In an embodiment, a method includes receiving a number of optical sections of different parts of an embryo over time along a Z-axis through differential interference contrast microscopy. The method also includes outlining a perimeter of the number of parts of the embryo within the number of optical sections. Additionally, the method includes generating a three-dimensional faceted image of the number of parts based on the outlined perimeter. The method includes reconstructing, separately, a four-dimensional image of a growth of the different parts of the embryo over time based on the three-dimensional facet image of the number of parts.