Well, when I am not preparing for my tuition or spending time with hubby and family members, I am fretting over the little of things. Today is 1 day after Retrieval and since I came back from my in laws place (actually after I had taken my very long nap), I was asking Dr Google many many questions. He has been helpful with the answers. However, with his answers I have more questions. This is truly getting ridiculous. I must get my life back. I can't let what is not beyond my control, control my life. I am sure Allah has His plans. If it is our time to be parents, Insya Allah (God's Willing) we will have a fruitful Monday and a successful transfer. This will be my last post till Monday. No more fretting and no more googling.
So what happens to my eggs if/after they are fertilized?
Approximately 6 hours after egg retrieval, fertilization is accomplished by placing a small concentration of sperm onto each egg, or by ICSI (where a single sperm is injected into an egg.)
Approximately 18 hours after retrieval (the day after egg retrieval) we will evaluate fertilization of the eggs. Normally, fertilized eggs will have two pronuclei.
Zygotes are fertilized eggs. It has two pronuclei. One pronucleus is a packet containing half of the mother’s DNA. The other pronucleus contains half of the father’s DNA. This genetic material will unite to form the full complement of genetic material that will make an embryo. If fertilization takes place ( I am praying and hoping it does), this is where my eggs are currently at now. A ZYGOTE!!! The closest I have been to being pregnant.
The embryos are cultured (or grown) in incubators with an environment designed to mimic the human fallopian tube. A careful balance of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nutrients are maintained at the correct pH (acid content) to promote embryo growth.
Only normally fertilized eggs are kept in culture. Not all embryos will grow in culture. Some of them will be genetically abnormal. Others cease to grow for unknown reasons. Embryos destined to result in pregnancy will progress through several well defined stages including zygote, cleavage and blastocyst stages.
Cleavage stage embryos are those which are dividing into progressively smaller cells. Two days after fertilization, normal embryos are between 2 and 6 cells. Three days after fertilization, most normal embryos are between 7 and 9 cells.
On the second, third and fifth day after retrieval, the embryologist will evaluate the embryos and grade them. Day 2 and 3 embryos are evaluated on a 1-5 scale, with 1 being the highest grade. Embryos which lag behind in development, those with fragmentation, or those with other abnormalities are given lower grades. A low grade doesn’t necessarily mean the embryo is genetically abnormal. Normal pregnancies may result from low grade embryos; however, embryos with higher grades more frequently result in pregnancy.
Grade 1-2 embryos have a 20-35% implantation rate, depending on the age of the woman. Shall leave a picture of the various stages of the embryo. I am praying and hoping things are going well in the lab.
"Ya Allah pls listen to my prayers and answer them. Pls keep my embryos safe. Pls ensure that they keep growing healthily. Pls let my dreams come true."
So what happens to my eggs if/after they are fertilized?
Approximately 6 hours after egg retrieval, fertilization is accomplished by placing a small concentration of sperm onto each egg, or by ICSI (where a single sperm is injected into an egg.)
Approximately 18 hours after retrieval (the day after egg retrieval) we will evaluate fertilization of the eggs. Normally, fertilized eggs will have two pronuclei.
Zygotes are fertilized eggs. It has two pronuclei. One pronucleus is a packet containing half of the mother’s DNA. The other pronucleus contains half of the father’s DNA. This genetic material will unite to form the full complement of genetic material that will make an embryo. If fertilization takes place ( I am praying and hoping it does), this is where my eggs are currently at now. A ZYGOTE!!! The closest I have been to being pregnant.
The embryos are cultured (or grown) in incubators with an environment designed to mimic the human fallopian tube. A careful balance of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nutrients are maintained at the correct pH (acid content) to promote embryo growth.
Only normally fertilized eggs are kept in culture. Not all embryos will grow in culture. Some of them will be genetically abnormal. Others cease to grow for unknown reasons. Embryos destined to result in pregnancy will progress through several well defined stages including zygote, cleavage and blastocyst stages.
Cleavage stage embryos are those which are dividing into progressively smaller cells. Two days after fertilization, normal embryos are between 2 and 6 cells. Three days after fertilization, most normal embryos are between 7 and 9 cells.
On the second, third and fifth day after retrieval, the embryologist will evaluate the embryos and grade them. Day 2 and 3 embryos are evaluated on a 1-5 scale, with 1 being the highest grade. Embryos which lag behind in development, those with fragmentation, or those with other abnormalities are given lower grades. A low grade doesn’t necessarily mean the embryo is genetically abnormal. Normal pregnancies may result from low grade embryos; however, embryos with higher grades more frequently result in pregnancy.
Grade 1-2 embryos have a 20-35% implantation rate, depending on the age of the woman. Shall leave a picture of the various stages of the embryo. I am praying and hoping things are going well in the lab.
"Ya Allah pls listen to my prayers and answer them. Pls keep my embryos safe. Pls ensure that they keep growing healthily. Pls let my dreams come true."
