Hatching a Plan

Unspoken outcomes: When IVF doesn’t go to plan

Emma Whitney, Simon Tomes — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 21:10:40 +0000

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

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

Emma Whitney, Simon Tomes — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 21:19:10 +0000

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.

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

Is embryo glue any good? Does AMH impact embryo quality? Plus many more of your questions answered

Emma Whitney, Simon Tomes — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 21:13:27 +0000

Join Emma the Embryologist and her husband Simon as Emma shares helpful answers to many important questions:

What is a biopsy?
How long have we been implanting biopsied embryos for?
Would you recommend PGT-A after a TFMR?
What does aneuploid mean?
Is embryo glue any good?
Does the AMH level impact embryo quality?
How many days could you keep growing an embryo in culture for?
Can you disturb embryos too much?
Why is embryo grading so complicated?
How to make the most of three months prep?
What's the difference between euploid and mosaic?
What does newer technology mean for embryology?
What's next for embryology?
What's the difference between Day 5 and Day 6?
Why is it important to consider family building?
What is a translocation?
Should I worry about an oval shaped egg?
Is it possible to reverse the age of an egg?
What sperm selection methods would you recommend for a patient with high DNA frag?
How do you know when to stop banking embryos?

IVF 101 – A beginners guide to the world of IVF and assisted reproduction

Emma Whitney, Simon Tomes — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 21:44:26 +0100

What is IVF and who is it for? What does a full IVF cycle look like? What is the lowest AMH for IVF? What injections are required? Plus many more questions answered during this insightful episode of Hatching a Plan with Emma the Embryologist and her husband, Simon Tomes. Follow up by reading 10 essential questions to ask during your IVF consultation.

To PGT or not to PGT that is the question

Emma Whitney, Simon Tomes — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 21:48:59 +0100

To PGT or not to PGT that is the question. Director of Embryology and Genetics, Emma the Embryologist and her husband, Simon, explore all things Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT). Emma shares advice direct from the several years in the lab, including discussions around NHS funding, costs, thawing, refreezing, embryo recovery, brca genes, timeframes, age factors, translocation, infertility fatigue, misconceptions and more. Listen out for Emma's library analogy – it's super helpful.

Everything you need to know about donor sperm

Emma Whitney, Simon Tomes — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 22:02:00 +0100

In episode two of Hatching a Plan. Simon and Emma, who are married, discuss donor sperm in an informative and lighthearted way. Emma, the fertility expert, shares her knowledge about why people use donor sperm, what to consider when choosing a donor, and the legalities involved (focusing on the UK).

The episode is aimed at anyone who is considering using donor sperm, but may also be helpful for others who want to learn more about the topic.

Choosing a fertility clinic: Understanding the Vienna Consensus

Emma Whitney, Simon Tomes — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 21:50:33 +0100

Are you considering IVF or other fertility treatments? Feeling overwhelmed by the process and clinic options? This episode is for you!

Join Emma, a highly experienced embryologist, and her husband Simon for a casual and informative chat. They'll be diving deep into the world of fertility, specifically focusing on the Vienna Consensus.

In Episode 1 of Hatching A Plan, you'll learn:

- Who Emma is and why she's passionate about fertility education
- What the Vienna Consensus is and why it matters when choosing a fertility clinic
- How the Vienna Consensus can empower you to make informed decisions about your fertility journey
- This episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss!

Plus, there's more! Throughout the video, Emma and Simon will be answering questions submitted live in the comments.

Stay tuned! This is the first episode of an exciting new series.

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