ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

Ultrasound scan

The first step is for you to come to CREATE Fertility to have an advanced ultrasound scan. This is where we will look at your egg reserve, the health of your uterus and ovaries, and see if there are any polyps, fibroids or other factors affecting implantation. We may also test some hormonal levels that may affect your treatment cycle or outcome.

Semen analysis

To assess if male infertility is a factor, we'll need a recent semen analysis. If you have had one within the past 6 months, bring the results with you. Otherwise, we can arrange one for you at our clinic. This involves producing a fresh sperm sample for analysis.

Consultation

You may have the Consultation on the same day of your ultrasound scan, if you choose to have a face-to-face appointment. Alternatively, if it is more convenient, you may have it virtually, a few days after your scan. The consultant will discuss your medical history, the results of your scan and any other tests you’ve had, such as your semen analysis, and will talk you through your suggested treatment plan. This will be tailored to your individual diagnosis and agreed plan. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask any questions you have.

Ovarian stimulation and monitoring scans

Your treatment is usually timed to coincide with your natural menstrual cycle, with some variations from one patient to the other depending on their individual diagnosis. Generally, depending on your personal treatment plan, you'll undergo a short course of injections to stimulate your ovaries. These medications mimic natural hormones to gently encourage ovarian follicles (fluid-filled compartments containing eggs) to develop. Regular ultrasound scans and blood tests will monitor your ovaries' response, allowing the dose of your medications to be adjusted if needed. Once the follicles reach optimal size, you will receive a trigger shot to prepare the eggs for collection.

Egg collection

This minimally invasive procedure, carried out at the clinic, is performed under light sedation for your comfort. A thin needle guided by ultrasound is inserted through the vagina and into the ovaries to collect the follicular fluid containing the eggs.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

In our state-of-the-art embryology lab, our embryologists will select a healthy sperm which is then injected directly into the cytoplasm of each mature egg. The eggs are incubated to give them a chance to fertilise and develop into embryos.

Fresh embryo transfer

After fertilisation, our skilled embryologists will closely monitor the development of your embryos, usually for 3 to 5 days. The highest quality embryo will then be gently transferred through the cervix into your uterus for implantation. If you have any additional embryos which you wish to freeze for the future, this is when we will freeze them.

Some patients may be advised to freeze all their embryos and aim for a Frozen Embryo Transfer cycle at a later date, depending on their clinical diagnosis.

Pregnancy test

Approximately two weeks after your embryo transfer, you will come into our clinic for a pregnancy blood test to determine whether you have a successful pregnancy. You will receive the results before the end of the day.

Early pregnancy scan or follow up consultation

When you are pregnant, we will schedule an early pregnancy scan at our clinic. However, if your pregnancy test is negative, we can arrange a follow-up consultation to discuss your treatment options for the next cycle.