Although IVF has become the best known fertility treatment since its introduction in 1978, in vitro fertilisation is actually one of several assisted conception techniques.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI is performed as part of IVF and addresses sperm-related barriers to successful conception. One in 7 UK couples will have difficulties conceiving and it’s estimated that male infertility is a factor in 30 to 50% of cases.

Am I suitable for ICSI?

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is not suitable for all patients undergoing fertility treatment. If male factor infertility has been identified or you have undergone previous unsuccessful IVF cycles, then ICSI may be recommended to improve your chances of conceiving. Issues that ICSI can address:

• Low sperm count
• Poor sperm motility
• Sperm is abnormally shaped
• There are high levels of antibodies in the semen (antibodies that are produced by the man’s body and may inhibit sperm function)
• Sperm has been frozen
• A medical condition or vasectomy means surgical sperm retrieval is required
• Embryo testing is being performed
• Previously failed IVF cycles

What happens if we opt for ICSI?

ICSI is performed as part of in vitro fertilisation, so every stage is the same as a conventional IVF treatment, but a different fertilisation technique is used in the laboratory.

To fertilise an egg, the sperm must penetrate the egg to reach the cytoplasm and during conventional IVF, the sperm and egg are mixed in culture media within a petri dish and left to naturally fertilise. However, if the sperm has poor motility, which refers to its ability to move efficiently, or an abnormal shape, then it can fail to push through the hard outer layer.

With ICSI, we select the healthiest sperm and directly inject it into the egg. Embryos are then left to develop as normal while being monitored by our embryologist before the best is chosen for implantation in the womb.

Are there any risks to ICSI?

The risks of ICSI are the same as IVF. The risk of birth defects is slightly higher than of a natural pregnancy but similar to conventional IVF. It is highly likely that males conceived with ICSI may inherit genetic male fertility issues, but research is limited currently as ICSI has only been used since the early 1990s.

What are the success rates of ICSI?

This is one stage of in vitro fertilisation, which can improve the chance of conception with IVF in couples where male factor infertility is an issue. But success rates are still linked to the overall success rate for IVF. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) don’t publish separate statistics for IVF with ICSI.

To find out if you’re suitable for ICSI as part of your IVF treatment, call us on 0203 263 6025 to arrange a consultation at Aria Fertility Clinic.

Made in Chelsea star Ollie Locke has revealed his surrogacy heartache on the latest series of the reality TV programme. He had recently announced on Instagram that the first round of IVF that he and his husband Gareth underwent with a surrogate hadn’t worked.

Ollie wrote. “We wanted to share an update with all our amazing supportive followers who have been with us on our surrogacy journey.

“I’m sorry I have been quiet, sadly we found out last week our first attempt at IVF hasn’t worked and after the heartbreaking news we have come to terms with the situation and are now looking forward to getting out to go for a second attempt very soon.”

Celebrity stories – from Ollie to Tom Daley and Kim Kardashian – have brought surrogacy into the spotlight and now a new UK study has shown that the number of parents using surrogates in England and Wales has quadrupled over the last decade.

Increase in parents using surrogates in the UK

Kent University scientists reviewing the data found that 413 parental orders were issued last year, indicating that almost four times as many parents in England and Wales are using surrogates now compared to ten years ago. In a new report published in collaboration with My Surrogacy Journey, a non-profit organisation in the UK supporting surrogates and intended parents, Dr Kirsty Horsey of Kent Law School found more parents were having babies through surrogacy. Research also revealed that two thirds of the applicants were mixed-sex couples in their 30s and 40s.

‘It is great to see such positive reporting on surrogacy in the mainstream media,” Dr Horsey commented, “particularly as the Law Commissions are currently reviewing the law on surrogacy, which I have long argued is out of date and in need of reform. It is to be hoped that reports such as this will feed into public and parliamentary debates on how any new law should look and enable progressive law reform to take place.”

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian opted for surrogacy after suffering placenta accreta, a serious medical condition that can be fatal for mother and child. She has now had two surrogate pregnancies: “I always knew surrogacy was an option — now it’s my reality. Whatever is meant to be will be.”

Celebrities being open about the surrogate experience is one of the driving factors in increased interest in this procedure. Yet, as Ollie Locke and his husband have revealed, surrogacy is not without its challenges.

Get in touch to discuss this in more depth with our fertility experts or read our pages on surrogacy for same-sex and mixed couples.

Last month, we wrote about managing IVF in the workplace which struck a chord with many of you. One interesting development from the COVID pandemic is that it seems to have accelerated the trend for fertility treatment benefits as employers prioritise employee wellbeing.

We take a look at the fertility treatment benefits starting to be introduced by employers.

What fertility treatments are being offered by employers?

Perks within businesses are certainly nothing new. However, up until now they largely consisted of free gym memberships, company cars, or additional days off.

In recent years, however, employers have started to realise the importance of employee wellbeing. For employees who are going through fertility problems, it can greatly impact their wellbeing and their performance. That is why several UK groups have started to offer fertility-related benefits.

Large UK employers such as NatWest and Clifford Chance, have introduced fertility benefits totalling up to £45,000 per employee. These include offering to pay for IVF or surrogacy. Other benefits include providing time off for appointments, counselling, and miscarriage leave.

Rarely did employers get involved with the outside lives of their workers? So, what’s changed?

The pandemic and its impact on employee wellbeing

Employee wellbeing was already starting to become a priority before COVID hit. However, the toll the pandemic has taken on the population has forced businesses to accelerate their efforts.

There has also been a huge increase in the number of employees leaving their jobs as people revaluate what is important in life. With a record number of job vacancies available, employers are having to pull out all the stops to keep hold of their existing workforce.
According to research, 49% of employers have introduced new benefits for their workers since the pandemic began.

Our contribution to fertility treatment benefits

Aria Fertility works alongside Carrot Fertility to provide fertility benefits to employees through their employers. Flexible plans are available to suit businesses of all sizes. Just some of the benefits companies can opt to include are:

• Fertility medications
• Pregnancy support
• Family planning and care
• Adoption benefits

The fact businesses are starting to help employees with fertility issues is fantastic. However, it is still only select businesses that have introduced these benefits. As time goes on, more HR professionals are realising the importance of fertility-related benefits. At the very least, workers who are experiencing fertility troubles can ask for more flexible working hours.

There is no denying that fertility issues can greatly impact employee wellbeing and performance. Employers who prioritise their workers mental and physical health such as offering fertility treatments are going to also reap the benefits. Get in touch to find out more.

Going through IVF treatment in the workplace can be exhausting and emotionally taxing. There are a lot of appointments you’ll need to attend, and it can be a stressful process.

If you have a full-time job, it can be difficult managing your IVF around it. However, there are some great tips you can follow to make it work. Below, you’ll discover how to successfully manage your IVF treatment in the workplace.

Consider how much time off you will need

To minimise disruption in the workplace, you’ll need to know how much time you need to take off. You can find this out by going over your individual treatment plan with your care team. Figure out how many early morning clinic visits you’ll need to make, alongside how much time off you’ll need after the egg retrieval and embryo transfer procedures.

Speak to your manager

Once you know how much time you’ll need to take off, it’s a good idea to speak to your manager. You can decide how much you want to tell them. If you don’t want to reveal that you are undergoing IVF, you can simply state you have a medical issue. However, you’ll find most managers will be understanding if you are honest about the situation.

Before you speak to them, make sure you have a plan in place. How will you make up any time that is lost? You could also see whether working from home on your appointment days is an option.

Prepare for physical discomfort

Your body goes through some major changes during IVF. Not only will you feel exhausted, but you may experience physical discomfort. It isn’t unusual for women to experience pregnancy symptoms while they are going through the treatment.
To prepare for physical discomfort, wear loose, flattering clothing. Eat smaller meals and snacks if you develop nausea. You’ll also want to limit what you do, so don’t be afraid to pull back on your commitments.

Look after yourself

Going through IVF in the workplace can be stressful. Increased stress levels can wreak havoc on your health. As you are trying to become pregnant, keeping stress levels to a minimum is key. This means you’ll want to make sure you are taking good care of yourself.
Engage in relaxing activities such as reading, yoga, or listening to relaxing music. While it’s hard to practice self-care at work, it isn’t impossible. On your breaks, do something relaxing like going for a walk or reading a good book. Remember to take regular breathing breaks to focus on lowering your stress levels.

If you follow the tips above, you’ll be able to better manage IVF in the workplace. The more you prepare, the easier you’ll find it is to balance IVF with work. For more advice on IVF treatment, call us on 020 3263 6025 or email us at admin@ariafertility.co.uk.

New data published by the UK fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), has found that the IVF success rate is continuing to improve in the UK.

Reviewing the trends in fertility treatment numbers between 1991 and 2019, they were able to ascertain that as well as an increase in IVF success, more single women and same sex couples were seeking fertility treatment.

Chair of the HFEA Julia Chain summarised that there have been “many positive changes in the treatment of patients”, citing “birth rates increasing, multiple birth rates falling and treatment becoming safer”.

A 30-year review of fertility treatment

The report was published to mark the 30-year anniversary of the establishment of the HFEA, the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment.

It found that, since 1991, the success rate for all patient groups under the age of 43 for IVF and donor insemination had increased. In patients aged between 35 and 37, this had grown from 6% to 25%.

A common concern about IVF treatment is the possibility of multiple births and its associated complications. The multiple birth rate has dramatically declined, from 28% to just 6% in 2019, reflecting a change in treatment practice.

Sally Cheshire CBE, commented: “Fertility treatment has come a long way over more than 40 years and is now safer whilst helping more people to create their much longed for families.”

“We know that multiple births carry higher risks to mothers and babies and cost more to the NHS. That’s why, it is a great achievement that all our hard work with fertility clinics has paid off as we have now achieved the lowest ever multiple birth rate while continuing to see success rates rise.”

Fertility patient demographics

While patients in heterosexual relationships still account for most fertility treatments, the report also found that the number of single women and same-sex couples choosing to undergo IVF or donor insemination has also rapidly increased in this time frame, reflecting a growing societal attitude change to family creation.

Embryo freezing uptake growing

The report also noted that the use of frozen embryos has gone up by 11% since 2016, which indicates an increased uptake in freeze cycles. Notably, frozen cycles success rates at 23% have overtaken fresh embryo cycles success rates (22%) for the first time since records began, meaning that our patients can be reassured that freezing embryos can give them as much chance of success as using fresh embryos.

For more advice on any of the fertility treatments we offer at Aria, call us on 020 3263 6025 or email us on admin@ariafertility.co.uk. Alternatively, fill in the contact form below and one of our team will be in touch.