WHAT ARE THE STEPS OF A BLASTOCYST TRANSFER ROUTINE?
The steps involved in a blastocyst transfer mirror those of an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) routine. The only difference between a blastocyst transfer and a typical IVF procedure is the age of the embryo at implantation. In the latter, an embryo is about four days old, whereas a blastocyst transfer entails the ageing of an embryo to six days.
1. EGG COLLECTION
Egg collection is a painless, plain-sailing routine that doesn't usually last longer than half an hour. The procedure involves the retrieval of eggs from mature follicles, using a device known as a scan probe.
2. FERTILISATION
3. EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT
The embryos created during fertilisation are preserved in a laboratory incubator until they reach the blastocyst stage. By crossing the six-day mark in an incubator, these embryos are more likely to withstand and thrive in a uterine environment. Only the healthiest blastocysts are implanted into the uterus, with the ones left over being cryopreserved for the future.
4. EMBRYO TRANSFER
When an embryo reaches the six-day threshold, it is called a blastocyst. It is an ideal time for the blastocyst to make an appearance in the uterus at this stage. It is now strong enough to weather the uterine environment, and an embryologist carefully places the healthiest blastocyst inside the uterus. On Cloudnine, our ethos is deep-seated in safety and well-being, and we believe in promoting safe, healthy pregnancies. Thus, we transfer a maximum of two blastocysts in any one IVF cycle.
5. PREGNANCY
About two weeks after your IVF procedure, you will be invited in to take a pregnancy test to gauge the success of the blastocyst transfer. An ultrasound scan will follow once you're six weeks into your maternity journey. This time, we'll check for a tiny heartbeat.
6. FOLLOW-UPS
If your blastocyst transfer has been fruitful, it's always a good idea to be thorough with your follow-ups. Being regular could ward off potential complications. Sometimes, procedures that don't pan out favourably can be emotionally taxing for hopeful parents. On Cloudnine, we reach out to couples that have experienced up to three unsuccessful IVF cycles, through individual counselling sessions. These complimentary consultations offer relief and support during such difficult times and present a range of alternative fertility options that can be pursued.
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