Hope needed - grade 3AC embryo for fr... - Fertility Network UK

Fertility Network UK

56,397 members59,746 posts

Hope needed - grade 3AC embryo for frozen transfer

Luna_79 profile image
37 Replies

Hi there , just looking for a glimmer of hope we had our first fresh failed embryo transfer Back in feb, at the time of transfer they kept saying it was a beautiful embryo (no grade) but just kept saying what a perfect / beautiful embryo. In our naivety and relief to actually have an embryo to transfer in fact we had 2 but this was the stronger one we thought we were home dry!! How wrong was I? in the follow up app I asked the grade of the one that was transferred and failed it was a 5AC but the one we have on ice is only a 3AC - I can’t help but think I’m doomed before we even try again! If the better one didn’t take I’m not convinced the poorer quality one will implant or develop - it also jumped from 1 cell to 3 cells. I guess what I’m wondering is there anyone who had success with a 3AC or lower grade embryo - I’m 41 so time isn’t exactly on my side either!

Written by
Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
37 Replies
CLDxxx profile image
CLDxxx

Hi Luna.

Sorry your transfer failed. I have had two BFN and I can honestly say I wish I never knew the grades of my embryos.

My first one was a top grade 4AB & my second was still developing so I never knew the grade - which helped.

I completely get your worry as I worry about this too but I hear more and more that grades don’t actually mean that much and it’s based on ‘looks’ which in turn means all gradings are different.

I have often thought in this process we can know too much. If a natural pregnancy occurred we wouldn’t know any of this and now we know so much we end up stressing about every single thing and overthinking it all - which is understandable of course but I’m sure it doesn’t help!

I truly believe if it’s going to work, it’s going to work regardless of grade. Don’t forget back when IVF begun they didn’t even go to blastocyst stage and if they were graded it would be different to now.

I think just do what you can to look after yourself and what you’re in control of and hopefully relaxing a little will be all you need to do. I need to do the same 💕

Wishing you lots of luck. Xxx

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply toCLDxxx

Thank you for replying , your message has really helped get things back in oerpectubd your right, I think I was better not knowing , if I think back to the day they told us we had to fertilized eggs I was over the moon and that they had got To blastocyst stage I was so happy, I should have known better then to ask the grade I suppose But your right if got pregnant naturally we would never know , I’ll take your advice and stop over thinking it and just be thankful that everything is moving forward again 😊 thank you and best of luck with your journey too xx

CLDxxx profile image
CLDxxx in reply toLuna_79

Yes you’re right. Going back to that day when you were told how many you had is a great idea and all that matters. We learn as we go here so I’m sure there are people now wishing they knew their grades and others who wish they didn’t!

Have you used the Mindful IVF app? It really helps me when I get to transfer time but I’m going to use it beforehand this time too. Xx

Catlady12345 profile image
Catlady12345

Hey Luna, they wouldn’t freeze any that didn’t have a chance, so honestly try to forget about the grade and just try to be happy that you’re having a transfer 😊 xx

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply toCatlady12345

Thanks catlady You’re right, I’ll give my self a good talking to and get a grip, it’s so very true we’re so lucky to have an embryo and all I can do now is get my body in as healthiest place it can be to help it all I can X

Catlady12345 profile image
Catlady12345 in reply toLuna_79

You’ll be fine and just imagine lots of loving thoughts for your embryo. The little guy/girl is a fighter to get this far so it has every chance of implanting and developing further. Cheer it on and be kind to yourself, you’ve got this 😘 xx

Lw1311 profile image
Lw1311

Hey! I know it’s such a stressor but try not to worry! They only grade them based on what they think they look like when really they have no idea what’s going on inside! There are lots of successes with 3/4 grade embryos too! They just look at them and pick a number! The inside could be perfect and nobody would know unless you do testing etc so try not to worry about the grades. Good luck xx

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply toLw1311

Thank you, yes you’re right, think just overthinking it and that feeling of panic setting in now we have a consult app for next week - I go from feeling excited to then telling myself - no don’t get too excited as the disappointment is too great, we said at the start of this one day at a time so I need Adopt that Mantra again 😊 x

franathy profile image
franathy

Not exactly the same but my apparently perfect 5aa failed and then my 4aa implanted. There's lots of factors that affect success other than the embryo grading. Frozen transfers seem to be more successful for a lot of people. Good luck xx

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply tofranathy

Oh thank you for sharing 😊 gives me hope , just becoming a reality again now that we are going to put ourselves through this process again 🤞 this time we have a good outcome 😊 so glad it worked for you second time and yes I’ve heard a few say frozen transfers often are easier on the body and many get good results but doing my best not to let my hopes get too high just high enough if that makes sense!! 🙈😊 x

Kitcat12 profile image
Kitcat12

In my experience the grade of the embryos hasn't made a difference. We transferred a 5AA expanded blastocyst, it was absolutely pristine and sadly we miscarried at 6 weeks. For our FET we transferred a 5BA and a 4AB, both good quality but not perfect - one of those is asleep on my lap now! I wish you the very best of luck x

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply toKitcat12

Aw congratulations, that’s so lovely to hear, so nice to hear the positive outcomes 💙X

pinksnow profile image
pinksnow

I know from my experience that our first embryo was 4BB and we lost that one at 5w. Our frozen was 3BC - as our little embie defrosted the grading went up and it carried on developing just before transfer, the embryologist was delighted and I did start to have a glimmer of hope. That 3BB is now a chunky smiley 5 month old! Don’t get too hung up on gradings-as someone else said, they wouldn’t freeze any that didn’t look like they had a chance. Wishing you the very best of luck with your frozen round!😊

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply topinksnow

Aw thank you so much for sharing, I’m actually in tears(of relief and happiness) that there is hope still 💙 Lol emotional wreck and I havn’t even started on the hormones again!!! so pleased to hear you have your little one, it really just shows then that all We do is torture ourselves with the grading , like you and so many others have said if it’s good enough to freeze then it’s good enough to have the chance to develop into a baby , thank you so much for sharing your story 💕💕

Missionofendo profile image
Missionofendo

Hi, Luna

So sorry to read this,

Very similar thing happened to me and I’m 42 in March.

I had 2 embryos and one was blastocyst stage on day 5 unfortunately it didn’t work.

It was the first week of lock down and so many things were stressing me out job, money, even going to hospital I found hard as it was so scary at beginning of lockdown.

Which I thought would impact the Whole process However consultant Said it wasn’t that - mine was grade b and then c for the outside he said c was average.

My other one didn’t move on so they didn’t freeze it.

I’m back having to do another round apparently a lot of helpful advice has been it takes a couple of rounds.

Sorry I can’t be more help only to say I understand completely and want to send you the best of luck x

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply toMissionofendo

So sorry to read the above, it really is a rollercoaster filled with at times what feels with more disappointment then you can bare. What a time also to have been in the midst of the IVF I can only imagine.

I think you’re right many times I see on here many have gone through multiple rounds. I’ll keep everything crossed for you and your next round xxx

Missionofendo profile image
Missionofendo in reply toLuna_79

Hi Luna

Just re thought my reply and didn’t want to take anything away from your next step.

The IVF Journey is very bumpy and we are all different and I just wanted to reach out and say I understand totally.

But want to send my very best wishes for your next step on this journey and really hope it works out well and that this lovely thing you have on ice progresses🙏💙

So sorry if my previous reply came out negative I didn’t mean it to

Goodluck darling x x

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply toMissionofendo

Oh Gosh honestly it truly didn’t at all 💙 bless you for writing again but actually you gave me great perspective, And I didn’t see your reply and still don’t as negative at all - just hopeful 💕 I love that on this forum we all know the pain and anxiety this whole journey is, no matter what stage we are all at , you know that people on here will get what you Are going through - it’s so lovely to share in peoples joy and highs and that gives such hope, but it’s also a comfort to know when things are not going so well Or your having a bad day (or beating yourself up for having that glass of wine!!! Me this evening as I’ve had a stressful week at work! ) 😔 that everyone on here knows exactly how it feels, and no one judges. I wish you so much luck and hopefully you and us all will be restarting our journeys very soon xxxxx

Missionofendo profile image
Missionofendo in reply toLuna_79

💙

KiboXX profile image
KiboXX

Hi Luna,

My clinic doesn’t give you the grades of embryos for this exact reason, it just causes additional stress and worry! All the tell you is it’s good enough quality to freeze because all grades can make babies and I think people get too hung up on perfect graded embryos.

So many people have successful pregnancies with their second or third frozen embryo, which just goes to show you that the scores really don’t mean all that 🥰

Wishing you the very best of luck for that beautiful little frostie you have xxx

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79

Thank you kibo, you’re right and I was better not knowing, but yes I’ll be routing for my little frostie probably even more now 💙 thank you for your kind words xxx

Hi Luna,

I’m in the same situation as you. I had a fresh embryo transfer in February which was a perfect 5AA embryo which did not implant. I’ve had the same worries as you as I’ve got a frozen 3ab embryo in the freezer. I’ve been worrying that the top quality embryo didn’t work so why should a lower grade work. After reading all the comments on here it’s made me more positive that the next embryo could be the one. I’ve also been worrying as I’m 39 so times not on my side..I was meant to have the frozen embryo transferred in March but it was cancelled due to COVID. I understand what you’re going through and would like to wish you all the best with your transfer X

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply to

Hey Natty, sorry to hear Re your first transfer not working work, it’s so hard hey. I must admit since posting this I’ve been thinking maybe I shouldn’t have as I should just be happy that I have an embryo which of course I am but it’s when you realise that others are in the same boat and the comments can help others too 😊That this is how the forum is so supportive, I too am feeling so much more positive after Reading all of the above and I’m so pleased to hear you are too - do you know when you will start again? I’ve got a consultation via video link on thurs so I’m hoping for maybe July ... we will see, be lovely to hear how you get on too xxx

Hi,

It’s been a difficult couple of months. It’s took so long to start IVF and then the first embryo doesn’t implant😩. My clinic is up and running again and I’ve been ringing up every month to see I can have the transfer but the answers always no. I called on Monday and they said they are prioritising the women who had to have there treatment cancelled..I’ve been told to ring again on my next cycle which is due next week. I also told the nurse that I’m 40 in 8weeks so time isn’t on my side..hopefully when I call next week I can go ahead with the transfer. I’m on my one and only funded round of IVF so really hoping this one works! At least you know where you stand now and you’ve got a date..all this waiting in lockdown has been hard but fingers crossed we’ll have our babies soon xxx

CLDxxx profile image
CLDxxx in reply to

Hey Natty. Sorry you’re having a mare with your clinic. It’s so frustrating.

Just wanted to say I saw an amazing gynaecologist early this year and she could see how much I was panicking about having delays and turning 40 in the February and simply said to me, you have your embryos, that is the main thing so relax, stop stressing as it won’t help ☺️

Also I saw your profile and same as you I had spotting before my failed transfer so I’m having my progesterone checked this time and possibly lubion injections too. I’m doing this on my own as well ☺️

You’ve got this 💁🏻‍♀️I really hope you get to have your transfer soon Xxx

in reply toCLDxxx

Thanks CLD!

The waiting is the worst part.. if I was ten years younger I wouldn’t mind waiting as much. I’ll defo be getting my progesterone levels checked even if I have to pay for it. My AF is due next week so fingers crossed I can do the transfer.Good luck to you doing it on your own too.. it’s a long journey but hopefully we’ll get there 😊xx

CLDxxx profile image
CLDxxx in reply to

I know what you mean. This whole thing is a waiting game 😩 Ahh I hope so! I’m due to have my next transfer in a couple of weeks ☺️

Keep me posted 😘xxx

in reply toCLDxxx

I will do and good luck! Xx

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply toCLDxxx

Best of luck for your transfer CLD lol hopefully before long we will all get our dates as things start to move again xx

CLDxxx profile image
CLDxxx in reply toLuna_79

Thanks Luna. I really hope you get your date soon. It’s positive you have your nurse app, hoping she will give you good news ☺️xxx

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply to

Hey Natty, hope you manage to get your app soon, I had to push to get a date as I hadn’t heard from them and like you on my one and only funded round , I finally got a video app with the nurse next week so I’m hoping she can tell us when we can start 🤞 fingers crossed you get your date soon, All this waiting makes it even more unbearable hey xxx

Littleflower82 profile image
Littleflower82

Luna I know u have had alot of positive replies already but I couldn't go by this post without telling u my positive story. I had a 5ab transferred fresh and the same as you was told top quality etc, I had 3 embies on ice that weren't as good 2x 3bb and one 2ab,this was my third fresh transfer and the only cycle that I got any embies to 5 day and freeze, like u I thought I was home and dry as my 2 previous cycles I had 3 day transfers and got bfp but had a cp with both. How wrong I was, it was a bfn, the only bfn I got and it was my highest grade embryo ever. I then had a Fet with one 3bb and the 2ab, it was my first Fet and I now have 6 month b/g twins. And still one 3bb frozen. As the consultant told me at the time, it is like the Olympics 100m sprint that are all top quality and any one can win the race. So have faith xx

CLDxxx profile image
CLDxxx in reply toLittleflower82

Hi Littleflower.

Congratulations on your twins 🥰

Can I ask if there was a reason they didn’t put both the 3BBs in together? I always thought they should be similar grading if transferring two?

The reason I ask is Id like to transfer two and was unsure which ones as I have 2 day 5s and 2 day 6s. I was thinking I could put one of each in together - one is a 3BB also ☺️

Was it that you saved your other 3BB in case the other two didn’t take, you’d still have a ‘better’ one for a later transfer?

Xxx

Littleflower82 profile image
Littleflower82 in reply toCLDxxx

Il b honest I didn't know which grades they transferred at the time as my consultant was nvr one to get hung up on grades as he maintained they were all good. It was only wen I spoke to him after to query what the grade was that I had left that he told me which they transferred. I think his aim is always for 1 healthy baby so I guess he thought possibly to keep the 2 higher ones Seperate for 2 chances. But my wee 2ab stuck aswell 😍😍

CLDxxx profile image
CLDxxx in reply toLittleflower82

Ah thank you for replying. Haha so maybe I’m thinking along the lines of your dr then 🙊

Amazing story. Thanks so much, you’ve really helped. Enjoy your babies 😍xxx

Luna_79 profile image
Luna_79 in reply toLittleflower82

Oh wow Twins, and one of each too 💙💕what a lovely story and thank you so much for sharing, it really does go up show each and every one has a chance, delighted you have your twins, I’m sure this gives hope now just to me but to many more xx

Orangeflowers profile image
Orangeflowers

Hi - Just to add that I'm in the same boat, turned 41 and one failed transfer (3AB). I have 2 frozen, said to be of lower quality - 5AB and 4BC+, which I've being advised to transfer at same time. Therefore I don't think it's just the number (size) that determines the best embryo (first letter relates to the ICM and second to the placenta).

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Grade C hope needed

I’ve just returned from having my Grade 3 or Grade C embryo transferred. The clinic gave me a 10%...

Grade 1 embryo 🎉

Fantastic news this morning from the embryologist. One embryo is only a Grade 1 😀First time in 5...
Hope76 profile image

Grade 4 Embryo...Transfer Today!

Hi Everyone, Well just thought i would update you all the clinic just phoned and the nurse said our...
liz1985 profile image

Frozen embryo transfer couldn't go ahead

Hi all, I wondered if anyone has been in the situation where their embryo transfer couldn't happen...
MissyR profile image

Frozen Embryo transfer (optibac) guidelines

hi all I am going for my embryo transfer soon in 3/4 weeks time . Please guide which optibac is...
Nabsal profile image

Moderation team

See all
Claire_FNUK profile image
Claire_FNUKAdministrator
JA-fnuk profile image
JA-fnukPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.