Assisted Hatching

The egg cell is surrounded by a solid coating or membrane. After fertilisation, the cells of the embryo initially divide inside this structure. On about the fifth day following fertilisation, the blastocyst stage will normally be reached. This is the point at which the embryo "hatches" in order to be implanted. If the surrounding layer is too thick, the embryo is unable to hatch.
Assisted hatching helps to thin the coating in order to facilitate hatching. We use the laser method at our clinic, since it is known to be the most exact. There is virtually no risk of damaging the embryo.

Assisted hatching is used both for in-vitro fertilisation and for ICSI. It has proven particularly successful in older women, since the outer coating is thicker, and in thawed eggs following cryopreservation. Assisted hatching can also be used after several failed attempts at IVF/ICSI treatment.