The Emory Reproductive Center routinely provides assisted hatching as part of our full range of IVF services. This process is used to help the developing embryo attach to the uterine wall, which increases the likelihood of achieving a viable pregnancy.
The skillful use of assisted hatching within our laboratory is just one more of the many factors that have led to the extremely high level of success achieved in our IVF program.
During early stages of development, a non-cellular coating called the zona pellucida surrounds the embryo's cells. The embryo attaches to the uterine wall in a process called implantation, which occurs on day seven of development. Before this can occur, the embryo must escape (hatch) from the zona pellucida. The hatching process appears to result from physical stretching and rupture of the zona pellucida.
Some patients have a condition that reduces the ability of the embryos to hatch and implant in the uterus. Indications for assisted hatching include:
