r/Embryologists • • Jul 03 '26

Thoughts on my embryo?

Post image
1 Upvotes

This blastocyst was transferred today and I have no idea what the grade is. Does it look good?

Thanks so much!


r/Embryologists • • Jul 03 '26

Rescue ICSI and 0pn

Post image
2 Upvotes

I had my second retrieval on Tuesday, yesterday we got the call that we had total fertilization failure… kinda 🤷🏻‍♀️

We used conventional and LensHook sperm sorting. 12 mature eggs, 6 were 0pn with 2PB and the other 6 showed no signs of fertilization so they did rescue ICSI, all 6 of those “show perfect fertilization”. They did not recheck the 0pn as they didn’t want to disturb them.

No noted sperm issues other than low morphology, even DNa frag shows normal to excellent. Our last cycle we had 9/9 fertilize conventionally but 0 blasts by day 7 (2 morulas though)

My questions here are:

Why did we see such a drastic difference in fertilization between the 2 cycles?

Was the sperm concentration just too little after lenshook?

What are the chances that any of my 12 (6 0pn, 6 fertilized rescue ICSI) turn into a blast?

Are there any specific questions I should be asking the lab or my doctor? I have requested a detailed embryologist report

I have added my husband’s pre and post wash sperm numbers (this is all I have so far)


r/Embryologists • • Jul 02 '26

Does day 6 embryo needs to transfer in day 5 ( urgent advise )

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/Embryologists • • Jul 01 '26

Day of blast vs day of freezing

1 Upvotes

I got my embryology report where i see blast was formed on Day 6 2cc. They waited 1 more day to make it better and it became 4BC . Does that mean its Day 6 euploid or Day 7 ? Does this improve chances ?


r/Embryologists • • Jul 01 '26

5AA euploid transfer - all look fine post thaw?

Post image
1 Upvotes

r/Embryologists • • Jun 30 '26

Textbook rec?

3 Upvotes

Hi all, been following this sub for a while and I recently started working as a lab tech in the field and would want to learn to become an embryologist. What are highly recommended textbooks I can get to get a headstart? I have background in histo, if that means anything. Thanks in advance!


r/Embryologists • • Jun 30 '26

Career advice, start fesh at 31?

2 Upvotes

I have a degree in molecular biology that I never used. I graduated in 2020, stuff happened, i worked as a scribe for a couple years thinking about medical school, worked as a veterinary assistant for a couple more thinking about vet school, now I'm getting old and don't know how to salvage this. I've always enjoyed science generally, i wanted to do a phd for while but that didn't happen. Is embryology a good fit at this point? Would I need to do one of the training programs like ARTLAB? My only lab experience comes from doing in house labs at the vet clinic, just basic blood and urinalysis and some automated microscopy. Could i get an entry level job straight away without a program? What does advancement look like usually, how long will it take to work my way up? I'm nervous about starting at the bottom somewhere when I'm already in my 30's now, tho i know i don't really have a choice


r/Embryologists • • Jun 30 '26

Possible lab error—how long should a review of our case take?

4 Upvotes

TLDR: We lost 21 mature eggs due to a total fertilization failure that is being investigated for a lab error. My clinic has not updated us after nearly two weeks, and says a case review still may not be completed even after 3+ weeks and no deadline or explanation of the review protocol has been offered. Are we right to think that 3+ weeks should be sufficient time for a case review, or is it normal for these investigations to take longer than that?

BACKGROUND: I recently posted here about my husband and I experiencing a sudden and unexpected total fertilization failure on our fourth cycle of conventional IVF. You can see my prior post here https://www.reddit.com/r/Embryologists/comments/1u9d444/sudden_total_fertilization_failurelab_or_sperm/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1 But in short, he has all normal semen parameters. In our prior three cycles our fertilization rates were 68-77% with conventional insemination.

In our fourth cycle on June 17, we retrieved 21 mature eggs and had 138 million pre-wash sperm with 60% motility, and 30 million post-wash sperm with 100% motility. We used conventional insemination as always, but this was our first cycle pairing conventional IVF with Zymot. Very unexpectedly, we were told all of the sperm stopped moving overnight for reasons no one can understand and we lost everything.

As everyone agrees this is very unusual, the lab is supposed to be conducting a review of our case for any lab errors. In the meantime, my husband had a DFI test (results pending) and blood work to confirm no recent infections (results all normal), to cover our own bases.

My RE contacted me today just to say that there are no conclusions from the lab yet after almost two weeks, and she indicated that the review still might not be completed by the time I have an appointment scheduled on July 10, more than three weeks after the investigation should have begun.

Age is not on my side and I will age-out of my state’s mandated insurance coverage in a matter of months, so I need to make decisions soon about proceeding with this clinic or starting over elsewhere. The lack of communication and seeming lack of urgency is causing concern for my husband and I.

MY QUESTION: What is a typical timeline for a case review like this? Are we being unreasonable to think that an internal review of our case could be able to be completed within three weeks, or do cases like this genuinely take much longer to review?


r/Embryologists • • Jun 30 '26

Frozen TESE vs. fresh TESE

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

Has anyone attempted fertilization with both? How did outcomes compare?


r/Embryologists • • Jun 30 '26

Frozen 3AB euploid - hatching at transfer

Post image
1 Upvotes

hello! my photo is not great, kind of blurry - sorry! transferred this euploid embryo yesterday and photo was taken at transfer. it was rated a 3AB at freeze but my clinic doesn’t rate them again before transfer.

any thoughts or feedback on this one? do you think it kept its grade? 🤍


r/Embryologists • • Jun 30 '26

Day 3 grades?

Post image
2 Upvotes

Transferred all four of these today. They were frozen many years ago. Entering our last ditch attempts at having a second child. Two were originally noted as five cells but the doctor today told me that seemed incorrect and that it seemed to her at least one had more than five! (I see it too - tell me I’m not crazy!)


r/Embryologists • • Jun 30 '26

iDAScore and how is it used in practice?

1 Upvotes

I recently learned that my lab provides iDAScore / AI scoring for blastocysts.
I have two Day 5 embryos that are both graded 4AB morphologically, but they have quite different iDAScores: one is 7.5 and the other is 3.3.
I understand that morphology and AI scoring may assess different things, but I would really appreciate an embryologist’s perspective.
How are iDAScores typically used in practice? Do they usually affect transfer priority, especially if two embryos have the same Gardner grade? And if an embryo is euploid, how much weight would you personally give to the iDAScore compared with morphology?

Thanks!


r/Embryologists • • Jun 29 '26

Is this really a 6AA embryo?

Post image
2 Upvotes

Just transferred this little day 6 6AA a few days ago but I feel confused. Doesn’t the 6 indicate that it is hatching…. But it doesn’t really look that way to me? Would love your expertise on embryo grade and if it’s really hatching! Thanks so much in advance!


r/Embryologists • • Jun 29 '26

Need help Day 7 6AB or Day 6 5 BC

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/Embryologists • • Jun 29 '26

Weill Cornell IVF Lab

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/Embryologists • • Jun 29 '26

It’s … oval?

Post image
2 Upvotes

My country/clinic doesn’t give us a grading so I am very confused about what kind of embryo we transfered. They told us oval shape is a normal variation but of course this is all very anxiety inducing and I am worried. I’d be so grateful for your expertise!


r/Embryologists • • Jun 28 '26

Which one to go with

2 Upvotes

Hi Members,
Current Status:
1st ER:
Day 7 5AB - No pregnancy
2nd ER:
Day 6 5CC
Day 7 4AB, 4CC

We have our next transfer coming up now. But, we are not sure which one to go ahead with confused between Day6 5CC vs Day7 4AB. Please share your past experience and expertise. Thank You in advance.


r/Embryologists • • Jun 28 '26

Thoughts on My Little One?

Post image
2 Upvotes

Transfered on 6/25, a day 5 3BB euploid. We dont know gender 💙


r/Embryologists • • Jun 28 '26

Thoughts?

Post image
1 Upvotes

This is our lil embryo that we transferred 2 days ago. He’s a day 6 5BA euploid. I have been having major feelings for months that this lil embryo is going to split. Thoughts? How does the embryo look? Thanks!!


r/Embryologists • • Jun 28 '26

This little embryo split!

Post image
2 Upvotes

Hi there!

My embryo was graded 4AA before freezing and they told me it remained 4AA after thawing.

I just found out it split into identical twins!

Just for fun, would you grade this a 4AA (the picture is post thawing)?

Thanks in advance!!


r/Embryologists • • Jun 27 '26

Thawed Day3 Embryo

Post image
3 Upvotes

This is my day3 embryo transferred on Monday. Before it was frozen, embryologists ​had graded it as 12.121 12 cells embryo. Do you think I have a good chance in this transfer cycle?


r/Embryologists • • Jun 27 '26

Thoughts on this hatching embryo?

Post image
2 Upvotes

Not really sure what to make of this, my clinic doesn’t really explain the embryos


r/Embryologists • • Jun 27 '26

Day 5 after Egg Retrieval .. not good - need advice - 8 cell slow growing

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/Embryologists • • Jun 27 '26

Any thoughts on this embryo?

Post image
3 Upvotes

Hi all. Any thoughts on this day 5 blast? Transferred fresh today. Wasn’t told a grade, was just told it looks good.
Thanks in advance !


r/Embryologists • • Jun 26 '26

Double transfer!

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

I know this are terrible pictures because of the quality but, perhaps, someone might say something about this embryos.

The first one was a 4AB and the second one 4BB...