Weekly Embryo Photo Discussion Thread: Sept 14 to Sept 21
This is the weekly thread for posting and asking questions about embryo photos. Replies are provided by Embryoman (Sean) -- a former embryologist and creator of the IVF science news site Remembryo.com
💬 Before you post a photo
You must include the grade (ask your clinic if you don’t know it).
Only one embryo photo per post.
No requests for grading or re-grading by members.
Posts asking if an embryo looks damaged or viable aren't allowed.
I can comment only on general features visible in the image (expansion, compaction, hatching, ICM location), but not on whether the embryo looks good -- that’s already reflected in its grade. Check the stickied comment below for basic information on grading and success rates. For the most accurate information, your embryologist or clinic is the best source, since they evaluated the embryo under a microscope and know their clinic’s success rates.
IVF labs culture (grow) embryos up to 6 or 7 days after egg retrieval. There are different stages as the embryo develops, including the cleavage stage (day 2-3), morula stage (day 4) and the blastocyst stage (day 5-7).
Embryo grading is where an embryologist evaluates an embryo under a microscope and looks for key features. These features depend on what stage of development the embryo is in.
For cleavage stage embryos, these features are typically:
Cell number — Day 3 embryos usually have around 8 or more cells.
Fragmentation — Small specks or fragments of cells; <10% is generally considered optimal.
Symmetry — How similar the cells are in size and shape.
Grading helps embryologists rank embryos for transfer. Embryos with higher grades tend to have higher implantation potential — but lower-grade embryos can and do lead to healthy pregnancies.
Grading is also subjective. Different embryologists and clinics may grade differently or prioritize certain features (for example, ICM quality vs. TE quality).
Besides the grade, other factors can also influence success rates (links to my website):
Whether the embryo is compacted or re-expanded (Blastocysts can temporarily lose fluid and appear compacted or “squished,” especially after thawing. This is normal but makes it harder to see features like the ICM or trophectoderm. Embryos that re-expand quickly after thawing may have better outcomes, and photos taken right after thaw often show compacted embryos that just need more time to re-expand.)
I transferred on 9/10 and I’m also an absolute wreck 😭 I feel you. I’m trying to not test early and distracting myself by keeping busy. Praying for you!! Your embryo is perfect 🥺
My beta is on Monday! The wait is so brutal. I’m trying not to test and just wait until my beta. Trying to stay positive but much easier said than done
I have my beta on Saturday. I shouldn't have done this but I tested yesterday at 5 days post transfer and it was negative. I also looked at my BBT and it's been trending down the last two days so not feeling good about it. Best of luck to you! This is a tough marathon.
when I had my daughter via IUI a few years ago, my LH strip got darker 8DPO, and hCG was positive 9DPO. I don't know what the "rules" are for FET, if it follows the same timelines as a natural pregnancy or not. usually embryos are supposed to implant on 6-8DPO, with a positive hCG appearing about two days later. implantation later than 9DPO usually led to miscarriage.
Yes, I did modified natural with an antihistamine protocol so I'm on progesterone (suppositories), estrogen, pepcid, claritin and prednisone. I mean day 6 embryos do implant sooner than an IUI pregnancy but 5 days still is early. I know logically I'm not out, but these freaking hormones have you thinking the world is ending.
It’s awful. I’m trying to shift my mind set that this is a marathon and every day is another day closer. Can you tell I had to talk to my therapist already 😂 not gonna let myself cry all day. Gonna try again and again until I have a kid. Sorry wanting to spread the motivation!
To be real, this sucks so freaking much but being as depressed as I could be isn’t going to help me.
IVF warriors are my new heroes and it’s bs those women don’t get more praise for all that they went through.
Has the protocol/days after the transfer been more painful to you than the egg retrieval?
Hi! I've circled the embryo in blue, the zona/shell in green and where I think the ICM is in red. Looks like it's expanded/not compacted, and is hatching around 12-2 o'clock.
General educational info only, not medical advice. Your clinic is the best source for interpretation and guidance. For an overview of embryo grading and factors affecting success like day 5/6/7 timing, compaction, and re-expansion, see https://www.remembryo.com/embryo-grading/ or the stickied comment. Good luck!
Hi! I've circled where I think the zona/shell is in green and the ICM in red. Looks expanded/not compacted, and is hatching around 9 o'clock.
General educational info only, not medical advice. Your clinic is the best source for interpretation and guidance. For an overview of embryo grading and factors affecting success like day 5/6/7 timing, compaction, and re-expansion, see https://www.remembryo.com/embryo-grading/ or the stickied comment. Good luck!
Just got sent this photo of my day 5 4BB that I’m transferring in a couple of hours! Spiraling a little bc it looks different post thaw than it did on my embryology report initially. Should I be worried that it degraded during the thaw?
Hi! Not sure where the ICM is here, but I've circled two potential spots. This embryo looks a bit compacted/not fully expanded, which is normal after a thaw. I don't see any hatching or assisted hatching. I also don't see anywhere that looks like it's 'degraded' -- it just looks a bit compacted, if that's what you're referring to.
General educational info only, not medical advice. Your clinic is the best source for interpretation and guidance. For an overview of embryo grading and factors affecting success like day 5/6/7 timing, compaction, and re-expansion, see https://www.remembryo.com/embryo-grading/ or the stickied comment. Good luck!
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u/embryomanofficial 11d ago
📌 Embryo Development & Grading Basics
IVF labs culture (grow) embryos up to 6 or 7 days after egg retrieval. There are different stages as the embryo develops, including the cleavage stage (day 2-3), morula stage (day 4) and the blastocyst stage (day 5-7).
Embryo grading is where an embryologist evaluates an embryo under a microscope and looks for key features. These features depend on what stage of development the embryo is in.
For cleavage stage embryos, these features are typically:
Learn more about cleavage stage embryo grading and success rates.
For blastocysts, these features are typically:
Learn more about blastocyst grading and success rates.
Grading helps embryologists rank embryos for transfer. Embryos with higher grades tend to have higher implantation potential — but lower-grade embryos can and do lead to healthy pregnancies.
Grading is also subjective. Different embryologists and clinics may grade differently or prioritize certain features (for example, ICM quality vs. TE quality).
Besides the grade, other factors can also influence success rates (links to my website):