The ABCs of Advanced IVF Techniques: ICSI, PGT, and FET

In our modern era, there are many fertility treatments available, ranging from more basic procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI) to advanced options like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Among these more advanced IVF techniques are intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), preimplantation genetic testing, and frozen embryo transfer (FET). Here’s what to know about these treatment options:

What is ICSI?

ICSI is a type of IVF most often used in cases of male factor infertility. With traditional IVF, a reproductive specialist places thousands of sperm next to an egg on a laboratory dish for fertilization. In an ICSI procedure, a single sperm cell is injected directly into the egg. Once fertilization occurs, the doctor transfers the embryo to the uterus of the intended carrier, hopefully resulting in a successful pregnancy.

Why Doctors Recommend PGT

PGT is a screening test performed on embryos created via IVF to check for genetic abnormalities before transfer. After the eggs are retrieved and fertilized, the reproductive specialist can obtain cells for biopsy and testing. Fertility doctors recommend PGT for certain aspiring parents to ensure the embryo selected for transfer has the highest chance of resulting in a healthy pregnancy. Good candidates for PGT include:

• Women over the age of 37
• Couples at risk for passing down genetic disorders
• Those with a history of recurrent miscarriages due to chromosomal abnormalities

What to Know About FET

Frozen embryo transfer, as its name implies, uses frozen embryos to achieve pregnancy. Your previously frozen embryos will be thawed and transferred to your uterus or that of a surrogate. There are many benefits of a FET, including:

• Optimizing the uterine environment for implantation
• Lower risk of bleeding during pregnancy
• Less chance of the baby being underweight
• Reduced risk of a premature birth
• Lower risk of miscarriage or stillbirth 

Additionally, you can control how many embryos are transferred to your uterus.

Learn From an Expert Reproductive Team

IVF can be an exciting yet complex process, and having an experienced and knowledgeable team of fertility experts on your side can make advanced techniques like ICSI, PGT, and FET easier to navigate. The Center for Reproductive Medicine can walk you through your options and ensure incredible care no matter where your fertility journey takes you. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.