| Assisted hatching is a good option for couples | | | | chemically, mechanically, or with a laser. |
| experiencing poor IVF outcomes or who have been | | | | Risks Associated with Assisted Hatching |
| diagnosed with a poor fertility prognosis. The | | | | Those opting for assisted hatching should be made |
| procedure offers them a better chance for | | | | aware of some of the risks associated with this |
| conception. It is a technique where an embryo is | | | | procedure: |
| fertilized outside the womb via IVF and the zona | | | | - A small risk exists of damage to the embryo during |
| pellucida or outer coating of an embryo is partially | | | | the micromanipulation process or at the time of |
| opened so as to assist the embryo to escape or | | | | transfer |
| hatch from the zona and improve implantation and | | | | - Risk of identical twins and in rare cases Siamese |
| pregnancy rates. | | | | twins |
| Sometimes IVF may not lead to positive results | | | | - A greater chance of fetal complications |
| because of genetic abnormalities of embryos and | | | | - It does add extra laboratory manipulation and |
| abnormalities of the zona pellucida which may impair | | | | therefore added costs |
| embryonic hatching. Assisted hatching helps in | | | | East Bay Fertility Center in Dublin, California offers |
| overcoming these conditions. | | | | several IVF techniques, including assisted hatching in |
| Assisted hatching is recommended in case of | | | | select appropriate cases. The Center assesses the |
| advanced maternal age, for those who have had a | | | | possible benefits of assisted hatching before finalizing |
| number of unsuccessful embryo transfers and where | | | | the process as part of a treatment plan. The patient |
| embryos have increased zona thickness. | | | | is made aware of the risks and benefits of the |
| How Assisted Hatching is Performed | | | | procedure and consent must be given for an |
| Assisted hatching is a very delicate procedure and | | | | embryologist to use assisted hatching. Under the |
| can be performed only by a skilled micromanipulator | | | | guidance of Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and |
| or an embryologist. The embryo is held with a | | | | Reproductive Endocrinologist, medical staff at East |
| specialized holding pipette and a very delicate, hollow | | | | Bay provides dedicated treatment for infertility and |
| needle is used to expel an acidic solution against the | | | | reproductive endocrine issues. |
| outer shell or zona pellucida of the embryo. A small | | | | For couples who have attempted assisted |
| hole is made in the shell by the acidic solution and the | | | | reproductive procedures many times and for women, |
| embryo is then washed and put back in the incubator. | | | | whose time is running out because of their age, |
| Shortly afterwards, the embryo transfer procedure is | | | | assisted hatching offers hope of realizing their |
| initiated. This procedure may be accomplished | | | | dreams of becoming parents. |