As a companion to Lauren’s episode, Mary talks about ICSI and what this procedure is.
There are two ways that an egg may be fertilized by IVF: traditional and ICSI. In traditional IVF, 50,000 or more swimming sperm are placed next to the egg in a laboratory dish. Fertilization occurs when one of the sperm enters into the cytoplasm of the egg. In the ICSI process, a tiny needle, called a micropipette, is used to inject a single sperm into the center of the egg. With either traditional IVF or ICSI, once fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg (now called an embryo) grows in a laboratory for 1 to 5 days before it is transferred to the woman’s uterus (womb).
ICSI helps to overcome fertility problems, such as: * The male partner produces too few sperm to do artificial insemination (intrauterine insemination [IUI]) or IVF. * The sperm may not move in a normal fashion. * The sperm may have trouble attaching to the egg. * A blockage in the male reproductive tract may keep sperm from getting out. * Eggs have not fertilized by traditional IVF, regardless of the condition of the sperm. * In vitro matured eggs are being used. * Previously frozen eggs are being used.
Consult with your fertility doctor if this procedure is right for you.
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