ICSI

[chrissylm]

Has anyone had a successful ICSI completed when the sperm quality and count were drastically low?  This is all new to me.  

[LvnEmbryos]

I am an embryologist and let me tell you -- ICSI is a godsend for patients with severe male factor.  We are able to do testicular biopsies nowadays if there is no sperm in the ejaculate successfully.  So certainly if there is sperm in the ejaculate you should do quite well with ICSI!  GOOD LUCK!

[DreamGirl0524]

Unfortunately we weren't able to freeze the remainder :-(  My clinic required that they be a certain grade to freeze and apparently they didn't meet that grade.  That was disappointing as we purchased the Arc One Plus cycle which included one fresh and one frozen.

Our process has seemed to go very positive all along.  But it does feel like this huge rug under me that could be pulled out at any moment.  Trying to stay positive but there is that fear!  I know that no matter what we will be fine, but I am just praying that our time is now!

Please keep me posted on your journey also!  My test is May 11th so I will send you all an update :-)

[kaprovea]

We had ICSI done with our first and only IVF cycle and I got a BFP from that.  My husband had low morphology and I have PCOS so our only chance of concieving was with ICSI.  We are now 26 wks pregnant so it can happen!! Just keep hope.

[chrissylm]

This forum that someone told me about is wonderful b/c we also have kept this entirely private and have no one to talk to.  I don't think anyone else can really understand unless they are in the same situation.  Your results so far have been as positive as possible so I have high hopes for you.  Did you freeze the remaining ones?   Best of luck, keep me posted on your status.  

[chrissylm]

It is amazing how common I'm finding out this issue to be.  It is never discussed so you feel like your the only one.  I've never heard of injections to help the male.  I'll have to look into that.  You learn something new everyday with this process.  The financial part of it is just another layer of stress, isn't it?  I keep telling myself that there has to be an easier way but I know there is not and I know it will all be worth it in the end.  We did one IVF with ICSI and it didn't take but we are certainly thinking about trying again in the future.  We rushed into it with my age (37) and now are learning so much more that we wish we would of prepared for.  I'm very excited and positive for you.  One hurdle at a time is the easiest way to keep from getting overwhelmed.  Keep me posted, I'd love to hear about your progress, it gives me inspiration.    

[MichiganBaby5]

Hi! We actually just went through IVF for the first time. My husband has retrograde ejaculation causing his sperm count to be very low and very hard for them to survive. ICSI was our only option and we got a BFP on the first try and we have 8 embryos in storage. There is plenty of hope. It is amazing the things they can do now a days. I wish you the best of luck.

[DreamGirl0524]

My DH and I have been trying for a year and a half to conceive.  When he had is sperm analysis, we learned that he had 100% abnormal morphology.  We just completed our first IVF w/ ICSI and are waiting our blood test to see how it turns out.  I had 8 eggs, 7 fertilized and they all developed well with ICSI.  We put two blastocysts in and are now just waiting - which is torture.

I know it is so overwhelming and you google everything to do with the sperm quality.  I went through moments of feeling helpless, but my RE is fantastic.  I will say that we did 3 IUI's which were unsuccessful and if I had the choice again I would have gone straight to IVF even though it is so expense.  I think when sperm quality is a big issue, it is hard for IUI's to be successful.  

If you have any questions about IVF with ICSI - please don't hesitate to ask.  We have kind of kept to ourselves through this process and I know what it is like to have so many questions!

Best wishes and lots of baby dust to you!

[Nicole1311]

Wow sounds like you are going through exactly what my husband and I are going through, We have been ttc for almost 2 years.  After 1 yr we saw my OBGYN who did a sperm analysis and found out my hubby had low sperm count and barely any motility. We saw a fertility specialist in Feb. and we are doing IVF with ICS probably in July/August. Right now he is getting injections every 3rd day of HCG and FSH to bring up his levels to make better sperm so we can freeze it for the egg retrieval. We found out good news about a week ago that he is responding well to the injections. So once he gets were he needs to be we will officially be able to set up my egg retrieval. I did all my pre-testing alerady bld work,ultrasounds,hystroscopy everything was normal, they have to do this to make sure my body is ready. So that is were we are it is very emotionally stressful but very exciting at the same time, we are trying to stay positive that we can use his sperm vs a sperm donor and not to mention the financial part of it. So have you just started the process??