ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

When you seek treatment at Wilcox Fertility, we want to ensure you have the best care and every chance at a happy and healthy pregnancy. Our team also wants you to be educated on all of the latest, most advanced family building technologies. Below, we discuss the IVF process when it utilizes Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

When you pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF), a woman or donor’s eggs are retrieved and are typically mixed with the partner’s (or a donor’s) sperm placed next to the egg in a laboratory dish. Fertilization happens when one of those sperm enters the egg and the fertilized eggs become embryo(s).

However, there are some situations where ICSI may be recommended. These include certain male infertility factors. This can include any concerns around sperm count, quality or motility.  There is also a condition known as “Azoospermia”, where there appears to be no identifiable sperm detected in a man’s semen.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is where a single sperm is injected directly into a woman’s egg, rather than placing many sperm next to the egg, as with traditional IVF.

Overview of the IVF Process when using ICSI: 

  • Dr. Wilcox will prescribe the protocol/treatment he believes will provide you the highest chance of success and your clinical team will be your day-to-day guide.
  • You will meet with your nurse who will provide you with an overall schedule for your IVF cycle.
  • Medications will be ordered (we recommend you call your insurance company to review what is covered, what is out of pocket and if you require any preauthorization).
  • We will teach you how to self-administer your medications.
  • You will have baseline blood work and ultrasound on your instructed start date.
  • Your nurse will confirm when you are ready to begin your injectable medications. She will advise you to call her on the first day of your period.
  • The hormone stimulation process typically takes approximately 8 to 14 days.
  • You will visit us at the clinic every few days for monitoring blood tests and trans-vaginal ultrasounds to assess follicle growth.
  • Once Dr. Wilcox is confident the follicles have reached a mature state, you will be instructed to take your “trigger shot”, which is also referred to as an hCG.
  • Your medical team will advise you of your admission time which is typically 24 or so hours after your trigger shot.
  • After the eggs are retrieved, they will be fertilized using ICSI. One of our highly experienced embryologists will take one sperm and inject it into each egg with the use of a sophisticated needle and an operative microscope.
  • You will begin progesterone supplementation (through progesterone in oil shots or suppositories) the day after retrieval.
  • If you are having preimplantation genetic testing and/or screening (PGD/S), the embryos will be biopsied and cryopreserved until results are obtained.
  • An embryo(s) will be transferred back into the uterus in a future cycle in the hopes that it will implant into the uterine lining.
  • Following the embryo transfer (it can vary depending on if it’s a frozen cycle, day 3 or day 5), you will continue hormone supplementation until pregnancy test.

For more information on the numerous fertility treatments and family building options offered at Wilcox Fertility, please continue to review other areas of our site or to inquire about financial information, please don’t hesitate to contact us via our online form or call us at 626.657.9327.

Schedule an appointment!

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

When you seek treatment at Wilcox Fertility, we want to ensure you have the best care and every chance at a happy and healthy pregnancy. Our team also wants you to be educated on all of the latest, most advanced family building technologies. Below, we discuss the IVF process when it utilizes Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

When you pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF), a woman or donor’s eggs are retrieved and are typically mixed with the partner’s (or a donor’s) sperm placed next to the egg in a laboratory dish. Fertilization happens when one of those sperm enters the egg and the fertilized eggs become embryo(s).

However, there are some situations where ICSI may be recommended. These include certain male infertility factors. This can include any concerns around sperm count, quality or motility.  There is also a condition known as “Azoospermia”, where there appears to be no identifiable sperm detected in a man’s semen.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is where a single sperm is injected directly into a woman’s egg, rather than placing many sperm next to the egg, as with traditional IVF.

Overview of the IVF Process when using ICSI: 

  • Dr. Wilcox will prescribe the protocol/treatment he believes will provide you the highest chance of success and your clinical team will be your day-to-day guide.
  • You will meet with your nurse who will provide you with an overall schedule for your IVF cycle.
  • Medications will be ordered (we recommend you call your insurance company to review what is covered, what is out of pocket and if you require any preauthorization).
  • We will teach you how to self-administer your medications.
  • You will have baseline blood work and ultrasound on your instructed start date.
  • Your nurse will confirm when you are ready to begin your injectable medications. She will advise you to call her on the first day of your period.
  • The hormone stimulation process typically takes approximately 8 to 14 days.
  • You will visit us at the clinic every few days for monitoring blood tests and trans-vaginal ultrasounds to assess follicle growth.
  • Once Dr. Wilcox is confident the follicles have reached a mature state, you will be instructed to take your “trigger shot”, which is also referred to as an hCG.
  • Your medical team will advise you of your admission time which is typically 24 or so hours after your trigger shot.
  • After the eggs are retrieved, they will be fertilized using ICSI. One of our highly experienced embryologists will take one sperm and inject it into each egg with the use of a sophisticated needle and an operative microscope.
  • You will begin progesterone supplementation (through progesterone in oil shots or suppositories) the day after retrieval.
  • If you are having preimplantation genetic testing and/or screening (PGD/S), the embryos will be biopsied and cryopreserved until results are obtained.
  • An embryo(s) will be transferred back into the uterus in a future cycle in the hopes that it will implant into the uterine lining.
  • Following the embryo transfer (it can vary depending on if it’s a frozen cycle, day 3 or day 5), you will continue hormone supplementation until pregnancy test.

For more information on the numerous fertility treatments and family building options offered at Wilcox Fertility, please continue to review other areas of our site or to inquire about financial information, please don’t hesitate to contact us via our online form or call us at 626.657.9327.

Schedule an appointment!

For Questions and to Schedule an Appointment:

(626) 657-9327