Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Hatching

Q. What is Assisted Hatching ?

A) Assisted Hatching refers to the process of assisted reproductive technology wherein a small hole is made in the zona pellucid of an embryo, using a micromanipulation, to facilitate embryo hatching.

Q. How assisted hatching is performed ?

A) Assisted Hatching is an IVF technique wherein the covering around a fertilized egg is weakened by making a hole in it. It is done to improve the chances of the embryo getting embedded in the uterus.

Q. What are the advantages of assisted hatching ?

A) Many couples choose to go for the assisted hatching procedure during their IVF treatments due to the benefits associated with the technique:

It requires less embryo transfer than other techniques
It is quite faster than other methods
It allows blastocyst culture

Q. What are the disadvantages of assisted hatching ?

A) The disadvantages associated with the laser assisted hatching are same as with other IVF methods. They are as follows:

Damage to the embryo
High possibility rate of monozygotic twinning

Q. What is the need for assisted hatching and what are the prerequisites for its usage ?

A) The most common indications for the use of assisted hatching technique are as follows:

Women over 37 years of age
Women who's follicle stimulating hormone baseline level is elevated
Women having poor quality embryos with conditions such as slow cell division rate and excessive fragmentation.
Women with repeated IVF failure
Women having IVF with embryos having a thicker outer shell

Q. What are the different methods of performing assisted hatching ?

A) Mechanical, chemical and laser-assisted are the three methods of performing assisted hatching. The mechanical method involves an incision to be made in the zona pellucida with the help of a special glass needle. During chemical treatment, the acidic hatching solution is poured around the outer shell to absorb a part of the zona pellucida. In the laser assisted hatching, a high beam is focused on the zona pellucida to eliminate it in a very precise ratio.

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