Inside the Embryo Lab: What Happens to Your Embryos After Retrieval

What happens after egg retrieval? For many patients, this part of the IVF process feels like a mystery. In this episode, Dr. Norbert Gleicher sits down with Dr. Cari Nicholas, CHR’s Embryology Lab Supervisor, to walk through the crucial days after retrieval. From fertilization to embryo development, they explain each step inside the lab, how embryologists make decisions about monitoring and transfer timing, and why lab quality plays such an important role in IVF outcomes. This behind-the-scenes look offers patients clarity, reassurance, and insight into one of the most delicate stages of the fertility journey.Brought to you by the Center for Human Reproduction (CHR) on the Upper East Side of New York City. With over 40 years of experience and a history of innovation, CHR has been at the forefront of fertility care since the beginning.  Our founder, Dr. Norbert Gleicher, reported the first successful transvaginal egg retrieval in human history, helping to shape the future of IVF as we know it today. CHR is known for tackling some of the most challenging fertility cases—especially women over 40 and those with diminished ovarian reserve—by offering highly individualized, evidence-based care when others often turn patients away.  Our team has published more than 450 peer-reviewed research papers advancing reproductive medicine, reflecting our deep commitment not only to patient care but to the science that drives better outcomes. At CHR, you're never just a number. You're part of a community focused on giving you the personalized support, science, and hope you deserve.  Website: www.thechr.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrnewyork  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrnewyork/  Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/centerforhumanreproduction/  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/CenterforHumanReproduction/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrnewyork