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Blastocyst transfer
Blastocyst transfer is at the forefront of advances in fertility. Blastocysts are advanced embryos that have a higher chance (per embryo) of implantation than do earlier-stage embryos. Developing embryos are allowed to grow undisturbed for five days until they reach the blastocyst stage of development. Blastocyst transfer increases the rate of pregnancy while decreasing the risk of multiple pregnancy. Blastocyst transfer is an advanced assisted reproductive technology used at Gawri IVF to help many couples become parents.
Why are blastocysts so important in IVF?
The key characteristic of the blastocyst is that it has reached the point where the developing baby’s own genes have been activated and take over the remainder of the development. This is known as “genomic activation,” and because genes are the chemical codes that make us unique individuals, genomic activation is the key point at which a unique individual results from conception.
As babies, each of us is a genetic mixture of the genes of our mother and father — unique and different from our parents and siblings. In its early growth stage, the embryo receives all of its energy and chemical makeup needed for successful cell division from the mother’s egg. Development past the third to fourth day requires that the embryo activate its own genes to continue to produce further cell division and differentiation.
While this critical biological process appears to be simple, it does not take place as easily as it appears. Approximately one-third of embryos have the capability of successfully activating their own genes and developing into a blastocyst. When an embryo does reach the blastocyst stage, the natural message is that it is a biologically healthier embryo fit enough to successfully implant in the uterus and continue development through to a full-term pregnancy and delivery of a normal, healthy baby.
How blastocyst culturing helps couples achieve pregnancy
In conventional IVF, embryos are grown for two to three days before being transferred back into the uterus. At this stage of development, the embryo has between four and eight cells inside the shell or zona pellucida, and they must continue to develop inside the uterus for four to five additional days before they become blastocyst stage embryos that are ready and capable of implantation.
Most IVF cycles will produce several embryos. Gawri IVF follows the guidelines established by the experts regarding how many embryos should be safely transferred at any one time. Because blastocysts have a higher implantation potential than less advanced embryos, fewer are transferred. Oftentimes, only one good quality blastocyst is recommended for transfer. Remaining blastocysts are frozen for later use. This is good news for IVF patients, and something your Gawri fertility physician will fully explain to you during your consultations.