Blastocyst- An embryo known as a blastocyst has two different cell types and a sizable, central chamber filled with fluid. By day 5 or 6 after fertilisation, most embryos with the capacity to develop into blastocysts have already done so.

The inner cell mass, which is made up of the cells at the centre of the blastocyst, will implant to become the foetus. The trophectoderm, which will eventually give rise to the placenta, is formed by the single layer of cells that surrounds the blastocyst.

Blastocyst culture- Until recently, it was challenging to culture embryos to the blastocyst stage. As a result of scientific advancements, culture medium have been created that imitate the changing conditions of the reproductive system and are tailored to the specific needs of the embryo as it passes through the fallopian tubes. In a laboratory setting, 65% of embryos successfully develop to the blastocyst stage.

Advantages of blastocyst culture-

An embryo's appearance cannot dependably foretell blastocyst formation or implantation potential. It can be quite challenging to decide which embryos, when we have several, have the best chance of developing into a healthy pregnancy early on in the embryonic process. By holding the embryos in the lab until day 5, when they start to develop into blastocysts, any variations between them can become more obvious. Therefore, when there are a variety of embryos to choose from, blastocyst culture enables the embryology team to identify the best embryos for transfer.

Up to 60% of each blastocyst has the potential to implant. A healthy singleton pregnancy is more likely with the ability to transfer a single blastocyst with a high implantation rate, and multiple births with their accompanying dangers are less common.

The majority of embryo transfers in the past took place on days two or three. In any event, the majority of excellent clinics have moved on to routinely performing day five (blastocyst) transfers. Tragically, many IVF clinics in India still transfer embryos on the second or third day because this is not yet the common option. This is primarily due to their lack of high confidence in the capabilities of their research centre; and their embryologist's ability to cultivate eggs up to day five. They justify this by telling the patient that it's preferable for the embryo to hatch inside the uterus earlier, which is why they lean toward transferring the embryo into the uterus. However, there are a lot of disadvantages to this, therefore you should request that your doctor perform a blastocyst transfer on your behalf.

When compared to Day 2 or Day 3 transfer, blastocysts have a higher possibility of implanting, hence the success percentage is higher with blastocyst transfer. They are more likely since they are more developed and have more cells. When compared to transferring three or four Day 3 embryos, the specialist can reduce the number of embryos to be transferred and exchange only a few blastocysts while still having a high pregnancy rate.

Additionally, since the expert is only exchanging 1–2 blastocysts, you can freeze the extra blastocysts, giving you the chance to complete multiple cycles in the future. In light of the fact that the overall pregnancy rate is increasing, this makes it more useful.

The final and most important reason to request a blastocyst transfer is that you won't have to endure the scary 2-week wait during which you won't know whether you will become pregnant or not if you have poor quality embryos. Therefore, if the IVF cycle fails after exchanging Day 3 embryos, it is impossible to determine if the problem was that the foetus did not develop further or whether there was some other reason why the implantation failed. Even more so, you're uncertain as to whether your embryo will live for five days or not.

This is especially true for older women with fewer eggs. Such women are more likely to experience a failed IVF because their embryos are more likely to halt and not develop into blastocysts. Many of the embryos can be genetically abnormal.

These are the patients who might benefit most greatly from a blastocyst transfer. However, because they typically have poor ovarian response, the doctor is reluctant to develop the embryos all the way to the blastocyst stage when just 3–4 eggs are collected. The patient will blame them if it doesn't work out.

For this reason, they would much rather transfer the embryos back into the uterus, where they could claim "implantation failure" if the cycle did not succeed.

However, following the embryo swap, the patient is duped into believing that "Amazingly, possibly this embryo may implant and grow into a baby," which is why they are so optimistic during the waiting period.

This misplaced hope causes pain. They believe that their uterus rejected the embryo at the time when the cycle ends prematurely, which is when they are persuaded to pursue surrogacy. This is terrible advice that is completely inaccurate because the problem is with the egg, not the uterus.

Kasturi develop new life stories by fusing cutting-edge technology, world-class research, and human understanding. Kasturi hold onto hope and persevere in the face of adversity, but we also hold fast to honesty and reasonable expectations. There aren't any empty promises or assembly-line mentalities here; just a thoughtful, knowledgeable approach to getting the greatest result.

Kasturi wants to show you the quickest route to the most joy. We'll help you every step of the way as we lead you down your own special route.

DO’S

• Get enough rest. To be calm and relaxed, you should get at least 8 hours of sleep at night and 2 hours during the day.
• Follow a wholesome, well-balanced diet that is high in proteins and iron and that you can tolerate and like. Make sure you're getting all the macro- and micronutrients your body needs while pregnant.
•  It's crucial to pay attention to your doctor, heed all of their advice, and take your prescriptions on schedule, as directed.
• Keep yourself hydrated. Every day, consume at least 3 to 4 litres of water as well as other liquids like milk, juice, and coconut water.
• It's crucial to maintain your mental health. Try to keep yourself cheerful and active, if only in daily activities, since this will release endorphins that will help you stay calm and happy. Spend time with your spouse and the family members who provide you comfort and happiness.

Dont’s

• Steer clear of excessive bed rest. The most widespread misconception is that if a person stays in bed for 24 hours without moving, the embryos will not fall off and will instead adhere to the uterine lining. It is merely a myth, though, as there hasn't been any evidence of a rise in implantation rates in women who slept more than was necessary. Deep vein thrombosis and excessive stress are two more issues linked to excessive bed rest and a sedentary lifestyle that are observed in such women.
• Remain calm. Stop worrying about the outcome of your IVF and stop bothering yourself with it. We are aware that the two weeks immediately following embryo transfer are the most challenging. It's equivalent to waiting for the outcome of the most significant exam of your life. You only need to maintain your composure and optimism. You can accomplish this by keeping yourself busy with your favourite hobbies and daily activities and avoiding the company of pessimists.
• Keep away from high heat. It has been observed that extreme heat can inhibit gametogenesis, as well as cause implantation failures, early abortions, and miscarriages. So it is recommended to stay away from saunas and hot tubs.
• Strictly refrain from using tobacco, alcohol, or both. Consumption of caffeine must also be moderate. Because some of the chemicals in these medications can cause early miscarriages and reduced implantation. Additionally, it may result in a few congenital abnormalities.
• Steer clear of hard lifting and rigorous exercise because they can raise intraabdominal pressure and result in miscarriage.
• 6. Other activities that should be avoided include excessive travel, hair colouring, swimming in filthy ponds, and consuming spicy and foreign cuisine. Additionally, it is advisable to refrain from sexual activity for at least the first few days following embryo transfer because it could prevent implantation.