A celebration of embryology.

July 25th is a day to be celebrated. It marks the birth of Louise Joy Brown, the first IVF baby, born on July 25, 1978. The successful use of technology to help meet fertility challenges.

Today, we celebrate World Embryologist Day with the realization that our profession continues to evolve.

I found my purpose many years ago as an embryologist and believe that IVF is one of the most significant advancements in medicine in the last 50 years. What began as a technique to help infertile couples conceive has grown exponentially with the number of IVF babies in the world already reaching over ten million.

This is not your typical 9-5 job. It requires commitment and dedication and is truly an extremely rewarding career.

The IVF lab is where the magic happens.

Some aspects of a day in the life of an embryologist may seem routine but all require expertise and precision. Monitoring the temperature, pH and other environmental readings on the lab equipment, checking to see if the eggs from the day before fertilized, looking at images or videos of embryos to select those to transfer or freeze. Embryologists also perform genetic testing, ICSI which requires injecting a single sperm into a mature egg using micromanipulation under a microscope and prepare embryos for vitrification or freezing. Embryologists also need good interpersonal skills and empathy to speak with the individuals going through IVF to share hopeful as well as disappointing news.

Embryologists. I am honored to be part of a special group of scientists dedicated to helping individuals become families.