If you’ve started exploring the medical side of surrogacy, you may have heard terms like “embryo quality” or “embryo grading” come up—especially as you get closer to the embryo transfer stage. While the science behind IVF can feel a little overwhelming, understanding the basics of embryo grading can help you feel more informed and empowered as a surrogate.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Always consult your medical care providers for specific information relating to embryos or any related medical questions.
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What Is Embryo Grading?
Embryo grading is a process fertility clinics use to assess the development and quality of embryos before they are transferred into the uterus. These grades help embryologists and doctors decide which embryos have the best chance of resulting in a successful pregnancy.
It’s important to remember: embryo grading doesn’t guarantee pregnancy—it’s simply one tool used to guide the IVF process.
Why Embryo Quality Matters in Surrogacy
For intended parents and fertility specialists, choosing which embryo to transfer is a crucial decision. A well-graded embryo may have a higher chance of implanting and developing into a healthy pregnancy. For surrogates, this means that the embryo selected for transfer is one the clinic feels most confident about.
The goal? A safe, healthy pregnancy and a beautiful outcome for everyone involved.
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How Are Embryos Graded?
Embryo grading usually happens on Day 5 or Day 6 of development, when the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage. At this point, the embryo is made up of two main parts:
Inner Cell Mass (ICM): This becomes the baby.
Trophectoderm (TE): This forms the placenta.
Grading focuses on the development of these parts and the overall expansion of the embryo.
A common grading system includes:
A number (1–6) indicating the stage of blastocyst development
A letter grade for the ICM (A–C)
A letter grade for the TE (A–C)
Example: A “4AA” embryo is fully expanded (stage 4), with excellent ICM and TE development.
Higher grades like 4AA or 5AB are considered high quality. However, embryos with lower grades can—and do—result in healthy pregnancies too!
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What Should Surrogates Know About Embryo Grades?
As a surrogate, you are not responsible for selecting embryos—that decision lies with the intended parents and the medical team. But knowing what embryo grading is (and isn’t) can help you better understand the conversations happening during transfer preparation.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
Low-grade embryos can still succeed. Many surrogates go on to have healthy pregnancies from embryos that weren’t “perfect.”
You may not always be told the grade. Some clinics or IPs may choose not to share embryo grades to avoid unnecessary worry.
You’re not being evaluated. Embryo grading is about the embryo—not your body. As long as your uterus is prepared, you’re giving the embryo its best possible chance.
How This Fits Into Your Role as a Surrogate
Your job as a surrogate is to provide a safe, healthy environment for the embryo to grow—regardless of its grade. Trust that the clinic and intended parents are choosing an embryo they believe in, and focus on following your medication protocol, staying healthy, and preparing emotionally and physically for transfer day.
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Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Be an Embryologist
Embryo grading may sound technical, but at the end of the day, you don’t need to become a fertility expert to be an incredible surrogate. A general understanding of the process is enough to help you feel informed without added pressure.
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