What it means

Embryo grading is a way the lab describes how an embryo looks as it develops. It is based on visual features, such as how the cells are arranged and how the embryo is forming at a certain stage.

When it’s used

It’s used during IVF after fertilisation, especially when embryos reach the blastocyst stage. The grading helps decide which embryo may be selected for transfer or freezing.

Why people get confused

Many people think a higher grade means a guaranteed pregnancy. But grading is only based on appearance. It does not show everything about the embryo, and even lower-graded embryos can still lead to pregnancy.

Think of it this way

Embryo grading is like a snapshot of how the embryo looks at that moment. It gives some clues, but it doesn’t tell the full story of what will happen next.

What to expect

You may receive embryo grades as letters and numbers. These are used to compare embryos within the same cycle, but they are not a final answer. The outcome still depends on many factors beyond the grade.