Blastocyst transfer Melbourne

Blastocyst transfer

This is a specialised technique that may be used as part of assisted reproductive technology, like in vitro fertilisation (IVF). It involves the transfer of an embryo that has been cultured to the blastocyst stage, which occurs five or six days after fertilisation.

In a traditional IVF cycle, embryos are transferred on the second or third day after egg retrieval and insemination (when they are at the four to eight-cell stage, known as a cleavage stage embryo transfer). The hope is that the embryos will continue to develop after transfer, so that they reach the blastocyst stage and implant in the uterine wall.

Many fertility clinics have moved on to blastocyst transfers to give their patients the best possible chances of falling pregnant. This requires them to grow for an additional two or three days so that they’ve reached the blastocyst stage (when they contain 100 to 150 cells).

While developing blastocyst embryos does not improve their quality, it does help us to identify which may be stronger than others.

Why wait for the blastocyst transfer stage?

In a traditional pregnancy, once an embryo reaches the blastocyst stage of development, it moves out of the fallopian tube and into the uterus. Once in the uterus, it starts to attach to the uterine lining (known as implantation).

The main advantage of attempting to develop embryos to the blastocyst stage is that their chances of implantation improve, as the phase of embryo development matches the uterine environment. It also minimises the risk of a multiple pregnancy.

Who is a blastocyst embryo transfer recommended for?

While most fertility clinics now perform blastocyst transfers as standard, it may be recommended for many reasons.

Our blastocyst transfer process

As with IVF, our timeline begins with an initial consultation before we begin any treatment. Your specialist will go through all of your options with you, and you will decide on the best course of action together.

A typical IVF embryo transfer timeline looks like:

Hormone Stimulation: You’ll be given medication for around 2 weeks to stimulate your ovaries, allowing a larger number of eggs to mature at once. This medication is often in the form of an injection, and you’ll be monitored via ultrasounds and blood tests throughout the process to ensure everything is going smoothly.
Collection: Once your eggs have matured, you’ll be put to sleep in a hospital, and they’ll be retrieved in the least invasive way possible. This is done transvaginally using an ultrasound-guided probe and typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Fertilisation: In the IVF lab, your eggs will be combined with either your partner’s or a donor’s sperm sample (fresh or frozen). We hope to fertilise as many eggs as possible, giving you as many attempts at conception as possible. Your specialist will monitor the embryos’ development in a blastocyst culture for 3 to 6 days.
Embryo Transfer: Once the required number of days has passed, you will be able to come back into the clinic to have one of the resulting blastocysts transferred into your uterus. Any other viable embryos will be safely preserved for future use.
Pregnancy Test: Once the blastocyst has been transferred, we wait for 11 days and then send you for a blood test to check if you have fallen pregnant or not. We understand that this wait can be challenging, so we recommend trying to keep busy.

We understand that failing to fall pregnant can feel disheartening and encourage you to stay upbeat. Falling pregnant, even through IVF and other fertility treatments, often takes multiple cycles (similar to falling pregnant naturally). We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Risks of blastocyst transfer

One of the main disadvantages of this process is that fewer embryos will survive (only around 30 to 50% will make it to the blastocyst stage). This reduces the number of extra embryos that are available for freezing for future use.

In less than 10% of cases, none of the embryos will reach the blastocyst stage, meaning that there will be none available for transfer at all. This may indicate a problem with the embryos themselves, and further testing may be recommended.

Unfortunately, blastocyst transfer (or any other fertility treatment) does not guarantee that you will be able to fall pregnant and have a healthy baby. While we truly wish that we could guarantee this for every patient, we make every possible effort to give you the best chances at success.

Blastocyst stage storage

Under current Victorian law, we are allowed to keep your blastocysts frozen for up to 5 years from the day they were stored. This can be extended if the responsible persons consent to storage for another 5 years and go through a written application process. Our specialists can help you through the process of extending. Rest assured that your blastocysts are never discarded without your consent or without us contacting you first.

Alternative assisted reproductive treatments

In most cases, our specialists will recommend less invasive fertility treatments, only pursuing IVF and blastocyst embryo transfer if they are unsuccessful for you. We offer a range of other treatments, including:

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI is a similar process to IVF, but instead of using multiple sperm to try and fertilise an egg, a single sperm is injected directly into the centre of the egg. This attempts to overcome male infertility issues and increase the chance of fertilisation occurring.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI is a less invasive process of artificially placing washed sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation, hoping that the sperm will enter the fallopian tube and fertilise an egg. IUI is often used for unexplained fertility or in the case of using donor sperm.

Ovulation Induction

Tracking ovulation is an important process when trying for a baby. Ovulation induction is a minimally invasive treatment that involves taking medication in the form of tablets or a fine needle injection to induce ovulation and help women have more regular menstrual cycles.

Egg Freezing

As women age, it becomes less likely that they will be able to fall pregnant naturally, but freezing your eggs as early as possible can help you prolong your ability to reproduce and try for a baby when you’re ready. Whether for personal or medical reasons, egg freezing is a way to help you try and get pregnant in the future.

FAQ

What are the benefits of blastocyst transfer over traditional day 2/3 embryos?

There are many benefits associated with blastocyst embryo transfer, including:

This culture system means there are fewer disturbances to the embryo, so its development is likely to be improved.
The time at which the embryo/s are returned to the uterus is closer to when hatching of the embryo and implantation would naturally occur (improving chances of success).
Additional suitable blastocysts can be vitrified (or snap frozen) for use in later cycles.

How likely is a blastocyst to implant?

The likelihood of a blastocyst implanting and becoming a pregnancy depends on many factors (like the embryo’s quality, genetic health, and maternal age). In saying that, a good-grade blastocyst can have a 50 to 70% chance of a successful IVF outcome.

How many weeks pregnant are you after a blastocyst transfer?

If your blastocyst transfer is a success, you would be considered 2 weeks and 5 days pregnant on the day of your transfer. See our IVF due date calculator for further explanation as to how dating works when it comes to fertility treatment, or speak to your specialist.

Next steps on your fertility journey

At Create Fertility, we understand that every patient’s path to parenthood is unique. Whether blastocyst transfer is the right step for you or another treatment is better suited, our specialists are here to guide and support you with compassion and care. If you’re ready to explore your options, book a consultation with our team today. We’re here to walk alongside you on this journey.

Blastocyst transfer Melbourne