“Starting your embryology journey?

Read this before you step into the IVF laboratory.

There is so much to learn, observe, practise and remember.

And one thing I wish more trainees understood early is this: your training is something worth documenting.

Document what you learn, what you practise, the procedures you encounter, your milestones and your progress.

The Embryologist Companion was created to help you keep that journey in one place.

• A training guide.
• A practical logbook.
• A study journal.
• A record of your growth.

If you’re serious about building your career in embryology, this is a companion you’ll want beside you.

Available now – ₦20,000.

Save this post and share it with an embryology trainee.”

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“Embryo Quality: The Science Behind the Laboratory Environment

Embryo development is influenced not only by its intrinsic biological potential but also by the laboratory environment in which it develops.

• Temperature stability,
• pH,
• osmolality,
• culture media quality,
• gas concentrations,
• incubator performance,
• laboratory workflow

all play important roles in maintaining optimal culture conditions.

However, laboratory quality is not defined by equipment alone.

• The embryologist’s expertise,
• precision,
• consistency,
• evidence-based decision-making

are essential components of a high-quality IVF laboratory.

As clinical embryologists, our responsibility extends beyond embryo culture. It includes continuously monitoring laboratory conditions, minimizing environmental fluctuations, and maintaining standardized procedures that support embryo development.

We cannot change every biological factor, but we can work to optimize the environment in which embryos develop.

Let’s discuss: In your experience, which laboratory factor is the most challenging to control consistently in an IVF laboratory?

Selected scientific references:

1. Quality and risk management in the IVF laboratory.

Cambridge University Press. Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine and ESHRE Special Interest Group of Embryology. (2011).

2. The Istanbul consensus workshop on embryo assessment: Proceedings of an expert meeting.

Human Reproduction, 26(6), 1270 – 1283.”

Title: Cairo consensus on the IVF laboratory environment and air quality: report of an expert meeting.

Authors: D. Mortimer, J. Cohen, S. T. Mortimer, M. Fawzy, D. H. McCulloh, D. E. Morbeck, X. Pollet-Villard, R. T. Mansour, D. R. Brison, A. Doshi, J. C. Harper, J. E. Swain, A. V. Gilligan.

You can read the Full Article in Reproductive Biomedicine Online.

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“The POSEIDON Concept: Moving Beyond ‘Poor Responder’

‘Poor responder’ is often too broad a label to explain what is actually happening during ovarian stimulation.

The POSEIDON classification reframes low ovarian response by integrating:

• Age,
• Ovarian reserve,
• Previous oocyte yield,
• Oocyte/ embryo expectations.

Rather than simply asking ‘How many oocytes did we retrieve?’, POSEIDON asks a more clinically useful question:

‘How far are we from achieving the number of oocytes needed for a reasonable chance of success?’

This introduces the concept of the Low Prognosis Patient – where ovarian response, reproductive age and treatment history interact to influence cumulative reproductive potential.

The goal is therefore not merely to label a patient as a ‘poor responder.’

It is to identify the underlying limitation, individualise stimulation and optimise the probability of obtaining enough competent oocytes and embryos.

From response classification – to patient – specific reproductive strategy.”

Other articles featuring Karthik Raj on Fertility News.

“Fifteen years ago, we began with a single clinic and a vision that reached far beyond its walls.

Guided by the vision of Michael Fakih, Fakih IVF has grown to more than eight fertility centers across the UAE, helping shape the future of fertility care through:

• expertise,
• compassion,
• and a commitment to continuous innovation.

Behind that growth are people who believed in the vision, families who placed their trust in us, and a shared determination to make better care possible.

As we mark 15 years, we invite the people who helped build Fakih IVF to share their memories…the first steps, the challenges, and the moments that shaped our journey and continue to inspire our future.”

Proceed to the video attached to the post.

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“How are you coping?

Men going through IVF deserve to be asked this too.

The physical demands of treatment fall largely on the person undergoing the procedures. Alongside that, men can carry an emotional weight that isn’t always visible.

• The hope before an appointment.
• The anxiety while waiting for results.
• The disappointment when treatment doesn’t go as hoped.
• The helplessness of watching someone you love go through something you cannot fix.
• For some, there may also be guilt, feelings of inadequacy, or questions about their own worth, particularly when male infertility is part of the picture.

A man may feel he needs to stay positive, be practical and hold everything together for his partner.

Finding the words or the space to express his own sadness can be difficult.

Being quiet doesn’t necessarily mean someone is coping well.

We need to make room for men’s feelings in conversations about IVF, in clinics, among friends and within families.

Supporting your partner and needing support yourself can exist together.

Sometimes, a meaningful place to start is simply asking how he is doing and giving him time to answer honestly.”

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”Nice to see our paper featured by Fertility and Sterility! 

In our propensity score-matched analysis, we compared programmed ovulatory FET (PO-FET) with modified natural cycle FET (mNC-FET) and found no significant difference in live birth rates.

Another piece of evidence in the ongoing discussion about the optimal FET protocol.

Many thanks to all co-authors for the great collaboration!”

Title: Reproductive outcomes in programmed ovulatory vs. modified natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a propensity score–matched analysis of prospective and retrospective cohorts

Authors: Philippos Edimiris, Timur Tekesin, Noemi Hamala, Tanja Kristina Eggersmann, Georg Griesinger, Jan-Steffen Kruessel, Dunja Maria Baston-Buest, Alexandra Petra Bielfeld

You can read the Full Article in Fertility and Sterility.

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”Some say a cup of coffee is the best way to start your day, but at Caperton Fertility Institute, visits from our patients and their little ones make it even better.

Baby Caleb and his mom made our day!

Our entire Caperton Fertility Institute family loved seeing them, and we can’t wait to watch this sweet little guy grow.”

Stay informed with the latest updates in fertility and reproductive medicine on Fertility News.

”A constructive and engaging visit to the Reproductive Medicine Laboratory and Cryobank at University Hospital Bonn as an assessor for ESHRE’s Accreditation of Training Centres in Clinical Embryology (ATCE).

ATCE recognises centres meeting ESHRE/EBCOG standards for practical training and competency assessment, offering international recognition and greater visibility to attract motivated trainees.

I would encourage fertility centres across Europe to consider applying: it helps harmonise embryology training, strengthens the recognition of our profession and reassures patients that their gametes and embryos are in trained hands.

Many thanks to Andreas Schallmoser and the rest of the Bonn team for their kindness and hospitality, and to Maria Biba for the pleasure of working together.”

Stay informed with the latest updates in fertility and reproductive medicine on Fertility News.

”World Mental Health Day: Why Mental Health Matters on the Fertility Journey

World Mental Health Day is a reminder that mental health matters at every stage of the fertility journey.

For intended parents going through IVF, egg donors, and surrogates, the journey can bring a wide range of emotions. Hope, excitement, anxiety, uncertainty, gratitude, disappointment, and grief can all be part of the experience. There is no single ‘right’ way to feel.

For Intended Parents Going Through IVF

The IVF journey can be emotionally exhausting. There may be appointments, medications, procedures, waiting, financial stress, and the uncertainty of wondering what comes next.

After years of hoping to grow their family, intended parents may experience both excitement and fear throughout treatment. A negative pregnancy test, failed transfer, miscarriage, or unexpected setback can bring real grief.

Mental health support is not something to wait for until things become overwhelming. Talking with a counselor, fertility support group, partner, or trusted friend can provide a safe space to process everything that comes with the journey.

For Egg Donors

Egg donation can be an empowering and meaningful experience. Donors may feel proud knowing they are helping someone build the family they have been hoping for.

At the same time, egg donation can bring questions and emotions that are not always easy to anticipate. Taking time to understand the process, ask questions, establish boundaries, and have a strong support system can help donors feel confident throughout their journey.

Your feelings matter too.

For Surrogates

Surrogacy can be an incredibly meaningful experience, but it can also bring a wide range of emotions. Excitement, gratitude, connection, anxiety, and even grief can all be part of the journey.

During pregnancy, emotions may change as relationships, expectations, appointments, and the realities of carrying a baby for someone else become part of everyday life.

After delivery, support continues to matter. A surrogate may feel proud and happy while also experiencing a sense of transition as the pregnancy comes to an end.

There is no shame in needing support.

Give Yourself Permission to Feel

One of the most important parts of mental health awareness is recognizing that complicated emotions are normal.

You can be excited and nervous. Hopeful and overwhelmed. Proud and emotional. Grateful and still struggling.

These feelings can exist at the same time.

The fertility journey can look different for everyone, but no one should feel like they have to navigate it alone.

Asking for Help Is a Strength

Mental health support can look different for everyone. It may mean talking with a therapist, connecting with others who understand the fertility journey, leaning on your partner or family, setting boundaries, taking time to rest, or simply giving yourself permission to acknowledge how you are feeling.

If you are struggling, reaching out for support is not a sign of weakness. It is an important part of taking care of yourself.

You Are More Than Your Fertility Journey

For intended parents, egg donors, and surrogates, fertility can become a significant part of life. But it does not define who you are.

This World Mental Health Day, we are reminded to make space for the emotional side of fertility, to check in with ourselves and the people around us, and to remember that support matters every step of the way.

You do not have to go through it alone.

Looking for Support?

Whether you are considering becoming an egg donor or surrogate, or you are an intended parent navigating IVF and growing your family, having the right support can make a difference.

Learn more about our programs and how we can support you on your journey.”

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”Today is World Mental Health Day

In the fertility sector, we see first-hand how deeply emotional the journey to parenthood can be, for patients, families, and the professionals supporting them.

Behind every story is courage, vulnerability, and hope.

That’s why today is such an important reminder: mental health matters just as much as physical health.

Everyone deserves understanding, compassion, and access to the right support.

To the healthcare professionals working in fertility, thank you for not only offering medical expertise, but also for the empathy and reassurance that mean so much along the way.

Let’s keep breaking the stigma, opening conversations, and making mental wellbeing a priority in fertility care, and beyond.”

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