When did your RE recommend ICSI?

ARS0805

I have some questions for you lovely ladies!  I am preparing for my RE consult next Monday.  While I have had my medical records for MONTHS now (and have gone over them with a fine tooth comb), my husband just brought home the copy of his SA.  His motility was 40%, count 52 mil/mL, and morph 75%.  So, the lab results show his mot and count to be "low".  We did this test just a few months before my OB/GYN did my lap and HSG.  After I found out my tubes were blocked, I guess I never discussed any of the SA results with her.

 

So, my questions are what has your experience with MFI been?  Do these numbers seem low (like MFI low?) or just a little low?  In your experience, should I be asking about ICSI?  Or is that too aggressive for these SA results?

 

I felt very prepared with my questions for the RE regarding my tubal factor IF and endo.  But this threw me a curve ball... 

rjade9

Your numbers look great, they usually want motility around 50% or higher, I'm assuming the morph wasn't a strict morph?  Your count is great!  My clinic does ICSI for everyone doing IVF so you could and defn should if you want to know more, ask about ICSI.  Good luck at your appt!

Ccjones85

A lot of clinics now use ICSI as a regular part of IVF treatment. My thought is if it helps your chances and only at a minimal additional cost it is worth trying!

Best of luck! 

ARS0805

rjade9:

Your numbers look great, they usually want motility around 50% or higher, I'm assuming the morph wasn't a strict morph?  Your count is great!  My clinic does ICSI for everyone doing IVF so you could and defn should if you want to know more, ask about ICSI.  Good luck at your appt!

Honestly, this is the first time I have even seen a copy of the results. So, I have no idea what a "strict morph" even is!    I feel like I have completely dropped the ball on knowing whats going on with MH.  I just mentioned his numbers to him and he casually says "Yeah, I probably have low testosterone too.  My dad and younger brother do."  Uh...what??

 

Okay so I will add ICSI to my list of things to talk about.  From what I understand (having never been to this clinic), they do not do that procedure for all IVFs.  Thanks for your help!  

pinkmickey24

My RE's office does ICSI for my IVF cycles because morph is 4%. They also look at motility and overall sperm count. They have a chart on their website that breaks down traditional IVF and IVF with ICSI, but I am having a hard time finding it right now. If I find it will edit my post to show you what they look at, but every RE is slightly different in their criteria for determining ICSI.

Okay, I found the chart. The chart says that ICSI is recommended when volume is less than .1 ml, count is less than 10 mil/ml, motility is less than 10 percent, and morphology is less than 10 percent.

mnj05

We were told ICSI from the get go based on DHs numbers. He only had 5 million and morph was low too. Like PP said I think most clinics do this now for everyone. 

maggie2324

If you have enough sperm. I think it is 100,000 per egg post wash, then they will do conventional assuming normal morphology. You will most likely have to sign a waiver allowing them to do ICSI if needed depending on the sample that day. Or you can request ICSI regardless. I don't know what your doctor will recommend.

Our ICSI was a no brainer with our morphology. And yes, some, but not most, do ICSI for everyone. 

lsgabriel

There is a calculation for total motile count that they use.  I don't know the formula, but here are the WHO fifth edition reference limits and your husband's numbers side by side

WHO/YH

40% / 40% motility

15 mil / 52 mil concentration (count)

4% / 75% morph

 

So his numbers are rock star fab, IMO.   I can't see that you would need ICSI.

My clinic doesn't do it by default; only if there is MFI. 

4legsRbest

We singed a waiver with our consent package that allowed for them to perform ICSI when and if they sought fit without having our approval that day. Glad we signed it because we needed it. DH's sample, which has always been "fine" was awful that day. Since we triggered two days before our scheduled ER it had been 5 1/2 days since his last cleaning out which I think attributed to the awful numbers. I was pretty pissed but I guess overall wasn't a huge deal, just another $1,500 because we still got fertilization.

I am not an expert on MFI by any stretch of the imagination, just wanted to let you know that we were never a case for ICSI based on DH but still got it. GL to you!!!

SASSY1JA

we never thought we had a problem until our new clinic. they do icsi for any morph under 5?? percent.  they said different clinics grade differently and they are very strict (sorry typing from phone won't let me use caps)