Know Your Embryologist | The Expert Behind Successful IVF

Let me introduce you to people known as embryologists -. In layman terms, they are simply those who make babies in the lab. Early in my career, there was an incident related to work that I will never forget. My dad was out for his evening walk when I ran to catch up with him. He proudly introduced me to a bunch of his senior-citizen friends, “This is my daughter and she makes babies!” I could feel all the old hearts there do a somersault. I was red with embarrassment. “Make babies for other people in a lab with the help of IVF,” I corrected him. My dad laughed, patted my back and said, “Yes, it is the same thing.” In my mind, to prevent such an incident from reoccurring, I vowed to give my dad a few lessons on the essentials of being an embryologist. Embryologist – Your Baby’s First Babysitter

An embryologist has a bachelor’s degree in biology or biomedicine and a master’s degree in reproductive science. Several colleges in India and abroad offer the required courses. At the clinic, we are required to change into scrubs before we enter the lab in order to minimize the entry of dust and microorganisms.  Our work schedules are planned according to the development of embryos. However, we do a lot more than lab work during our daily working hours. The following section of the chapter is a window to the role of an embryologist. It will unmask the person working behind the scenes to make your IVF journey successful. On a lighter note we—embryologists—can be considered your baby’s first babysitter. Embryologists are key members of the clinical team performing IVF; they are the “baby makers” who work in conjunction with clinicians. Their insight is as important as the clinician’s advice in the process of selection of embryos for transfer. An embryologist’s most important role is to discuss various treatment options available for cases where a natural reproductive procedure is not possible. They specialize in the care of embryos from the time of egg retrieval to the time when the embryo is returned back into the woman’s uterus. This is done while keeping clinical records of the same. They are also required to preserve eggs, sperm cells, and embryos for use at a later date. This method is better known as vitrification. When a fresher straight out of college joined my team, she was given a discarded egg and sperm to practise on. Gradually, once she gained confidence and acquired the requisite skill, she was given a patient’s egg and sperm to perform the procedures. Embryology is a field where strict validation and training is required before one can begin to work. Responsibilities of an Embryologist When a fresher straight out of college joined my team, she was given a discarded egg and sperm to practise on. Gradually, once she gained on and acquired the requisite skill, she was given a patient’s egg and sperm to perform the procedures. Embryology is a field where strict validation and training is required before one can begin to work.

Healthcare scientists working in clinical embryology are typically involved in:

Collection of eggs and sperms (gametes) from patients for processing

Micromanipulation and testing of suitability of each gamete

Preparation of gametes and the environment for IVF

Facilitation of fertilisation.

Embryo culture and cryopreservation.

Insemination of eggs to create embryos.

Freezing of sperms, eggs, and embryos.

Embryo grading and selection for transfer to the recipient women

Observation and maintenance of cry banks.

Compliance with quality control, ethical issues and regulations surrounding gamete and embryo handling

Care and maintenance of medical equipment Record-keeping

As embryologists are involved solely in the first leg of the long journey, they often remain invisible and behind the scenes. This by no means diminishes their importance as their work, skills, and sincerity impact the lives of the couples seeking fertility treatment. They work with microscopic sizes, and the embryos they handle are the size of a pinprick. A role that requires immense skill and imposes great responsibility, it is imperative to know the credentials of both your doctor and your embryologist.

What Your Embryologist wants you to know Tells About Your IVF Treatment?.

Every egg, sperm, and the resulting combination of the two are different. This makes every attempt at IVF using different gametes a different experience. Reasons why some eggs do not fertilize, some embryos do not grow, why some don’t freeze well or survive the thaw are little understood. Not every egg is meant to make a baby, just like not every sperm will fertilize an egg. It must be borne in mind that it is not possible to select the “good” eggs they all look the same and it is a gamble that we need to deal with.

1. Every Embryo Is Different

Embryologists will take care of and nurture your gametes, but cannot repair or make an embryo better by culturing it in the laboratory. However, having a normal body mass index (BMI), not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding narcotics will prove beneficial to the success of IVF. You can also optimize your chances by consulting your  clinician a few months before your attempt.

2. Embryologists Can’t Repair Eggs

This might give you and your partner time to get your emotional, physical and financial health in order. In this process, it is not uncommon to seek comfort and support by reaching out and comparing yourself to others. It can feel reassuring when a person with a story similar to your own ended in success and happiness. However, it is important to keep in mind that everyone’s IVF journey and outcomes are different and contrasting and  comparing your experience with that of others may not prove beneficial. The differences can stem from reasons such as semen analysis result, the number of eggs retrieved, etc. Remember, you are you.

3. Everyone’s IVF Journey and Outcome Are Different

The Internet and online forums are often filled with misinformation about the number of eggs retrieved, embryos created, and embryo grading scores. Keep in mind that there are no magic numbers that indicate success. Embryo culture is a process designed for an embryologist to gather information about each individual embryo’s growth pattern and quality in order to effectively evaluate embryos for implantation potential. We pick the best you have. There are no indicators that can guarantee 100% success. Every clinic has a different system that they use to grade embryos. Asking the clinic to explain their grading system to you will help your personal understanding and allow you to decipher the technical terms.

4. There Are No Magic Numbers That Will Guarantee Success

There is no magic pill or protocol that we didn’t tell you about. If we hadsomething we thought would make the process successful for you, wewould have told you in the beginning. As we gather information about your journey and your responses we may alter your clinical treatment, we are always doing our best with the information we have. Embryologists are scientists who are very collaborative.

5. Your Embryologist Wants the Best for You

There is no magic pill or protocol that we didn’t tell you about. If we had something we thought would make the process successful for you, we would have told you in the beginning. As we gather information about your journey and your responses we may alter your clinical treatment, but we are always doing our best with the information we have. Embryologists are scientists who are very collaborative. We are unique in the fact that most of us share our trade secrets via publications and meetings. This field is growing and expanding and we are developing new insights at a rapid pace.  What happens in the IVF lab is technical and, in some ways, mysterious because there is no one-and-only-one sure- re recipe for success. Know that your IVF journey is unique and that while it is always good to be informed, don’t commit the folly of contrasting and comparing your experience against the experiences of others. The goal of IVF is a healthy baby, and your embryologist is part of the team that is trying its best to make this happen.

Responsibilities of an Embryologist

When a fresher straight out of college joined my team, she was given a discarded egg and  sperm to practise on. Gradually, once she gained confidence and acquired the requisite skill, she was given a patient’s egg and sperm to perform the procedures. Embryology is a field where strict validation and training is required before one can begin to work.

     About Author 

Rishnia Bansal is an eminent Embryologist who has 9+ years experience with double Master’s degree in Embryology and Biotechnology.
Her work revolves around core embryology skills like Gamete Handling, Embryo Grading and Embryo Biopsy.