ICSI

[talktime]

Hello doctor,

I have recently had a failed ICSI cycle - very disappointing. The embryos were very high quality until after day three when they deteriorated. By transfer day - there were no blastocysts, despite one embryo which had looked promising and was an early morula - that also deteriorated. We were left with a ten cell embryo to transfer, needless to say it did not work out. What can we do to improve our result next time ? Is there any point trying again ? Is it us, or the protocol or the lab ?

[karenvancouverisland]

hi, i just had a successful IVF/ICSI cycle after the last attempt didn't even make it to retrieval. i'm a 'low responder', 35 yrs. old, and this time i only produced 2 mature eggs (on the heaviest drug protocal). well both were transferred in, and i'm 6 weeks pregnant. it's a miracle, althought i'm still very nervous about miscarriage.  my fertility clinic insisted on transferring them both on day 2, as they thought this could yeild the best result...1 was a 2 cell,  A-, the other still only a 2PN.

i know how awful this all is..we've been trying for 3.5 years and i'm not getting younger.  i have a friend who did IUI about 8x. and IVF 4 x, she now has a 1 yr old. her advice to me was 'do not give up'.. i wish you all the best. karen

[talktime]

Hi Karen,

That is great news - good luck to you ! It really helps me to hear stories like yours and those of your friends. Thanks for sharing that wih me. Did you do ICSI because of sperm issues ?
I am going to do another cycle in two weeks time.
Thanks again and best wishes :)

[Kim14]

Hang in there - We are going to a good clinic IVF/ICSI (male infertility issue) and I had 23 eggs taken out. We thought we were going to have a ton of embrys cause they kept telling us how great all 12 looked at day 3.  Needless two say, only 2 were able to be transfered at day 5 and only 1 made it to freezing.  And we had a lot of eggs so I would keep trying. Believe me I know its hard.  We are waiting for a preg test on may 5th. I had a ton of pain after the egg retrieval - alot of stomach problems for the past week and a half - but Im going to give it 2 more tries if this cycle doesnt work. Wish u luck. Stay in touch  

[karenvancouverisland]

yes we did ICSI because of sperm issues (high count, but low morphology).although by the time we discovered the degree of issues with my eggs; the dr. wondered if ICSI was not needed but decided to proceed anyways cause at this point we're just doing whatever possible to increase our chances.  we have our ultrasound in 2 days..i'm nervous as i don't have dramatic pregnancy symtoms.

don't give up...and i find forums like this a lifesaver too.  this may sound cheesy, but what i found really helpful and powerful this time around was praying- letting the universe know, in no uncertain terms, that i absolutely, positively, wanted a baby. i also let more of my friends and family know what was going on and invited all their positive energy and prayer.  (i'm not a religious person, but i believe in something) and i told my husband to pray too, and he's definately not religious, but he did it in his own way.  i got to a point where i could feel the energy of everyone's wishes for us, and i believe that as each miracle has unfolded (having eggs, fertilizing eggs, positive preg test, increase in beta levels,)..that this is no coincidence.   good luck with your next cycle......karen.

[gigi8]

i agree with Karen... positive energy and prayer give you so much of that extra support that you will need through this entire process (st Gerard is my go to person). We had icsi and did IVF and one my 1st try I am preg 12 wks now with twins. I had a low mortility/ morpholgy/ count.. three stricks against me.. and 1 try we did it... I truly belive that there is a power bigger out there that will help you get through this and give you what you want...good luck

[babyhope1]

I have the same situation as Karen, high count, low motility, male factor.  I am thinking that if I go with IVF that ICSI is the only way to go at that price I have to use every advantage. Any advice?

Kim14 - 23 eggs, is that an abnormally high number?  I am thinking of doing IVF in a couple of months however after attempting a couple more IUIs.  My RE said they may abandon the procedure because of too many eggs, I am happy to know that they were able to get that many from you, I am so sad to know the results this cycle.  Since I am new to IFV are you able to save some for freezing for future cycles, are you able to try again the following month? How many do they fertilize per cycle?  

[talktime]

thanks for your story. Good luck for your pregnancy test. Keep us posted.
Did you have full general aneasthetic, or light sedation for egg retrieval ?
My old clinic always did general, but new one does light sedation. Although they will give me a general if i ask for it.
best wishes to you, I know the wait is difficult.

[talktime]

Hope you are doing well. Thanks for your words about positive thinking. I have done some hypnotherapy for past cycle. It was helpful, but I found going to so many appointments stressful ! I was doing acupunture, hypnotherapy, plus blood tests etc. I have cut out the hypno, but have cds for relaxation. Not quite at the point of telling people what we are doing - but getting there. I have been asking the universe, and will continue to. How did your ultrasound go ?
Did you have sedation or general anaesthetic for egg retrieval ?
best wishes

[talktime]

Gigi - twins after first cycle - fantastic ! Congratulations. i love reading such stories. It gives me motivation to continue to my next cycle.
What protocol did you have ? what day was transfer day for you ?
Good luck and best wishes for your pregnancy

babyhope1 - from what i know ICSI overcomes male fertlity issues. It is probably the way to go. From my experience - we had no eggs fertilise with regular IVF. So that cycle failed. We needed ICSI to get the sperm into the egg an do its thing. i believe they choose the best looking ones to use for ICSI. good luck

[karenvancouverisland]

my ultrasound went well- thanks so much for asking!  the tech said she saw everything she wanted to see- gestational sac, yolk sac, and embryo with heartbeat. i havent' reviewed the results yet with my dr. , which i'm looking forward to but trying not to obsess about.  i can't believe how horribly i can obsess about things!  i torture myself.

for my egg retrieval i had a local anaesthetic and some sedation. it was kinda painful as my eggs were in a difficult spot to reach and they ended up having to put a cathetir in as my bladder was filling and getting in the way (that was unpleasant!). but really - i didn't give a #$%% how uncomfortable i was - just get those eggs out!!

as for your IVF questions- i think that this, with ICSI, can give best chances.  at my clinic, they retrieve all eggs and fertilize all mature ones, and freeze all but the 1 or 2 they implant back in a few days later  i'm not sure how quickly you can try another implantation if one fails- never made it this far or produced enough eggs to find out.  our first cycle, i didn'trespond at all...this cycle i'm pregnant (so far), but if this miscarries i'll have to do another full cycle as i don't have any reserved eggs.    all the best to everyone! karen

[ROBYN7373]

I am just starting this process and I am very nervous about all of the side effects. I am 33 well 34 in a few weeks and we are about to start with icsi. i found out yesterday that my eggs are low?? I am overwhelmed by this whole thing...any suggestions on how to relax...and can anyone tell me what I should be expecting...and how painful this will be??

[babyhope1]

Thanks so much ladies for all your advice and information.  karenvancouverisland how was the conf from the doctor, everything looking good?  Its so inspiring to know that others are having success with IVF.

talktime - I too turned to alternative meds, mostly TCM (Trad Chineese Medicine) including acupuncture.  It does help but too many appts is stressful and I began to find it counter productive.  That is just my case however, hypno was something I had never thought of.  That sounds interesting.

Kim14 how are you doing today?

I am thinking of moving forward in June or July after I am in a wedding out of town.  So, I am thinking ICSI IVF the first cycle, I hate it when they start off slow then get aggressive after pressing it.  I don't want them to "try" IVF on me, I want more of a guarantee. I know nothing is guaranteed however.

[talktime]

Hi Ladies,

I have missed you all. Have not written in a while cause it is difficult to do at work. Hope you are all well. Hope all the embryos are good too. Keep us posted pregnant ladies. Your success keeps us going.
I started my cycle last sunday. Had ultrasound today. lots of follicles - 17

Babyhope1 -

I am having acupuncture. i find it very relaxing. it could be about just spending the time thinking positively about what is happening with a good therapist who cares. It is proven to help before and after transfer.
Hypnotherapy was great. My therapist took time to talk with me, then she would do a guided relaxation including making suggestions to me about my cycle. we had discussed what suggestions she would make in our talk. But too many appointments to get to - I had to stop something.

Robyn-
Hypnotherapy, and acupuncture are both good for relaxation. Keep making positive affirmations to yourself - over and over again.
You could see a counsellor at your clinic - that might help.
There are side effects . You may feel tired,dizzy,bloated,headachy,moody from the medication. You will need to inject yourself - or have your partner do it. You have lots of blood tests, and ultrasounds. I do my own injections, and i am a needle phobic, but I just think of a successful outcome - that gets me through. In the past, I have had general for egg retrieval, but I am going have sedation and local for this one. Will let you know if it is painful.

[ROBYN7373]

thank you for your advice...I am starting my first cycle in a week... I hope it goes in one shot, but I know not to get my hopes up....but all this positive feedback is so helpful when you are first starting out. Good luck to everyone!!

[talktime]

good luck for your cycle - keep us posted. i had my egg pick up with local anaesthetic and sedation. It was fine, the drugs work very well. I hardly felt anything at all. Was all drugged up.
It was a way better experience than what I had anticipated.
I am having transfer on monday

[ROBYN7373]

hi,

well...it's monday and I am praying for you!! please keep up posted!! I anticipate a postive pregrancy test for you!! Is this your second time?? I will be sedated as well..that is reassuring to know that it doesn;t hurt!!

I am so excited to start more excited at this point than worried...which is a good place for me to be because i am a complete worry wort! Thanks for everything and best of luck!!

[talktime]

Hi !

Thanks for thinking of me. The transfer went as well as could be expected. One 6 cell and one 7 cell embryo - right where they want them to be on day three. Now  is the waiting and hoping and praying time.
Glad you are motivated about your cycle. It is a good feeling knowing that you are doing all that you possibly can to be pregnant. Good Luck. !!

[karenvancouverisland]

well i had a miscarriage yesterday at 12 weeks and i'm absolutely heartbroken. i don't know what to say but that i just need some help and support. iknew something was wrong. they said the baby