You know, when most women start thinking about starting a family, the first thing they do is figure out how to avoid getting pregnant. But when the time finally comes to start trying, it’s like a switch flips—suddenly it’s “Let’s go!” and the fun of baby-making can quickly turn into a bit of a worry fest. Temperature charts come out, and it’s not long before the romance of conception feels more like a job. If things don’t go as planned, many couples look to fertility treatments to help them out.
Interestingly, half of the people who start fertility treatments often begin with simpler options like intrauterine insemination (IUI), while the other half dive right into more advanced approaches like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
What is IVF?
So, what exactly is IVF? It’s when eggs and sperm are combined in a lab, allowing embryos to develop over five days before they’re placed back into the woman. Sounds straightforward, right? But you might wonder: how do we know which embryo is the best choice?
In traditional labs, embryologists have to take embryos out of their cozy environment to examine them under a microscope, which can introduce unnecessary temperature changes. They grade each embryo and put them back for further development, but this method has its limitations.
Introducing the EmbryoScope
That’s where the EmbryoScope comes in. This amazing incubator creates the perfect environment for embryos to grow while snapping a photo every five minutes. The result? A time-lapse video showcasing the embryo’s development. Dr. Lisa Johnson, a fertility specialist, explains that the EmbryoScope minimizes environmental fluctuations by keeping embryos in one place throughout their development. This means any issues can be captured in real-time.
At the fertility center, every patient undergoing IVF gets their embryos placed in the EmbryoScope at no extra cost. Plus, you can watch a mini-video of your embryo’s growth! So, when you ask, “Looks cool! But can it really help me conceive?” the answer is a resounding yes! This technology allows your embryologist to monitor development closely, potentially improving your chances of a successful pregnancy.
Learn More
If you’re interested in learning more about family-building options, check out this excellent resource. And if you want to read about overcoming irregular cycles as aspiring parents, take a look at our other blog post here.
Conclusion
In summary, the EmbryoScope is a promising tool that enhances embryo monitoring during IVF, which could lead to better outcomes for couples trying to conceive.