Assisted Hatching with IVF
Video Showing Assisted Embryo Hatching
Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago
In Vitro Fertilization – IVF Specialists
Video of assisted hatching procedure
Click play below to see a 30 second assisted hatching video
Assisted hatching in IVF
An 8-cell embryo in the process of assisted hatching
Holding pipette on left, hatching needle on right
As the shell (or zona pellucida) around the embryo is dissolved,
the needle is advanced to the left until a small opening is made
Assisted Hatching with IVF
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The most commonly used indications for assisted hatching with an in vitro fertilization case are:
- Age factor – the female partner is older than 37
- Egg quantity and quality factor – cases in which the woman’s day 3 follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level is elevated, or with a low AMH level or low antral follicle count
- Embryo quality factor – cases with poor quality embryos (excessive fragmentation or slow rates of cell division)
- Zona factor – cases with embryos that have a thick outer shell (zona pellucida)
- Previous IVF failure – cases that have had one or more previous failed IVF cycles
In our IVF clinic, we use assisted hatching for day 3 embryo transfers on just about all cases – because we think it increases the pregnancy and delivery rates.