What Percentage of Fertilized Eggs Make It to Blastocyst?

You’ve done so much hard work. You’ve given yourself injections, gone to countless appointments, endured blood draws and ultrasounds, and made it through an egg retrieval. Now what?

Fortunately, many experts, like Dr. Karine Chung of California Fertility Partners, empower patients to ask questions and be as informed as possible about their treatment.

So, what does it look like for an egg to make it from fertilization to blastocyst, and how many typically get there? Let’s dive in.

How many fertilized eggs make it to blastocyst?

About 30 to 50% of fertilized eggs make it to the blastocyst stage, which typically happens on day 5 or 6 of development. This number reflects two layers of attrition at once. Some eggs never fertilize, and others start dividing but stop growing before they reach the blastocyst stage. For anyone going through IVF, this drop off can feel brutal, but it’s also a normal part of human reproduction.

Clinics often remind patients that even in a healthy cycle, only a portion of eggs are developmentally capable of making it this far. In fact, many fertility specialists explain it like this: only about 1 in 4 harvested eggs may reach the blastocyst stage, and only about 1 in 8 eggs may actually be genetically competent to become a baby (depending on your unique circumstances).

Why does this matter? Because blastocyst development helps your care team understand embryo quality, implantation potential, and what to expect from your cycle as a whole. It’s not a report card on your body. It’s a reflection of how complex early development really is.

Age is one of the biggest factors influencing blastocyst rates. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s data summaries for IVF outcomes, younger patients tend to have higher blastocyst development and euploidy rates compared to patients in their late 30s and 40s. Other variables like sperm quality, egg quality, stimulation protocol, lab conditions, and underlying diagnoses all play a role, too.

So if your numbers feel lower than you hoped, you’re not alone. IVF is full of attrition that no one prepares you for, and the percentages don’t tell the whole story. They’re just one piece of the puzzle as you and your doctor decide on next steps.

What is a blastocyst? Understanding embryo development

A blastocyst is an embryo that has grown for about 5 or 6 days after fertilization and has developed two distinct parts: the inner cell mass, which becomes the fetus, and the trophectoderm, which forms the placenta and supporting structures. At this stage, the embryo has also created a fluid-filled cavity called the blastocoel. According to research for the Cochrane Library in 2022, embryos that reach the blastocyst stage tend to have a higher potential for implantation, which is why many clinics prefer to transfer or test embryos at this point.

Reaching the blastocyst stage matters because it gives embryologists a clearer sense of which embryos are developing normally. The more advanced structure provides better insight into growth patterns, cell quality, and the likelihood of a successful pregnancy compared to earlier stages, like day 2 or day 3 cleavage embryos. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s one of the strongest indicators we have of reproductive potential.

A lot has to happen for the egg and sperm to become a blastocyst, from fertilization to the various stages of embryo development.

The stages of fertilization and embryo development

The stages of fertilization and embryo development follow a predictable pattern, but each embryo moves through these steps at its own pace. Once an egg and sperm successfully combine, the embryo begins a series of rapid changes that determine whether it can eventually reach the blastocyst stage. These early days are delicate, and many embryos naturally stop growing along the way, which is a normal part of human reproduction. According to research for JBRA Assisted Reproduction in 2017, only a portion of embryos created in IVF cycles make it to day 5 or 6, which is why each developmental milestone matters for both prognosis and planning.

Cleavage stage (day 2 to day 3):

Once fertilization is confirmed, the embryo begins dividing into more cells while staying the same overall size. These cells, called blastomeres, typically increase from 2 to 4 to 8 over the first couple of days. Embryologists look at how evenly the cells divide and whether there is any fragmentation, because these factors can influence how well the embryo continues to grow.

Morula stage (day 4):

By day 4, the embryo forms a tight cluster of cells that starts to resemble a mulberry. This stage is all about compaction, which means the individual cells begin working together and functioning as a unit. The morula is a transitional point that prepares the embryo for more complex development.

Early blastocyst (day 5):

An early blastocyst begins to form a fluid-filled cavity called the blastocoel. At this stage, two key cell groups start becoming visible: the inner cell mass, which will eventually form the fetus, and the trophectoderm, which becomes the placenta and supporting tissues. These early structures help embryologists predict developmental potential.

Expanded blastocyst (day 5 to day 6):

In an expanded blastocyst, the fluid cavity enlarges, the cells become more organized, and the embryo stretches against the outer shell called the zona pellucida. This is typically the stage where embryos are transferred, frozen, or biopsied for genetic testing. Research published in Cochrane Library in 2022 shows that blastocyst-stage embryos are more likely to implant than cleavage-stage embryos because they better mimic the timing of natural implantation.

Some clinics also use an embryo grading system during these stages, especially at the blastocyst level. Grades usually assess expansion, inner cell mass quality, and trophectoderm quality. While grading can help compare embryos within one cycle, it’s not a guarantee of success. A lower-grade embryo can still result in a healthy pregnancy, and a high-grade embryo is not a promise.

During in vitro fertilization (IVF), after combining an egg and sperm, the first thing that embryologists check for is successful fertilization.

After fertilization occurs, cell division begins approximately 24 hours later. During this time, the entire genome (46 chromosomes containing more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA) must duplicate and divide. This is a complicated process, and one reason human reproduction is not always so straightforward.

Embryo grading breakdown

Embryo grading can feel like alphabet soup at first glance, but it’s really just a way for embryologists to describe what they see under the microscope. Grades look at:

• Expansion stage (how far along the blastocyst is)
• ICM quality (the cells that become the fetus)
• TE quality (the cells that become the placenta)

While the numbers can look intimidating, grading is not a guarantee of success or failure. It simply helps the lab rank embryos within a single cycle. Plenty of “average” or “poor” grade embryos grow into healthy babies, and even the most beautiful embryos sometimes don’t implant. You’re not grading your chances here; you’re grading a moment in time.

Here’s the complete grading list with category and success rates, from data compiled by Seen Fertility in 2025:

• 1AA (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 1AB (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 1AC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 1BA (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 1BB (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 1BC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 1CA (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 1CB (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 1CC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 2AA (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 2AB (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 2AC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 2BA (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 2BB (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 2BC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 2CA (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 2CB (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 2CC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 3AA (Excellent): ~65% pregnancy, ~50% live birth
• 3AB (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 3AC (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 3BA (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 3BB (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 3BC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 3CA (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 3CB (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 3CC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 4AA (Excellent): ~65% pregnancy, ~50% live birth
• 4AB (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 4AC (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 4BA (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 4BB (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 4BC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 4CA (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 4CB (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 4CC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 5AA (Excellent): ~65% pregnancy, ~50% live birth
• 5AB (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 5AC (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 5BA (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 5BB (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 5BC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 5CA (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 5CB (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 5CC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 6AA (Excellent): ~65% pregnancy, ~50% live birth
• 6AB (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 6AC (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 6BA (Good): ~59.3% pregnancy, ~49.7% live birth
• 6BB (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 6BC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 6CA (Average): ~50.3% pregnancy, ~42.3% live birth
• 6CB (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth
• 6CC (Poor): ~33.3% pregnancy, ~25% live birth

Embryo grading isn’t a destiny. It’s a way for embryologists to sort embryos within a batch. Many people have their babies from “average” or “poor” grade embryos, and some high-grade embryos never implant at all.

So if you’re sitting with these numbers right now, be kind to yourself, and remember that they don’t necessarily define your IVF success.

Fertilized egg to blastocyst rate: What to expect

About 40 to 60% of successfully fertilized eggs make it to the blastocyst stage, which usually happens on day 5 or 6. That range can feel huge, but it reflects what we know about early embryo development. Many embryos stop growing long before blastocyst, and that’s a normal part of human reproduction, not a sign that your body or your cycle has failed.

Age plays a major role in how many embryos continue developing. According to data reported in Frontiers in Endocrinology in 2018, blastocyst development and chromosomal health decline gradually with age, which is why the expected range shifts from one group to another.

Here’s a general breakdown of what clinics often see:

• Under 35: It’s common for roughly 50% of fertilized eggs to reach blastocyst. Some patients see higher numbers, and some see fewer, depending on diagnosis and gamete quality.
• Ages 35 to 37: Blastocyst development often falls into the 40 to 50% range as egg quality naturally changes with age.
• Ages 38 to 40: Many people in this group see blastocyst rates around 30 to 40%, which aligns with age-related shifts in chromosome stability.
• Over 40: Blastocyst development is typically 20 to 30%, and the proportion of viable, chromosomally normal embryos is lower. According to Fertility and Sterility in 2012 research, aneuploidy rates rise significantly after age 40, which affects how many embryos continue to grow.

Even with these numbers, there’s no universal “right” outcome. Your medical history, ovarian response, sperm quality, and even the lab’s culture environment can all influence results. Two people the same age can have completely different blastocyst rates and still go on to have healthy pregnancies.

If your cycle yields fewer blastocysts than you hoped, it doesn’t automatically mean your chances are poor. Embryologists consistently emphasize that quality matters far more than quantity. A single strong blastocyst can lead to a healthy pregnancy, while a larger batch may still contain embryos that were never destined to implant.

Think of these percentages as a framework rather than a verdict. They help set expectations, but they don’t predict your individual outcome. Your clinic can walk you through what your numbers mean in the context of your age, diagnosis, and long-term family-building plan, so you have a clearer understanding of what comes next.

If you have 10 fertilized eggs, how many blastocysts can you expect?

If you start with 10 fertilized eggs, you can typically expect around 4 to 6 blastocysts, based on the common estimate that about 40 to 60% of fertilized eggs make it to day 5 or 6. That said, the real-life range is wider. Some people might see only 2 blastocysts from 10 fertilized eggs, while others might end up with 7 or even 8. This variation is normal and closely tied to age, diagnosis, and gamete quality.

For example, if you're 32 with healthy ovarian reserve, it wouldn’t be unusual to see 6 or 7 embryos reach blastocyst. If you're 41, you might see 2 or 3, since age affects both blastocyst development and chromosomal stability.

And the same logic applies no matter the starting number. For example, 9 fertilized eggs might yield 3 to 5 blastocysts, while 14 fertilized eggs might produce 5 to 8. The math shifts, but the pattern stays consistent.

Most importantly, lower numbers don’t mean your cycle has failed. Embryo development involves many checkpoints, and each step filters out embryos that were never going to progress. One high-quality blastocyst can lead to a healthy pregnancy, so your total count matters far less than the strength of the embryos you end up with.

Why don’t fertilized not make it to blastocyst?

Many fertilized eggs don’t make it to the blastocyst stage because early embryo development is incredibly complex, and even small errors can stop growth altogether. This isn’t a reflection of anything you did. It’s how human reproduction works, both in and out of the lab. Research for Biocel journal in 2022 notes that a significant proportion of embryos naturally arrest before day 5 or 6 because they weren’t genetically or structurally equipped to continue developing in the first place.

And because female fertility declines with age, as a woman gets older, we see fewer eggs retrieved during IVF, with quality also being an issue. For this reason, the chances of embryos developing into blastocysts decreases with age, especially after 40.

But while eggs are responsible for about 80% of IVF success, according to Dr. Chung, sperm quality plays an approximately 10% role in fertilization and the overall success of IVF as well.

But there are several reasons why some fertilized eggs don’t make it to blastocyst:

• Chromosomal abnormalities: Errors in the embryo’s DNA are the most common reason for developmental arrest. When chromosomes don’t align or copy correctly, the embryo usually stops growing because it can’t continue developing normally.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction: Eggs supply the embryo’s energy source, and if the mitochondria can’t produce enough energy for rapid cell division, the embryo may slow down or arrest before reaching blastocyst.
• Cell division errors: Early cleavage requires precise timing. When cell divisions are irregular or uneven, the embryo may struggle to progress to later stages.
• High fragmentation: Fragmentation appears as small pieces that break off between dividing cells. Mild fragmentation can be harmless, but high fragmentation may disrupt normal development.
• Poor sperm quality: While eggs drive early development, severe DNA damage or structural issues in sperm can still affect fertilization outcomes and embryo growth.
• Culture environment factors: Embryos are sensitive to temperature, pH, and nutrient balance. Modern labs are highly controlled, but even small variations can influence development.
• Natural biological variation: Some embryos simply weren’t destined to continue growing, even with perfect eggs, sperm, and lab conditions. Arrest is often nature’s way of preventing embryos that wouldn’t have resulted in a healthy pregnancy.

If you’ve seen a lot of embryos arrest, you’re not alone. This happens in every IVF lab, every day, and it reflects biology rather than personal failure. One strong blastocyst can still be all you need.

Can all fertilized eggs make it to blastocyst?

No, not all fertilized eggs can make it to blastocyst, and that’s true even in the very best IVF labs with beautiful eggs, strong sperm, and ideal conditions. Early embryo development is a biological stress test, and only some embryos have the genetic and cellular stability to grow all the way to day 5 or 6.

This is part of the self-selection process that happens in every pregnancy, whether conception happens through IVF or in the body. As the embryo divides, it’s constantly checking and rechecking its own DNA, energy supply, and cell integrity. When something isn’t right, development stops. It can feel heartbreaking when you watch this play out in an IVF cycle, but it’s a normal part of human reproduction, not a reflection of anything you did.

Even “perfect” cycles see embryo arrest. Patients with great ovarian reserve, normal sperm parameters, and top-tier labs still lose embryos at every stage. That’s because many of the issues that cause arrest, like chromosomal abnormalities or cell division errors, are built into the biology of eggs and sperm long before retrieval day.

Your feelings about this are completely valid. Losing embryos is emotional, especially when you’ve put so much hope into every step. But understanding the why can make the numbers feel less like a personal failing and more like information about the unique biology behind your cycle. And remember, you don’t need all fertilized eggs to reach blastocyst. You just need one strong embryo that’s capable of becoming your baby.

How many eggs are retrieved during IVF?

Most people going through IVF have about 8 to 15 eggs retrieved, but anything from 5 to 20 or more can still be completely normal depending on age, diagnosis, and the stimulation protocol your doctor uses. According to data reported published in the journal Human Reproduction Open in 2017, egg yield naturally varies from patient to patient, and higher numbers don’t automatically mean higher success. What matters most is how many of those eggs are mature and capable of fertilizing.

Egg retrieval is just the first step in a long funnel. Not every egg retrieved is mature, not every mature egg fertilizes, and not every fertilized egg becomes a blastocyst. A typical example might look like this:

12 eggs retrieved → 10 mature eggs → 8 successfully fertilize → 3 to 5 reach blastocyst stage

It’s also important to remember that more eggs isn’t always better. Very high egg counts can increase the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and doctors often aim for a balanced response rather than pushing the ovaries too hard. Research published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology in 2020 shows that optimal cumulative live birth rates level off once you reach the mid-teens for egg numbers, which means quality often matters more than simply getting as many eggs as possible.

If your retrieval number was lower or higher than expected, it doesn’t predict your final outcome. Egg yield depends on many factors, including age, ovarian reserve, AMH and AFC results, underlying diagnoses, and how your body responds to medication. Your clinic can help interpret what your specific numbers mean for fertilization, blastocyst development, and next steps in your treatment plan.

Percentage of blastocysts that are genetically normal by age

The percentage of blastocysts that are genetically normal, or euploid, depends heavily on age. As eggs get older, the risk of chromosomal errors increases, which affects how many embryos are capable of becoming healthy pregnancies. According to data published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online in 2021, euploid rates drop gradually but predictably with age.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what many fertility clinics see:

• Under 35: About 50 to 60% of blastocysts are euploid.
• Ages 35 to 37: Roughly 40 to 50% test normal.
• Ages 38 to 40: About 30 to 40% are chromosomally normal.
• Ages 40 to 42: Typically, 20 to 30% are euploid.
• Over 42: Often 10 to 20% or even fewer, depending on ovarian reserve and overall egg quality.

These percentages come from large datasets of embryos tested with PGT-A, a screening method that examines whether a blastocyst has the correct number of chromosomes. PGT-A doesn’t improve embryo quality, but it does help identify which embryos are most likely to implant, progress normally, and result in a healthy pregnancy.

This is also why so many patients need multiple embryos to achieve one live birth. If, for example, only one out of every three embryos is genetically normal for your age group, having several blastocysts gives you more chances for a successful transfer. It’s not about perfection; it’s about probability.

Understanding these numbers can feel overwhelming, but they’re meant to offer clarity, not discouragement. A single euploid embryo can absolutely become a healthy baby, and your clinic can help you understand how your results fit into the bigger picture of your treatment plan.

How many embryos make it to day 5? The drop-off reality

Most people find that only a portion of their embryos make it to day 5, and while that drop off can feel shocking the first time you see it, it’s actually how human reproduction works. Even in the best labs, with excellent eggs and sperm, embryos naturally fall away at each stage. Not every embryo is genetically or structurally capable of continuing to grow.

Here’s what the journey often looks like:

• Fertilization: About 70 to 80% of mature eggs fertilize normally.
• Cleavage stage (day 2 to day 3): Of those fertilized eggs, about 50 to 60% continue dividing and reach day 3.
• Blastocyst stage (day 5 to day 6): From the embryos that make it to day 3, roughly 60 to 70% will progress to blastocyst.

When you connect the dots, this means that around 30 to 50% of fertilized eggs typically make it to day 5 or 6. These numbers vary by age, diagnosis, and the specifics of each IVF cycle, but the overall pattern is universal: the embryo count drops as development becomes more complex.

This drop off is emotionally tough, and it’s completely valid if seeing embryos disappear from your chart feels like a gut punch. What’s happening, though, isn’t failure. It’s biology sorting out which embryos were capable of becoming healthy pregnancies. Many embryos that arrest early were never viable, even if they looked perfect at the start.

Every IVF lab in the world sees this same decline. You’re not alone in it, and your numbers don’t say anything about your worth or the strength of your hope. One strong day 5 embryo can still be enough.

IVF is not one-size-fits-all

Now that you know more about fertilization, embryos, and blastocysts, there are a few things to think about:

• The age and quality of the eggs and sperm you’ll be using.
• Genetic testing, such as pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), especially if you’re over 35.
• Finding a medical team and laboratory you trust and feel good about.
• Advocating for yourself! Ask questions and insist on transparency. You are the patient and deserve to be treated with patience, care, and respect.
• Asking questions about success rates, blastocyst development, and any other relevant information.
• There is no one-size-fits-all protocol in fertility treatments.

Understanding your personal blastocyst results

Understanding your blastocyst results can feel like stepping into a whole new language, but here’s the truth at the heart of it: your numbers are uniquely yours. They’re shaped by your age, diagnosis, egg and sperm quality, and the biology you bring into every cycle. There’s no magic number to hit, and no universal “good” or “bad” outcome. Even people on the same meds, with the same retrieval count, can end up with totally different results, and that’s expected.

What actually matters is how those results fit into your story. If you got fewer blastocysts than you hoped for, it doesn’t mean your chances have disappeared. Fertility specialists often remind patients that quality matters far more than quantity, and one strong embryo can be enough to make a baby.

And yes, the emotions that come with these numbers are real. You might feel relief, sadness, pride, frustration, or all of them at once. IVF has a way of turning data into something deeply personal, and it’s okay if you need time to sit with it.

If anything feels confusing or heavy, bring it to your care team. Ask about fertilization patterns, grading, why certain embryos may have arrested, and what your numbers mean for your next steps. Getting clarity can make the whole process feel a little less like a mystery.

Above all, remember: lower numbers don’t mean you’re out. You’re not trying to collect as many embryos as possible. You’re trying to meet the one that’s meant to become your baby, and that path doesn’t look the same for anyone.

What happens in the embryology lab

The embryology lab is where the real magic of IVF happens. Once your eggs are retrieved, the lab team takes over, creating the environment your embryos need to fertilize, divide, and hopefully make it to blastocyst. According to research published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online in 2020, early embryo development is highly sensitive to factors like temperature, oxygen levels, and nutrient balance, which is why lab conditions can influence success rates in meaningful ways.

Modern labs use tightly controlled incubators to mimic the body’s natural environment. Some also use time-lapse incubation technology, which allows embryologists to monitor embryos continuously without removing them from the incubator. Another study published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online in 2010 showed that reducing how often embryos are exposed to the external environment can support healthier development, because stability is everything at this stage.

While it may seem like it’s “behind the scenes,” the embryology lab where fertilization and embryo development occur is an essential consideration for IVF success.

Each lab has different protocols for how they culture embryos and how often they expose them to external conditions. According to Dr. Chung, the lab conditions, including embryo media and temperature control, can impact the rate at which embryos develop into blastocysts up to 10%.

According to Dr. Chung, other questions to ask of the lab include:

• How are they culturing the embryos?
• What temperature are they kept at?
• How strictly do they adhere to the protocols?
• How consistent are they?

While the ultimate goal is, of course, to help patients get as many blastocysts as possible, there is no set standard on how a lab grows embryos. However, experts like Dr. Chung find that embryos cultured in a controlled environment without frequent checks, mimicking the uterine environment, have higher success rates in making it to the blastocyst stage.

In other words, not all labs have optimal blastocyst success rates, so it’s crucial to consider this when looking for the right fertility clinic for you.

Your IVF stimulation protocol

Your stimulation protocol plays a major role in how many mature eggs you produce and, ultimately, how many embryos have a chance of reaching blastocyst. Because only mature eggs can fertilize and develop normally, the medications and timing your doctor chooses directly influence your downstream numbers. According to a study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproductive and Genetics in 2006, optimizing stimulation is one of the clearest ways to support better outcomes, since egg maturity strongly predicts fertilization rates and embryo development.

Dr. Chung reminds us that the stimulation protocol your fertility specialist recommends is also essential to IVF success, as it influences the quantity and quality of eggs retrieved.

From medication dosages to the timing of the “trigger shot,” no protocol should be exactly the same, just as no person or pregnancy is the same. Your IVF protocol should be completely personalized to you.

For some patients, the first cycle reveals valuable information about ovarian response. Maybe you needed a different dose of gonadotropins, a different trigger medication to improve maturation rates, or a slower stimulation pace to support egg quality. It’s common for fertility specialists to adjust the protocol in future cycles based on what they learned the first time. Tailoring protocols across cycles can improve the number of mature eggs retrieved and support more consistent embryo development.

You're not alone in this journey

Infertility is challenging and emotional, but there are resources and people in your corner. The fertilization process, embryo development, and reaching the blastocyst stage are intricate and not always guaranteed. Only a fraction of harvested eggs reach the blastocyst stage, and even fewer possess the correct number of chromosomes to become a baby.

However, the knowledge of contributing factors, such as the laboratory where the embryos are cultivated, the protocols followed by the clinic, the expertise of the medical professionals, egg and sperm quality, and how embryo development works, will help you navigate the process.

The more we discuss infertility, the more questions we can answer, for others and for ourselves. The road we walk begins to have more landmarks and direction signs. We start to see friendly faces, where perhaps there were once only scary shapes and lonely vistas.

Not every egg makes it to blastocyst. But whatever your journey through infertility, help is available to help you.