slow developing embryos - is this normal ?

Hi everyone this is my first post on anything like this. I have unexplained infertility and 2 failed IVFs with my own eggs.

It’s been 20 years since I started trying and not one BFP. Last try at IVF was in 2018

We decided one last try using donor eggs, Wednesday was egg retrieval and our donor gave us 8 eggs ( I am so grateful!) of those 7 fertilised overnight. I got my 3 call today and 3 are not looking great, two have a few more cells but developing slower than 2 that I’m told are developing well.

My question is - does anyone of experience of embryos that are developing slowly catching up with the others. I’m so worried about ending up with none. We can’t afford to try again.

[Kittykat198]

I think having stragglers sounds normal from 7. I think they expect about 30-50% to become blasts (I mean they might have just told me that to make me feel better as I got 30% but I’ve seen internet posts say similar). The two good ones sound promising though and sounds right for what they told me? Keeping fingers crossed for you!

[Hidden in reply to Kittykat198]

Thanks Kittykat

I wondered out of the 2 that were slower is it possible they could catch up or should I write them off with the 3 that aren’t developing? I forgot how hard this wait is and I think convinced myself my donor would have miracle eggs that make 100% blasts - I know very silly of me.

Thanks for the crossed fingers x

[Kittykat198 in reply to Hidden]

it’s so hard isn’t it not knowing! I also don’t think it’s silly to be hopeful esp from some young healthy donor with good eggs! I don’t think anyone can say as long as they still going at the moment what will happen by day 5 but sounds promising (which from a young healthy donor gives you a bloody good shot)

[K8dferXdder]

hi what about the male DNA fragmentation? Our ebmies never reached day 5, were slow developing and one of the reasons may be the male factor. My partner has bilateral varicocele diagnosed by urologyst which we are looking to treat just in case this is the issue. Just saying to think about if not checked.

[Hidden]

Hi there,

I’m not sure about DNA fragmentation, his sperm samples that he has completed so far have been ok and the embryologist said the sample provided for this sample was excellent’. I’ll ask the question though if none develop to day 5. I’ve not had a call this morning so I’m hoping at least one makes it to tomorrow for ET.

Two of them were developing normally so I just wondered really if the others would catch up

Xx

[Rainbowbaby22]

If you have two good ones you have a really good chance of it working. We had 9 eggs only 2 maded it to day 5 and now we are 37 weeks pregnant. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Rainbowbaby22]

That gives me so much hope, I’m crossing everything for tomorrow.

Congratulations on your pregnancy

Xx

[Rainbowbaby22 in reply to Hidden]

Awww im sure youll be fine.keep us posted xx

[Purple276]

I personally find the 5 days from fertilisation to transfer the most stressful as you just have to wait and hope. Its hard not to focus on the numbers but sounds like you'll have something to transfer and one or maybe 2 to freeze. Some could catch up - we had a slow one that was a day 6 blastocyst so there's definitely hope there. JusJust keep thinking it's all about the quality and just 1 is all you need.

Good luck and hope transfer goes well tomorrow and you join the slightly crazy 2ww xx

[Hidden in reply to Purple276]

Hi Purple

Thank you.

I do hope so I hate this period just waiting on calls and will be glad when it’s day 5 tomorrow!

Hopefully by tomorrow evening I’ll have one embie safe inside me and can start the 2ww which will be slightly less than two weeks as my clinic has already booked me in for bloods on the 13th of October

Xx

[Sarapd]

I had two that were well ahead and four that weren’t so fast. Out of the well ahead ones we got my daughter who is almost 6. The other four were frozen as ungraded blasts on day 5. One of them turned into my son who is now 3.5 years.

[Hidden in reply to Sarapd]

Oh wow that’s an amazing outcome - my last round I had two grade A blasts put back in but the clinic refused to freeze the ungraded ones despite me being really upset about it.

I’m with a different clinic this time so maybe they will freeze the ones that are slower, if they are still going when I get there today that is x

[Zuzzzzy]

Hi there. I wish you all the luck tomorrow and will have all fingers crossed 🤞 We're going through ivf no.5 which sucks. From my own experience, slow embies never caught up but it is super promising for the other two for you (as all other ladies were saying). Just in case this does not work out (but it will!) I would also suggest DNR fragmentation test for your other half. Sometimes all other numbers can look well but DNR frag could be high, something worth looking into just if you need to of course. Hopping for the best news for you tomorrow!

[Hidden in reply to Zuzzzzy]

Thank you Zuzzzy,

I’m excited and nervous this morning, ET isn’t till this afternoon.

IVF 5 is really shit I hope it works this time for you. Hopefully this will be your last go 🤞🏻.

I will certainly ask the question when we discuss the embies with the embryologist this morning

X

[Hidden]

*Update* Of the 7 embryos 2 have died. 2 are top grade (1 being frozen today and 1 being transferred) there’s another they think will catch up later today to be frozen and another 2 they will leave to check on tomorrow to be possibly frozen!! So they really can develop slow and catch up. I am so over the moon with just the two good ones 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Amazing news! Congrats! Good luck with the 2ww!! xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Daisy. I’m very tearful to even be half way there xx

[Zuzzzzy in reply to Hidden]

We're all cheercheericheering for you and will be waiting on updates!🤞

[Hidden in reply to Zuzzzzy]

Thank you Zuzzzy loving all the support xx