Life before Birth: Insdie the world of embryo selection with Alease Barnes

In Episode 11 of The Surrogacy Scoop, host CJ Hughes speaks with Alease Barnes, an experienced embryologist, about her role in the IVF process, the intricate lab procedures that help create families, and her efforts to educate patients through social media. Alease provides a detailed look at the day-to-day responsibilities of an embryologist, the science behind embryo development, and the critical decisions made in the lab that influence fertility outcomes.

The Role of an Embryologist in the IVF Process

Alease explains that embryologists play a vital role in fertility treatments, handling eggs, sperm, and embryos at every stage of the IVF process. Their work determines which embryos have the highest potential for a successful pregnancy and ensures that they are cultured in the best possible environment. Despite their importance, embryologists often go unseen, working behind the scenes while patients interact primarily with fertility doctors.

Her work includes performing advanced procedures such as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), a technique where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to improve fertilization chances. She also conducts embryo biopsies for genetic testing, which involves carefully extracting a few cells from an embryo to check for genetic abnormalities. Additionally, she is responsible for vitrification, or embryo freezing, a process that preserves embryos at ultra-low temperatures so they can be used in future transfers.

A Day in the Life of an Embryologist

A typical day for Alease begins early, around 7:00 AM, when she arrives at the lab to conduct quality control checks. She ensures that all incubators, microscopes, and storage equipment are functioning correctly. Monitoring temperature, pH levels, humidity, and gas concentrations is crucial because even the slightest variation in conditions can impact embryo development.

The morning is dedicated to time-sensitive procedures, such as warming embryos for transfers and performing egg retrievals. When eggs are collected from a patient, Alease immediately evaluates them under a microscope to determine their maturity. Mature eggs are then fertilized using either traditional insemination or ICSI.

As the day progresses, she moves on to tasks that require precision and advanced techniques. This includes conducting embryo biopsies for genetic testing, where she carefully removes a few cells from an embryo to be sent to a genetic lab for analysis. She also grades embryos based on their development, helping fertility doctors determine which ones have the best chance of implanting successfully.

Before wrapping up for the day, Alease spends time documenting lab work, preparing culture dishes for upcoming procedures, and updating intended parents or surrogates on their embryos’ progress. While she doesn’t interact with patients frequently, these updates are an important part of building trust and keeping patients informed about their fertility journey.

Ensuring the Best Possible Environment for Embryo Development

One of the most critical aspects of Alease’s job is maintaining a stable and controlled environment for embryos to grow. Embryos are kept in incubators that mimic the conditions inside the human body, requiring precise control over factors such as temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels. Even small environmental shifts can affect embryo viability, so she constantly monitors lab conditions and adjusts settings as needed.

She also follows strict protocols to ensure that all procedures are performed with the highest level of accuracy. This includes double-checking patient identifiers, logging every step in the lab process, and collaborating with fertility specialists to make informed decisions about embryo selection and transfer timing.

How Embryos Are Selected for Transfer

Embryo selection is a key part of the IVF process, and Alease explains that this decision is based on two main factors: genetic testing results and embryo grading.

Through preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), embryologists can determine which embryos have a normal number of chromosomes (euploid) and are therefore more likely to result in a successful pregnancy. In addition to genetic health, embryos are also graded visually, based on their structure, development speed, and overall appearance under the microscope.

While these factors improve the chances of success, Alease reminds listeners that no embryo is guaranteed to result in a pregnancy. However, selecting the healthiest embryos based on science significantly increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Challenges and Misconceptions About Embryologists

One of the biggest challenges Alease faces in her field is the lack of awareness about what embryologists do. Since they work behind the scenes, many patients don’t realize the level of skill, precision, and decision-making involved in their work. This can lead to misconceptions about the embryo selection process, lab procedures, and success rates.

She also notes that patients often have unrealistic expectations about embryo development, which can cause stress and disappointment if their results aren’t as expected. To combat this, she believes in transparency and patient education, ensuring that people understand both the possibilities and limitations of IVF science.

Educating Patients Through Social Media

Recognizing the knowledge gap between embryologists and patients, Alease decided to use social media as a tool for education. Through her Instagram and TikTok accounts (@AleaseTheEmbryologist), she shares videos and posts explaining lab procedures in simple, easy-to-understand ways. She breaks down topics like how embryos are graded, the steps of ICSI, and the importance of genetic testing, making fertility science more accessible to patients.

Alease has also been open about her own egg-freezing journey, sharing her experience to help others understand the process and remove the stigma around fertility preservation. By providing both scientific knowledge and personal insights, she hopes to empower patients to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

The Emotional Side of Fertility and the Importance of Support

Beyond the technical aspects of embryology, Alease emphasizes the emotional side of fertility treatments. She understands that IVF and surrogacy can be a stressful, emotional journey, and she encourages patients to seek out support networks—whether through social media, fertility support groups, or online communities.

Through her work, she hopes to foster a sense of connection between patients and the fertility specialists working behind the scenes. By sharing reliable information and providing a clearer understanding of what happens in the lab, she aims to help patients feel more confident and at ease throughout their fertility journey.

Final Thoughts

In this episode, CJ Hughes and Alease Barnes offer an eye-opening look at the complex world of embryology and the science behind IVF. From handling embryos with extreme care to helping select the best ones for implantation, embryologists play a crucial role in making fertility treatments successful.

Through education and transparency, Alease is working to bridge the gap between patients and the lab, ensuring that those undergoing IVF and surrogacy feel informed, empowered, and supported every step of the way. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the IVF process, the work of embryologists, and the science behind creating families.