Understanding Assisted Reproduction Technology and Stages
It is highly important for couples to plan their parenthood through understanding assisted reproduction technology and the stages which are involved in the procedure. In order to ensure a healthier and safer pregnancy, a complete understanding of IVF and embryology can be a smooth path to parenthood.
Embryology can be defined as the study of development of an embryo from the stage of fertilization to the fetal stage. The fusion of the egg and sperm results in the formation of an ‘embryo’ which is outside woman’s body in a specialized lab. Emphasizing on the role of an embryologist, Dr Goral Gandhi, Mumbai based IVF consultant, said.
“The work of an embryologist starts right from the treatment planning stages. The embryologist decides many crucial factors during the treatment and prepares the laboratory with optimum conditions to grow the embryos.”

The next step is receiving the trigger shot, in order to ovulate the eggs the surgical procedure to remove the eggs is started. On the egg retrieval day, the semen is analyzed and the patient is informed about the sequential procedure, which includes how many eggs were retrieved, how the sperm sample looks, and what will be the fertilization procedure.
“Apart from analyzing the samples, creating as well as assessing the embryos and preparing a fertilization report for the patients, embryologists are also responsible for preparing the patients for the emotional journey that commences with the start of the fertilization cycle. All the patients doubt are clarified and their questions are answered by the embryologists in this duration,” said Dr Goral Gandhi, when asked about the approach of embryologist.
Next step of the procedure is to leave the embryos undisturbed for development during this time. In most cases, day 3 or day 5 is found to be the ideal time for the transfer of healthy embryos to the mother’s uterus. This procedure is far simpler than in most cases, sedation is not required.
The decision of transferring embryo is the most crucial one which should be researched individually depending on the patients. Once the transfer is successful, Dr Goral Gandhi, explains, “The embryologist leaves the embryos to naturally develop in the culture. As the embryo continues to develop in the uterus, the embryo hatches and implants in the uterine lining within 1–2 days.” About 12 days after an embryo transfer, you’ll have a blood pregnancy test.
With IVF gaining wider acceptance through awareness and improvements in the field, it has certianed childless couples chance at pregnancy.
