IVF/ICSI

IVF or In Vitro Fertilization is an advanced technology option for many couples worldwide who are suffering infertility issues. It is a method where the ovaries of the woman are stimulated with fertility drugs and afterwards the eggs are retrieved and combined with the sperm through laboratory process. The eggs and the sperm are fertilized and then transferred to the uterus of the woman. Apart from the basic IVF procedure, there are available varieties of additional assisted reproductive technology treatments. However, these varieties may depend on the certain fertility problems, age, goals, failure rates, and past success of the couples.

IVF makes use of the assisted reproductive technology in order to increase the chances of conceiving. This innovative method involves harvesting the sperm and the egg in creating an artificial embryo. The embryo is then injected into the uterus to start the process of conception. The cost per treatment cycle for IVF process is expensive and couples are required to have series of cycles before achieving positive results. However, depending on the number of sessions required as well as the location of the treatment center, the cost per cycle may always vary. In addition, not all IVF procedures can be successful, thus couples might need to undergo varieties of fertility methods before achieving results.

When a woman takes ovarian stimulating drugs for IVF procedure, the doctor will monitor her progress through ultrasounds and blood tests. Once the follicles have grown enough with good size, the egg retrieval is started. The retrieval involves removal of eggs from the ovaries through ultrasound-guided and specialized needle. On the same day of egg retrieval, the sperm of the man or sperm donor should be provided for the IVF procedure. Once the eggs are retrieved, it will be placed by an embryologist on a special culture by using tiny needle and microscope. Every egg will be injected with a single sperm. Once fertilization happens, it means that the embryos are healthy and now ready for transfer to the uterus of the woman. The transfer is done by using a catheter on the cervix.

ICSI or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is one variety of IVF in which the individual sperm is directly injected into the egg with the use of a specialized needle. This variety of IVF is commonly used in severe situations of male infertility such as having a very low sperm count, poor movement of sperm, or if the sperm shape is impaired. Apparently, ICSI can only be used if the testicular sperm extraction is used. ICSI can also be used in situations of retrograde ejaculation wherein the sperm is retrieved from the urine of the man. It is also being used whenever the regular IVF treatment cycle had not achieved fertilization. Since ICSI is also a part of IVF, it is also done in laboratory.

The typical cost of ICSI is usually separate from the general costs of IVF procedure itself. Compared to normal pregnancy, ICSI treatment has minimal risks of increased birth defects or in some cases the defects are even rare. Among the birth effects that have an increased risk with ICSI include sex chromosome abnormalities, hypospadias, Angelman syndrome, and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome