If you searched “ICSI procedure step by step,” you’re not just looking for surface-level answers. You want clarity, precision, and a complete understanding. Here’s exactly what happens. No shortcuts. No glossing over.
ICSI Procedure Step By Step: Ovarian Stimulation is the Beginning
Ahead of undergoing any procedures in the lab, the wife undergoes hormonal stimulation. The goal is to produce multiple mature eggs in one cycle.
This part follows a strict timeline involving daily hormone injections, ultrasounds, and blood tests to monitor follicle growth.
What is The Protocol of ICSI? (the ovarian stimulation protocol)
The ovarian stimulation protocol in ICSI is not one-size-fits-all; some protocols have longer durations, while others are shorter, each aiming to optimize egg production for retrieval.
And the doctor will choose the ideal protocol for each patient according to her ovarian response.
Step 2: Egg Retrieval (Oocyte Aspiration)
Once the follicles reach maturity, a trigger shot is given to finalize egg development. About 34 to 36 hours later, eggs are retrieved using a thin needle guided by ultrasound.
It’s done under sedation and takes around 20 minutes. The doctor then identifies mature, healthy eggs for ICSI.
Step 3: Sperm Collection and Preparation
On the same day, a fresh semen sample is collected or thawed from a frozen sample if necessary. The sample is washed, filtered, and isolated for the highest-quality sperm.
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Step 4: The ICSI Procedure
This is the critical step. Under a high-powered microscope, a single sperm is carefully selected and injected directly into the cytoplasm of each mature egg. This bypasses all the natural barriers that might prevent fertilization.
It’s not a bulk fertilization. It’s deliberate, microscopic work done one egg at a time.
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Step 5: Fertilization Check
Around 16 to 18 hours after the fertilization procedure, the doctor examines the eggs to confirm fertilization. A fertilized egg should show two pronuclei, one from the egg, one from the sperm. Not all eggs will fertilize, and that’s normal.
ِAnd this often leads to the question: ”Can eggs be fertilized after 24 hours ICSI?” Typically, no. The process of fertilization occurs either within 18 to 20 hours or not at all. Any subsequent changes are likely abnormal and should not be transferred.
Discover more: Is ICSI treatment painful
Step 6: Embryo Culture
The fertilized eggs, now embryos, are cultured for 3 to 5 days. Embryo development is monitored closely, and the strongest ones are selected for transfer or freezing.
In some cases, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is needed at this stage to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities or chromosomal disorders. These cases include:
- Recurrent miscarriage.
- Known family history of genetic disorders.
- Previous IVF failures.
ICSI Procedure Step by Step: Embryo Transfer is the Final Stage
On day 3 or 5, a selected embryo is transferred into the uterus using a thin catheter. It is a painless outpatient procedure that does not require anesthesia. Any remaining high-quality embryos can be frozen for future use.
Ready for ICSI? Make Sure You’re in the Right Hands
If you’re considering the ICSI procedure step by step, the expertise of your embryology team matters more than any single technique. At Rahem Fertility Center, we don’t just follow protocol. We personalize it.
Book a consultation today and take the next step with a team that treats your case like no other.
