Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Sometimes conventional IVF – leaving the sperm and egg to do their thing in our laboratory – needs a helping hand. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a lab technique that may be appropriate for you, if your sperm needs a bit of extra help to achieve successful fertilisation.
Your embryos, created using the ICSI technique, are then transferred in the same way as in standard IVF treatment. Bourn Hall’s fertility experts have performed ICSI since 1993, making us one of the most experienced centres for this type of technique in the UK.
Page Guide
We understand that fertility treatment can be a complex and emotional journey. Our team is dedicated to providing you with all the information and support you need throughout the process.
How does it work?
How does ICSI work?
Your eggs are collected in the same way as IVF, and a single sperm is injected into the centre of each mature egg to assist fertilisation in the laboratory. We use ICSI in conjunction with an IVF cycle when we believe that fertilisation is unlikely to occur using conventional IVF.
In the same way as a conventional IVF cycle, one or two of the resulting embryos can then be transferred to your uterus, and any additional suitable embryos can be frozen for your future use.
Is ICSI right for me?
We might recommend ICSI when:
- Sperm count is low
- Sperm motility – movement – is poor
- You have a high number of abnormal sperm
- Sperm has been collected surgically
- Your semen contains levels of antibodies
- You have previous, unexplained, unsuccessful conventional IVF treatments, or when very few eggs have fertilised following IVF
- Tests of your sperm function have shown that the sperm would be unlikely to achieve fertilisation, or embryo quality and implantation may be compromised
- You have chosen to use donated eggs and sperm
What next?
Your ICSI treatment cycle is similar to conventional IVF. The only difference is that our embryologists use micromanipulation techniques in the laboratory to fertilise your eggs, instead of placing sperm and eggs together in a culture dish.
We also believe you should have every opportunity to optimise your health and lifestyle, to get the best out of your fertility treatment. We now include a free, comprehensive, one-hour consultation with our fertility nutritionist for all our self-funding patients undergoing IVF treatment. Our fertility experts will also be able to advise you if blastocyst culture is right for you, depending on your individual circumstances.
Flexible Pricing Options
To help make your treatment affordable and achievable, we offer fixed price treatment package options and a variety of finance solutions for patients looking to spread all or part of the cost of their treatment.
Explore our prices
Discover our prices and finance options, making treatments more accessible for you.
Book a 15 minute Discovery call
Schedule a Discovery call to find out which tests and treatments are right for you.
Fertility funding partners we work with:
We’re incredibly proud of our success rates
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 73%* chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2021
Younger than 35
If you are under 35, you have a 73% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
35 to 39 years old
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 63% (50% for 38-39 year olds) chance of getting pregnant (pregnancy seen on scan) within one year.
40+ years old
If you are a female aged over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 25% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
We provide world-class support throughout the fertility journey.
As one of the UK’s top fertility treatment centres, our values ensure we put our patients first.
Passion
Adaptability
Commitment
Teamwork and Collaboration
Our excellence in fertility treatment
1978
The world's first IVF baby
1980
Year founded by IVF pioneers
25000
Babies born through Bourn Hall
Patient reviews you can trust
Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.
“We went to an open evening at Bourn Hall Wickford and came away feeling really positive about the place. The staff were really friendly and the presentation was clear about the statistics regarding success rates and live birth rates; their data was very transparent. We came away feeling like we would really be looked after.”
Katy and Leigh are parents to Charlie after IVF
Patient 2023
“We chose to make an appointment at Bourn Hall Wickford because of the favourable reviews. When we got there and met the staff they were just so lovely, making us feel welcome and explaining to us what tests would need to be done and what our options were; we just thought ‘yes, let’s get the ball rolling!”
Jess and Fran are mums to Nathan after IVF with donor sperm
Patient 2023
Your Stories
Real journeys, real hope. Hear from our patients as they share their paths to parenthood.
Positive result was greatest Christmas gift after miscarriage grief
The festive period will always hold a very special place in Cara and Steve’s hearts after finding...
An open culture at HSBC allowed Chantelle to build her career and navigate her fertility journey
Alongside her 17-year career at HSBC, Chantelle has navigated the roller-coaster journey of infertility – and says...
“I needed help to face a future without children”
“I didn’t know how I was going to carry on living the rest of my life feeling…
Our Fertility Events
Join our experts at a range of events including support groups, webinars and open evenings. Learn more about the options available to you, including fertility tests and treatments, and get the answers to any questions you might have.
Related Content
If you qualify for NHS-funded fertility treatment under the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, our fertility diagnostic pathway is the same as the services offered by your local NHS hospital but with much shorter waiting times and in an environment dedicated to fertility services.
Our male couples fertility testing package includes semen analysis tests for you both, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist and a private consultation.
We offer fertility health and wellbeing packages at our clinics in Cambridge, Norwich, Wickford, or at home. Our male package includes a semen analysis, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist, and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female couples fertility testing package includes options to provide you both with results on your fertility. These include AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female package includes the option of AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone, an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results. Additionally, we include a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist to provide you with nutrition and lifestyle advice.
For heterosexual couples, our female and male fertility testing package includes the option of semen analysis; AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Once you’ve made the decision to extend your family, even thinking that you might have a fertility issue can be stressful. And for a man, the thought that your sperm might not be in tip-top condition is definitely a cause for concern.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered. Find clarity on every step of your fertility journey.