ICSI Treatment Stage 4- The Egg Collection

The egg collection or oocyte retrieval can be performed either under General Anaesthetic or sedation. It involves a vaginal probe, similar to the one that have been used in the vaginal scans, with a needle guide attached to it. The needle then, under ultra sound guidance, is passed through the vaginal wall into each ovary. The follicles are then individually drained and an embryologist checks the follicular fluid for eggs.

Egg Collection

It is in the laboratory following egg collection that it differs. Instead of the sperm being placed with an egg for natural fertilisation to occur, ICSI involves a selected single sperm injected directly into a mature egg. The eggs will then be placed in an incubator and checked the following day for fertilisation. As with IVF an embryo transfer is normally scheduled 2-3 days following egg collection.