Rebecca Matthews, PhD Contributor Bio - FertilitySmarts
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Rebecca Matthews, PhD

Embryologist

Bio

Rebecca Matthews is originally from England and went to Manchester University where she got her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and her PhD studying embryo implantation.

After graduation, Rebecca started her career as an embryologist in Leeds, Yorkshire and was quickly offered an opportunity to work in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Rebecca has been working in Portland at Oregon Reproductive Medicine since 2000 with a 3 year hiatus as an embryologist in Australia.

Her 16 years of experience over 3 continents has helped thousands of babies into the world.

Rebecca is passionate about her work and about educating and empowering people to take control of their own healthcare decisions. With this in mind, she has written an IVF guidebook to help patients understand the processes and options involved in fertility treatments. This book can be found on Amazon and is titled "IVF: A Patient's Guide"

Articles by Rebecca Matthews, PhD

Q&A by Rebecca Matthews, PhD

  • How many embryos should you transfer during an IVF cycle?

    Because of age-related changes in fertility, the number of embryos transferred is directly related to the age of the mother or egg donor. There is a balance to strike between achieving a pregnancy and reducing the chances of...

  • What are the pros and cons of a day 5 embryo transfer?

    Pros of a Day 5 Blastocyst TransferBy leaving the embryos in the lab until Day 5, the embryologist is better able to choose the better quality ones, which will provide a higher implantation rate while transferring fewer...

  • How are embryos selected for transfer during an IVF cycle?

    The easy answer to this question: the best embryos are chosen!There are a number of factors that determine which embryos are deemed best. On any given day of culture, the embryos are expected to have a specific appearance:On...

  • Why are embryos transferred at different times?

    Embryo transfer can be carried out on any day of development, although most clinics do so on either day 3 or day 5 of development. The primary benefit of growing the embryos in the lab as long as possible is that with each...

  • Will my embryos fall out?

    A common question asked is, “Will my embryos fall out?” The answer is no, they will not fall out.Perhaps you are thinking of textbook illustrations that show uterine cavities as big open spaces. This is inaccurate. In...

  • How do I know if my partners sperm count is low?

    When you go and see the doctor at the beginning of your fertility assessment, a semen analysis is one of the most important diagnostic tests. Semen parameters such as volume, count and motility all vary between individuals,...

  • Can supplements improve egg quality for IVF?

    Several studies have shown that certain supplements may improve egg quality in older women or those with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Although there is no magic formula to turn back the hands of time, it’s worth...

  • Why did my in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle fail?

    Not all patients conceive with their first IVF procedure, which can be a devastating blow, both emotionally and financially. Couples undergoing IVF may need more than one cycle because of the cumulative nature of conception....

  • Will lying on my back with my legs in the air after intercourse help me get pregnant?

    There’s no strong evidence to suggest that lying on your back or tilting your hips for 20 minutes after intercourse improves the chance of getting pregnant. On the other hand, it won’t hurt your chances either. Lying down...

  • What happens after an embryo transfer?

    After the embryo transfer, you receive instructions before leaving the clinic. These instructions include what medication to take when your pregnancy test is going to be and any lifestyle restrictions such as bed rest,...

  • What can you do to improve your sperm count?

    If you are found to have a low sperm count, usually no specific treatment or cure is available (unless surgery is required, for example, for a testicular varicocele or tubal blockage). Your doctor may investigate the reason...

  • How do I know if I’ve ovulated?

    Knowing the exact time to have sex when you are trying to get pregnant can sometimes be a mystery, especially if your cycles aren't regular. One of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to know when to have sex is to keep an eye...

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