Freeze backup sperm before IVF?

[Azahar8]

Hi, we are preparing for our first IVF ICSI cycle and our clinic asked if we wanted to freeze a backup sample of DH's sperm in case the one he produced on the day of retrieval wasn't good for some reason (we have MFI). It would cost us about £400 to freeze. The consultant said they prefer fresh sperm so they may never use the frozen backup one. Have any of you done this and do you think it's worth it?

Hi, we also have MFI and we did use the option to freeze a sample. We have had two cycles so far and have not needed to use the frozen sample but to be honest it was good to know it was there if needed. On the day of transfer there's already alot on your mind (especially if you are like me and worry about every little thing) so knowing that if we weren't able to get a sample on the day we'd have a backup plan. Obviously it's alot of money though so it depends how much reassurance you think you'd get from it.

Hi @Dove88, thanks for sharing your experience. I wonder if freezing the eggs after retrieval is another option in case the sample is bad. This would also provide some reassurance.
Does anyone else have experience with that?

@Azahar8 unfortunately eggs don't freeze as well as embryos so you would risk losing some. I think that if there is potential for there to be an issue £400 as a back up is better than thousands on another IVF cycle

Hi @Azahar8, I had my eggs frozen after my husbands frozen sperm didn't survive the thaw. The clinic knew the sperm probably wouldn't survive due to poor quality (he had microtese to extract the sperm) so we had prearranged to freeze my eggs if this happened and I had to sign some additional forms. A year later when we decided to have another go the clinic successfully thawed all the eggs and all fertilised, the round didn't work but the clinic said they had no reason to believe it had anything to do with using frozen eggs. I'm really pleased the clinic had discussed egg freezing with me before starting treatment as I would have been even more gutted to have lost the sperm and then had to throw my eggs away!

Thank you both, it's good to know this is linked to signing additional forms in advance so I'll make sure we discuss it with the clinic before we start. It's also good to be aware that there is risk. @BellaBellini, I am sorry your cycle didn't work, wishing you luck for the future