Assisted Hatching

In order for an embryo to implant onto the lining of the uterus it must first ‘hatch’ out of its shell called the Zona Pellucida.  This involves using a very precise laser to create an opening in this shell.

When is it necessary?

Assisted hatching is offered to specific patients that are deemed to potentially benefit from the procedure. This includes:

• Those of advanced maternal age – in older women the Zona can sometimes harden which makes it difficult for the embryo to hatch
• Those who have had previous unsuccessful cycles
• Those undergoing PGT embryo testing – allowing the embryo to hatch aids to biopsy of the embryo minimizing damage
• Those who are having a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle – the cryopreservation process can harden the Zona of the embryo so hatching the embryo after thawing can improve the chances of implantation

What Are the Risks?

During the early stages of embryo development the shell (zona pellucida) serves as a protective barrier against foreign bodies. There is an extremely small risk that the developing embryo may be exposed to harmful chemicals/micro-organisms or that the cells within the embryo may be expelled through the hole, thereby causing the embryo to perish. There is also an additional but very small risk (2%) that this procedure could entrap the embryo during the hatching process causing monozygotic (identical) twins.