What happens before blastocyst culture?

Fertilisation may occur through standard insemination or [ICSI](/treatments/fertility-and-assisted-reproduction/icsi/), where a single sperm is placed into an egg. Early embryos are assessed for development rather than judged from one feature alone. Not every fertilised egg continues developing, and the team may not know how many embryos can be cultured or transferred until monitoring is complete. Your clinician should explain the plan in the context of your treatment and consent.

Make sure the clinic has your current contact details and understands who may receive laboratory updates. Ask how and when you will hear about fertilisation, embryo development, freezing, or transfer. Review consent forms carefully, including instructions for storage and what happens if no embryo reaches the planned stage. Continue medicines exactly as prescribed and report illness, bleeding, or unexpected pain after egg collection. Ask whether the transfer plan could change based on embryo development.

Contact the fertility clinic promptly after egg collection if pain, abdominal swelling, vomiting, breathlessness, dizziness, or bleeding is increasing. Seek urgent care for severe pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms need clinical assessment rather than waiting for a laboratory update.

How were the eggs fertilised? When will we receive the next laboratory update? What happens if embryo development slows? How are transfer and freezing decisions made? What symptoms after collection should prompt a call?