Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH) is an advanced technology used along with IVF treatment to increase the rate of successful implantation of the embryo. It is a newer technique done in a case of failed IVF due to unexplained reasons or poor prognosis with IVF.

IVF doesn’t give a guarantee of 100% success rate. Sometimes there is failure of IVF due to any unexplained reasons, then your doctors might suggest you to go for this newer technique. Goal is to overcome all the odds that are preventing implantation or successful pregnancy.

In IVF, the sperm and egg are fused outside in a laboratory and the fused embryo is then transferred into the women’s uterus for implantation. This transfer is done after 2 to 5 days of fusion. This is to allow the fertilised egg to divide & develop into an embryo. During this process of development, the embryo gets surrounded by a protective outer shell called zona pellucida. For implantation to occur, this protective shell breaks naturally and it attaches to the uterus. But in some cases, the outer layer of the embryo hardens and doesn’t crack thus making it difficult to hatch & implant thus becoming one of the cause for infertility.

In Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH), a small crack is created before inserting the embryo in your uterus in the hope that this hatching helps in implantation of the embryo. This procedure helps in successful implantation leading to pregnancy.

Indications for LAH

          Not all IVF patients need LAH. Your fertility doctor will determine whether LAH will benefit you or not after analysing all your medical records and infertility history. In the following conditions, assisted hatching may improve the pregnancy rate.

• 2 or more failed IVF cycles
• raised FSH hormone levels
• quality of the embryo is poor
• age >38 years
• incase of unexplained infertility

          In these cases, eggs have a thick zona pellucida or outer shell thus making it difficult to hatch. LAH will create a gap in the outer shell, making it easy for the embryo to implant.

Procedure

          LAH requires specialised instruments and skilled technician to perform this advanced technology. LAH is done on the 3rd day after IVF cycle when the embryo is still in the lab. In this technique, a specialised laser is used to create a breach in the zona pellucida as laser technology allows a more controlled approach & is the safest and most effective technique. The whole process hardly takes only a few seconds.

Advantages of LAH

• More accurate when compared to other assisted hatching procedures.
• Does not involve manual handling of the embryo, hence fewer chances of any damage to the embryo.
• Accuracy of laser is pre-determined in the program, hence ensuring the safety of the embryo.
• Has higher success rate of pregnancy.
  
  

Risks associated with LAH

          Risks are similar to other IVF or ICSI procedures. Assisted hatching  does not carry any known additional risks for the person undergoing fertility treatment but since LAH interferes with embryo’s natural hatching process, there is a possibility of embryo getting lethally injured which might happen before or after transfer. Another risk is that even after LAH, the embryo might fail to hatch completely. LAH can also result in multiple pregnancies.

Cost of Laser Assisted Hatching

          This technique is highly useful in achieving success in aged couples and in cases of IVF failure. Cost ranges from Rs10,000 to Rs 30,000 INR depending on the reproductive facility.

          If you are trying to get pregnant or suffer from any infertility issues or have any queries regarding assisted hatching or any other procedure, please be free to contact our fertility experts at Fertility Foundation/ SISU hospital.