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Original poster

Embryo Grades

15 replies

Papoy · 27/09/2020 16:19

Hey everyone,

Probably a silly question but please blame that on my hormones....

Does anyone have an idea how does embryo grading works? How low it goes down to, what does the letters represents?

We went to clinic today and they told us, our best embryos were both grade C and they transfered both of them to me.

I am assuming C isnt a great score, but how bad it is?

Clearly there is A, B, C to start with but how far down the alphabet they go? Where do they stop freezing them?

I want to be optimistic but if it isn't great news and my chance is low then perhaps I need to be prepare myself to better.... (if such thing is possible?)

OP posts:
ivfbeenbusy · 27/09/2020 16:34

Clinics usually give them a number and 2 letters - the number being their development

3 = early blastocyst
4 = expanded blastocyst
5 = hatching blastocyst

Then at my clinic the first letter is for the quality of the baby cells and the second letter is the quality of the placenta cells

A = perfect, uniform cells, no fragmentation
B = a little bit of fragmentation
C = lots of fragmentation

AA is obviously the best quality and has the best chance of success (but I also know loads of people for whom their AA grade didn't work)

I'm pregnant with twins - one is a 5BA and the other is a day 6 4BB

ivfbeenbusy · 27/09/2020 16:35

My clinic won't freeze anything that is DD or below

Ned2021 · 27/09/2020 18:33

I think some clinics work differently though as the 1st posters grading is completely different to the clinics ive been too.

I dont know the terminology of it but for the clinics ive used they dont grade an early blast and a grade 5 isnt a hatching blast.
I know that i had a 5AA hatching blast and a 5AA non hatching blast.

For this reason, i think you should ask your clinic.

Original poster
Papoy · 27/09/2020 21:45

@ivfbeenbusy @Ned2021 Thanks for responding.

Tomorrow they will call again to update me on the ones that were behind their development curve.. Probably I can quiz them about the grades then, but I guess there is not much to do about the ones they put in... I just need to wait another 11 days to see the outcome...

Good luck with your babies and embryos to you both 😊

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Matilda128 · 27/09/2020 22:54

At my clinic A is excellent/ B is good / C is average. Anything below C they won't freeze. But I wouldn't focus too much on grading though. I think some clinics are now avoiding talking about grades as it may cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Ultimately it's the embryologist subjective opinion and grading can be very different from clinic to clinic. And it focuses on the appearance of the embryo and doesn't necessarily say anything about the genetic material. I have often seen people saying their A graded embryos were PGS tested as abnormal but their lower graded embryos were successful. Good luck!

Shamoo · 28/09/2020 00:40

Our friends had a baby with a C (not sure of total grade but was at least one C in there). Don’t worry!! It’s all very subjective anyway. Good luck :)

Original poster
Papoy · 28/09/2020 07:31

@Matilda128 @Shamoo It sounds a bit subjective you are right... and you are right not all As will implant and not all Cs will fail...

I has a pretty simple ride up until this point with my IVF treatment and I think now it is my time to loose my mind or my heart broken...

Out of my hands now... just keep pushing in the progesterone and wait...

Thanks for replying ...

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Pineapples1980 · 02/10/2020 20:39

A consultant described embryo grades as a beauty content, they might look great but you have no idea what they are like inside. Thought it was quite a good description!

Original poster
Papoy · 02/10/2020 21:56

Awwww @Pineapples1980 .....
The inner beauty matters, right.... this makes me really happy and a bit teary too 🥰 thanks

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Pineapples1980 · 02/10/2020 22:00

Exactly, they might be deemed high grade but its just based on what the embryologist can see rather than the chromosomes. I had a 4AA implanted but still miscarried at 10 weeks.

Viletta · 03/10/2020 00:13

My clinic didn't do grades I only got 5HB or 5XB meaning 5 day hatching or expanding blastocyst.

Original poster
Papoy · 03/10/2020 12:21

@Pineapples1980
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.. Here I am complaining, how insensitive of me....

How are you doing now?

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Original poster
Papoy · 03/10/2020 13:52

Viletta, probably thats a good thing. It is harder to keep the hope when you know the eggs arent the "best quality"... hope they make it.

And good luck to you as well 💕

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LJM83 · 04/10/2020 18:11

@Papoy hello - I have stumbled across this feed. I had a grade C frozen transfer on 29/9 - I noticed the grade on the form (I wasn't told the grade) - the embryologist just said it was 'good quality'. I did feel really disappointed but have since realised they wouldn't trf an embryo that had no chance.

Sorry I don't have anything concrete but just wanted to let you know I am in the same boat!

Sending you best wishes x

Original poster
Papoy · 05/10/2020 08:36

@ljm83 when I spoke to the embryologist she said they wouldnt transfer something that wont work... so I know there is some chance.

I guess what made me extra nervous was they said they will put two of them .. In my hormpnal mind I saw that as a bad thing ... but I am older and my amh isnt great so I guess they were trying to be realistic ...

my transfer date was on 27th. When are you testing? Mine is on 8th.

I think it will work .... have no physical evidence but one day I am positive about things and the next feel depressed and negative but ... today is a good day.

I wish you all the best luck ... hope it works .... I will keep my fingers cross for you 😉

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