Evidence, translated
Medical research
made human
IVF research is published in journals written for clinicians, not patients. We read it, verify it, and translate it into plain English — so you can walk into your next appointment informed, and ask the questions that matter.
All research
Showing 7 articlesMost read this month
Frozen vs fresh embryo transfer — what the current evidence actually favours
The conversation has shifted significantly in the last three years. We look at what large-scale trials now say about outcomes, and whether your clinic's preference is evidence-based.
Clinical research
What the latest embryo grading research actually means for your cycleNew
New ESHRE guidance simplifies grading standards across clinics. Here's what changed, what it means, and the questions to ask your team before your next transfer.
5 min read
Wellbeing & lifestyle
The link between sleep quality and IVF outcomes — what the studies sayNew
Three recent papers suggest sleep disruption in the stimulation phase may affect egg quality. Here's what the evidence actually shows — and what's still uncertain.
6 min read
Treatment explainer
AMH explained — what your result means and what it doesn't
Anti-Müllerian Hormone is one of the most talked-about numbers in IVF. It's also one of the most misunderstood. Here's what it actually measures and why it isn't the whole picture.
7 min read
Medications
The trigger shot — what it does, when it's given, and why timing matters so much
The hCG or GnRH agonist trigger is one of the most precisely timed steps in an IVF cycle. Understanding why helps make sense of the urgency around it.
5 min read
Clinical research
Progesterone in the two-week wait — why your symptoms don't mean what you think
Progesterone supplementation mimics early pregnancy symptoms almost exactly. This is why symptom-spotting during the TWW is genuinely unreliable — and what the research says instead.
6 min read
Treatment explainer
IVF vs ICSI — understanding when one is recommended over the other
ICSI is now used in the majority of IVF cycles in the UK, including many where it may not be strictly necessary. Here's what the evidence says about when it genuinely helps.
8 min read
Quick reference
The IVF glossary
Every term, acronym, and abbreviation you'll encounter — explained plainly. Use the alphabet filter to find what you need, or download the full glossary from our Resources page.
AMH
Anti-Müllerian Hormone
A blood test used to estimate ovarian reserve — how many eggs you have remaining. A lower result doesn't mean you can't conceive, but it informs your clinic's approach to stimulation.
AFC
Antral Follicle Count
An ultrasound count of small follicles visible on your ovaries at the start of your cycle. Used alongside AMH to predict your response to stimulation drugs.
Blastocyst
Day 5–6 embryo
An embryo that has developed for five or six days and reached the blastocyst stage. These are generally considered to have a higher chance of successful implantation than earlier-stage embryos.
Embryo grading
Quality assessment
A system used by embryologists to assess embryo quality. Grades vary by clinic and stage, but broadly reflect cell number, symmetry, and fragmentation. A lower grade doesn't mean an embryo won't work.
FET
Frozen Embryo Transfer
A cycle in which a previously frozen embryo is thawed and transferred to the uterus. Outcomes for FET cycles are now comparable or superior to fresh transfers in many studies.
hCG
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
The hormone detected by pregnancy tests, also used as a trigger shot to mature eggs before collection. Its presence is what causes the classic early pregnancy symptoms.
ICSI
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
A form of IVF in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, rather than sperm and egg being placed together. Most commonly recommended for male factor infertility.
PGT-A
Preimplantation Genetic Testing
Testing of embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer. Evidence on its benefit for general IVF populations remains debated — it is more clearly indicated in specific circumstances.
Progesterone
Luteal support hormone
A hormone supplemented after egg collection and transfer to support the uterine lining. Progesterone causes symptoms (bloating, breast tenderness, fatigue) that closely mimic early pregnancy — making symptom-spotting unreliable during the TWW.
TWW
Two-Week Wait
The period between embryo transfer and the official pregnancy test date. Widely considered the most emotionally difficult part of an IVF cycle.
Chemical pregnancy
Early pregnancy loss
A very early pregnancy loss detected by a positive hCG test that does not progress to a clinical pregnancy. Often occurs before five weeks. The clinical term does not reflect the emotional weight of the experience for many people.
Trigger shot
Final maturation injection
An injection given approximately 36 hours before egg collection to trigger final maturation of follicles. Timing is precise — it is one of the most time-sensitive steps in an IVF cycle.
Have a research question?
If there's something you've been trying to understand — a term your clinic used, a study you read about, a treatment decision you're trying to make sense of — tell us. We write what the community needs to know.
We read every suggestion and publish a new article every month.