What it means

An embryo is the very early stage of a pregnancy. It forms when an egg and sperm join together and start dividing into more cells. At this point, it’s still very small and just beginning to develop.

When it’s used

You’ll hear this term a lot in IVF, especially after fertilisation has happened and before the embryo is placed back into the uterus.

Why people get confused

Some people mix up embryo with egg or sperm, but they are not the same. The embryo only exists after fertilisation. It’s already the first step of a developing pregnancy.

Think of it this way

Going back to the plant idea, if the egg is like a seed, then the embryo is when that seed has just started to sprout. It’s no longer just a seed anymore — something has already begun growing.

What to expect

In IVF, embryos are usually observed for a few days as they develop before one is chosen for transfer. Not every embryo will continue growing, and development can vary, which is a normal part of the process.