Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
ICSI is a precise technique used alongside IVF when sperm needs extra support to fertilise an egg. It works within the same cycle as standard IVF — the difference happens in the laboratory, in the skilled hands of our embryology team.
Timeline
4–6 weeks (same as IVF)
Anaesthesia
Light, for egg retrieval
Clinic visits
Minimal
Is this right for you?
The process
Exactly the same as a standard IVF cycle — light hormone stimulation to grow several eggs, gentle monitoring visits, then a short egg-collection procedure under light sedation. The ICSI difference begins in the laboratory.
In the laboratory, an embryologist uses a high-powered microscope and a fine glass needle to select one healthy sperm and inject it directly into each mature egg. This step bypasses the natural fertilisation barrier entirely.
The fertilised eggs are watched closely in the incubator over 3–5 days as they develop into embryos. Our team grades them carefully and keeps you updated on progress each day.
The strongest embryo is transferred to your uterus in exactly the same gentle way as in a standard IVF cycle — a thin soft catheter, no anaesthesia, and no bed rest needed afterwards.
What to expect
From your perspective as a patient, ICSI feels identical to a standard IVF cycle. The additional precision happens in the lab, not to you. Fertilisation rates with ICSI are significantly higher when sperm quality is the primary challenge, and long-term outcomes for children are comparable to those from standard IVF.
Common questions
Want to talk through whether icsi is right for you?
An unhurried conversation about your situation.
