When the Math Ain’t Mathing: How Too Many Mosaics Can Hurt Pregnancy Rates

Send us a textWhat happens when an embryo never even makes it to the report? In this week’s episode of Taco About Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols tackles the complicated world of high-level mosaic embryos—the lesser-known, often misunderstood siblings of low-level mosaics.Learn why some labs label these embryos as “aneuploid,” why others report them as “mosaic,” and how that single label could decide whether an embryo is transferred or discarded.We break down the true live birth odds, explain what high-level mosaicism really means, and walk through the trade-offs between not testing, testing and discarding, or testing and keeping everything.Whether you're over 40, deep into IVF, or just weighing your PGT options, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make the right decision for your fertility journey.🔹 Topics covered:What is a high-level mosaic embryo?Why some labs don't report themStatistical odds of success by age groupEthical and emotional trade-offs in embryo testingWhat to do with abnormal embryos if you're not ready to discard them🎧 Tune in to find out: is a rare chance still a chance worth saving?Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a textIn this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down one of the most overlooked problems in modern fertility care: the hidden harm of overcalling mosaic embryos.We begin with a surprising math puzzle from a 2023 study by Dr. Jonah Bardos in Fertility & Sterility, where the lab reporting the highest euploid rate also had the highest live birth rate—a result that shouldn’t happen if “more abnormal embryos were slipping through.” Instead, the math points to something deeper.Dr. Amols explains what mosaicism really is, why true biological mosaicism is rare, and how PGT-A testing can create artificial mosaics from noise, amplification variability, and overly sensitive algorithms. When labs generate inflated mosaic rates—sometimes 10–20%—they push potentially strong embryos out of the euploid category and unintentionally create selection bias.Through clear examples and memorable analogies, you’ll learn how calling too many mosaics doesn’t protect patients—it can actually lower pregnancy rates by changing which embryos get transferred first. You’ll also hear why high-level mosaics can be clinically useful, while overcalling low-level mosaics can distort decision-making and delay success.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or confused by mosaic results on a PGT report, this episode will help you understand what’s signal, what’s noise, and why more information isn’t always better in fertility care.Stay tuned at the end for ways to support the podcast and for a preview of an upcoming episode on high-level mosaics.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a textIn this eye-opening episode, Dr. Amols tackles a question most patients are too embarrassed to ask out loud: Does getting a second opinion mean you’re cheating on your fertility doctor?Inspired by a real patient interaction, he breaks down why fertility care feels so personal, why patients often feel guilty seeking outside input, and why no confident doctor should ever take it personally. You’ll hear how second opinions can validate your plan, reveal new options, and ultimately strengthen your confidence — not sabotage your treatment.You’ll learn: • Why fertility patients feel “loyalty pressure” • Why two good doctors can disagree and both be right • When a second opinion is helpful (and when it’s panic shopping) • What records to bring and what questions to ask • The red flags that mean you’re in the wrong clinic • How to advocate for yourself without the guiltThis episode is your permission slip to put your peace of mind first. Your journey deserves clarity — not loyalty tests.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a textWhy do eggs that look perfect on retrieval day sometimes lead to poor embryos, failed implantation, or no pregnancy at all? If your clinic once told you your eggs “look great,” only to later say the cycle failed due to an egg issue… you’re not alone. And no, your doctor didn’t lie to you.In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols unpacks one of the biggest misunderstandings in IVF: the difference between how an egg looks and how an egg functions.Drawing from real-world experiences and the new research review “Unveiling the Realms of Reproduction: A Reflection of Oocyte Assessment” by Gardner et al. , Dr. Amols breaks down:• Why egg morphology (appearance) is a terrible predictor of success • What embryologists can see… and what’s completely invisible • Why the true egg issues only show up later — during fertilization, cleavage, and blastocyst development • The “cohort effect”: why some cycles are full of rock-star eggs and others feel like the B-team • Why a failed cycle doesn’t mean your eggs are bad or that you did anything wrong • The future of egg assessment: AI scoring, time-lapse imaging, metabolomics, autofluorescence, and moreIf you’ve ever wondered how “good eggs go bad,” or felt frustrated when early optimism turned into confusion, this episode gives you the clarity, science, and reassurance you’ve been looking for.Share this with someone going through IVF, and leave a 5-star review if this helped you.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a textIUI is simple—but the expectations, emotions, and math behind it definitely aren’t. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols walks you through exactly what to expect during an IUI cycle, from the first ultrasound to the trigger shot to the quick, 30-second insemination appointment. You’ll learn who IUI works best for, why success rates aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and how your odds really build with each cycle. Whether you’re preparing for your first IUI or deciding whether to keep going, this episode gives you the clarity, context, and confidence you need to make informed decisions on your fertility journey.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a textWhat happens when IVF success leaves you with more embryos than you ever planned for? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols tackles the emotional and practical side of “extra embryos.” He explains why the U.S. system often pushes patients to create as many embryos as possible — and how cost, culture, and regulation shape that pressure.You’ll learn the pros and cons of mini-IVF, selective fertilization, and egg-only freezing, and why “more” isn’t always better when it comes to embryo creation. Dr. Amols also breaks down five crucial questions to ask your clinic before you start stimulation, so your IVF plan aligns with your values, not just your clinic’s routine.Whether you’re planning your first cycle or staring at a freezer inventory you never expected, this episode helps you find the balance between success, cost, and peace of mind.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a textIn this powerful and deeply personal episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols opens up about something doctors rarely say out loud — that we have feelings too.Step behind the white coat to hear the human side of fertility care: the burnout that comes with modern medicine, the emotional weight of every failed cycle, and the reality of being judged not by effort, but by outcomes. Dr. Amols shares raw stories about patient misunderstandings, communication breakdowns, and the painful impact of online reviews that don’t always reflect the truth.This episode is an honest conversation about empathy — for both patients and doctors — reminding us that medicine isn’t perfect, but the people behind it care more than you’ll ever know.💬 Topics include:The emotional toll of infertility care on physiciansBurnout and documentation overload in modern medicineWhy communication breakdowns can feel like neglect — but usually aren’tThe illusion of perfection in fertility treatmentHow empathy and understanding can bridge the gap between patients and providersWhether you’re a patient, provider, or simply curious about what it’s like behind the scenes of fertility medicine, this episode will change the way you see your care team forever.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a textThis week on Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols sits down with fertility naturopath and nutritionist Tasha Jennings to explore how natural and medical approaches to fertility can work hand in hand.Together, they break down the science behind how nutrition, lifestyle, and epigenetics can influence egg and sperm quality — and how collaboration between naturopaths and fertility specialists can lead to healthier pregnancies and better IVF outcomes.From real patient stories to myth-busting the “magic of IVF,” this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to take control of their fertility journey — naturally and scientifically.🎧 Topics include:The science of epigenetics and how diet can affect your genesHow naturopaths and REI doctors can work together for better resultsWhy the 90 days before conception may be the most important for your future babyWhat patients should know before starting IVFThanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a textCan you really boost your IVF success rate by doing everything before an embryo transfer? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down one of the most common misconceptions in fertility treatment — the belief that more testing automatically means better results. From ERA and Receptiva testing to add-ons like PRP or HCG washes, Dr. Amols explains why these extra steps can’t push your chances beyond what the embryo already has — because you can’t beat the math.Using simple numbers, national success rate data, and a memorable coin-flip analogy, he helps you understand how cumulative odds really work, when testing does make sense, and why giving “120%” isn’t possible in IVF. Whether you’re preparing for your first transfer or recovering from a failed one, this episode will help you focus on what truly improves your chances — patience, persistence, and perspective.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

Send us a textAre fertility clinics telling you the whole truth about their success rates? In this episode, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the hidden math behind IVF statistics — and exposes how “creative marketing” can make average results look amazing.Learn why pregnancy rates don’t always mean babies, how clinics use “per transfer” versus “per cycle” numbers to their advantage, and what to look for in real CDC data before choosing a fertility center.From the “we take the toughest patients” myth to the truth about PGT and donor egg statistics, you’ll walk away knowing how to read through the hype and make sense of the numbers that actually matter — the ones that lead to a baby in your arms.🎧 Listen now to become a fertility stat detective and discover the truth behind the numbers.Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected]. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.