Intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI is an advanced technology, that includes the process of injecting the highest quality sperm into the egg manually by professionals. This process is followed during the conditions of severe male infertility, where sperm are not able to reach the egg because of low sperm quality. In ICSI Treatment in Lucknow, a single healthy sperm is meticulously selected and injected into the egg. The chance of pregnancy gets increases. ICSI is best for those couples who are dealing with low sperm count, poor sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, or lack of ability to penetrate the egg naturally. After the sperm is injected into the egg, and fertilization occurs, it is cultured for a few days before being transferred to the woman’s uterus. ICSI is sometimes performed with the IVF process to increase the chance of pregnancy in couples when IVF cycles have failed or as per the references and urgency of couples. With proper expertise and care it is possible to get pregnant with ICSI Treatment in Lucknow.
Who Needs ICSI?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is needed when the couple is facing some serious infertility issues, some of which are mentioned below:
Low Sperm Count:
At Ganga Laxmi IVF, which is the best ICSI Centre in Lucknow, ICSI is practiced when the male has a low sperm count. An ICSI injection may be recommended by fertility doctors to increase the chances of fertilization.
Poor Sperm Motility:
Sperm motility refers to the movements of sperm which helps them to reach the eggs for fertilization. Here with the help of injection sperms are injected to bypass this issue by injecting a single sperm directly into the egg.
Abnormal Sperm Shape:
There are some cases where the partner’s sperm may have abnormal sperm shape, and morphology that may have difficulty penetrating the egg. With ICSI sperm directly gets injected into the egg.
Previous Vasectomy:
If the man has had a vasectomy, ICSI can be used to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles or epididymis.
Other Fertility Treatments have Failed:
If other fertility treatments such as In vitro fertilization, and intrauterine insemination (IUI), have failed to result in pregnancy, ICSI can be an effective option to achieve pregnancy.
What Steps Are Included in ICSI Treatment?
ICSI treatment is one of the assisted reproductive technologies that involves several steps, from the initial assessment of the couple’s infertility issues to the implantation of the fertilized egg into the woman’s uterus. Here is a step-by-step guide to the ICSI treatment:
Initial Consultation:
The couple needs to have a full consultation with the doctors or fertility specialists so that they can get full information about the process, budget, and also if the ICSI treatment is good for them.
Ovarian or ICSI Stimulation:
Ovarian stimulation is a process of increasing the production of eggs through medications. Hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are given to the female for ovarian stimulation. In the ICSI procedure, this is also called ICSI stimulation.
Egg Retrieval:
The egg retrieval procedure occurs after hormone IVF injections are administered to stimulate the ovaries. Utilizing transvaginal sonography and ultrasound, the eggs’ current status is assessed and then retrieved from the ovaries while the patient is under general anesthesia. The retrieval procedure provides insight into how the body responds to the medication. The entire process usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes, and following the treatment, patients can typically go home after 3 to 4 hours. Advancements in technology have made the egg retrieval process less invasive, quicker, and more comfortable. Some individuals may experience mild stomach discomfort and vaginal spotting, but these symptoms typically resolve quickly.
Sperm Collection:
After overseeing the monitoring and entire egg production, the sperm is retrieved from the partner’s body, and the sample is processed using a procedure known as sperm wash. This method entails eliminating inactive or sluggish sperm cells and enhancing the concentration of high-quality sperm. Sperm collection should be done on the same day of egg retrieval. During sperm collection, the male partner is advised not to get involved in any intercourse or masturbation (with no ejaculation) for a period of two or three days beforehand.
Sperm Preparation:
The sperm is prepared for injection and fertilization by washing and selecting the most viable sperm cells.
Injection of Sperm:
Using a fine needle, a single sperm (healthy and viable one) is injected directly into each mature egg.
Fertilization:
The fertilized eggs or embryos are left for some days for culturing, also known as embryo culturing. Embryologists observe the eggs for a week to check whether the fertilization was successful. The embryos are left under the supervision of embryologists in the laboratory for a week or two.
Embryo Transfer:
Implanting embryos involves planting an embryo in the woman’s uterus to achieve pregnancy. This procedure is typically performed two, three, or five days after the egg retrieval. To determine whether a day 3 or day 5 transfer is necessary, monitoring the development and viability of the embryos is crucial. Using a tool called a catheter, the embryo is placed in the uterus through a tiny implanted catheter. If the procedure is successful, implantation may occur within six to ten days. Following the successful transfer of the embryo, the patient is given certain medications.
Pregnancy Test
Two weeks after the successful embryo plantation, a pregnancy test is carried out to see if the plantation was successful and if the embryo has accepted the bodily environment. In the vent that test is positive, the patient is thought to be four weeks pregnant.
Are There any Risks Involved in ICSI Treatment?
Although all the ART procedures are done precisely keeping all the complexities and risks minimum, some factors can make things completed or lead to unsuccessful ICSI treatment. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection has some risks which are generally low. The risks associated with ICSI usually depend on individual health factors.
Multiple Pregnancies:
In ICSI there is a higher risk of multiple pregnancies, this happens when multiple sperm cells are transferred to the uterus. Multiple pregnancy affects women both mentally and physically and causes complications during childbirth. This also increases the risk of premature delivery.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS):
This is a serious condition where ovaries become swollen and painful. This is caused by ovarian stimulation which is a process followed to increase egg production to get more quality eggs. Symptoms of OHSS include pain, bloating, and shortness of breath.
Bleeding & Infection:
In ICSI there is a small risk of bleeding or infection at the sight of the egg retrieval procedure.
Birth Defects:
This case is one of ten cases, where some studies have shown that babies born through ICSI have some defects when compared to natural conception. As per the medical professionals, the root cause of infertility is believed to be a possible factor in these complications rather than the ICSI fertility treatment itself.
Failed Fertilisation:
In some cases, none of the eggs get fertilized or the resulting embryos may not develop properly.
It’s important to note that many couples undergo ICSI treatment successfully without facing any complications. However, you need to also learn about the complications and risks that are involved in the ICSI process. With the help of expert doctors and fertility specialists, it is possible to minimize the risk and complications. If you are looking for ICSI treatment then you can consider Ganga Laxmi IVF, ICSI Centre in Lucknow where you can get the best consultation and treatment for your parenthood journey.