Her doctor had long suspected that endometriosis might be the hidden culprit behind their unexplained infertility. Though nothing had been officially diagnosed at first, there was a “lean” toward endo being the sole cause. After two surgeries to remove blockages and still no success conceiving naturally, her doctor proposed a strategic approach for their upcoming IVF cycle.
He recommended splitting fertilization methods: 50% ICSI and 50% conventional IVF. The rationale was clear. ICSI would serve as a safety net to ensure that fertilization happened, minimizing the risk of ending up with no embryos after the egg retrieval. Meanwhile, conventional fertilization would test whether a fertilization issue even existed. If both methods yielded similar results, they could confidently rule out fertilization as the problem and possibly confirm that endometriosis was indeed the root cause of their infertility.
From the 37 mature eggs retrieved, half underwent ICSI and the other half went through conventional fertilization. The results were remarkably consistent: 13 fertilized eggs from each method, totaling 26. Each group produced 6 blastocysts, bringing the total to 12.
The outcome offered more than just embryos. It delivered answers. Fertilization was clearly not the issue. For her, it was a moment of clarity and a step forward in their journey. She deeply appreciated her doctor’s thoughtful strategy. Not only did it give them a safety net, but it also helped eliminate unknowns, saving them emotional strain and financial risk in the process.