Cross-Post: ICSI?

Davie813

Hi, Ladies.

So my husband and I are currently making the many, many decisions that go along with our first IVF cycle, and we're just kind of stuck on a few things.

He's adamantly opposed to having ICSI done under any circumstances (he's worried about birth defects, and he's honestly not completely comfortable with IVF in the first place, so ICSI makes it seem even more "artificial" to him.)  I would prefer to have it done, but only if the eggs weren't fertilizing on their own.

If any of you have done or are doing IVF and don't mind sharing, did you/will you do ICSI?  Why or why not?

Thanks!

CML11

We choose to have it done if they weren't fertilizing on their own. Not going through all that work just to give up there, no way.

amandaleigh1

We consented to icsi, leaving the ultimate decision to use it or not to the lab embryologist. I think my RE does icsi to almost all cycles according to sart data. I'm now in a new city and me new re clinic does icsi quite sparingly (only for mfi). The increased risk of birth defects is extremely low, so that wasn't a major concern to me. Having no fertilization however was a huge concern. So I was fine with the icsi in the end.

amandaleigh1

FYI- "rescue icsi" often doesn't work very well from what I've read. So better to icsi right away if you are going to go that route.

Lesliem0901

Hi - we chose to let the expert decide (the embryologist).  I guess my H has good swimmers and ICSI wasn't used.  

Davie813

amandaleigh1 said:

FYI- "rescue icsi" often doesn't work very well from what I've read. So better to icsi right away if you are going to go that route.

Oh, wow.  I'd never heard this.  That kind of complicates things.  @Lesliem0901, it kind of sounds like that's what you did.  Even though they didn't end up doing ICSI, did they have a time limit in place or anything like that to ensure that the eggs didn't wait too long?

Thanks, all.  I shared the responses I've gotten with DH, and he's agreed to reconsider.  I'm calling the RE to discuss it today.

Davie813

By the way, @Lesliem0901, it's good to "see" you.  We miss you around here!  I hope everything is going well!

Lesliem0901

The embryologist could've done some, none or all based on what he viewed as optimal state of the sperm. My RE's office doesn't do the rescue ICSI.

kindershlitz

Good luck deciding. I know nothing about it but always wishing you well.

I hope you're doing ok @Lesliem0901‌

Lesliem0901

Hanging in there, @kindershlitz. Hoping you're doing well too!!