Embryo Grading: How It’s Done and What It Means for Your IVF Journey

When you begin your IVF journey with Newlife IVF Greece, you’re taking a big step toward building your family. Along the way, you’ll encounter new terms and concepts—one of the most important being embryo grading. But what exactly does embryo grading mean, and why does it matter for your treatment? Let’s explore this together.

What Is Embryo Grading?

Embryo grading is a careful process used by our expert embryologists to assess the quality and development of embryos created during IVF treatment. This helps us select the embryos with the highest potential for successful implantation and a healthy pregnancy.

How Is Embryo Grading Performed?

At Newlife IVF Greece, we use the latest scientific standards to evaluate embryos at different stages:

Day 3 Embryo Grading (Cleavage Stage)

On the third day after fertilisation, embryos are made up of several cells. Our embryologists look at:

• Cell Number: Ideally, a Day 3 embryo has between 6 and 10 cells.
• Cell Uniformity: Are the cells even in size and shape?
• Fragmentation: This refers to tiny fragments or debris within the embryo. Less fragmentation is a positive sign.

Day 5 Embryo Grading (Blastocyst Stage)

By Day 5, embryos reach the blastocyst stage, which is the final more advanced stage. Here, we assess:

• Expansion: How much the blastocyst has grown and expanded.
• Inner Cell Mass (ICM): The group of cells that will become the embryo.
• Trophectoderm (TE): The layer of cells that will form the placenta.
  Each of these factors is graded, helping us choose the best embryo for transfer.

What Do the Grades Mean?

It’s natural to focus on embryo grades, but remember: grading is just one part of your IVF story. A higher grade usually means a better chance of implantation, but many healthy pregnancies result from embryos that weren’t graded as “perfect.” Every patient’s journey is unique, and our team will guide you through every step.

Why Is Embryo Grading Important?

Embryo grading helps us:

• Select the best embryos for transfer
• Decide which embryos to freeze for future use
• Increase your chances of IVF success
  At Newlife IVF Greece, our goal is to give you the highest possible chance of a healthy pregnancy while providing personalised care.

Supporting You Every Step of the Way

We know that IVF can feel overwhelming, especially with so much new information. Our team is here to answer your questions, explain each step, and support you throughout your fertility journey.
If you’d like to learn more about embryo grading or any part of the IVF process, please contact us or book a free consultation. At Newlife IVF Greece, your dream of starting or growing your family is our priority.