IVF Blastocyst vs. Day 3 Embryo Transfer: Which is Right for You?

Question
Dear Dr. Ramirez,
I am 37 and have just had my first IVF after four failed IUI procedures using donor sperm. I am in a same sex relationship and there are no known fertility problems after all routine tests including laparoscopy etc. In relation to the ivf we retrieved 10 eggs 8 mature and 7 fertilised. At day 3 all 7 were doing well, between 7 to 10 cells and looking healthy. By day 5 only 1 had reached blastocyst stage graded 4 BC ( best is 4 AA). This plus one morula (per-blast) was transferred with no success! Is this due to poor embryo quality and if so can this be improved? Should I opt for day 3 transfer next time?
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks, Nina from Ireland

Answer
Hello Nina from Ireland,

Poor embryo quality is probably due to the age factor, meaning there has been a decline in egg quality with age.  With only a few embryos on D#3, and I presume they were not all great embryos at that time, I would not recommend blastocyst culture.  I think the uterus is a better incubator than the lab so I would recommend a D#3 transfer.

Also, because you are 37 years old, you need to expect that it can take more than one cycle to get pregnant simply because it can take time to find and get the perfect egg.

Good Luck,

Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com

Monterey, California, U.S.A.

for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf