Clinic phoned…Day 3 embryo or day 5 blastocyst? Did I make the right decision…

[Ree_Laine]

hey all,

I just wanted reassurance that I’ve made the right decision. My clinic called to inform me 3 of my embryos had reached a 9 cell stage and I could have a transfer of 2 today if I choose to as they’re ready. I asked if the chances of success we’re better at the blastocyst stage and she said yes that is true. She said she was phoning to let me know that 2 could be transferred today as I ticked u to 2 on the form but they recommend 1 as it’s my 1st potential pregnancy. She said I’ve made a good decision waiting until day 5 and she sees no reason why it wouldn’t get to this stage. I’m just wondering is this normal for them to offer a transfer at day 3? It’s only because I’ve read so much about an embryo reaching the blastocyst stage did I question if I could keep it to day 5 xx

[Kiri23]

Hello. Ivf is full of self-doubting as you just want to make the “right” decision but there is no such thing. A lot of it is all outside of your control.

I think they have to ask what you want to do and in your position I would have made the same decision. You have 3 embryos at top grade (I had one at 9 cells on day 3 and I was told it was graded 1). Like you, I’ve also read the chances increase if they go to day 5 and that’s been the advice of my clinic.

From my experience, on my first cycle I had two which I let go to day 5. One developed well which was transferred and I have my little boy. The other wasn’t good enough to freeze and looking back I’m glad to know that the two were not the same as the second was not developing as it should. Cycle 2 we didn’t even get that far as none of my eggs fertilised, reasons relating to male factor. Cycle 3, again we had two embryos which I again chose to go to day 5 and both developed well. One has been transferred and the other is being frozen. Now in the 2ww.

You are doing everything you can, remember that. That’s all you can do. The waiting is very hard, and that’s when the questions and doubt creep in. Keep yourself distracted. I hope everything goes well and wishing you lots of luck. Keep us updated.

🤞 🍀

[Ree_Laine in reply to Kiri23]

thanks hun for your reply. You are so right IVF is really full of self doubting 😩. I’m so pleased to hear that your day 5 resulted in your baby boy this gives me hope and reassurance. Even if I do get to a stage which results in pregnancy I can only imagine how every step of the way I’ll be worried about something new and this is only the beginning. Fingers crossed my other 3 embryos catch up so I can at least have some to freeze (total of 6) . I have my fingers and toes crossed for you whilst you’re in the 2ww 💕💕💕I’ll be experiencing the same after Sunday’s transfer xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Ree_Laine. We used to do all Day 3 transfers years ago as we didn;t have the expertise to grow embryos on to Day 5. We still got many successes even then. SDometimes if the embryos slow down, they offer Day 3. Good luck! Diane

[Ree_Laine in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks Diane xx oh so the times have changed now they have the research and expertise, I didn’t know that. I feel more confident making the decision to go to day 5 now. Having the extra knowledge behind its quality before transfer.

[HollyT7]

I was never offered a day 3 transfer with any 3 of mine. People have success with both though 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Redsequin]

Hello lovely. Sorry you’re struggling with self doubt. That’s one of the hardest parts of IVF, I think: so many decisions to be made all the time with no idea what’s best!

If it helps, my clinic insisted on letting embryos go to day 5 as they could learn more about their viability that way. So from their point of view, day 3 wasn’t even an option!

Xxx

[Ree_Laine in reply to Redsequin]

thank you hun. I feel so much more confident with my decision knowing many have transferred at day 5. It’s very reassuring as I would like to know the quality before transfer and wanted to know if my other 3 embryos could catch up by then as well xx

[Skittles11]

Hello, my current clinic and my former clinic only offered Day 5 transfers. As you've aluded to, the clinics will develop more knowledge about the embryo quality by the blastocyst stage and for some clinics this is the only way they operate xx