Help needed - ICSI vs normal IVF??

[Loops12]

Hi all
Im wondering if anyone can help me please?
DH and I just went through our first IVF with ICSI and transfer at blastie stage. I have no reported fertility issues (had Lap and Hyst which was all clear) and DH has low sperm count/mobility. His count varies all the time anywhere from 8mil up to about 20million

We were told ICSI would be the best option because it bypasses all male factor infertility but it was unsuccessful for us.
I was a bit shocked that at our age and considering all this and with ICSI that it didnt work and we didnt get any embies to freeze either - our 5 that fertlised didnt develop well enough and didnt make it to blastie.

What I am wondering now is: Would it be best to try normal IVF - i.e. give DH's swimmers a chance at fertilising my eggs on their own in the hope of a better quality embryo in the end and perhaps some to freeze.

Does anyone know if it works like this? Has anyone had any experience with this and any advice etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[CeCe]

DH and I have used ICSI due to male factor also. His SA results have varied too, although I'm not sure to the same degree.

On our first cycle we were informed that on the day they would examine the semen to see if they could do IVF or would need to do ICSI. As it turns out we've needed ICSI each time. Perhaps you could discuss this with your FS/clinic?

[MummyNaomi]

Hi Loops,

We had success with ICSI and same as your situation there was no fertility issues found on the female side but DH had low sperm motility and morphology. We only had one successful fertilisation so our emby transfer occured with a 2 cell emby - we didn't even wait for blasocyst stage as there was only one to transfer back in any way and we were told that my uterus was the best place for our emby anyhoo. But that aside, my understanding is that ICSI would be a better option becase they can 'choose' the best, healthiest sperm to fertilise the eggs with in contrast to 'regular' IVF

Has your FS given any indication of why they think blasyocyst stage didn't occur - I guess it could be a range of reasons - even egg quality too, have they any ideas, or suggested an alternate plan for the next cycle?

Hope they can give you some answers - GL for the next round if you choose to try again

[Bengal]

Loops, art can really throw a curveball at you and sadly you can understand why the term rollercoaster is used, sorry your first cycle didn't result in a bfp.

It seems to me that ICSI did work for you hun, you had 5 fertilise, which is pretty good. The DNA in the sperm kick in around day 3 of an embryo's development, to enhance your chance's of this occuring correctly, is your DH taking Menevit ?

Often IVF doesn't work on the first go, I know which FS you see and I personally believe you are in good hands,I see the same one ,

How did your post ivf appointment go ? What did he say he was going to tweak next cycle for you ?

[Loops12]

Thank you, wonderful ladies for your advice, help and support.
Looks like ICSI is probably the best option then, maybe not to blastie this time???. Im still a little confused but I havent seen my FS since the IVF yet - I have an appointment on the 10th Sept. so I guess we'll see what he says then and where to go from here
WLAB - he is great, I do think Im in good hands, just the things and questions going through my head because I havent been able to see him as yet. I can't wait to see him and see what he says and why he thinks perhaps it didnt work.

Thanks ladies xoxo

[Loops12]

PS I will let you all know how I go on the 10th. Im thinking it was the embryo quality and since the others didnt make it to blastie then perhaps the one they transferred was no good also (obviously since it didnt stick) but Im not sure why - arhh so many questions.

We will be trying again but not sure when that will be yet because we are quite broke at the moment.

[Bengal]

Loops - that's the hardest part about IVF, you can transfer a perfect embryo and it doesn't stick, that is what happened to me last cycle, especially given my age, my blast was a grade, why didn't it take.

Just make sure hubbie takes the Menevit whilst you get financially ready, and track your cycle's in between, you never know ....

Your next cycle you will be outa pocket about $1000, so that is some fruit for thought