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Birla Fertility & IVF
Birla Fertility & IVF

Blastocyst Culture

Blastocyst Culture at Birla Fertility & IVF

Blastocyst culture is when embryos are grown in a laboratory for a few days at which point they are referred to as blastocyst embryos. With advancements in the field of ART, we can culture the embryos for five to six days till they start to form two distinct layers. Allowing the embryos to grow to this blastocyst stage allows us to select and use embryos with the highest developmental potential.

Why Blastocyst Culture

Blastocyst culture is recommended in an IVF cycle if there is a need to perform a single embryo transfer to avoid multiple pregnancies. By increasing the duration of the embryo culture, the most viable embryo for transfer can be chosen. Excess healthy embryos can also be frozen to be used later (Egg Freezing)

Blastocyst Culture and Transfer

In this procedure, embryos from an IVF treatment are cultured in the laboratory till they form two distinct layers – an outer layer of trophectoderm/trophoblastic cells and the inner cell mass (ICM). This stage is known as the blastocyst stage. Not all embryos grow to the blastocyst stage and surviving blastocysts are graded based on the number of cells in the layers as well as growth rate.

The doctor will select the best embryo for transfer and/or freezing. The selected blastocyst is transferred into the uterus with a thin catheter under ultrasound guidance.

You will be asked to take a pregnancy test approximately 12 days after the transfer. During this time, it is recommended that you avoid physical exertion and heavy lifting. Excess blastocysts can be frozen and transferred later.

Experts Speak

A brief about
Blastocyst Culture

Dr. Prachi Benara

Fertility Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Blastocyst culture is not suitable for everyone. If low number of oocytes are retrieved for fertilisation resulting in fewer embryos, there is a risk of them not growing up to the blastocyst stage.

Single embryo transfers are done to avoid multiple pregnancies and the risks associated with it. In a single embryo transfer, the healthiest embryo is selected and is known to be just as effective as multiple embryo transfers.

Excess good-quality blastocysts can be frozen and used in a FET cycle (Frozen embryo transfer). Research indicates that success rates of FET with blastocyst is almost equal to a fresh embryo transfer cycle.

Patient Testimonials

Before coming to Birla Fertility & IVF, we had three failed fertility treatments. Because of this, we were in fear that even this effort might not be successful. But, doctors in Birla Fertility hospital were excellent. They made all our tests run very smoothly. Every step was explained well by the team. The lab team was very cooperative during our blastocyst culture. Now, we are pregnant! Thank you, Birla Fertility & IVF!

Aastha and Kapil

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