What is Laser-Assisted Hatching (LAH)?

If you have undergone IVF treatment, you may know that fertilization alone does not guarantee pregnancy. For a successful pregnancy, the embryo must implant into the uterine wall. Sometimes, embryos fail to hatch and implant, which can lead to IVF failure.

If you have experienced IVF failure due to unexplained reasons or have a poor prognosis, your doctor may recommend Laser-Assisted Hatching (LAH). The goal of LAH is to improve the chances of implantation and increase the likelihood of pregnancy.

How Does Laser-Assisted Hatching Work?

During IVF, fertilized eggs are cultured in the laboratory for 2 to 5 days to allow them to divide and develop into embryos. A healthy embryo is then selected for transfer into the uterus.

As embryos develop, they are surrounded by a protective shell called the zona pellucida. For implantation to occur, the embryo must naturally “hatch” from this shell. However, in some cases, the outer layer hardens, preventing the embryo from hatching and implanting. This can be a factor in infertility and IVF failure.

Laser-assisted hatching involves creating a small opening in the embryo’s zona pellucida before transfer. This helps the embryo hatch more easily and increases the likelihood of successful implantation, ultimately improving the chances of pregnancy.