Why do embryos not survive the thaw at times?

Hi everyone hope you all well. My clinic gave 85% that frozen embryo's survive the thaw. Does anyone know from there experience in getting answers on why there's didn't survive the thaw?? Xx

[KiboXX]

Hi Eram12,

I think the embryo grading has a lot to do with how well they survive the thaw. This is why clinics are pretty strict about what grades they will and won’t freeze.

I know you’ll still worry about it though, I did! My clinic has a 100% thaw rate and I still worried mine wouldn’t make it xx

[Hidden in reply to KiboXX]

Thanks hun I thought so aswell my clinic did say they only freeze embryo's that will survive the thaw. You are right I still worry... I want to transfer 2 embryos next because I'm 37 will be 38 in September doctor said we shouldn't transfer 2 embryo's but I think if we had transferred 1 and failed I want to transfer 2. Xx

[KiboXX in reply to Hidden]

I understand, it’s a hard decision but from everything I’ve read, if they are good quality embryos then transferring two doesn’t really increase chances of pregnancy but can result in a twin pregnancy which obvs comes with higher risks. If you have frozen embryos that are good quality, then I would go for one but it’s entirely your decision xxx

[Hidden in reply to KiboXX]

I have 5ab and three 5bb's are they good do you think? Xx

[KiboXX in reply to Hidden]

Yep they all sound good to me! I would have a chat about it with your doctor and see what they recommend. You were just really unlucky last time 😢 Hopefully the next one will be the one ♥️ xxx

[Niki_B]

Unfortunately science is never 100%. Those embryos go through a process of different levels of freezing until they are finally frozen at -196 degrees celcius. Then the same is done when they are thawed. So it's no wonder they dont all make it...its actually incredible that the percentage of ones that do make it, is so high. Science really is amazing 🙂

[stephkp]

Because embryos are rapidly frozen the survival rate is much higher, but unfortunately there is always a risk that they may not, and sometimes there isn’t a reason why. On my second cycle I had a fresh transfer of a 5aa embryo and that cycle failed. I then had a frozen 5ab embryo transferred and that resulted in my little boy, so your embryo quality looks good to me. The docs also couldn’t say why my ‘lower’ quality one worked when my apparent top quality embryo failed. I think sometimes it’s just luck. I think doctors like transferring one, as some studies have shown that if you transfer 2 different quality embryos, the lower grade one could potentially put the better grade one at risk. Just something to think about or ask the doctors about x

[Hidden in reply to stephkp]

Same here I was pregnant with 5aa embryo lasted up until 7 wks 1 day... I truly believe u can have a top quality embryo but don't mean it will go on to be a healthy pregnancy once you get a positive because it could be genetically abnormal...and you can miscarry... IVF is a long journey that on the way to baby you find out issues... At times. Xx

[Hidden in reply to stephkp]

Was your 5ab frozen? Xx

[stephkp]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Have you had follow up with the clinic yet? Yes. He was called Olaf whilst I was pregnant as he was ‘frozen’ 😊 x

[Hidden in reply to stephkp]

Its ok hun im passed it can't dwell on it just got to move forward... Plus I got a 4 year beautiful girl that keeps me going just can't wait to give her a sibling 😁. Yes I gave had a follow up and got a provisional date booked for frozen that's if this pandemic is over before the date given... so because I have got a 5ab embryo and three 5bb's I take it they will transfer the 5ab next and hope it goes to full term.. 🥰xx🤞

[stephkp in reply to Hidden]

I would have thought so. It would be something to ask the clinic when you go in for your planning appointment when everything restarts x

[Kikiwaits]

I’ve done 4 transfers of 5 frozen embryos and never had one not thaw.

[Hidden in reply to Kikiwaits]

Oh ok good to know. What grade were your embryos? Did you get pregnant with any of them?

[Kikiwaits in reply to Hidden]

All 5AB. Three pregnancies, two miscarriages, one ongoing (I’m 20 weeks now). I think the first didn’t implant due to a hydrosalpynx. I had the tube removed after that and every transfer since resulted in a pregnancy. We also transferred one fresh from the only full IVF cycle I’ve done and have a four year old daughter.