What Embryo Development Can Tell Us About IVF Success with Dr. Tricia Adams

What actually happens inside the IVF lab can have a major impact on embryo development, genetic testing results, and ultimately your chances of IVF success.

I'm pulling back the curtain on how embryologists evaluate embryos, what makes one embryo more likely to succeed than another, and how the timing of biopsy, freezing, and embryo development can influence outcomes.

We also tackle common questions, including whether a day 6 blastocyst is something to worry about and what patients should know about embryo grading and PGT-A testing. Joining me for this fascinating conversation is Dr. Tricia Adams, senior embryologist and laboratory manager at Ovation Fertility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Adams brings a rare combination of deep scientific expertise, from equine oocyte cryopreservation research to cutting-edge human embryology, along with a genuine passion for improving patient outcomes.

In this episode, I cover:
• What embryologists actually do behind closed laboratory doors — and why you may never meet yours
• Hatching vs. fully hatched blastocysts: what Dr. Adams' research revealed about ploidy status and implantation rates
• The truth about day five vs. day six vs. day seven embryos — and why the day alone doesn't tell the whole story
• How to advocate for yourself by asking the right questions about your specific lab's data
• The rapid rise of elective egg freezing and what women should realistically understand about timing, expectations, and outcomes
• Lessons from cryopreserving horse eggs and what that research taught Dr. Adams about protecting human oocytes
• The future of embryo assessment: AI, non-invasive tools, and individualized embryo scoring

Resources
Ovation Fertility Website
Fertility Answers (Baton Rouge & Lafayette, LA)
Subscribe to The Egg Whisperer Show on YouTube
Subscribe to The Egg Whisperer Show on Spotify

Do you have questions about IVF? Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The IVF Class.
The next live class call is on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 4 pm PST, where I'll explain IVF and Egg Freezing, and answer your questions live on Zoom.

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Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well-known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org.