Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is one of the best procedures to help couples get pregnant. It has a pregnancy success rate of 80 to 85%. This procedure is of great use in men with infertility issues. In the ICSI process, a live sperm cell is injected into the egg to fertilize. This improves the chances of fertilization. Let us discuss the procedure in detail here, along with its aftercare.
ICSI process – how is the procedure done:
The ICSI procedure is the best male and female infertility treatment. The ICSI procedure is done, when the eggs mature in the ovary of the woman. When the eggs mature, doctors will retrieve them from the ovaries. The step-by-step ICSI process is as follows.
Step 1: collecting semen and eggs:
- The male partner should first submit his sperm sample.
- In some cases, they will remove the sperm cell surgically
- At times, frozen sperm are also used.
- At the same time, doctors will take the eggs from the ovaries
Step 2: Injecting the sperm cell into the egg:
- After collecting the semen, doctors will wash it. They will then isolate a single healthy sperm cell.
- Then, they will inject the sperm cell into the egg.
- It takes about 24 hours for the fertilization process to complete
- Doctors will wait until the embryo forms.
Step 3: Embryo monitoring:
- After fertilization, the embryos will be in the lab for six days.
- Doctors will monitor the embryo closely. They will check it for its growth and development.
- This helps the doctors to choose the most viable and healthy embryos.
Step 4: Embryo transfer:
- After 2 to 5 days of fertilization, doctors will select one or two embryos.
- They will then transfer it into the woman’s uterus.
Step 5: Testing for pregnancy:
- This is the final step of the ICSI process.
- Doctors will perform pregnancy tests after two weeks.
Post-procedure- What happens after the ICSI process?
Being the best female infertility treatment, the procedure is also relatively simple. This is what you can expect after the ICSI process.
- After the ICSI procedure, the fertility specialist will watch the egg for fertilization success.
- They will evaluate the size of the blastocyst and its cell mass.
- They will also determine, when likely it can result in a successful pregnancy.
- Doctors will send the embryo directly into the uterus of the woman.
- The woman should rest for a few hours in the hospital
- Then she can go home and lead a normal life
- However, it is better to avoid stress and heavy work.
FAQ:
What are the benefits of ICSI treatment?
It is possible to conceive a healthy baby through the ICSI process. It is an effective treatment for male infertility. ICSI also has a better success rate than other assisted reproductive techniques.
Is the ICSI Process painful?
After this female infertility treatment, it is common to experience mild discomfort. Generally, they collect the sperm sample from ejaculation. For some men, doctors will try to take the sperm directly from the testis. They will make use of fine needle aspiration techniques for this process. It could cause minimal discomfort. This procedure is done under general anesthesia. Men should not fear this procedure and avoid the biggest blessing that awaits them.
Bottom Line:
Needle aspiration and embryo transfer in the ICSI process can cause mild discomfort. However, this procedure is relatively painless, as doctors perform it under anesthesia. It is common to experience mild pelvic pain and bleeding in the vagina after the procedure. However, it is one of the best methods to conceive for couples with infertility issues.
