Drop from Day 3 - Day 5 embryos

[Rhea87]

Can someone please tell me what the percentage drop is from Day 3 to Day 5? I have heard it ranges from 30-50% what is it? I’m bracing myself for bad news. I don’t have that many embryos and I’m scared I’ll be lucky to get even 1.

[MollyRobs]

Hi Rhea87, it’s so hard when you’re not in control. I am keeping everything crossed for you. I’ve had 6 egg collections sometimes I’ve only had one fertilise and it’s made its way to blast. Sometimes I’ve had 4 fertilise and 2 have made to blast. On average I’ve heard 50% of the number of eggs that reached a normal fertilisation make it to blast. If you’re having a day 5 update today and some are not yet blast ask if they will keep them on. I’ve had a day 6 blast before. Good luck x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Rhea. One for your embryologist to discuss with you. He/she will try and grow your embryos to Day 5 blastocyst. If they are very slow to divide, he/she may suggest doing a Day 3 transfer. When I first started in the fertility game, we only ever did Day 3 transfers as we didn't have the expertise then to grow embryos on to Day 5. We still had around 30% success rates. Fingers crossed all works out well for you. Diane

[Rollercoastersmiles]

hey. It really varies. For us we had 10 eggs fertilise and 3 make it to day 5 (or 6) blasts. I think the normal rate is 30-50% but I’ve seen some people on here get 5 fertilised and 4 blasts or similar. Think it really depends on your circumstances. Try not to worry, it only takes 1!! 🤞🏽for you and your little embryos!

[Twiglet2]

it really does vary and it can also depend on what stage your embryos are at at day 3 (cell division etc) your embryologist will talk it through with you, how many are still going how many have the cell division they would expect by day 3 etc. so you can prepare yourself as much as possible but it does really vary (I’ve had from 100% making it to day 5 to 33% making it) so it varies from person to person and cycle to cycle too. Hoping for good news for you it’s such an anxious wait xx

[Katy153]

Hey, honestly it can totally vary so I would try your absolute best not to worry about it and just think that right now it’s out of your hands ❤️

I had collection with 8 eggs (7 mature) and was told on day 1 (day after) that 5 of thosehad fertilised. I was dreading that day 3 phone call more than anything, literally so sick with worry. On day 3, we had 6 embryos! Number 6 was a little slow but it just shows that anything can happen and some can even catch up. We ended up with 5 blasts on day 5 and I cried so much.

I’ve got everything crossed for the best news for you!! 🤞🏼🙏🏼 xx

[Rhea87 in reply to Katy153]

Thanks I am nearly 35 so I am really worried. x

[Jumpppy]

Quick note: From my understanding sperm activate around day 3-4, so a lot of variance may arise from why you are doing IVF. If it is egg related reasons and sperm is really good you may have really good conversion from 8-cell day 3s to day 5 blasts - gettingto day 3 is the tough part. If sperm is an issue you may not have great results from day 3 to day 5. Our issue was sperm so fertilization and day 3 rates were high and the drop-off from day 3 to day 5 was the significant. Others have uterine issues and will have high fertilization and day 5 blast rates, but struggle to get implantation. If you are unexplained, then where you see drop offs might give you a clue about what might be happening. There's a old poster's story somewhere for an "unexplained diagnosis" couple where the DH had 200m "perfect sperm" and after a couple cycles of perfect fertilization and all getting to day 3 8-cell, but no blasts they found really high DNA fragmentation. Or of course you might think it's one thing and find a second 😞

Good Luck!