Infertility Support Group
In vitro fertilization is one of the most common and utilized ways of treating conception problems. This support group is dedicated to those beginning their journey with IVF and needing support. Join the community and share your experiences, advice, and story with people going through similar challenges starting a family.
hi guys,
I'm having trouble making up my mind. I'm taking my trigger shot for my first IVF tonight. My RE has been doing ICSI for all patients unless they request that it not be done. And the only educational info he gives you on ICSI is a 4 sentence paragraph on the consent form. Last weekend, in one of those brief conversations (after the ultrasound) I asked him whether he could split the batch, because I'd prefer to use non-ICSI eggs but would be o.k. with doing ICSI on a few eggs, as a back up. He said sure, he could "work with me" on this ... but it didn't sound like something he normally did. After the final ultrasound today I asked about splitting the batch again and he said that he wouldn't be doing ICSI on the eggs that weren't mature, initially, after the retrieval. He said you can't do ICSI on those, anyway. So, it sounds like he's planning to do ICSI on the best eggs, and the non-ICSI eggs will be the ones that are more likely to die, or at least be "Grade B." That doesn't give preference to the non-ICSI eggs at all. So, now I'm left wondering I should just say "no ICSI," at the last minute. It would really help me to make a decision if I heard from you: If there was no male factor and you didn't do ICSI, what % of your mature eggs fertilized? Almost all of them? Anyone out there (with no male factor) who's done IVF with and without ICSI? Did you notice a big difference? Or no difference at all? Thanks so much!
I'm having trouble making up my mind. I'm taking my trigger shot for my first IVF tonight. My RE has been doing ICSI for all patients unless they request that it not be done. And the only educational info he gives you on ICSI is a 4 sentence paragraph on the consent form. Last weekend, in one of those brief conversations (after the ultrasound) I asked him whether he could split the batch, because I'd prefer to use non-ICSI eggs but would be o.k. with doing ICSI on a few eggs, as a back up. He said sure, he could "work with me" on this ... but it didn't sound like something he normally did. After the final ultrasound today I asked about splitting the batch again and he said that he wouldn't be doing ICSI on the eggs that weren't mature, initially, after the retrieval. He said you can't do ICSI on those, anyway. So, it sounds like he's planning to do ICSI on the best eggs, and the non-ICSI eggs will be the ones that are more likely to die, or at least be "Grade B." That doesn't give preference to the non-ICSI eggs at all. So, now I'm left wondering I should just say "no ICSI," at the last minute. It would really help me to make a decision if I heard from you: If there was no male factor and you didn't do ICSI, what % of your mature eggs fertilized? Almost all of them? Anyone out there (with no male factor) who's done IVF with and without ICSI? Did you notice a big difference? Or no difference at all? Thanks so much!
On a positive note, the outcome so far has been great. They retrieved 28 eggs, and 24 have fertilized! I'm very happy about that. But still: if the RE knew that I only wanted to use ICSI as a backup, and if he retrieved 28 EGGS, why the heck did he have to do ICSI on all of the mature ones? What I learned from this is that if REs prefer ICSI they will pressure their patients into getting it and won't really give them enough information or time to discuss the issue, for one to honestly speak of "informed consent."