Laser Assisted Hatching

Why LAH?

If you are undergoing IVF, that does not mean you will be recommended LAH. Experts believe that LAH might bring successful pregnancy in certain types of couples. After analyzing all your medical records and infertility history, your fertility doctor can determine if LAH can help you.

Generally, in the following conditions, assisted hatching may improve the pregnancy
rate.


• If you have experienced two or more failed IVF cycles.
• If you have increased FSH level
• The quality of your embryo is poor.
• When your age is 38 or older

Important Facts To Consider

By producing an aperture in the embryo's outermost surface or "shell" (a membrane also called the zona pellucida), assisted laser hatching can help the embryo "hatch" or break through it. With the freezing and thawing process among the contributing elements, this layer might become excessively thick and/or rigid in some cases. The easier the embryo hatches, the more likely it is to attach to or implant in the uterine wall. Pregnancy is impossible to achieve until the embryo hatches and implants, and laser-assisted hatching can help.

Assisted laser hatching procedure

 Under a microscope, an embryologist sends a quick, powerful laser beam into the shell to create a space through which the embryo can release. During laser hatching in IVF, this is normally done three days following fertilization, when the embryo has started to cleave (divide). It merely takes a few seconds and has no negative effects on the embryo. The embryo is then returned to the patient's uterus, where it will connect to the lining and keep on growing.

Who are ideal candidates for laser hatching in IVF

Anyone can benefit from assisted laser hatching, however, those who are most likely to benefit are those who are:

  • 37 years old or older
  • Produce a lot of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH).
  • Had failed IVF cycles
  • Have a predisposition to create a zona pellucida that is tougher and/or thicker.

Advantages of Laser Hatching

Due to various advantages, laser hatching in IVF has been found to be superior to other types of assisted hatching (chemical and manual).

  • Effortless handling of the embryo
  • Controlling the opening of the shell quickly and precisely
  • It's delicate and safe for the embryo, with no side effects.
  • Patients have a lot of options and depending on the specific situation

Risks Associated with LAH

Risk is similar to other IVF or ICSI procedures. Laser-assisted hatching interferes with embryos natural hatching process; hence it involves a few risks. One of the possible risks is embryo might get lethally injured. This can happen before the embryo transfer or after. In any case, pregnancy will not occur. Another risk is, even after LAH, the embryo might fail to hatch completely.

LAH can also result in multiple pregnancies. Generally, IVF is associated with multiple pregnancies, and LAH procedure increases this risk further. This leads to high-risk pregnancies but is seen in less than 1% cases.

If you are wondering that LAH might result in congenital defects in babies, this is not true. Many studies have been conducted, which revealed that the LAH procedure does not cause any congenital disability.

Wrapping Up

As previously said, hatching is a necessary step in the pregnancy process. If the embryo fails to implant for some reason, assisted laser hatching becomes the treatment of choice. This treatment offers an opportunity for couples who have failed an IVF cycle to conceive a child. Laser-assisted hatching, when performed by a competent fertility specialist or embryologist, can help you conceive by overcoming the difficulty of thick shell embryos. It has the potential to improve implantation, pregnancy, and birth rates. In elderly couples with failure instances, using laser hatching in IVF has resulted in great success. It has also enhanced the likelihood of conception in cryopreserved embryos.