A low-grade 5CB euploid embryo led to a healthy pregnancy and much-wanted baby, following diminished ovarian reserve, three IVF cycles, and three early losses.
⚠️ These stories are personal experiences, not medical advice or scientific evidence. Success stories are more likely to be shared than unsuccessful ones, so they should not be interpreted as proof that a treatment works. Always discuss treatment decisions with your doctor.
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📊 Story Snapshot
👩 Age: 33📆 Years trying: 2
🧬 Embryo: Day 6 5CB, euploid
🧪 Retrievals: 3
🐣 Transfers: 1
💊 Diagnosis: Diminished ovarian reserve
📈 Outcome: Pregnant
After being diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve at age 33 and 3 early losses (one ectopic), we embraced the IVF route.
Each of the 3 rounds of IVF resulted in only 2 blasts. Out of the 6 embryos, 2 remained untested (day 5 4AA, day 6 4BA), while the remaining 4 underwent testing, revealing only one euploid — a day 6 5CB.
Needless to say, I wasn’t left with much hope as I had read the studies that indicate day 6s don’t do as well, and similarly that poor grades aren’t as successful as good graded euploid embryos. With the combo I didn’t feel confident going into our transfer. Our doctor supported our choice to try the known euploid vs. one of our untested higher grades.
The first few days after the transfer I cried and cried, as I just felt in my gut it hadn’t worked, and I mentally prepared for disappointment. However, on day 4 post transfer (dpt) I saw a very faint line on a test. At 7 dpt my blood test confirmed hcg at 33 which then increased to 122, 369, to 1400 every couple days – promising numbers.
Every milestone along the way I felt a small sigh of relief, but after 2 years of infertility and multiple losses it has been very difficult mentally to believe things are working out. I feel some guilt for not believing in this baby when she has beat the odds and is doing so well.
It feels so meant to be that we chose the “poor” euploid over the “perfect” untested embryos we have. She is meant to be ours and I am just so grateful. Every day feels like a blessing that we are here and I hope that this story gives hope and inspires those who are struggling, have DOR, and/or low graded embryos. These seemingly less than ideal little embryos can make beautiful, resilient little humans.
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Want to learn more about poor quality embryos? Check out my guide on poor quality embryo success rates.
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