The journey towards parenthood can sometimes be challenging but ever so rewarding when treatment is successful. Thanks to advancements in medical science, assisted reproductive technologies offer a pathway to conception for individuals and couples who may not be able to conceive otherwise.
We delve into the science behind IVF (and ICSI technique) with donor sperm, exploring when it is recommended, how it works, the cost, and how to access affordable options.
When is IVF/ICSI recommended?
In its infancy, IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) was recommended to assist heterosexual couples who were struggling with fertility. However, for decades a growing number of single women and lesbian couples have chosen to use IVF with donor sperm to complete their families due to its promising success rates, especially when ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is used.
ICSI is a specialised technique used in conjunction with IVF to enhance the chances of fertilisation. It involves the direct injection of a single sperm into a mature egg and is therefore used in treatment with donor sperm.
The science behind IVF/ICSI with donor sperm
IVF with donor sperm involves fertilising a woman's egg with donor sperm in a laboratory setting, bypassing natural conception.
The process begins with the selection of a suitable sperm donor. In the UK, sperm donors undergo thorough screening for medical history, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases to ensure the safety and health of the donor-conceived child. Once a donor is chosen, the sperm sample is thawed and prepared for use in IVF/ICSI.
Next, the patient undergoes ovarian stimulation to produce eggs, which are then retrieved through a minor surgical procedure. These eggs are fertilised with the donor sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryos are cultured for up to 5 days until they reach the optimal stage for transfer.
ICSI is a common technique when using donor sperm, as this method provides greater control over the fertilisation process. It involves injecting a single healthy sperm into each egg to maximise the chance of fertilisation and the potential for achieving a successful pregnancy.
Whichever method is used an embryo is transferred into the patient's uterus, with the hope that implantation will occur, leading to a successful pregnancy. Any good-quality embryos not selected for embryo transfer are frozen and stored for use in future cycles.
The final step comes around two weeks after the embryo transfer when it’s time to take a pregnancy test and book an appointments for a pregnancy scan with our sonographers.
What does IVF/ICSI with donor sperm cost?
Essential Fertility is one of the leading affordable fertility clinics in the UK, offering some of the most comprehensive yet low-cost fertility treatments.
- Essential IVF (all-inclusive package) costs £2950
- Essential ICSI (all-inclusive package) costs £3900
- Donor sperm costs £1300
Our packages include everything you will need for a single cycle of IVF/ICSI, including all scans and medications up to 12 weeks, freezing and storage of embryos for the first year and one Frozen Embryo Transfer, and a counselling session for you/you and your partner.
Furthermore, Essential Fertility offers some of the lowest-cost pre-treatment packages, such as fertility assessments, starting from £275. Patients can access the full Essential Fertility price list via our pricing page.
Why choose Essential Fertility for treatment with donor sperm?
We provide the same quality care at a more affordable price to help more female LGBT+ couples, single women and couples with male-factor infertility to become parents through IVF treatment with donor sperm.
Our expert team provides inclusive fertility services tailored to the needs of the LGBT+ community. We work to support you through every step, providing specialist care, expert advice, and a comprehensive selection of sperm donors.
"Our commitment is to provide compassionate care and cutting-edge science, ensuring every patient's dream of having a family has the best chance of success."
- Kelly Young, New Patient Manager
If you'd like more information on IVF/ICSI at Essential Fertility, you can book an initial call online or call our friendly team directly at 0345 646 1778 to discuss your treatment options.
Essential Fertility is a nurse-led treatment service that offers low-cost treatments to patients who meet the treatment eligibility criteria.
