IVF Success Blueprint

Starting IVF treatment can feel like stepping into a world of new terms, timelines, tests, and decisions. At Pozitivf Fertility, our goal is to make fertility care clearer, more affordable, and more human. In our IVF Success Blueprint webinar, Dr. Francisco “Paco” Arredondo and Lab Supervisor and Embryologist Elisabeta Kasa, walked patients through what IVF is, how embryos are created, what happens inside the embryology lab, and which factors can help patients feel more prepared before treatment begins.

IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is one of the most effective tools available for overcoming infertility. It was originally developed for patients with blocked or absent fallopian tubes, but today it can help with many different fertility challenges, including male-factor infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, endometriosis, PCOS, prior sterilization, advanced reproductive age, and situations where embryo testing may be recommended.

Most importantly, IVF does not have to feel mysterious. When you understand the steps, the science, and the purpose behind each decision, you can move forward with more confidence and better questions for your care team.

What Is IVF Treatment?

At its core, IVF means fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body, in a highly controlled laboratory environment. The process begins with ovarian stimulation, where medications help the ovaries develop multiple eggs. Those eggs are then retrieved during a brief procedure and immediately transferred to the embryology team.

Once in the lab, embryologists identify the eggs, assess maturity, and follow the fertilization plan selected for the patient. In many IVF cycles, fertilization is performed through ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, where one sperm is carefully injected into one mature egg. The resulting embryos are then cultured and monitored as they grow, usually through day five, six, or seven, when they may reach the blastocyst stage.

When an embryo is ready, it may be transferred, frozen, or biopsied for preimplantation genetic testing, depending on the patient’s treatment plan. In many modern IVF cycles, especially when PGT-A is chosen, embryos are frozen while genetic results are pending.

Why the IVF Lab Matters for Embryo Development

One of the strongest messages from the webinar was that the embryology lab is central to IVF success. Dr. Arredondo described the lab as the “oven” where embryos are generated, and the details matter. Temperature, pH, osmolarity, gas levels, culture conditions, staff training, witnessing systems, and around-the-clock monitoring all help protect eggs, sperm, embryos, and stored specimens.

At Pozitivf Fertility, the lab team discussed several safeguards, including double witnessing, radio-frequency identification witnessing, real-time alerts, backup power, accreditation, SART membership, and CLIA certification. These systems are designed to support accuracy, safety, and consistency at every stage of the IVF process.

The lab also tracks embryo development carefully. Embryos are graded using the Gardner grading scale, which looks at blastocyst expansion, the inner cell mass, and the trophectoderm cells that contribute to the placenta. Embryos with appropriate grading may be frozen, biopsied for testing, or selected for transfer based on the patient’s plan.

Embryo Attrition: Why IVF Numbers Change Throughout the Cycle

Many patients are surprised to learn that not every follicle leads to an egg, not every retrieved egg is mature, not every mature egg fertilizes, and not every fertilized egg becomes a blastocyst. This natural drop-off is called attrition, and it is an expected part of IVF biology.

For example, a patient may begin with 10 follicles, retrieve 9 eggs, have 8 mature eggs, see 6 fertilize, and ultimately have 3 blastocysts to freeze or test. If PGT-A is performed, not every blastocyst will come back euploid, meaning chromosomally normal. This is not a sign that the patient “failed” or that the lab did something wrong. It reflects egg, sperm, and embryo biology.

Understanding attrition can help patients set realistic expectations and reduce some of the anxiety that comes from watching numbers change throughout a cycle.

What PGT-A Testing Can—and Cannot—Tell You

PGT-A, or preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, provides information about an embryo’s chromosomes. During the biopsy, the embryology team removes a small number of cells from the trophectoderm, the part of the embryo that contributes to the placenta. The inner cell mass, which develops into the baby, is not biopsied. The embryo stays safely vitrified in the Pozitivf lab while the sample is sent to a genetic testing laboratory.

PGT-A can tell whether an embryo appears euploid, meaning it has the expected number of chromosomes, or aneuploid, meaning it has missing or extra chromosomes. This information can help patients and physicians prioritize embryos for transfer and may help patients get to pregnancy faster. However, PGT-A does not guarantee implantation, pregnancy, or a healthy baby.

The webinar also addressed related questions about sex selection. When PGT-A includes sex chromosome information, patients may learn or select embryo sex with a high degree of accuracy, though not 100%. If a patient has no preference, embryologists generally prioritize embryo quality, morphology, and developmental timing.

Fresh vs. Frozen Embryo Transfer: Which Is Better?

Fresh and frozen embryo transfer can both be appropriate options. The webinar explained that there is no clear consensus that one is better for every patient. Frozen embryo transfer is common when embryos are being tested because genetic results are not available in time for a fresh transfer. For many patients, especially those under 35, Dr. Arredondo noted that the difference may not be significant.

The webinar also emphasized that transferring one embryo is usually the preferred approach. Years ago, multiple embryos were often transferred because IVF success rates were lower. Today, improved outcomes make single embryo transfer a safer and more common strategy, helping reduce the chance of twins, triplets, or higher-order multiple pregnancies. Even with one embryo, there is still a small chance an embryo can split into identical twins.

How to Prepare for IVF Treatment

While patients cannot control embryo biology, there are meaningful ways to prepare for treatment. The webinar highlighted fundamentals such as avoiding smoking, getting consistent sleep, limiting excessive alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutrient-rich diet, avoiding toxins, managing stress, attending monitoring visits, following medication instructions, and allowing time to rest and recover.

For supplements, the speakers emphasized folic acid as the most important. Vitamin D and CoQ10 may also be recommended for some patients, but supplement decisions should be discussed with the care team. The webinar noted that 400 micrograms of folic acid is commonly used, while 1 milligram may be recommended in some situations and is often simplified as a clinic-wide recommendation.

Stress was another common audience concern. Dr. Arredondo encouraged patients to use whatever healthy strategies genuinely help them decompress, whether that is acupuncture, yoga, massage, a weekend away, or another restorative routine.

Common IVF Questions Answered in the Webinar

Audience members asked what happens if no embryos are euploid. The answer depends on the total number of embryos tested and the underlying cause of infertility, but one unsuccessful cycle does not determine the final outcome. Another common question was whether IVF can lead to multiples. The answer is yes, but the goal is usually to avoid multiple pregnancy because it carries higher risks.

Patients also asked about IVF candidacy with PCOS, BMI, low AMH, donor sperm, DNA fragmentation, and how many IUI cycles to try before IVF. Key themes were individualized care, realistic expectations, and knowing when IVF may offer a more efficient path—especially when donor sperm is costly or when ovarian reserve is low.

The webinar closed with a reminder that fertility testing can provide clarity. Pozitivf’s fertility workup was described as including AMH testing, a saline ultrasound, tubal evaluation, semen analysis, and an initial visit, helping patients understand what may be affecting conception and what next steps may make sense.

Start Your IVF Journey with Pozitivf Fertility

Pozitivf Fertility offers patient-centered fertility care designed to feel clearer, more affordable, and easier to navigate. If you are considering IVF treatment, schedule a free consultation with a Fertility Advocate and take the next step with confidence.