Hatching a Plan

Emma Whitney, Simon Tomes

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in fertility treatment? Join Emma, the embryologist, and her husband Simon for a down-to-earth conversation about making dreams of parenthood a reality. Each episode dives into the science of embryology in a way that's easy to understand, empowering you to ask the right questions on your fertility journey.

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  1. 1일 전

    Unspoken outcomes: When IVF doesn’t go to plan

    Simon Tomes and Emma the Embryologist discuss what IVF really means, why “just do IVF” is an oversimplification, and how treatment can stop unexpectedly before an embryo transfer. Emma outlines the typical IVF process—stimulation, egg collection, lab fertilisation and embryo culture—and explains that there are multiple biological hurdles before a pregnancy test is even possible. They cover common points where cycles can end early, including not being able to stimulate, collecting no eggs, getting eggs that are immature and unusable, having eggs but no sperm on the day, failed fertilisation, embryos failing to divide, embryos not reaching blastocyst stage, PGT-A results showing all embryos are chromosomally abnormal, and rare cases where a frozen embryo doesn’t survive thawing.  Emma emphasises global relevance, the role of clinic monitoring and policies, the importance of context and asking clinics about their experience, and the reality that clinicians don’t always have answers. The episode ends with a recent success story and an update on Fertility Action, a charity advocating for improved NHS fertility funding and providing free support groups. Ask the right questions on your fertility journey. Join Emma the Embryologist and dive into the science of embryology in a way that's easy to understand. Visit her website for more helpful information and sign up to her newsletter for updates: https://www.emmatheembryologist.com

    50분
  2. 2025. 02. 04.

    Does the embryo grade tell us everything we need to know?

    Is the embryo grade as important as everyone thinks? Join Emma the Embryologist and her husband Simon Tomes as they discuss critical aspects of embryo grading, the importance of school education on infertility, and Emma's informative visit to the UK parliament. Discover the intricate details of embryo grading, the common misconceptions, and why clinics might 'cherry-pick' embryos. Learn about Emma’s impactful school visits aimed at educating young women about reproductive health and the surprising truths she shared. Lastly, hear about Emma’s advocacy for fertility treatment and access during her recent trip to the UK parliament. Stick around to find out the fascinating answer to ‘Why do men have nipples?’! Don’t miss this insightful and engaging episode. Ask the right questions on your fertility journey. Join Emma the Embryologist and dive into the science of embryology in a way that's easy to understand. Visit her website for more helpful information and sign up to her newsletter for updates: https://www.emmatheembryologist.com 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:28 Episode Overview 00:59 Understanding Embryo Grading 01:32 The Grading Process Explained 04:33 Blastocyst Stage and Grading 08:45 Importance of Timing in Embryo Grading 20:05 Subjectivity and Bias in Grading 23:05 The Role of AI in Embryo Grading 24:28 Exploring Embryo Grading and Quality 24:59 The Hard Truth About Embryo Success Rates 27:56 Freezing Embryos: Success Rates and Techniques 29:06 Engaging Students: A Visit to Our Daughter's School 31:53 Debunking Myths and Educating on Fertility 36:42 Advocating for Fertility Treatment Access in Parliament 44:26 Why Do Men Have Nipples? 47:59 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Farewell

    49분

소개

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in fertility treatment? Join Emma, the embryologist, and her husband Simon for a down-to-earth conversation about making dreams of parenthood a reality. Each episode dives into the science of embryology in a way that's easy to understand, empowering you to ask the right questions on your fertility journey.