When undergoing an IVF cycle, not all embryos develop at the same pace.

While slower development can sometimes be a cause for concern, it’s important to understand that not all slow-growing embryos are destined to fail.

Once your embryos are developed, we can help you find a surrogate. Contact us today to start your journey.

In this article, we’ll explore the factors that contribute to slower embryo growth, whether these embryos can catch up, and what it means for the success of your IVF journey.

If none or few embryos become viable for transfer, read more about your next steps.

Can Slow Growing Embryos Catch Up?

Yes, a slow growing embryo can catch up. Embryo growth is typically assessed at day 3 and day 5 (blastocyst) of development during an IVF cycle.

Embryos developing slowly at day 3 have the potential to grow and reach full blastocyst development, especially with additional time to culture in the lab.

A slow growing embryo can be associated with less than ideal treatment outcomes, but most clinics will still freeze them for later use.

Read more about success rates of day 3 embryos.

How Many Cells Should a Day 3 Embryo Have?

On day 3, embryos typically should have divided into at least 6-8 cells. If the embryo has the appropriate number of cells and is dividing normally, it is considered to have a higher chance of progressing to the next stage—the blastocyst stage.

If it has fewer cells, it may be categorized as a slow-growing embryo.  

However, embryos with fewer than 6 cells, such as those with 3, 4 or 5 cells, can still have the potential to develop into a healthy pregnancy.

Can a 3 Cell Day 3 Embryo Catch Up?

Yes, a 3 cell day 3 embryo can catch up. Although 6-8 cells are the average number by day three, embryos with as few as 3-6 cells can still develop into a healthy fetus.

Can a 4 Cell Day 3 Embryo Catch Up?

Yes, a 4 cell, day 3 slow growing embryo can catch up. Although the chances of success are lower than a faster growing embryo, additional time to culture can allow it to catch up developmentally.

Can a 5 Cell Day 3 Embryo Catch Up?

The number of cells is a good indicator of its chance to develop into a healthy pregnancy. An embryo with five cells can catch up.

Can a 6 Cell Day 3 Embryo Catch Up?

Yes, a six cell day three embryo can catch up development wise. With 6-8 cells being the average number of cells by day three, it’s well within the range to “catch up.”

How Many Day 3 Embryos Make It to Day 5?

On average, 30-50% of day 3 embryos make it to the blastocyst stage on Day 5. This number can vary depending on various factors like embryo quality, age, and laboratory conditions.

What Are the Reasons for Slow Growing Embryos?

Slow growing embryos can occur for a number of different reasons such as:

• Egg Quality: Age directly impacts the quality and quantity of eggs. Issues with ovarian stimulation or mitochondrial dysfunction can also impact the energy that fuels normal embryo development.
• Underlying Health Conditions: This could range from the intended mother having polycystic ovary syndrome, leading to egg that don’t develop normally, or lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity, stress and more that can affect the quality of gametes and therefore development.
• Sperm Quality: Poor sperm motility contributes to impaired fertilization and early development. Damage to the DNA in the sperm can result in slower growth for embryos too. 
• Embryo Culture Environment: Your choice of professional directly impacts your journey. A laboratory with variations in different aspects like temperature, oxygen concentration and more can impact embryo growth negatively.
• Genetic Abnormalities: An incorrect number of chromosomes after dividing abnormally or genetic mutations that impact the cellular processes around normal development, genetic abnormalities can result in slow-growing embryos.

Are Slow Growing Embryos Female?

According to this paper from the National Library of Medicine, there was no difference in day 3 embryos in embryo transfers that resulted in male vs. female infants.

Slow Growing Embryo Success Stories

If you are concerned about whether slow growing embryo can catch up or not, there are plenty of success stories out there.

One intended mother posting on r/IVF on Reddit had 15 egg retrieved, 12 matured and 10 fertilized  On the fifth day, she was told all 10 were developing slower than normal and hadn’t yet reached the blastocyst stage.

Another user in the top responses had a similar situation resulting in success.

“All of my embryos were slow growing. I only made day 6 and 7 embryos,” replied the user. “My clinic told me day 6 are their most common. I am not sure if the embryos I transferred were day 6 or 7 but both of my transfers worked and I have a 19 month old and am 16 weeks with our second.”

When your embryos make it to the next stage, you’re one step closer to bringing your family dreams to life through surrogacy.

Contact us today to start your journey and get matched with surrogate who aligns with your needs.

Affording Surrogacy

Starting your surrogacy journey is an exciting step toward parenthood, but financial hurdles—like bad credit—can feel overwhelming.

The joys of parenthood are priceless. Many intended parents face financial challenges and successfully find solutions.

Contact us today to get an estimate of surrogacy costs and popular financing methods used by intended parents we’ve helped have the family they’ve always dreamed of.

You can also follow our Instagram to learn more about affording surrogacy from intended parents who have utilized surrogacy to help make their dreams of parenthood come true.

We can walk you through your IVF financing options, how to improve your credit and other payment options to decrease your borrowing amount.

Can I Get IVF Financing with Bad Credit?

Yes, IVF financing with bad credit is possible. When seeking a loan for IVF or surrogacy, your credit score can affect the approval process, loan terms and interest rates.

Generally, lenders view low credit scores as a higher risk, which can lead to:

• Higher APRs: Lower credit scores often result in higher annual percentage rates (APRs), making loan payments more expensive over time.
• Lower Loan Amounts: Bad credit may limit the total amount you’re approved for, which could fall short of covering the full cost of treatment.

Thankfully, there are ways to finance your journey even with these challenges.

Protect your budget from hidden costs with our Limited-Risk program or pay as you go with our Foundation Program. Contact us today to learn more about our different fee programs.

IVF Financing Options with Bad Credit

If you have a low credit score or limited credit history, here are some options for financing IVF with bad credit:

1. Surrogacy and IVF Loans for Bad Credit

Some lenders specialize in offering loans to individuals with low credit scores.
When surrogacy is part of your journey, the costs extend beyond IVF. Specialized surrogacy loans can help bridge the gap, even if your credit is less than stellar.

While interest rates may be higher, these loans are often flexible and designed to make IVF or surrogacy accessible.

• Where to look: Consider fertility-focused loan companies or personal loan lenders who cater to bad credit borrowers. Look for lenders familiar with the unique financial needs of surrogacy.
• What to expect: You may need to provide proof of income or a co-signer to improve your loan terms.

2. Payment Plans Through Clinics

Many fertility clinics offer in-house financing options, which can be a great alternative if you’ve been denied IVF for bad credit elsewhere.

• Features: Flexible monthly payment plans tailored to your budget.
• Advantages: IVF financing, no credit check required. Some clinics work with third-party financing partners.

3. IVF Grants and Scholarships

Several organizations offer grants to help offset IVF costs. While grants can be competitive, they’re worth pursuing if you meet the eligibility criteria. Here are a few to consider:

• BabyQuest Foundation: Offers grants to those pursuing IVF and other fertility treatments.
• The Cade Foundation: Provides family-building grants that can be used for IVF or other infertility treatments.
• The Parental Hope Family Grant: Specifically helps fund IVF treatments for those with demonstrated financial needs.

4. Credit Unions and Community Banks

Credit unions are a great starting point for those with lower credit scores. As member-focused institutions, they often have more flexibility with interest rates and terms, and many offer personal loans that can be used for IVF costs.

Community banks, which prioritize local customers, may also be more willing to work with borrowers who have less-than-perfect credit.

5. Adding a Co-Signer

Adding a co-signer with a good credit history can make a significant difference.

With a co-signer, you’re more likely to qualify for a loan and secure a better interest rate. Just make sure that the co-signer understands their financial responsibility, as they will be legally obligated to repay the loan if you cannot.

What If I’ve Been Denied IVF Financing with Bad Credit?

If you have some time before starting your IVF journey, improving your credit score can open up more options and secure better interest rates. Here are a few strategies to boost your credit score over time:

• Pay Down Small Debts: Paying off smaller balances first can help you improve your credit score and free up funds for monthly payments.
• Keep Credit Utilization Low: Try to keep your credit card balances under 30% of your credit limit, which can positively impact your score.
• Make Timely Payments: Even small payments made on time can demonstrate responsibility and improve your credit profile over time.

Seeking guidance from a financial counselor or credit repair service can also be beneficial.

These services can provide advice tailored to your specific financial situation, helping you improve your credit score and gain access to more financing options.

Costs shouldn’t stand in the way of achieving your dreams of parenthood. We can connect you with resources for financing your surrogacy journey. Contact us today.

How to Pay for IVF with Bad Credit

Even if financing feels like an obstacle, combining several strategies can make IVF and surrogacy attainable:

• Use savings alongside loans to reduce borrowing amounts.
• Apply for fertility discounts or clinic-specific payment plans.
• Seek support from family or community-driven fundraising efforts.

Get Started

If your finances have you feeling stuck on your path to parenthood, don’t lose hope. Reach out today to learn more about the resources available in your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do you need for IVF?

The exact credit score needed for specific loans varies, but many loans require a minimum credit score in the upper 500s.

Is it hard to get an IVF loan?

Getting an IVF loan may be easy or difficult depending on your financial situation. However, most couples who pursue IVF take out some loans.

Who is not eligible for IVF?

Women who have uterine fibroids, uterine abnormalities, or hormone dysfunction may be unable to conceive through IVF, as well as some women who have preexisting health conditions.

What happens if you can’t afford IVF?

If you can’t afford IVF, you can seek out options like fertility loans, grants, and crowdfunding campaigns.

For many intended parents, the journey to parenthood through IVF can be challenging, especially when faced with having only one frozen embryo left after a failed IVF cycle. There are options available and your dreams of becoming parents are still within reach.

At American Surrogacy, we are one of the only options available when it comes to surrogacy agencies willing to work with intended parents who only have one embryo.

If you have one frozen embryo left and want to explore surrogacy, but haven’t been able to find an agency to work with, contact us online right now.

Repeated failed IVF cycles and learning you only have one embryo left can bring about a number of emotions. You can also get help coping with having one embryo left.

Each option carries its own advantages and considerations, but surrogacy, in particular, can offer unique benefits for families in this situation.

Learn more about surrogacy from other intended parents who have been able to grow their families. Follow us on Instagram to hear about their experience.

Only One Embryo Left to Transfer [Your Options]

When faced with only one frozen embryo after a failed IVF cycle, you may be wondering what to do next. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions when you have just one frozen embryo left.

After the emotional rollercoaster of IVF, you may feel anxiety, grief, or even hope about what’s next. Know that you’re not alone, and there are options available.

1. Surrogacy

For intended parents who have experienced multiple IVF failures or have concerns about carrying a pregnancy themselves, surrogacy can be an ideal solution, especially when you have one frozen embryo left.

Surrogacy generally offers higher success rates than traditional IVF, largely because the gestational carrier’s body is carefully screened and prepared for the embryo transfer. This gives your remaining embryo the best chance of becoming a successful pregnancy.

At American Surrogacy, we specialize in helping intended parents complete their family with a highly qualified gestational carrier. Our surrogates undergo comprehensive pre-screening to ensure they are medically and emotionally ready to carry your embryo to term.

In addition to the experience and expertise we offer to make your journey as smooth and straightforward as possible, we’re one of the few industry professionals who are open to working with intended parents who have just one embryo left.

If you have one embryo left, get in touch with us as soon as possible. We’re here to offer you the support you deserve on this life-changing journey.

To learn how many embryos you need for surrogacy, check out this article.

2. Proceeding with Another Transfer

For some intended parents, trying another embryo transfer might seem like the natural next step.

However, it’s important to carefully consider your overall health and past IVF experiences before moving forward. If you’re still feeling optimistic about carrying the pregnancy yourself, you’ll need to work closely with your fertility specialist to learn more about your chances of success with only one embryo left.

3. Embryo Donation

Donor embryos provide an opportunity to increase your chances of success without starting a new IVF cycle from scratch. This option can be especially beneficial if you’re emotionally and financially drained from multiple attempts.

With donated embryos, you gain access to additional embryos that can be implanted, giving you renewed hope for pregnancy and a growing family.

Surrogacy with One Embryo Left

Surrogacy can be an alternative path to parenthood and offers a lifeline to those struggling with infertility. With American Surrogacy, you’ll be on the right track toward experiencing the best version of the surrogacy process.

Even if you have one embryo left, surrogacy is still an option for you.

Candidates for surrogacy often experience:

• Uterine Health Concerns: If you’ve faced difficulties with your uterus or have been advised against further pregnancies, surrogacy allows your embryo to develop in the healthy uterus of a surrogate.
• Past IVF Failures: Repeated failed IVF cycles can be emotionally exhausting. With surrogacy, you get a fresh start with the same embryo.

Surrogacy provides a reliable path forward, giving your embryo the best possible chance in a carrier who meets the highest health standard guidelines set by the Assisted Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

At American Surrogacy, we match you with a highly qualified surrogate in just 1 - 4 months, so you can move forward without delay.

We are one of the few professionals who are willing to work with intended parents who only have one embryo remaining, so if you’re ready to take the next step toward surrogacy, contact us online now to create a personalized plan with a specialist.

You can also check out our list of available surrogate situations to get a head start on your journey to parenthood.

Preparing for Surrogacy With One Frozen Embryo Left

If you choose surrogacy as the next step, here are some important things to keep in mind as you prepare for the process:

1. Legal Aspects

Surrogacy involves specific legal processes to ensure parental rights and responsibilities are properly established. It’s crucial to work with an experienced surrogacy attorney to draft a clear and enforceable contract. We can help you navigate the legal aspects, ensuring your rights are fully protected.

2. Financial Planning

Surrogacy can be a financial investment, but American Surrogacy offers financial protection and transparency to safeguard your budget. Be sure to review all costs upfront, including surrogate compensation, agency fees and any medical expenses.

With our two inclusive fee structures, you’ll always be certain what you’re paying for.

3. Emotional Readiness

Surrogacy is a life-changing journey, and it’s essential to prepare emotionally for the experience. Connect with other intended parents, read personal surrogacy stories and ensure you have a strong support system in place.

When faced with the reality of a one frozen embryo left after a failed IVF cycle, it can feel overwhelming. Surrogacy offers a promising path forward, especially for intended parents who have experienced IVF challenges.

By working with a reputable agency like American Surrogacy, you gain access to highly qualified surrogates, financial protection and a fast matching process to help you achieve your goal of becoming a parent sooner than you ever thought was possible.

As one of the few professionals who do work with intended parents who have one embryo left, we’re here for you during this life-changing opportunity.

If you’re ready to explore surrogacy with your remaining frozen embryo, fill out our online contact form today. Let us help you take the next step toward the family you’ve always dreamed of.

If you’re an intended parent with PCOS, you may have already faced the unique challenges it brings to your fertility journey.

While IVF is a common fertility treatment for women with PCOS, it may not always lead to success.

Understanding how PCOS affects your IVF outcomes and knowing when to explore other options can help you find the right path to parenthood.

If you’re ready to explore surrogacy as a path to parenthood, contact us online now to get started.

In this article, we’ll explore PCOS and IVF failure, the challenges it brings and when it may be time to consider alternative family-building options such as surrogacy or adoption.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age. It is often diagnosed by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen (male hormone) levels and polycystic ovaries.

Common symptoms include:

• Irregular or absent periods
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Excess facial or body hair
• Acne or oily skin
• Thinning hair
• Difficulty conceiving due to irregular ovulation

These symptoms often lead women to pursue fertility treatments, with IVF being one of the most common solutions. But, PCOS can also complicate the IVF process, making success less likely for some patients.

PCOS and IVF Failure: How PCOS Impacts IVF Success Rates

One of the key reasons behind PCOS IVF failure in women is hormonal imbalance, particularly an excess of androgens and insulin resistance.

These issues can often lead to irregular or absent ovulation, making it harder for healthy eggs to be retrieved during an IVF cycle.

Women with PCOS generally have lower IVF success rates compared to those without the condition. Studies show that while IVF can work for women with PCOS, the chances of success are reduced.

According to The National Library of Medicine, women with PCOS have an IVF success rate of about 20% to 35% per cycle, while women without PCOS have rates between 40% and 50%.

I have PCOS and can’t get pregnant with IVF: Is it time to move on?

If you have PCOS and are struggling to get pregnant with IVF, you might be wondering if it’s time to consider other options. IVF can be challenging for women with PCOS, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other paths forward. Understanding your options can help you decide what’s best for your family-building journey.

Moving on from IVF can mean exploring options like surrogacy. Before making any decisions, it’s essential to consult your doctor and discuss the reasons IVF may not be working for you.

If you’re ready to move on, we’re here to guide you through other family-building options. Our agency specializes in supporting couples exploring options beyond IVF, and we can provide personalized advice to help you choose the best path forward.

Challenges of Failed IVF With PCOS

1. Egg Quality and Quantity

While PCOS can result in a higher number of eggs during IVF stimulation, the quality of those eggs may be at risk. Poor egg quality can lead to lower fertilization rates and result in poor embryo development, ultimately reducing the cances of a successful pregnancy.

2. Insulin Resistance

Many women with PCOS experience insulin resistance, which can affect their body’s response to IVF medications. Insulin resistance is associated with higher levels of inflammation and can further impact egg quality, leading to PCOS IVF failure.

3. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)

Women with PCOS are more high risk for developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during IVF. OHSS occurs when the ovaries respond too strongly to fertility medications, causing swelling and fluid buildup in the body.

This can lead to complications such as severe pain, nausea, and hospitalization, which can impact the outcome of an IVF cycle.

If you’re experiencing repeated PCOS IVF failure, it may be time to speak with your fertility specialist about other family-building options like surrogacy. Explore surrogacy after failed IVF today.

Surrogacy for Couples with PCOS

While IVF can be effective for many women with PCOS, repeated failures can often take an emotional and financial toll. If you’ve experienced multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles, it might be time to consider alternatives such as adoption or surrogacy.

Both options can provide you with the opportunity to grow your family, even if PCOS continues to impact your fertility.

Surrogacy can offer a new path to parenthood when other treatments haven’t succeeded. While PCOS can affect your ability to carry a pregnancy, surrogacy allows another person to carry your biological child.

American Surrogacy prioritizes finding highly qualified surrogates, who are thoroughly pre-screened to ensure the best possible outcomes.  We ask that are surrogates:

• Be 21-40 years old
• Have a BMI of 19-32
• Have had at least one successful pregnancy
• No major complications with pregnancy or delivery

In addition to these preliminary requirements, all of our surrogates are medically screened by a fertility clinic and psychologically screened by a mental health professional.

Learn more about our surrogate screening process or view our available surrogates now.

Tips for Preparing for Surrogacy

If you’ve decided to pursue surrogacy after IVF failure, here are a few tips to help you prepare:

• Work with a Reputable Agency: We can guide you through every step, from finding a surrogate to managing the legal aspects.
• Understand Your State’s Laws: Surrogacy laws vary by state, so it’s important to work with a professional, like American Surrogacy, who can help you get a better understanding of the legal steps involved in the process.
• Plan Financially: Surrogacy can be expensive, but with our clear fee structure, you’ll be able to be able to plan accordingly knowing what to expect every step of the way.

While PCOS and IVF failure can feel like a setback, it doesn’t have to mark the end of your family-building journey. Connecting with other surrogates could provide valuable insights. Whether through surrogacy or other options like adoption, there are alternative paths that can still make parenthood possible.

Ready to explore surrogacy as a family-building option? Contact our surrogacy specialists today to learn more about how we can support you through this life-changing journey.

Endometriosis is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide, causing a range of symptoms that go beyond pain and discomfort. For many, it can be a challenge to their fertility journey—especially when considering vitro fertilization (IVF).

If you want to learn more about surrogacy as a path to parenthood, contact us online now or check out this article.

We’re here to explore what endometriosis is, how it affects the reproductive system and why endometriosis and IVF failure may go hand in hand. We’ll also provide insights into alternative paths to parenthood, like adoption and surrogacy, that may offer a higher success rate if you’re struggling with implantation issues due to endometriosis.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (endometrium) begins to grow outside the uterus. This misplaced tissue can cause severe pain, inflammation and even the formation of scar tissue, or adhesions, which can distort the pelvic anatomy.

According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis is linked to infertility in 30-50% of affected women. The growths that occur in and around the reproductive organs can damage the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and even the uterine lining, making conception difficult.

If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and can’t get pregnant, consulting with a fertility specialist is the first step in understanding how this condition may impact your journey.

Can Endometriosis Cause IVF Failure?

IVF is a commonly recommended fertility treatment for women with endometriosis. However, studies show that endometriosis can significantly reduce the chances of IVF success. The severity of the condition plays a crucial role, with moderate to severe cases posing greater challenges.

Here’s how:

• Egg Quality and Quantity: Endometriosis can affect the ovarian reserve, meaning fewer eggs are available for retrieval. Additionally, the inflammation caused by endometriosis may lead to poorer egg quality, making it more difficult to fertilize eggs or produce healthy embryos.
• Uterine Lining and Implantation: The uterine lining in women with endometriosis can be compromised, making it harder for a fertilized embryo to implant successfully. In cases of deep infiltrating endometriosis, the chances of implantation failure are even higher.

A 2023 study published in the National Library of Medicine reported that women with endometriosis undergoing IVF had lower implantation rates, higher miscarriage rates and reduced overall success compared to women without the condition.

If you have endometriosis and IVF failure, now may be the time to speak with your fertility specialist about how endometriosis could be impacting your success rates and what alternative options may be available.

Dive deeper into why IVF fails.

Surrogacy for Couples with Endometriosis

If endometriosis IVF failure continues to affect your ability to conceive, you may want to explore other family-building options. Surrogacy is a path that can offer hope to intended parents.

At American Surrogacy, we help couples and individuals overcome the obstacles of infertility, like endometriosis, and realize their dreams of parenthood. Here are some of the benefits of working with our agency:

• Short Wait Times: One of the most frustrating parts of fertility treatments is waiting. But with American Surrogacy, you won’t have to wait long to be matched with a surrogate. We offer some of the shortest wait times in the industry, typically 1-6 months, so you can move forward in your journey to parenthood sooner.
• Highly Qualified Surrogates: We take great care in selecting surrogates who are not only passionate about helping you but who also meet our thorough pre-screening requirements. All surrogates undergo thorough medical, psychological and background screenings to ensure the highest likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.
• Utilizing Quality Embryos: Individuals with endometriosis may produce fewer viable eggs or face difficulties with embryo implantation. Through surrogacy, you can work with a surrogate to use embryos created through IVF with a donor egg or your own eggs, ensuring that you are starting with the highest quality embryos possible.
• Higher Success Rates for Some: For certain individuals with endometriosis, the likelihood of a successful pregnancy may be lower due to various factors. Surrogacy can sometimes provide a higher chance of success compared to repeated IVF attempts, especially when using a surrogate with a proven track record of successful pregnancies.
• Financial Protection: Budgeting for surrogacy can feel overwhelming, but American Surrogacy offers financial protection that safeguards your investment and gives you peace of mind throughout the process.

If you’re considering surrogacy, reach out to a trusted agency to discuss your options and prepare for the next steps or read more about surrogacy after failed IVF.

Tips for Preparing for Surrogacy

Find a Reputable Surrogacy Agency

An experienced surrogacy agency, like American Surrogacy, will guide you through every step of the process, from matching with a surrogate to handling legal contracts. With American Surrogacy, you’ll be on the quickest path toward having the family you’ve always dreamed of.

Budget Accordingly

Surrogacy can be expensive, so it’s essential to create a financial plan that includes surrogacy fees, medical expenses and insurance coverage for the surrogate. At American Surrogacy, you can find confidence in your budget with our clear fee structure.

Understand the Legal Process

Surrogacy laws vary by state and country, so working with an agency like American Surrogacy can help connect you with a professional who specializes in surrogacy to avoid complications later.

Endometriosis and IVF failure can be a heartbreaking obstacle. But, by understanding how this condition affects fertility and discussing alternative options like surrogacy and adoption, you can find a path to parenthood that’s right for you.

Connect with community

Beginning this journey with a supportive community at your back will make all the difference. Connect with surrogates, intended parents and parents through surrogacy on our Instagram page.

Take the next step—whether it’s reassessing your IVF strategy or exploring surrogacy, the journey to parenthood is still within reach.