Learn about the stages of embryo development before undergoing IVF
When patients decide to start or grow their families using in vitro fertilization (IVF), they often have questions about the stages of embryo development. They want to know what happens to their IVF embryos as they grow in the lab and eventually in the womb. Our Las Vegas fertility specialists are here to answer this question. Read on for an overview of the developmental stages of embryos.
What are the stages of embryo development?
A sperm and an egg must come together to form an embryo. This is true regardless of whether it happens in the IVF lab or in a woman’s body. This fertilized egg, also known as a zygote, contains just a few cells. However, it will eventually become what we call an embryo.
The next step of the journey is blastocyst development. Around three days after fertilization, the zygote will have about six to 10 cells. By the fifth or sixth day, the zygote becomes a blastocyst with about 60 to 100 cells.
This rapidly dividing group of cells develops the inner cell mass, which will become different specialized cells within the embryo. It also creates an outer cell mass, or zona pellucida, that will become the placenta.
One of the most important stages of embryo development comes next in the form of implantation. During this time, one of our Las Vegas fertility specialists will transfer one of the IVF embryos at the blastocyst stage. The hope is that the embryo will implant in the uterine lining and begin to grow and develop there.
About two weeks after the embryo transfer, our team will have the patient take a pregnancy test at our clinic. If the result is positive, we will continue to monitor the patient for the next 10 weeks of her pregnancy. From there, she graduates to the care of her obstetrician.
Learn how we can help you achieve your family-building goals
Our Las Vegas fertility specialists do more than help hopeful parents understand the stages of embryo development. They also help make parenthood possible. Contact us to schedule an appointment and learn how FCLV can help you bring home a healthy baby.
