Laser Assisted Hatching Treatment

To achieve a successful pregnancy through IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatment the embryo needs to be transferred to a woman’s uterus for implantation. A fertilized egg cannot guarantee you a pregnancy if you have undergone IVF treatment. Under some circumstances, the embryo fails to hatch and implant causing IVF failure. The technique used along with the IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatment to increase the success rate of the implantation of the embryo is known as Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH).

Laser assisted hatching (LAH) is a modern technique which makes it easier for the embryo to hatch or break through its outer layer or shell (membrane called zona pellucida) by creating an opening. If a woman is experiencing IVF failure due to an abnormally thick or hardened outer layer of the embryo due to the freezing and thawing process, in such conditions you will be directed to laser assisted hatching. Thus the main aim of laser assisted hatching is to overcome various situations that prevent implantation or successful pregnancy.

When is Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH) recommended?

Laser assisted hatching (LAH) is not recommended for everyone who is undergoing IVF treatment. It is believed by various experts that LAH might bring successful pregnancy in specific types of couples. Your doctor will only suggest Laser assisted hatching (LAH) after analyzing all your medical records and medical history.
Here are some conditions under which your fertility doctor may suggest you Laser assisted hatching (LAH) in improving the pregnancy rate:

• If you have an increased FSH(Follicular Stimulating Hormone) level
• If you have experienced two or more IVF failure
• The quality of the embryo is poor
• When your age is 38 years or older
• Unexplained infertility

Laser assisted hatching can be beneficial for women who tend to produce eggs with hard outer shells or high levels of the follicular stimulating hormone(FSH).LAH will create a gap in the hard shell making it easy for the embryo to hatch and get implanted.

In most IVF cases hatching is a natural process. Hatching failure is a rare cause of infertility and might need some modern approach to overcome these rare situations.

Laser assisted hatching (LAH) technique:

This procedure is performed when the embryo is in the laboratory and generally on the third day after the IVF cycle. Laser assisted hatching (LAH) technique is the most advanced, safest, and most effective technique. In this technique, a special laser is used to create a minute hole in the zona pellucida or outer layer. This procedure is performed under the great supervision of skilled technicians and involves the use of specialized instruments to perform this advanced technology. It only takes around a few seconds to carry out this procedure.

Advantages of laser assisted hatching (LAH) Treatment:

Laser assisted hatching is considered the safest and most reliable procedure as it does not involve any manual handling. Hence there are few chances of causing any damage to the embryo. Some more advantages of laser assisted hatching technique are:

• Minimal handling of the embryo
• Fast and exact control over the drilling of the outer layer opening
• It is generally safe for the embryo
• Wide availability to the patients and offered to individuals under particular circumstances
• It also boosts the success rate of the pregnancy

Risk involved with laser assisted hatching treatment:

Risk associated with laser assisted hatching treatment is similar to other IVF OR ICSI procedures. This process interferes with the natural hatching process and thus involves some minor risks.

• The embryo might get lethally injured before or after the transferring process causing no pregnancy.
• Sometimes embryos may not be able to hatch properly even after the laser assisted hatching treatment.
• Laser assisted hatching can lead to high-risk pregnancy but it is seen in less than one percent of the cases.
• This technique may also result in multiple pregnancies and which further increases the risk.
• Various studies and research have revealed that laser assisted hatching technique does not cause any congenital abnormalities in the babies.

Does laser assisted hatching technique increase the in-vitro fertilization success rate?

The chances of successful implantation and pregnancy are increased through laser assisted hatching technique. If your pregnancy is complicated or you are facing IVF failures then you can also achieve a successful pregnancy through laser assisted hatching technique. You can discuss your problems with the fertility doctors at YASHODA HOSPITALS AND RESEARCH CENTRE, NEHRU NAGAR, GHAZIABAD in collaboration with Seeds of Innocence to make the right decision.

Summary:

We can finally conclude that if the embryo fails to implant due to various reasons then laser assisted hatching technique becomes the choice of treatment as it increases the chances of successful hatching and implantation. Couples can also get positive signs of pregnancy who had previously experienced failed in-vitro fertilization cycles. This technique can help individuals suffering from the problem of thick shell embryos and help them to conceive. This treatment is generally performed by fertility doctors or embryologists with great precision and care. Laser assisted hatching techniques can also increase the chances of pregnancy, implantation, and birth rates. A combination of in-vitro fertilization treatment along with laser assisted hatching (LAH) technique has resulted in significant success in older couples and couples with IVF failure cases. This treatment has also improved the pregnancy rates in cryopreserved embryos.

Dr. Gauri Agarwal is one of the best-known Infertility and IVF Specialists in India with over 15 years of experience in the field of gynecology and infertility. She is also the Founder- Director of Seeds of Innocence, a reputed and recognized chain of IVF Centers, and Gene strings Diagnostic Centre.