Grade 5 Eggs

31 with blocked fallopian tubes. Did first IVF at Queen Mary Hospital with Dr. PC Ho. Did spray and injections as was told. On the day of the embryo transfer, I was terribly shocked to hear that out of the 10 eggs that were retrieved, two were of grade 5 quality (normal grading is between 1 and 4) and the rest could not be used. The doc commented that in normal circumstances, they will not use grade 5 eggs at all, but I had nothing better so we still went ahead with the embryo transfer. This is my 8th day since the transfer I feel stressed, worried about NOT getting pregnant. And I feel even more stressed worried about GETTING PREGNANT because the doc and nurses classified my eggs as 'abnormal', worried about miscarriage or there'd be really something 'abnormal' with the fetus. Has anyone had successful pregnancies with bad quality eggs? Please share your story.

I am sorry to hear about the egg quality, Melissa. I don't have any first hand success stories for you, but all the docs I have been to in New York and here with Dr. Philip Ho, have assured me that grade of the eggs has little bearing on the 'normal' development of the fetus. It does get progressively harder for implantation. This is a stressful time in any case, try to distract yourself with other stuff as much as you can. Good Luck!

Hi Melissa HK and joyce_f

Dont get too worried just yet. The worse situation is when the ovaries hardly produce any eggs at all. And actually, its difficult to accurately assess egg quality. Its much easier to assess embryo quality, and the number of good quality embryos is more important than the actual total number of eggs or embryos. Also, the response to treatment in one cycle can be much different in another. If the eggs aren't good one time, it doesn't mean they'll always be bad quality. So it may or may not mean that you'll pregnant first time, but even if not, you can still have your chance. Any yes, 788 is right, the look of the eggs and embryos doesn't mean an abnormality for the baby, so don't worry from that point of view.

Thanks for the support 788, joyce_f and cch. Knowing that the quality of the eggs has nothing to do with the fetus, I'm just glad I'm passing each day without getting my period yet. My doc didn't say I'm a 'poor responder' but he did say it is very unusual for women at such a young age (31) to get such poor quality eggs! My next appointment is on the 27th so will see what he has to say then. Meanwhile, I'm reading the book 'Zita West's Guide to Getting Pregnant', lots of tips, success stories and the do's and dont's neither my doctor nor nurses ever mentioned throught the IVP process. Good luck to everyone!

Hi Melissa HK. Did they try to establish your ovarian reserve before starting you out on the drug treatment by either ultrasound or blood test? Also, perhaps the particular drug protocol you were on didn't suit you?


After my IVF egg collection my eggs weren't even graded and I don't think the lab I used ever 'grades' eggs. I was just told that they looked good and this was due, at least in part, to the fact that the doctor had tried a new drug combination and it seemed to be successful. I was monitored every few days so they could see what was happening with my ovaries and adjust the dosage accordingly.


I agree with 'cch'. The main thing was embryo quality... but even then my fresh IVF cycle ultimately failed using my 'best' embryos whereas I got pregnant on the following frozen embryo transfer using embryos that were worse quality and statistically had less chance because they'd been frozen. Certainly I would say to anyone going through IVF to do all you can through diet, exercise, lifestyle but sometimes you've just got to toss a coin and see which side it lands.


I hope it works out for you this time, but if not it might be worth going to see another Doctor to get a second opinion on egg quality and drug protocols. I also heard that eating lots of protein and easing up on exercise during the stimulation phase helps the eggs to develop better.


Good luck!