Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, or ICSI, is an extended part of IVF treatment. In this ICSI treatment for pregnancy, a single sperm is injected into an egg to undergo fertilization. Usually, this treatment is preferred in case of male infertility. Such cases include low sperm count, low sperm motility or morphology, anti-sperm antibodies, etc.
This treatment is also preferred for couples who previously had a failure in the IVF cycle.
How to prepare for ICSI fertility treatment
Various factors are involved in preparing for ICSI treatment. Firstly, your fertility specialist will conduct a pre-treatment evaluation and consultation to review your medical history and suggest a diagnostic plan and customized treatment plan.
To prepare for the ICSI treatment, you must follow a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular exercise and avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption. Also, it would help if you addressed your underlying diseases for your overall well-being.
You must consider financials and inquire about the cost to remain prepared for treatment expenses. Your hospital will guide you through the ICSI fertility treatment procedure to keep you informed about all the aspects.
Do’s and don’ts of ICSI treatment
To prepare for ICSI treatment, you will require careful planning, effective communication with healthcare providers, and a holistic approach to reproductive health. Educate yourself and focus on a healthy lifestyle to increase your chances of conception and enjoy parenthood.
Do’s
Consultation and evaluation: You must visit a reputed hospital to consult the healthcare provider. Know about the complete process and the best option for you.
Understanding the procedure: It is an important step, as it will make you understand everything in advance and you can set your expectations accordingly. Know about the risks and complications involved, the success rate, and the time involved in the complete journey.
Lifestyle adjustment: You must make significant changes in your lifestyle to increase the chances of conception. Do regular exercise, maintain a healthy diet, quit smoking, and limit the intake of alcohol. The infertility journey brings stress to many couples and you must manage your stress level to increase fertility chances.
Medicines to stimulate hormones: Your healthcare provider may recommend some hormonal medications to stimulate ovaries for multiple egg production. Sometimes patients feel some side effects of these medications. You must inform your doctor in case you get any symptoms like headache, vomiting, excessive bleeding, etc.
Emotional support: Infertility treatment brings a lot of emotional changes in couples. These emotions come due to stress as well as the hormonal medications you take. To cope with such a situation, you must seek help from your family and friends. Consult with a fertility counselor; they can help you with such conditions.
Financial Planning: Before undergoing treatment, you should know the overall treatment cost. The cost will include consultation fees, diagnosis tests, medicines, and the cycles needed. You can talk with your insurance company and learn about the financing program to minimize the financial burden.
Don’ts
Never miss appointments: You must visit your healthcare provider’s clinic regularly to monitor your follicle development, hormonal level, and overall progress. Irregular visits can disturb your treatment and impact the result.
Don’t engage in intense physical activity: While you can do your regular routine exercise, don’t engage in intense physical activity, as it may put too much strain on your body and enhance your chances of injury during the treatment cycle.
Don’t self-medicate: Take only those medications prescribed by your healthcare provider. Don’t take any painkillers or any other supplements by yourself. You must consult your doctor before doing so. Some supplements or over-the-counter pills can impact your fertility treatment.
Never ignore your emotions: Infertility treatment can be an emotional journey for you. Avoid hiding your feelings, and speak with your partner about it. You must get help from your family members, friends, and loved ones. Go for counseling if you are struggling emotionally.
Don’t ignore complications symptoms: You must pay attention to any complications during treatment procedures. These may include chronic abdominal pain, unusual bleeding, fever, etc. You must let your healthcare provider know immediately if you experience any such symptoms.
The success rate of ICSI treatment
It is important for you to understand the success rate of ICSI treatment. For this, you need to contact the best fertility hospital in your area. Success rates vary from person to person. It depends on your age, your reproductive health, your lifestyle, and your stress level.
Also, you must inquire about the time it may take for you to conceive. Many patients can achieve success in the first cycle, while others need to undergo multiple cycles. As per your health condition, your doctor can give you an idea about your success rate.
Each cycle of ICSI fertility treatment has its own role. Hence, you must complete each cycle properly to conceive.
Conclusion
You must prepare well in advance for ICSI treatment. It requires a lot of patience and also you should be physically and emotionally strong before undergoing the treatment. Knowing all the facts about this treatment will prepare your mind and you can embark on this journey successfully.