World Embryologist Day 2025: Every year on July 25, the world remembers a very special moment in science and medicine, which is the birth of Louise Joy Brown, the first baby born through IVF. Louise was born in Oldham, UK, on July 25, 1978, and her birth gave new hope to many couples who were struggling to have children.
This wouldn’t have been possible without the work of three brilliant people biologist Robert Edwards, gynecologist Patrick Steptoe, and nurse and research assistant Jean Purdy. They worked for years, testing and improving the process of IVF that had only worked on animals before.
Their breakthrough came when they managed to transfer an eight-cell fertilized egg into the mother’s womb on November 12, 1977. It took a lot of effort and patience, but their work finally brought success. When Louise was born, it was a huge achievement, not just for science, but for families all over the world who hoped to become parents. People called her the world’s first “test tube baby,” a name that sounded strange back then when IVF was still new and not widely accepted.
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What is IVF?
IVF stands for In-Vitro Fertilisation. It’s a special method to help people have babies when they face fertility problems. The process is done in a lab. Doctors take a mature egg and mix it with sperm outside the body. Once the egg is fertilized, it becomes an embryo. The embryo is then placed inside the uterus. If it sticks to the uterus wall, pregnancy begins.
There are many reasons why people choose IVF:
- In the case of blocked fallopian tubes
- Low sperm count
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Uterine fibroids
- To avoid passing genetic disorders
- To have a baby without a partner
- Same-sex couples
How Does IVF Works?
Before the IVF process starts, doctors first do tests to check if the treatment is suitable. Medicines are given to help more eggs mature at the same time. Then doctors collect the eggs using a small needle. After that, the eggs are kept in a safe dish, and sperm is added to fertilize them. If all goes well, the embryo grows for about five to six days. Once it reaches the right stage, it is placed in the uterus.
Some embryos are used right away, called fresh transfers. Others are frozen and used later. The transfer is not very painful and takes less than 10 minutes. If pregnancy happens, symptoms like tiredness, bloating, cramping, and missed periods may show up within 9 to 14 days.
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Here are IVF day-by-day symptoms women experience after embryo transfer.
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Tiredness
- Change in discharge
- Frequent urination
- Missed period
- Spotting
- Lower back pain
Why World Embryologist Day is Important?
World Embryologist Day is celebrated on July 25 to honor not only Louise Brown’s birth but also the work of embryologists who make IVF possible. These medical professionals work behind the scenes in labs. They do many important tasks like retrieving eggs, watching for fertilization, growing embryos, and preparing them for transfer. They also do genetic testing and make sure the lab conditions are just right.
The day reminds us how important embryologists are in helping families who cannot have children naturally. It also raises awareness about infertility, which affects about one in six people worldwide. Each year, this day comes with a theme to spread awareness, encourage new research, and educate people about infertility treatments.
Today, more than 12 million babies have been born through IVF. This month also marks 40 years since Spain’s first IVF baby, Victoria Anna, was born thanks to a skilled team in Barcelona.
