Anyone else freaked out about ICSI?

[Anonymous]

I've had two IVF consults at local clinics...They both have stated they take half of the retrieved eggs and do ICSI on one half and let the sperm naturally go with the egg with the other half. We are both 32 with no male sperm issues (my husband has had several semen analyses because we have had 3 IUIs). The ICSI issue is really the only thing freaking me out about doing IVF. I know I can decline it, its just the thought of having to do all the drugs/ER again sounds bad too, if the natural sperm/egg combo doesn't work out. Anyone decline it and then had no good embryos when you/husband otherwise had no issues? Any advice is appreciated!!

[Anonymous]

I am not sure why you are freaked out about ICSI--I know have a beautiful daughter because of it. Are you sure there are no sperm issue--if you have done IVF and none fertilized you most likely have a sperm issue--we did and the only way we learned was IVF. I know it is tough to go through the meds etc again, but trust me, one year later when you are holding a beautiful child (touch wood for you) it will all seem like nothing. Sending you all good baby karma. Good luck. And don't be afraid.

[Anonymous]

I can understand your nervousness. If intervention isn't needed, why do it? If this is your first IVF and no MF I'd probably go w/o ICSI and only use it if there is a clear indication. There are some known increased issues with male babies conceived with ICSI (Hypospadias). We used ICSI to concieve my DD at Cornell. I am currently participating in a research study with Cornell to determine any long term effects on children born w/ ICSI. My DD is 100% healthy

[Anonymous]

I would take a deep breath and relax. It seems your doctors are giving you the best of both worlds-- if it works "naturally" (!) and you get good results you can use those, but if not you may be able to avoid doing a whole second cycle.

We did ICSI because we really did not want to a second cycle (physically, emotionally and, yes, financially), and it worked for us and we were very grateful and happy. If it really concerning you, and you don't mind doing a second cycle then I would go with 9:27's advice, but don't feel it's "necessary" by any means.

Many people think that the slightly higher rate of hypospadias observed in ICSI children reflects the fact that it is genetic and men carrying the genetic abnormality are less fertile. In other words, ICSI only makes the condition more likely because it makes you more likely to have a baby at all.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

P.S. our ICSI baby was a beautiful baby boy! I meant to say the incidence of hypospadias is quite low for all babies.

[Anonymous]

I shared your concerns about ICSI and that was actually one of the reasons I switched clinics/REs. DH's sperm looked fine and I didn't see any reason to do ICSI. Dr Widra at SG agreed and 6 our of 7 eggs fertilized after my first IVF cycle (last egg didn't fertilize due to egg quality not sperm quality). I took a lot of biostatistics in grad school and that has made me naturally skeptical of studies saying that any medical intervention is 100% safe. That said, if I needed ICSI I would have done it with no worries -- but it didn't seem worth doing it without a concrete reason. I figured it was worth taking a very small chance of having no fertilization to have the peace of mind that comes from knowing I didn't take any unnecessary risks. Just my opinion...

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you all. This will be our first IVF, and I'm just leaning towards going the natural route (no ICSI) to see if there is a reason to do it. I don't know, for some reason that makes me feel better about doing it, if it is needed. Financially, insurance pays for IVF but will not cover ICSI unless there is several male factor IF...So that is another consideration. I really appreciate the feedback!

[Anonymous]

I was really nervous about ICSI, but we had MF infertility and since we did Natural cycle IVF, ICSI was pretty much the only intervention. My DS is very healthy, GL to you.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 ICSI babies, beautiful and very healthy!!