Microinjection (ICSI)

What is microinjection?

ICSI is similar to regular IVF. The only difference is that the sperm is injected ito the egg, and not just put in a bowl together.  

Who is microinjection for?

Befruktningsmetoden ICSI blir brukt i nesten halvparten av alle prøverørsbehandlinger. Sannsynligheten for å lykkes er like god som ved vanlig IVF, selv når mannens sædkvalitet er kraftig nedsatt. 

Vi tar i bruk metoden når 

  • mannen har alvorlig nedsatt sædkvalitet 
  • egget ikke har latt seg befrukte gjennom vanlig prøverørsbefruktning (IVF) 

The fertilization method ICSI is used in almost half of all In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments. The probability of success is just as good as with regular IVF, even when the man’s sperm quality is greatly reduced.  

The method is used when:  

  • the man has severely reduced sperm quality 
  • the egg has not been fertilized through regular In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)  

ICIV – a combination of IVF and ICSI 

Sometimes, on a rare occasion, we do something called ICIV. In this treatment half of the eggs are fertilized with regular In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and the other half with microinjection (ICSI). By doing this, we don’t have to end the treatment if it turns out that the sperm cells cannot fertilize the egg, or that the egg won’t be fertilized the usual way. This treatment is done after an assessment of a number of criteria.  

How is the microinjection treatment performed? 

Prosessen med mikroinjeksjonsbehandling er lik vanlig prøverørsbefruktning (IVF), eneste forskjellen ligger i laboratoriearbeidet. 

The process of microinjection treatment is similar to regular In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), the only difference is in the laboratory work.  

injection

1. Stimulation period

The woman is stimulated so that she will develop more eggs than the one she usually produces in the month. This happens by taking medication through a small syringe under the skin just below the abdomen. The stimulation period normally lasts 10-14 days. 

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2. Ultrasound examination

In the stimulation period, the woman comes for ultrasound examination, usually twice. If you live far away, a local gynecologist can perform the ultrasound. The ultrasound shows us how many egg sacks the woman produced and how big they have become. After another ultrasound, you will be told when the woman should use the ovulation syringe. 

fertilization

3. Egg extraction & implementation

About 36 hours after the ovulation syringe is set, you will meet at our clinic. Now the eggs are extracted and put in a petri dish with the man’s sperm to be fertilized. They are allowed to grow and mature at the IVF laboratory before they are implanted back into the woman. This usually happens after 5 days when the embryo has reached the blastocyst stage.

pregnancy-test

4. Support treatment & pregnancy test

In the days following egg extraction, the woman’s progesterone is increased, which is necessary for a successful pregnancy. After 14 days, a blood test will confirm if you have become pregnant.
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5. The road ahead

If the test is positive, the next step is ultrasound examination after 5 weeks (i.e., Pregnancy Week 7). If you live far away, we can refer you to a local gynecologist or nearest hospital for the ultrasound. If the treatment is not successful, you will receive advice and guidance on the way forward, whether it is a new attempt or other solutions.

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