All of us started as one tiny microscopic cell. All the people you have ever known, and all the souls who have ever lived, were once one small cell. In the era of high-tech fertility labs and sophisticated embryology, it is easy to lose sight of the profound nature and the fragility of this process.… Continue reading It Starts with a Cell: Every Embryo Is a Little Miracle

Nothing is more important than timing in the IVF world. The decision on which embryos to transfer, Day 3 (cleavage stage) or Day 5 (blastocyst stage), is probably one of the most frequently discussed options in fertility treatment. Patients tend to ask: So what difference does it make? The brief answer is yes, it can.… Continue reading Day 3 vs Day 5 Transfer: What’s the Big Deal?

IVF is used as a common fertility treatment by doctors, though in films, its presence is more pronounced. In Bollywood, Hollywood and Tollywood, IVF is usually dressed up with excitement, unexpected joy or tales of hilarious confusion. How do we know when fiction is finished and the facts begin? The difference between movies and scientific… Continue reading Reel vs Real: Hollywood, Bollywood, Tollywood Take on IVF

Couples who are struggling to conceive feel the expression “just relax and you’ll get pregnant” rather dismissive. Many people link stress with pregnancy, and science backs this up. Stress, even if it is not the only reason for infertility, causes changes in reproductive health, especially for the forming embryo. Trying to conceive leads to stress,… Continue reading Can Stress Affect Embryo Development? Here’s What Science Says

You might notice the word “blastocyst” mentioned a lot in success stories about IVF. Despite its scientific name, for parents and embryologists, it points the way to the next important step in a new life. At this point, the blastocyst, the embryo, reveals its potential. Learning about what a blastocyst is, how it develops and… Continue reading What Is a Blastocyst? Understanding the Process Behind This IVF Milestone