Precision Ovarian Stimulation & OVUM PICK-UP & EMBRYO TRANSFER Simulator-Based Skill Training Program

2-DAY HANDS-ON WORKSHOP

OVUM PICK-UP & EMBRYO TRANSFER

Simulator-Based Skill Training Program

By The Fertilis Academy & Sadbhavna IVF School

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• IVF consultants (early & mid-career)
• Fellows in reproductive medicine
• Gynecologists transitioning to ART practice

DAY 1 – OVUM PICK-UP (OPU): TECHNIQUE & TROUBLESHOOTING

08:30 – 09:00 | Registration & Orientation

• Introduction to simulators
• Safety briefing
• Overview of learning objectives

09:00 – 09:45 | Session 1: The Science Behind a Good OPU

Theory (short & focused)

• Timing of OPU (trigger–pickup interval)
• Follicle physiology & oocyte release
• Why “good stimulation still gives poor yield”
• Common causes of empty follicle syndrome

Key takeaway:

OPU is not suction—it is precision.

09:45 – 10:30 | Session 2: OPU Setup & Ergonomics

Demonstration

• Ultrasound probe handling
• Needle types (single vs double lumen)
• Aspiration pressure settings
• Tubing, warming, and media considerations

Hands-on (Simulator)

• Correct probe grip
• Needle–probe alignment
• Depth perception exercises

10:30 – 10:45 | Tea Break

10:45 – 12:30 | Session 3: Step-by-Step OPU Technique

Hands-on Simulator Training
Participants rotate through stations:

• Vaginal probe positioning
• Follicle targeting
• Needle entry angle
• Aspiration technique

Faculty focus

• Minimizing ovarian trauma
• Avoiding repeated follicle puncture
• Blood contamination prevention

12:30 – 13:15 | Session 4: OPU Troubleshooting

Simulator Scenarios

• Poor visibility ovaries
• Deep pelvic ovaries
• Endometriotic ovaries
• Collapsing follicles

Discussion

• When to flush
• When to stop

When to change strategy

13:15 – 14:00 | Lunch Break

14:00 – 15:30 | Session 5: Advanced OPU Skills

Hands-on

• Managing asynchronous follicles
• Bilateral ovaries with limited access
• Low AFC / poor responder ovaries

Skill metrics assessed

• Time per follicle
• Accuracy
• Smoothness of hand movement

15:30 – 16:15 | Session 6: OPU–Embryology Coordination

Interactive

• Communication with embryologist during OPU
• Handling “no oocyte found” scenarios
• Managing stress during low yield cases

16:15 – 17:00 | Day 1 Review & Q&A

• Common mistakes observed
• Faculty feedback
• Individual skill correction

DAY 2 – EMBRYO TRANSFER (ET): THE MOST CRITICAL STEP

09:00 – 09:30 | Session 7: Biology of Implantation & ET

Short Theory

• Endometrial receptivity
• Uterine contractions
• Why “perfect embryos still fail”

Key takeaway:

ET is a biological procedure, not a mechanical one.

09:30 – 10:15 | Session 8: ET Preparation & Setup

Demonstration

• Catheter types (soft vs firm)
• Ultrasound guidance principles
• Mock transfer importance
• Embryo loading basics (clinician’s perspective)

10:15 – 11:45 | Session 9: Hands-on ET Using Simulators

Simulator Stations

• Cervical negotiation
• Uterine depth assessment
• Ultrasound-guided placement
• Mid-fundal vs lower cavity transfer

Focus

• Gentle catheter handling
• Avoiding fundal touch
• Optimal embryo deposition

11:45 – 12:00 | Tea Break

12:00 – 13:00 | Session 10: Difficult Embryo Transfers

Simulator Scenarios

• Tortuous cervix
• Previous failed ETs
• Cervical stenosis
• Acute uterine angulation

Decision-making

• When to change catheter
• When to use stylet
• When to abandon fresh ET

13:00 – 13:45 | Lunch Break

13:45 – 14:45 | Session 11: ET Errors & How to Avoid Them

Common mistakes

• Touching fundus
• Rapid injection
• Air bubble misplacement
• Blood/mucus contamination

Hands-on correction

• Slow injection technique
• Optimal withdrawal method

14:45 – 15:45 | Session 12: OPU + ET Case Integration

Case-based discussion

• Low oocyte yield but good embryos
• Difficult OPU followed by difficult ET
• When lab quality is good but pregnancy fails

15:45 – 16:30 | Session 13: Skill Assessment & Feedback

• Individual performance review
• Faculty scoring (optional certification)
• Personalized improvement plan

16:30 – 17:00 | Valedictory & Certification

• Summary of key learning points
• Certificates
• Next-level training
• pathways

WORKSHOP OUTCOMES

By the end of 2 days, participants will:
✔ Perform confident, atraumatic OPU
✔ Handle difficult ovaries & low responders
✔ Execute ultrasound-guided ET precisely
✔ Reduce technical causes of IVF failure
✔ Improve implantation outcomes

WORKSHOP PHILOSOPHY

“Good outcomes begin with good technique.”
This workshop focuses on muscle memory, hand–eye coordination, depth perception, and error prevention, without patient risk.