Microscopic Image of a Blastocyst Stage Embryo Hatching on its Own

After the egg retrieval, embryos are generally placed in the uterus between 2-6 days later. Embryos that grow to a more advanced stage (Day 5-6, Blastocyst Stage) may have improved pregnancy rates. You should ask your physician if you are a good candidate or if you would benefit from culturing (growing) embryos to the blastocyst stage.

Not all couples will produce blastocyst embryos. Just because an embryo grows well to the blastocyst stage does not guarantee it will produce a viable pregnancy. Many good embryos which produce a healthy pregnancy are transferred prior to this stage. The decision to grow embryos to the blastocyst stage is carefully considered on an individual basis.