From 17 fertilised eggs to 2 blastocysts

[Shrnn9]

Hi, I just did my transfer today and was told by the embryologist that I have 2 blastocysts (bb). We retrieved 21 eggs and 17 fertilised and on day 3, we had 13 “good quality” eggs.

While we are grateful to have blastocysts, I was very surprised at the rate in which our embryos declined, is this normal?

[EasterBunny7]

Hello. I also had my embryo transfer today! I was extremely nervous as I only had 10 eggs collected, but was pleased when 7 fertilised. Unfortunately, only 4 made it to blastocyst. I'm grateful for having any but it did make me feel disappointed as I don't have many to rely on if everything doesn't work out.

They normally say a 50% drop from the point of fertilisation. So, it is extremely surprising and very shocking for you, I'm sure to be faced with this news today.

Fingers crossed that for both you and I, the embryo we have inside is enough and sticks.

[Shrnn9 in reply to EasterBunny7]

Thanks for sharing! Fingers crossed and good luck! 🤞🏻

[Cassie_56]

Hi,

I had 24 collected, 16 mature and only 7 fertilised. So I was disappointed from the start! Then only had 2 quality enough to transfer. I haven’t spoken to anyone yet but will definitely be trying to explore this a bit more. It’s so disappointing so totally understand how you’re feeling. Now just trying to focus on the 2 that made it though and not dwell on it. All the best for your TWW, I’m already struggling and only day 4!

[Shrnn9 in reply to Cassie_56]

Thanks ❤️ It’s so stressful in addition to everything else to have to face the declining news isn’t it. Good luck, only a week+ to go! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[KDA0510]

Hi Shrnn9, congrats on your beautiful 2 blasts 💛

Regarding, the decline in rate - I can only offer you an explanation that was given to me by my clinic when they explained the day-by-day embryo development. They said from Day 3 onwards, it’s possible that sperm quality can be explained for a decline in embryo development.

Is your sub fertility male factor?

Sending best of luck to you in your tww 🤞🏽 Xx

[Shrnn9]

Thanks for the explanation, that makes sense as our fertility challenges come from the male side!

We just got a call saying 1 more has been developed to a BC blastocyst which is good news but still can’t help but be a little disappointed with the result both quality + number 😔

[Ladypii in reply to Shrnn9]

Hello. I know exactly how you feel we had 20 eggs collected and only 2 embryos in the end. The urologist told us given we used extracted sperm that was a really good result. It does only take 1 though as one of out embryos was successful. But looking back i remember how hard it was getting those calls and the numbers just dwindling. Especially as we could only afford to do this once! The general consensus is that if you get a big drop off after day 3 that is likely a sperm issue. Although im sure your clinic will be able to advise you further.

Best of luck with it all- i hope they are your lucky 3!! Xx

[EasterBunny7 in reply to Shrnn9]

That's amazing! Cool that they called you today.

[IVFat40]

I had a similar drop off rate in my first round, of 9 fertilized on day one (11 collected), there was only 1 good quality blastocyst by day 5.

I'm sure you won't need it, but if you were to do another egg collection in future I think you'll probably find there are things you and your partner (and the clinic) can do to improve embryo development. I've had three egg collections and by my third I was able to get 6 good blastocysts. I'm betting you won't even need to worry about this, I just mean there definitely is hope things would be even better next time if you were to go again.

Fingers and toes crossed for your 3 beautiful embryos.

[Orangeflowers]

Hi - I think age can be a factor. I'm 41 and had 20 eggs collected, 16 fertilised and 3 blastocysts. Read somewhere that development is 95% down to eggs. And older eggs can't compensate for errors on the sperm side as much as younger eggs can. Think quality is more important and with your blasts you have a good chance x

[Smcphie28]

Hi I had 17 eggs retrieved and 16 fertilised . Then we only ended up with 2 blastocyst of good quality ! I thinks it common for them do drop right down as time goes on so I wouldn’t worry . I had my fresh transfer. 8 days ago and had a positive test today 😀 Good luck with everything x

[Shrnn9 in reply to Smcphie28]

Wow that’s such great news, congrats and all the best!! ❤️

[scuba9]

We did a mild IVF and had 7 eggs retrieved, of which 5 fertilised and all made it to blastocyst stage and were good enough for the fresh transfer/freezing. The success rate seems comparable with other ladies at the same clinic, all of whom are on some version of mild IVF since that's the only approach the clinic offers. I've heard that there's clinical evidence that milder stimulations result in higher quality eggs so perhaps that might have something to do with it...?

[Queerty80]

Hi, we had a similar experience on our first cycle - massive drop off after day 3. From 7 to 1! I was crushed. I also read that it can be down to sperm quality so my partner took proxeed and gave up caffeine. This 2 ivf round the drop off wasn’t as big- from 13 to 10. I’m also older so it makes sense to me that my ancient eggs can’t compensate if there are any quality issues with the sperm ☺️

[Zebedee1971]

I always got 2 embryos from large numbers, 2 from 18 then 2 from 17. Our fertilisation rate is high, and quality is usually good on day 3, but by day 5 the quality declines. Don't know why but we've never had a top quality embryo from ivf. Only ever poor, average or good. On the plus side, I am currently 7 weeks pregnant so there is hope! It is so disappointing to get such high numbers then just 2 at the end, I never understood why. I assumed it was my age, 38, and egg quality? X

[Shrnn9]

Wow amazing news! Very encouraging news as our lab just called us and said one more little embryo have developed overnight and will be frozen (3BC grade). Take care!