IVF Success Rates of a Day 5 vs. Day 3 Blastocyst
It is very difficult to give contrasting success rates for day 3 vs. day 5 embryo transfers. However, with improvements in embryo culture systems, more and more patients are now having their embryos cultured to the blastocyst stage before transfer.
What Are the Success Rates of a Day 5 Blastocyst Embryo Transfer vs. Day 3?
It is very difficult to give contrasting success rates for day 3 vs. day 5 embryo transfers. However, with improvements in embryo culture systems, more and more IVF patients are now having their embryos cultured to the blastocyst stage before transfer.
This is beneficial in two ways – firstly the Embryologist is better able to select the strongest embryo(s) for the embryo transfer, thereby improving the chance of a successful pregnancy, but also transferring at day 5 is more in sync with the natural cycle (read more about embryo grading here).
In a natural cycle, the early stages of embryo development occurs whilst the embryo is travelling down the Fallopian tubes and so we would not usually expect a cleavage stage embryo to be in the uterus. Having said that, it is still widely believed that if an IVF patient only has one or two viable embryos, then it is better for these to the transferred back to the patient on day 3, rather than keeping them developing on in the laboratory culture system.
To learn more about Embryology and read some common Embryology Q&A click here!
Victoria Wigley
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.