Embryos, Transfer & Aftercare

Embryo transfer explained

Embryo transfer explained

What embryo transfer means In reproductive medicine, embryo transfer means placing one or more embryos into the uterus with the goal of achieving implantation. It is the last active step in IVF, following egg retrieval, fertilization, and early embryo culture in the laboratory. The embryo may be at the cleavage stage or, more commonly in […]

Single embryo transfer vs multiple

Single embryo transfer vs multiple

What the choice actually means In assisted reproduction, the number of embryos transferred during one procedure can range from one embryo to two or, less commonly now, more than two. A single embryo transfer means exactly one embryo is placed in the uterus. A multiple-embryo transfer usually means two embryos, although the term can sometimes […]

Embryo fertilization process in IVF

Embryo fertilization process in IVF

What fertilization means in IVF In natural conception, fertilization usually occurs in the fallopian tube. In IVF, the same biological event is recreated in a laboratory dish under tightly controlled conditions. The goal is to allow a sperm cell to penetrate the egg, complete fusion of the cell membranes, and trigger the activation of the […]

Egg retrieval procedure explained

Egg retrieval procedure explained

What egg retrieval actually involves Egg retrieval, sometimes called oocyte retrieval, is the procedure used to collect eggs from the ovaries so they can be used in IVF or, in some cases, fertility preservation. It usually happens near the end of an ovarian stimulation cycle, after monitoring suggests that several follicles have reached a mature […]

Frozen embryo transfer (FET): natural vs medicated cycles

Frozen embryo transfer (FET): natural vs medicated cycles

What FET is trying to achieve A frozen embryo transfer is not simply a technical placement of an embryo into the uterus. The central biological goal is synchrony: the embryo’s developmental stage must match the receptivity of the endometrium. In a typical transfer, a day-5 blastocyst is placed when the uterine lining has had the […]

PGT genetic testing: uses, benefits, and risks

PGT genetic testing: uses, benefits, and risks

What is PGT genetic testing? Preimplantation genetic testing is an embryo testing strategy used during IVF. Eggs are retrieved after ovarian stimulation, fertilized in the laboratory, and cultured for several days, often to the blastocyst stage. A small number of cells is then biopsied, usually from the trophectoderm, the cell layer that contributes to the […]

ICSI: when it is used and how it compares to traditional IVF

ICSI: when it is used and how it compares to traditional IVF

What ICSI means within an IVF cycle ICSI is an assisted fertilization technique performed after ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. The early parts of the treatment are generally the same as in a standard IVF cycle: medications stimulate the ovaries, eggs are retrieved with a needle-guided procedure, and sperm is collected or retrieved. The main […]

Fresh vs frozen embryo transfer and single vs multiple embryos

Fresh vs frozen embryo transfer and single vs multiple embryos

What happens in fresh and frozen embryo transfer In a fresh embryo transfer, an embryo is transferred into the uterus a few days after egg retrieval, usually at the cleavage stage or blastocyst stage. This means the transfer takes place in the same cycle in which the ovaries were stimulated with fertility medications. For some […]

Egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer in IVF

Egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer in IVF

Where egg retrieval fits in an IVF cycle Egg retrieval occurs after controlled ovarian stimulation, when injectable medications have encouraged multiple follicles to grow. Monitoring with transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests helps the fertility team estimate follicle size, estradiol levels, and the timing of final oocyte maturation. When the lead follicles appear ready, a trigger […]