Please or to access all these features

Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

ICSI

22 replies

amkw · 28/07/2022 13:51

Hi,

I’m starting the ICSI process at the beginning of my next menstrual cycle. ICSI has been recommended for us as my partner has low motility. I’m very excited but also nervous.

Please could anyone share their experiences (first or second hand) of ICSI?

Was the baby born healthy? I've also heard you’re more likely to have a girl with ICSI but not sure now true that is!

many thanks!

OP posts:
PlipPlipPlop · 28/07/2022 14:44

My ICSI DS is a teen.

He is perfectly healthy but does have ADHD/ASD. He is fine and, although there are challenges, he is in a mainstream school. I also have 2 DN with ASD anyway so I think it’s pretty likely he would have been the same if he had been conceived naturally. I’m just so grateful that he’s here and I wouldn’t have him any other way…except tidier!

I have a friend who has 3 ICSI girls so maybe there is something in the likelihood of having a DD!

Wishing you lots of luck on your journey Flowers

amkw · 28/07/2022 16:44

Thanks so much - it’s so nice to hear lovely stories. ❤️ It makes me excited to get things started now!
Do you know if your friends 3 daughters have any problems?

OP posts:
K2012 · 28/07/2022 16:47

Hi @amkw I write this long post in another topic this morning. Some of it is probably not relevant for you but I’ll copy and paste it here:

“Will share my story here.

Currently sitting here watching my 9 week old baby sleeping so peacefully in his cot.

I had a successful IVF/ICSI treatment last year in August/September. I had it with Create Fertility. Had a lot of side effects from the initial medication (Bemfola, Cetrotide and the HCG trigger don’t remember the name) and then Cyclogest. Felt nauseous, bloated, kept going to the toilet sometimes 5 times a day.. The day after the embryo transfer I started feeling unwell I’m the evening, started sweating, pulse was high, shaking and a little bit of blood came out so I thought the treatment hadn’t worked. It lasted for a few hours. The 2 week wait was stressful as I kept having all those symptoms (Cyclogest gave me a lot of side effects) and I just thought if the treatment hasn’t worked I just wanna stop taking Cyclogest as they have me so many side effects. Anyway I decided to take the first pregnancy test 10 days after embryo transfer and to my surprise it was positive, very faint positive but it was positive. I kept doing tests for the next 3 days and on the official test day it was still positive. The next few weeks was fukl
of anxiety as I kept thinking I’ll have a miscarriage, so I did pregnancy tests every 3-4 days. Had my scan at the clinic at week 7, think I went toilet that morning 3-4 times before the scan because I was so nervous (sorry tmi) 😂 scan showed a baby with a heartbeat of 128 🙏🏻

2 days after the scan I went toilet and when I wiped there was a little bit of fresh blood, spoke to midwife who said it was probably just sensitive cervix after the scan no blood after. Then the week after I started having dark brown spotting, was referred for a scan at the hospital (spotting lasted 2 days), I thought I had miscarried and had to wait 4 days for the scan but scan was fine and they said spotting is probably because of cyclogest and they could see a tiny hematoma. Spotting started again 1-2 weeks after don’t remember exactly how long after and I had spotting from week 8-16, had 2-3 scans in that period. I was very anxious but scans showed that baby was fine. Then saw consultant at week 16 who said spotting is very normal when you’re on Cyclogest but it doesn’t mention that in the leaflet under side effects. He started me on Aspirin and said the community midwife should of started that at week 12.

Aspirin dose was 150mg once a day.

After that had quite a few trips to the hospital with reduced/changed movement and gave birth by an emergency c/section at week 39+3

So don’t give up there’s hope ❤️ And please do update us 💐 All the best xx

amkw · 28/07/2022 20:54

Thank you so much for your stories. It’s really comforting for me to know peoples experience. Both my partner and I are scared as we aren’t sure what it entails. But I am manifesting that things will be fine. I hate needles the lot, but honestly I can’t wait to just get on with it all. Bring it on!

OP posts:
Scirocco · 28/07/2022 22:55

My ICSI-conceived DC is almost 6 months old and developing well so far! They do have a slightly complicated CMPA/colitis thing going on but that's far more likely to be linked with the known family history of allergies and gastrointestinal disorders rather than being anything to do with the ICSI. No neurodevelopmental concerns so far, great feeder and generally a good sleeper.

ICSI is just how the sperm and egg are introduced to each other, so try not to let the process scare you; quite a few places do it as standard so embryologists will be experienced in doing it. My experience was exactly the same as non-ICSI short protocol IVF - the only difference happened in the embryology lab.

Good luck!

Ivfhopeful22 · 29/07/2022 11:52

Following to hear some positive stories.

We did ICSI at the start of the year. I got OHSS though so wasn’t able to do a fresh transfer and since then we decided to take a few months break from it all. I’m hoping to have my first frozen transfer next month.
I was very nervous too but everything went really well. We got 17 eggs, 14 fertilised , 11 made it to day 5 so the results were great. We didn’t know how well it would be as DH had quite poor sperm results so we were really happy with what we got.
Good luck with everything.

Hoping4baby21 · 30/07/2022 20:56

@Ivfhopeful22 we have very similar results and journey so far. We had 18 retrieved, 15 fertilised and 10 made it to blast. I was at risk for OHSS and a polyp that needed to be removed, but had extra delays then was meant to start FET 2 weeks ago but had a cyst. So delays. Hopefully can start in the next 2 weeks.

Hoping4baby21 · 30/07/2022 20:59

OP we had much better fertilisation with ICSI than IVF - DNA frag, so no transfer yet or success story but that still felt like a success.

amkw · 02/08/2022 10:01

Lovely to hear all the positive stories :)

I had a tiny tiny ray of hope thinking I might have got pregnant last month before I start ICSI in September...unfortunately not. I can feel those dreaded period pains. I really just cannot wait to start things now. Everyone is getting pregnant around me.

OP posts:
Cjacko · 02/08/2022 12:27

Hi
Following to hear positive stories!
We are also starting our ICSI cycle in September, after 2 very long years of unexplained infertility.

I wish you all the very best of luck,
Sending loads of baby dust to you.

Take Care

rivers211 · 02/08/2022 17:52

I am also starting our ICSI cycle end of this month/September. Very anxious but also excited to get started.

kipsmyth · 15/08/2022 10:20

I've just completed my first ICSI cycle, I had my embryo transfer on Friday last week so now just in the 2 week wait and I am feeling so impatient!

Generally I found the injections not too bad, some headaches initially but I think that was more me not drinking as much caffeine than anything else. I found I got very bloated and a little constipated. The injections were a breeze compared to the pessaries though - my lady bits feel like they're on fire! I am probably going to reluctantly switch to doing them rectally to see if that is any better.

I'm having some twinges, which I'm told is normal, nothing painful and no bleeding. Trying to stay positive but it's my first cycle so expectations are low.

The doctor was 45 mins late to my embryo transfer! I had arrived with a full bladder on one of the hottest days of the year, so it was very uncomfortable. The rest of the medical team couldn't get hold of him, the nurses were fuming - then he nonchalantly strolled in like nothing had happened. It wasn't the most relaxing transfer, but here we are.

Good luck everyone!

amkw · 15/08/2022 12:02

Ahhh, good luck! Even though it wasn’t the best transfer at least it’s done! Fingers crossed for you. The two week wait must be so frustrating!

OP posts:
Marie9532 · 09/09/2022 20:53

Hi amkw! I hope your journey is going well! I’m new to all of this so hopefully I’m replying in the right place! I’m due to start ICSI this cycle and I’m very nervous! Would love to hear how you’re getting on :) xx

amkw · 09/11/2022 18:31

Hi Marie - I hope it is all going smoothly for you! Please keep us updated.

I didn’t end up starting in September, instead I’ve started today - short protocol. I’ve just had my drug app and started the medication. Fingers crossed! X

OP posts:
peanutpending · 17/11/2022 20:59

Hi @amkw - Marie here but changed my screen name! I went though my treatment and I'm not 5 weeks, 3 days pregnant. Excited and anxious! The anxiety never goes away! If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer where I can xxx

amkw · 17/11/2022 21:02

Ahhhhhh amazing!!! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.
the best of luck. Let’s hope I have the same result as you. I’m starting my injections on 24 November x

OP posts:
peanutpending · 17/11/2022 21:03

@amkw not long to go! You'll be absolutely fine! I didn't find the injections too bad at all but I don't mind needles too much! I iced my stomach before using them which helped with bruising xx

amkw · 18/11/2022 09:09

yes I’ve been told that freezing the area makes it less painful. I’m not a fan of needles but it is what it is!
I think I will find out if I’m pregnant or not approx Christmas week 🤣🙈

OP posts:
peanutpending · 18/11/2022 15:33

Awww @amkw I'm crossing my fingers for you!! Xxx

fertilitymum · 09/07/2024 10:32

Hello! All of you with ICSI babies, how are they doing developmentally? I have heard there is a link with ICSI and autism / adhd

OneHeapedTeaspoonOfSugar · 27/10/2024 20:44

amkw · 18/11/2022 09:09

yes I’ve been told that freezing the area makes it less painful. I’m not a fan of needles but it is what it is!
I think I will find out if I’m pregnant or not approx Christmas week 🤣🙈

Any updates OP? Xx

New posts on this thread. Refresh page