Does embryo quality always matter? - Fertility Network UK

Fertility Network UK

52,687 members โ€ข 57,862 posts

Does embryo quality always matter?

Sarascottxox profile image
Sarascottxox
โ€ข22 Replies

We had our first fresh transfer in March of a 4AB embryo which resulted in a BFP but an early miscarriage sadly. Our consultant says our best frozen embryo is a 3BB (he also said its a 10 which is the same as our 4AB, but I don't understand what the number means). I'm worried our little frostie isn't as good an embryo as the first so it's less likely to stick. Anyone have success stories with a 3BB or just any advice in general ?

Thanks ๐Ÿ’œ

Written by
Sarascottxox profile image
Sarascottxox
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
22 Replies
โ€ข
IVFat40 profile image
IVFat40

My understanding hun is that 3BB is a good quality embryo with every chance of success. They can also grow from 3 to 4 very quickly, you may even find this happens in the few hours between unfreezing and transfer. Also I believe grading is very subjective and the difference between AB and BB is pretty minimal. Don't get me wrong I know it's super hard not to focus on grading, but I genuinely don't think you need to worry your frozen embryo is a good quality grade ๐Ÿ˜Š

AuroraXen profile image
AuroraXen

I'm hoping not Sarah! I just had a transfer with a 5BC which I think is probably poorer grading overall compared to a 4AB, which we've usually had transferred (this is the 4th transfer)... and as I've never had a BFP with them, part of me thinks ooh, will this have any chance? But honestly, i don't hold TOO much faith in gradings. So many people on here have babies with their poorest-graded embryo, and so many top notch embryos fail. There's just no way to know how an embryo is going to do once it's inside, and of course even top graded embies can be chromosomally abnormal. So I'd take courage from the legions of success stories and also remember, if it wasn't capable of making a baby it wouldn't have been frozen ๐Ÿ˜˜ xx

Sarascottxox profile image
Sarascottxox in reply to AuroraXen

Thanks for the advice. How's it going ?? Hope this one sticks for you!!! Xx

AuroraXen profile image
AuroraXen in reply to Sarascottxox

Well I had nightmare with progesterone ๐Ÿ˜ฌ but otherwise seems ok. Think I'm going to test tomorrow to see if anything is happening at all ๐Ÿ˜”

Millbanks profile image
Millbanks

Hi lovely,If itโ€™s good enough to freeze then itโ€™s good enough to make a baby.

Try not to get caught up on those gradings.

Best of luck xx

Rainbowbaby22 profile image
Rainbowbaby22

Me!!!! We are neally 13 weeks pregnant with a 3bb . They make the best babies ๐Ÿ‘ถ good luck ๐Ÿ‘ xxx

Sarascottxox profile image
Sarascottxox in reply to Rainbowbaby22

Congratulations!!!! Xx

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply to Rainbowbaby22

Hi Rainbowbaby22 so pleased all is going well for you. Xx

Rainbowbaby22 profile image
Rainbowbaby22 in reply to sunset212

Thankyou so much . We had scan today and everything is fine . We are now 13 weeks 6 days xx

KT02 profile image
KT02

Pregnant after a 3bb transfer after two previous tries with higher grades embryos that ended in chemical pregnancies. Did do immune stuff this time too but the embryo itself was obviously fine โ˜บ๏ธ x

Sarascottxox profile image
Sarascottxox in reply to KT02

Can I ask what immune stuff you did. My consultant just seems to want to keep chucking in frozen embryos to see if one sticks before doing any further tests. I've only had one chemical but also feel a but jaded that we could waste 4 good embryos and then have to go through thr all process again before having any further investigations !

KT02 profile image
KT02 in reply to Sarascottxox

Hi Sara, following the two transfers that ended in chemicals I also had a couple or natural chemicals so I then pursued recurrent miscarriage investigations through my GP and also went to see a miscarriage specialist in Epsom. He tested my NK cell levels and activity and put me on steroids and intralipids this time. I was also on the usual stuff from the ivf clinic, blood thinners and progesterone etc. Always hard to know if it was just that embryo was the right one or if it was the immune treatment! I guess I had a feeling that there was something happening early on for me because it happened over and over. the testing was expensive but I didn't feel I could put myself through another transfer ... My clinic did think it was a numbers game though and to keep going so it's very hard to know when getting these different perspectives xx

RecipIVF profile image
RecipIVF

I had two top quality AA embryos transferred and neither stuck. It was our little B that has stuck aroundโค๏ธ As the others have said a BB is very promising! Fingers crossed this is your time ๐Ÿคž๐ŸปXx

Sarascottxox profile image
Sarascottxox in reply to RecipIVF

Amazing! Congratulations xx

Hoop123 profile image
Hoop123

Hi Sara! I don't know why I didn't spot this. But I'm currently pregnant with a 3BB and a 4CB embryo (transfer #5 and these were the last of the bunch). It's still early days for me but I really wouldn't worry too much about the grading. I hope that helps ๐Ÿ˜Š Best of luck for your FET! I know it's hard and a super draining road but there's also some positive news that you had one stick on your first go, even if it was for a little bit โœจ๐Ÿ’•

Sarascottxox profile image
Sarascottxox in reply to Hoop123

Congratulations! So happy for you... when I miscarried after our first fresh transfer I genuinely felt like all hope was lost. Feel in much better place now, just frustrated with the waiting for my frozen transfer. Stories like yours give me hope though!! xx

Hoop123 profile image
Hoop123 in reply to Sarascottxox

Thank you! I'm so glad it can give some hope!

And yes, I definitely know that feeling well. It's all-consuming when a transfer fails and an early miscarriage is so incredibly heartbreaking. I'm so glad you feel like you're in a better place now - I always felt better when I can get a plan in motion. But I agree, waiting is so painful! And it's easy to get quite wound up in the process, I think. A time machine would be super welcome hah X

sunset212 profile image
sunset212

Hi there! A 3BB is great quality. I had my Daughter in November who was graded a 3BB. I actually had 3 embryos of this grade and through time lapse imaging they selected this one as the best quality. A lady once told me that her consultant told her that in his experience 3BB make babies! Anything Graded B and above has a really good chance. I was worried too at the time. The number just tells us how big the blastocyst is so a 3 is a full blastocyst and 4 is expanded and a 5 is beginning to hatch out its shell and a 6 is fully hatched.

Sarascottxox profile image
Sarascottxox in reply to sunset212

Congratulations!!!! Thanks for the advice. I've heard a few people say BBs make the best babies now haha. Just hate the waiting now. Just want to get on and have my next transfer but it all seems so slow ๐Ÿ™„

sunset212 profile image
sunset212

Best of luck huni x x๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’—

Missl73 profile image
Missl73

My two perfect 5AAs resulted in one MMC at 10 weeks and the other didn't stick. My son is a 5AB and I'm currently 5 weeks pregnant with a 4CA so I definitely don't think grading is everything! BB is still a good grade, and I've managed to get a BFP with a C in there. Good luck hun xx

Sarascottxox profile image
Sarascottxox

Thank you everyone for your positive and supportive messages!!! Coincidentally, looks like the fertility fairy was listening and I just had my clinic call to book in my scan and nurse consultation for next week!!! I was told 10-12 week wait at my review (two weeks ago) so really feel like something is finally going right!! fingers crossed for a sticky bean this time! x

You may also like...

Does lower stims equal fewer eggs/embryos or better quality?

Long story short, I have high oestrogen and it means getting to transfer is difficult (both fresh...

embryo quality

with the embryo quality (3BB, 4BB, 5CB, 3BC). The clinic have frozen all four and are transferring...

2 good quality embryos ๐Ÿคž๐Ÿผ

It is our decision if we want a double transfer today but the embryologist agreed given our history

Embryo grade - \"poor quality\"

looking for some reassurance. I've just had my embryo transfer, second one from this round, and the...

Top quality embryo on board!

they decided it would be best to freeze all of my embryos. We were then delayed another cycle...