard journey but we keep coming back for more.  Plus, remember that everyone reacts differently to IVF.  My worst side effect was slight bruising at injection sights and possible OHSS (which I never actually got).  I didn't have the mood swings people normally get, nor the weight gain, etc.  I wish you the best of luck.  

theIVFjournal

It's a tough question to answer in just one post but let me start with this... IVF is certainly not easy but absolutely do-able. You will get through it and this initial phase does usually get easier. Once you start gathering information it begins to make more sense and you will likely begin to feel less overwhelmed. For now give yourself the time and space to process it and know that feeling overwhelmed is so common and that and whatever else you are feeling is absolutely ok. IVF = an emotional free pass - IMO!

My advice is do lots of research, ask lots of questions and find support. This is a great way to start but also look into in-person options. Many non-profits and clinics also off peer groups, therapist led groups etc.

Finally, in a nutshell...the old adage of hope for the best, plan for the worst and expect the unexpected is good way to deal with IVF.

Best of luck on your journey and I hope you are feeling better soon. Sending strength and love!

Stephanie

 

 

 

 

vibeee

Welcome!

I am looking into my first IVF also.  I am excited, hopeful and terrified.  Mostly terrified of not being able to pay for the next step or the meds.  It is a brutal process but the award is amazing.

Good luck to you! And all of us waiting and fighting!

absolutelymaybe

We did ICSI and our doctor never told us that it increased the risk of birth defects. The only thing I'd read on that was that it could pass on fertility issues to future sons. 

But, obviously, I am a firm believer in ICSI. Especially in the case of MFI. 

PrincessPix

We too did ICSI. Until reading this post I didn't know there was a risk of birth defects either.

Everybody will take their cycle differently. DH and I have always joked our way through hard times so we did it again through IVF. Be careful who you let into this world with you. Even the best intentions can be offensive at some point if the person has no idea what you're actually going through. BUT at the same time, try not to take offense. People just don't realize how hard this really is.

I had ALL the side effects... Moody, nausea, vomiting, bruising, insomnia... Plus, maybe a little depression as I shut myself off from almost everybody.

You're definitely in the right place. These ladies are a wealth of support and knowledge!

Best of luck to you!

LizBlue

My doctor also sited the 2% higher chance of birth defects with icsi but stressed that premature birth was included in that and also, it was hard to suss out how much higher the chance really was vs the fact that IVF births are studied so much more than natural births. He was not concerned with the statistic and put my mind at ease about it too.

To the OP: as others have said: it's not an easy road, but it's totally doable! This board is a great resource. Good luck!!

MissEm15

We will be attempting IVF w/ ICSI in the near future... we are male factor as well.  So I just wanted to say hi & good luck 

Sk8terWoman

Coming in from PAIF (siggy warning).

Our fertility issues were related to MFI, specifically low motility.  My husband's motility was 0% and then went up to 40% (possibly due to an uncommon side effect of taking propecia).  After 3 failed IUIs, we moved forward with IVF with ICSI.  Out of the18 eggs retrieved, 14 were mature and all 14 of them fertilized via ICSI.  Out of those 14, 8 made it to blastocyst phase.  Our first IVF didnt' work, but the FET worked.

Our RE didn't mentioned anything about increased birth defects, but so far everything is good.  Best of luck in your journey, this board was super helpful and supportive.