What happens to your eggs, sperm and embryos once they enter an IVF laboratory?
In this episode of Knocked Up, Dr Raelia Lew speaks with senior embryologist Alex about the science, precision and human care behind every stage of embryo development.
Alex explains how embryologists care for eggs and embryos from collection through to transfer, freezing and genetic testing. They discuss the strict identification systems used to prevent embryo mix-ups, including double witnessing, barcodes and electronic RFID tracking.
The conversation also explores embryo grading, what grades such as 4AA or 5BB can and cannot tell us, and why even a beautiful-looking embryo may not result in pregnancy.
Raelia and Alex unpack ICSI, sperm-selection techniques, embryo freezing and warming, and the difference between an embryo’s appearance and its chromosomal health. They also look at how artificial intelligence is helping embryologists assess embryos and identify sperm, without replacing human expertise.
It’s a fascinating look behind the laboratory door at the people, technology and safeguards supporting every IVF journey.
In this episode:
What an embryologist does during IVF
How embryo biopsies are performed
How IVF clinics prevent embryo mix-ups
What egg and sperm quality can reveal
How AI is being used to rank embryos
What IVF embryo grades actually mean
Whether lower-grade embryos can become healthy babies
How safely embryos survive freezing and warming
How ICSI works and when it may be recommended
Sex selection, ethics and “designer babies”
Why a good-quality embryo may fail to implant
How IVF success rates are measured
Episode chapters:
00:38 Meet embryologist Alex
02:09 Training as an embryologist
03:08 How embryo biopsies work
04:01 Preventing embryo mix-ups
06:56 The human side of embryology
09:21 Learning from embryo development
10:04 Egg and sperm-selection techniques
12:20 Artificial intelligence in IVF
15:52 Understanding embryo grading
17:55 Can a poor-grade embryo become a baby?
20:04 Embryo freezing and survival rates
22:19 How ICSI works
25:46 Using AI to identify sperm
27:07 Sex selection and designer babies
28:39 Automation in IVF laboratories
31:33 Understanding IVF success rates 33:25 Why a good-looking embryo may not implant
About Knocked Up
Knocked Up is hosted by CREI fertility specialist Dr Raelia Lew and features honest, evidence-based conversations about fertility, IVF, reproductive health and pregnancy.
This episode is sponsored by Women’s Health Melbourne, providing expert fertility assessment, IVF, egg freezing, endometriosis management and personalised preconception care.
Learn more or book an appointment at womenshealthmelbourne.com.au.
This podcast provides general information and does not replace personalised medical advice. Please speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your circumstances.
Resources and support
Learn more about fertility treatment, IVF and egg freezing through:
This episode of Knocked Up is brought to you by Women’s Health Melbourne. To book an appointment visit www.womenshealthmelbourne.com.au
The information shared in this podcast is general in nature and should not replace personalised medical advice.
Subscribe to Knocked Up and leave a review to help more people access informed, compassionate conversations about fertility and women’s health.
IVF nurse, IVF nursing, fertility nurse, fertility treatment, IVF treatment Australia, IVF emotional support, two-week wait IVF, embryo transfer pregnancy test, negative pregnancy test IVF, positive pregnancy blood test, HCG levels pregnancy, fertility preservation children, paediatric fertility preservation, egg freezing, embryo banking, donor eggs,
