ICSI after IVF: In 2018, at the age of... - Fertility Network UK

Fertility Network UK

56,127 members59,611 posts

ICSI after IVF

JenRoy profile image
9 Replies

In 2018, at the age of 39yrs, I had a successful 1st round of IVF, unbelievably lucky & grateful! We didn’t manage any frozen embies despite x5 5d blastocysts.

This August I underwent a 2nd round. We only had a 28% fertilisation rate unlike 70% last time. We’re unexplained infertility. There’s never been a mention of sperm issues. We had both embies transferred on day 3 but it wasn’t meant to be. BFN 😢.

We had our post cycle consultation with our consultant last week. He’s advised we go for ICSI as we got 7 mature eggs last time and it’s not clear that there’s an egg issue.

Has anyone gone for ICSI after previous IVF cycles?! Success??

I’m now 41. AMH low but not super low. All else is “normal”.

Thanks

Written by
JenRoy profile image
JenRoy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
IvfStruggler profile image
IvfStruggler

Not a success story in terms of a BFP but we definitely had much better fertilisation using ICSI after having a terrible round of IVF. In our first round (9 eggs) we had 60% fertilisation but in our second (10 eggs) only 10%. Then the third round we had only 5 eggs but with ICSI we had 100% fertilisation and all made it to blastocysts. This was all with the same donor sperm. Fresh transfer failed so no happy ending but we still have 4 embryos in the freezer. We were going to do 50/50 in terms of ICSI and IVF together but because we had so little eggs we were advised to ICSI them all. Not sure if it was the ICSI that made the difference though. We had exactly the same medication for all rounds except that I insisted on a double trigger of Gonasi for the last round. The consultants said it wouldn't make a difference but the research I did seemed to suggest otherwise.

I really hope your next round will be successful! X

JenRoy profile image
JenRoy in reply toIvfStruggler

Thank you! Sounds similar to us. We got 11 eggs first round, 8 fertilised and 5 made it to day 5. This round we got 7 eggs, 2 fertilised and then it wasn’t worth pushing them to day 5 so we had a day 3 transfer if both.

If we could get any frozen then that would be amazing 🤞🤞

IvfStruggler profile image
IvfStruggler in reply toJenRoy

During our second round the only fertilised egg didn't make it to blastocyst so we had nothing to transfer. It was so depressing. Then my round was cancelled due to COVID and when I only got 5 eggs I also ended up in hospital after my collection in excruciating pain. I felt so unlucky. I was completely devastated. So when all 5 fertilised and made it I was so confused. My luck didn't continue but for me it shows why people say it is a numbers game and to just keep trying (of course changing protocol where possible). Fingers crossed that your next round gives you also something to freeze xxx

Loma1 profile image
Loma1

Hey JenRoy

Just before I turned 40, we had a total fertilisation failure from IVF... 8 eggs good, sperm good - just did not want to mix. A month or so later we tried ICSI and 3 out of 5 mature eggs fertilised.

(PGTA meant these were reduced to 1 which awaits ... but going to go through another egg collection and ERA first.)

Why not give ICSI a try?

Best of luck to you! X

JenRoy profile image
JenRoy in reply toLoma1

Thank you ☺️ . Definitely seems like we have nothing to lose x

Jen999999 profile image
Jen999999 in reply toJenRoy

If you're doing icsi, I would also do Zymot. It's an obstacle course for sperm that means only the best ones will be available to the technician for ICIS. Also it means the semen isn't spun in a centrifuge which can cause dna damage to sperm

JenRoy profile image
JenRoy in reply toJen999999

Never heard of that! Good tip. Thanks 😊

HopeOfYou profile image
HopeOfYou

Success story :)

I'm 41 now (I was 38 during my first cycle), all came back normal for me. My partner: low morphology (but a good number)

First round IVF: 11 eggs, 4 fertilised (1 stopped growing), 2 transferred on day5, 1 discarded for poor quality --> BFN

Second round IVF: 5 eggs, 1 fertilised and transferred on day2, BFP but ectopic :'(

Third round ICSI: 8 eggs, 7 fertilised, 2 transferred on day 2 (but BFN), 1 frozen on day5, transferred 3 months later, 1 healthy baby girl <3

Good luck!

Nicoma22 profile image
Nicoma22

I have! First round was IVF only, second was ICSI but I had egg maturity issues so resulted in BFN 😔. Third ICSI worked and I’m currently 12 weeks pregnant and waiting for my scan! It can work! Xx

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Low fertilisation rate after ICSI - any experiences?

We have male factor infertility - now on our first round, and last week we had 12 eggs collected, 8...
LCharlton profile image

IVF vs ICSI

Good morning, I just wanted to get a feel for what people think about IVF vs ICSI... When my...
Sarah83ap profile image

EC today: ICSI instead of IVF

I've had my egg collection today and we got 8 eggs. I was amazed as I have low amh. Turns out that...
Ash2016 profile image

IVF, Cancer & ICSI

Hi ladies, I'm looking for advice and thoughts on our situation as I'm struggling to know what the...
Libsie3103 profile image

IVF vs ICSI

My husband and I are starting our first round of treatment early next year. We have MFI but have...
HelloLaura profile image

Moderation team

See all
Claire_FNUK profile image
Claire_FNUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.