ICSI for IVF

[hoping4bfp]

I'm new to this forum. I was on a bunch of message boards for Clomid and Femara treatment of infertility but haven't really done much since we started with IVF. But this seemed like a good time to jump in again.

My husband and I are in the middle of an IVF cycle. It's funny to me to say that we are both in this cycle since I have to do all the hard parts.... Anyway, I'm still on Lupron, I should start FSH after a baseline u/s and E2 on Friday. My Dr told us that he recommends that my husband and I do 50/50 with ICSI and regular mixing of egg/sperm. He said that because we've never done an IVF cycle before he has no medical history on how his sperm interact with my eggs so he sees it as a precautionary thing. But ICSI is an extra $1000 not covered by my insurance unless there is a medical necessity, which I don't have at this point. Is this a common thing for a Dr to recommend? Has anyone else been told to do ICSI in their IVF cycle without a pre-determined need to do it?

Also, the impression I got from my Dr was that by the time they find out that you needed ICSI it's too late to do it, does anyone know if that's true? If that's true his recommendation makes a little more sense.

Thanks!

[wannababynow]

My husband and I just went through a cycle of IVF. They also recommended they we have ICSI, we followed that advice and as of today I found out I am pregnant. I think anything that you can do to increase your chances you should do! You are already paying a hefty some, in the big scheme of things what is another 1000.00 if it could possibly increase chances. Has he ever had a semen analysis, I'm assuming so??

Jessica

[hoping4bfp]

Yes, he did have a semen analysis done and everything came back normal. My hesitation is that ICSI is so new and I'm not totally convinced that all of the issues with it have been worked out. And it's just one more thing that's taking nature out of the process. If I knew we had to have it done I'd definitely do it and I agree with you as far as cost when you consider what everything else costs.

I just wondered how often they recommend ICSI when they don't know that it will be required. I'd hate to think they are pushing something un-necessary for the up-sale.

Did you know that you needed ICSI before you underwent IVF or did they do it as a 'just in case.'

[ttcnumber1]

Hi There.. a lot of doctors are turning to ICSI anyways.. I agree with Jessica.. Its 1,000 dollars and it does increase your chances. I have heard of people having emergency ICSI.. after none of the eggs had fertilized.. I wouldn't even want to worry about that.. We had ICSI with our first IVF but that was due to Male Factor.. I totally recommend it.. I know its 1,000 more... but it definately ups your chances!! Good Luck!

[kerribell]

During my appt. today, my ivf nurse said that if she were going through ivf she would have ICSI done "even if her husbands sperm could burst through the wall and take her out to dinner". She obviously believes in it. I don't know if this helps you any, but I thought it was kinda funny.

[daniellewngs]

After 7 failed IUI's, I got pregnant on my first IVF using ICSI. My Doctor recommended it due to so many failed attempts using IUI. It was an extra $900.00, which was no big deal since insurance did not cover and we were already 15K into it. We were told it would increase your chances and it did, now we are expecting twins 11/15. Going through the IVF process already takes nature out of the picture, ICSI is really just guaranteeing the eggs fertilize with the given sperm. Good luck on what ever you decide.

[IVFmomof1]

ICSI just takes away another barrier that can keep you from getting a BFP. After going through all of this you do not need to take any chances of any of your precious eggs not fertilizing. The clinic I go to does 90+% IVF with ICSI and their success rates are very high. I personally had it done and with 3 IVF cycles I have had 3 pregnancies (1 miscarriage).
Good luck and go for the ICSI.....if you don't and don't get pregnant you will always wonder. If you try it and don't get pregnant at least you know that you did everything you could. Best wishes!

[kristiA]

I also did my first IVF using ICSI with no medical reason for it. My doctor just did it and I don't recall there ever being a big discussion about whether to do it or not. The price was included in a package deal I paid. I now have twins from that first ICSI IVF. Good luck to you!

[2ndtimer]

I have to weigh in with everyone else. I wouldn't hesitate to spend the extra $ and do ISCI. It's not really that new and it's no more unnatural than all of this other stuff. If it makes this cycle successful than the extra $1000 is much better than spending an extra $12-15 thou for the next cycle.

[hoping4bfp]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate everyone's opinions and experiences. My husband and I are going to do the ICSI. We just don't want to risk the 'what if' of not doing it. But I agree with all of what you guys said.

I'm just crossing my fingers that this all works!

[wanttodiscuss]

We just did our first round of IVF and due to morphology issues we were doing ICSI. I asked the doctor if we could do a few without ICSI if we had enough eggs just so I know if any of the sperm were working on their own for future knowledge. Of our 15 mature eggs 11 were ICSI (10 fertilized) and 4 were IVF (3 fertilized). We implanted one ICSI and one IVF on day 5 and we are pregnant with a singleton. We'll never know which it was that worked, but regardless I was happy that we did a couple with regular IVF so we know that it is possible in the future.