This is a special technique used in some instances to improve implantation rates.

Under normal conditions when the embryo enters the uterus on day 6, it hatches out of its protective covering called the zona pellucida and then burrows itself into the endometrium by the process of implantation. In some situations this might not happen due to the thickening of zona and conception does not occur. To prevent this at our Centre, we use laser for assisted hatching.

Assisted hatching is useful in conditions where

• Female age is more than 35
• Higher FSH levels in the female
• Embryos of poor quality
• Embryos with thick zona pellucida - the outer covering of embryos