Laser - Assisted hatching of Embryos

We all know that pregnancy occurs only when the embryo is implanted into the uterus. Fertilization is not the last step of fertility treatment. Pregnancy does not occur unless and until the embryo hatches and gets implanted into the uterus; pregnancy does not occur. In some cases, after being transferred into the uterus, the embryos do not hatch, leading to a failed IVF cycle. When the embryo’s outer shell is too hard to be hatched, an external force is applied to hatch the embryos before transferring them into the uterus.

Leaser-assisted hatching is an IVF technique through which a tear or opening is made on the embryo’s outer layer, making it easier to hatch. In some cases, the embryo’s outer layer becomes thicker than usual, making it difficult to hatch. The freezing or thawing process of the embryo can contribute to this hardening or thickening of the outer shell.

This is done to increase the chances of embryo hatching. The less difficult it is for an embryo to hatch, the better chances of pregnancy it brings.

• Women who produce embryos with a harder outer shell.
• Women who are 37+.
• Failed previous IVF cycle.
• Women who produce a high level of follicle.
• Unexplained fertility

• Ovulation Induction : - The first step is Ovulation Induction; in this step, medications are given to help your body produce mature eggs that can be used for fertilization.
• Egg Retrieval : - In this step, the mature eggs are taken out of the female body. Medicines are given to help you relax, after which your doctor would use ultrasound to examine the body. Then a thin and hollow tube with a needle on top, attached to a suction device, is inserted into the ovary & follicles to pull out eggs.
• Insemination : - In this procedure, the eggs and the sperm cells are put together in a container to be fertilized. (embryos)
• Leaser-assisted hatching : - A gap in the embryo’s outer shell is created through a strong light beam. It is performed three days after fertilization. The process is gentle and does not do any harm to the embryos.
• Embroy Transfer : - In this step, the embryos are injected into the uterus. The pregnancy takes place when the embryos get attached to the uterus lining.

The most beneficial thing about this procedure is that it is gentle enough and does not harm the embryos while increasing the chances of pregnancy. It can be of great use where the reason for infertility is unknown.

The risk associated with Laser-assisted hatching is that the normal procedure of IVF comes with the risk of multiple pregnancies, and this procedure might increase the chances, but it is seen in less than 1 % of cases.