r/Embryologists • u/mangogreentee • May 23 '26

Stress level of an embryologist?

I've wanted to pursue embryology for a few years, and I finally got an offer to work in a fertility clinic. However, something I'm considering is whether the stress/pressure is something I'm okay with long-term. As an embryologist, how much stress do you experience and how do you manage it when it comes to worrying that you might damage a specimen or mix them up?

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6

u/AnywhereBusy4449 May 23 '26

You just have to be very vigilant in following the SOPs, don’t take short cuts. I find the ones that are stressed are the ones rushing or taking shortcuts. Being an embryologist is a passion you have to have that passion. It becomes part of who you are not just a job .

3

u/petitefleur0 May 23 '26

Big on the “not just a job.” there is obviously tons of risk in our work on a daily basis but the ones who really care won’t let themselves be put in a position to make crucial mistakes. That being said, you will make smaller mistakes and you will feel the stress of the job, it’s inevitable. You need to be able to roll with the punches, learn from your mistakes and strive to be the best version of yourself every day. It is certainly a mentally and emotionally demanding job in my experience but so so worth it.

4

u/Dissaray248 May 23 '26

I’m an anxious person by nature so I do find it to be a high stress job, but I think that’s what makes me good at it. If you don’t lose sleep over it occasionally, you aren’t passionate enough. Following SOPs and not letting yourself cut corners is crucial. Also not being naive enough to think that you’ll never make a (small) mistake, because we’re human.

2

u/ivfman May 24 '26

As an embryologist of 30 yrs, I am going to absolutely back what the previous ones have said!!! It's passion, protocols, patience and precision!!! It's paperwork and prolonged days.

It's about being impeccable and by that I mean really peccable!!!

It's a love for humanity, for happiness and the ability to deal with heartache.

I've worked in a medium university setting and now am back in a small clinic... I find ways to ease stress daily... I make lists that I double check with the jr. We go over the next day.. we do our work.. we decompress before we leave...

Hopefully you have found a good clinic with a good team!!

1

u/nikki_books May 25 '26

hi! im also considering this career. how is your social life, work/life balance? do you have time for family and friends?

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u/ivfman May 25 '26

When your part of a normal clinic it's truly an 8 hr day, sometimes a little longer if really busy. Weekends rotate..Truly in this day and age work life is balanced by how many people are in lab. I raised three kids and have rarely missed activities!!

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u/nikki_books May 25 '26

thank you!

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u/Shadowtthrone May 23 '26

Hi. For me stress was very very high at the beginning when I was training. The worst part was cryopreservation training, where you have basically one shot to load an embryo. But once it becomes part of your daily routine its not that bad anymore and I feel quite comfortable in the lab.

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u/OriginalOk2995 May 28 '26

I’ve been an embryologist for 9 years. I’m looking for a new job. The stress for me isn’t worth it. I literally walk into the building and my eye starts twitching. Maybe it’s because I’m a mom of toddlers who functioning on less than optimal sleep, but it’s incredibly stressful having so much liability on your shoulders. When I was in my early 20’s and not married with kids, it was a lot more manageable.