4 high quality embryos at day 3 - what should I expect at day 5?

[Goodluckjonathan76]

Mid way through our first cycle of IVF. They retrieved 6 eggs and 4 fertilised. The embryologist called me on day 3 and said all 4 embryos were high quality (at least 10 cells and minimal fragmentation) and so they could keep them until day 5 or 6. I am due an update tomorrow am and probably ET tomorrow afternoon or Friday (day 5 or 6) and just trying to set my expectations for the news tomorrow. How many usually die between day 3 and 5? If we do have at least one left, what are my chances of it sticking? I've gotten so pessimistic that I've sort of ruled out it working. Should I assume it's not doing to work or should I be more hopeful?

Afternoon ladies. Lovely news on the scan giving a clear heartbeat, Otters.

Blood test was at 11am and, to be honest, HCA who did rest was very non committal about whether the result will even be available today so I have to call the surgery and, if they've not got it, then try the biochemistry department at the hospital and see if they'll either send it over to surgery urgently or tell me over the phone. Otherwise it won't be till tomorrow!!

Goodluck - I think she was being cautious but it does make sense what she said. She didn’t mention miscarriage risk more about if the baby develops normally as everything is growing and there’s so much that could go wrong. We talked a bit about whether we should have harmony or not and I think that’s why she went on about development and growth. Hopefully it will all be fine for us!

Remember - hope you get your result today. Keeping everything crossed for you

JoJo, I recall the same from the CRGH stats. Something like a 36% clinical pregnancy rate for my age range but only a 25% LBR so clearly a bigger drop off than 5% That said, those stats will include a lot of women with recurrent miscarriage and other issues.

Otters, that is depressing and I am also focusing on that. Not so much miscarriage but something else being wrong, either chromosomal or developmental. Like you say, so much can go wrong. Keep thinking of my friend who miscarried at 5 months.

Either way, it's out of our hands. Suppose we just have to take each week at a time.

There’s always something to worry about! I’ve decided we should keep the faith, stay positive and just hope all goes well. Now leaning towards not having harmony but I keep going back and forth with yes and no! If not then will book a reassurance scan as I don’t think I can wait till 12-14 weeks!!

Otters, would you not have it as you will keep the baby anyway? I teared up reading Remember's post when she said it wouldn't matter either way. I'm not sure we would make the same decision, awful as it sounds. Do you mind me asking how old you are? I am 41 so really worried as age does seem to be the main risk factor. DH is far more relaxed, saying even 1 in 100 is unlikely. I suppose he's right.

Just been for the scan and we saw one perfect little jelly bean. Heart beating at 172. Baby two has gone but baby one is measuring spot on where it should. So relieved!!!
Otters to test or not is a really personal choice. Take your time to think about it.

Glad your scan went well Twickerhun. We now have to wait till after 2pm tomorrow to even call the gp surgery as they won’t release blood results until after then!!

Ah remember so sorry you are waiting. Fingers crossed.

Thanks. I can’t understand why they wouldn’t go it and call through the results - it’s not like it’s a full blood count or anything is it!!

A good friend (who lives near the hospital where the sample has gone to) has offered to go all Mission Impossible on the lab and liberate my results for me - I’ve said yes please!!

Remember sorry you still have to wait. How frustrating!! Did your friend manage to get your results for you?

Twicker - excellent news about your scan!! Hurrah that’s an amazing heartbeat and so pleased that it’s perfect 🎉

Goodluck - I’m 39 so worried about age too. We had a long chat about it and decided we would keep baby regardless. If the abnormalities are so severe that it’s not compatible with life or has a very short prognosis then nature will take its course. The only slight worry is our age (DH is 43) and we will be well into our 60’s by the time baby is 20 and hopefully independent but won’t be if it needs a lot of care. I’m probably over thinking it. We are still leaning towards not testing and just have faith that all will be fine. If they detect an abnormality on the nhs scans and the medical advice is to consider termination then we can cross that bridge when we get there. I’d still like a reassurance scan just to check that it’s growing as it should be.

Otters we are similar ages with similar thoughts. If our baby is born with problems we will wrap it up and hold it close for as long as life lets us.

Twickerhun, that’s brilliant news for you yesterday Getting closer to another baby by the week

Congrats Twickers, fab news!! So reassuring that the heartbeat is so good!

Otters, Remember, that is so lovely and you have my utmost admiriation. I'm ashamed to say I am not as confident in our abilities to cope with a child with difficulties so we will be doing screening and making decisions based on that.

JoJo, I called the Birth Centre again and they said 7-14 days for results but it's usually 7. Decided knowing a week earlier is worth the cost so have booked myself in for the panorama test on 28th November when I will be 9 weeks 3 days. Will hopefully know by 4th or 5th December.

Remember, good luck for the results. Not long to wait now.

Twickers, I meant to include you in my admiration re testing.

Remember - did you get your results back?

Goodluck - I’m still wavering and I’m not 100%sure. Still thinking about it. Want to talk to my fertility consultant but he’s on leave at the moment. Also haven’t heard back from midwife.
Well done on booking panorama - not long to wait.

I watched some videos earlier today and am absolutely amazed at how much the embryo grows week on week. Also saw something about week 7 being the greatest risk for miscarriage??! 😱

Nope - still waiting

I know Otters, it's totally amazing. I think it pretty much doubles size in a week. I myself also feel like I am doubling in size, or at least my tummy seems to be expanding in the last few days. Had anyone else had this?

Lurking for news from remember.

Goodluck my tummy is massive! I’m wearing an ill fitting dress today and I look 4 months gone.
Otters from my 6 week to 8 week scan (in the 12 days) our baby has visibly got arms and legs now. It’s phenomenal growth from the expanding blast at 2.5 weeks.

Also checking in to see if there’s any news from remember

Goodluck - I was just saying to DH yesterday that I feel really huge in the last week or so! Thought it was because I wasn’t going to my regular gym classes and have been eating a fair bit more than normal!

Afternoon all. Not good news from here. Hcg results came back

Remember - I’m so sorry. Give yourself time lovely.

Remember - so so sorry to hear your news. Look after yourself

Really sorry, Remember

Thank you ladies. I so desperately wanted it to work but think that’s unrealistic for first time cycle. DH has said we can try again next summer (will take us about 6 months to save the money again) so I’m going to take some time out to regroup and do some serious thinking whether I want to put us through it again or whether we just accept that we won’t have our own children xx

So sorry Remember, hope you are ok. From what I have read, IVF often works on the second round, not the first. Two close friends I know had IVF and it didn't work first time but worked brilliantly the 2nd. Also, if you are using donor eggs then I think you have an even greater chance. Look after yourself, have a large glass of wine and big hug from your hubbie. xx