IVF Program

• Overview
• IVF/Advanced options
• ICSI
• MESA/TESE
• Blastocyst Culture and Transfer
• Hatching
• PGS
• Embryo/ Gamete Cryopreservation
• Donor Egg
• Success Rates

Assisted Hatching

Before a human embryo is able to implant onto the wall of the uterus, the developing blastocyst must “hatch” out of its outer membrane, or zona pellucida. Several years ago, researchers demonstrated that some embryos have a very thick zona, and that these embryos had lower chances of implanting and becoming viable pregnancies. These investigators then performed studies in which they thinned the zona, and noted increased pregnancy rates. Several subsequent studies – including one performed here at the Texas Fertility Center – have confirmed these findings. As part of this procedure, the embryologist creates a small hole in the zona pellucida using either a surgical laser or a very weak chemical solution. By creating this thinning of the wall, the embryo is better able to exit its protective “shell” and implant onto the uterine lining. Although patients with previous IVF failure, poor embryo growth or quality, moderate to excessive fragmentation, or advanced maternal age may be more likely to benefit from this procedure prior to embryo transfer, we now hatch embryos on the vast majority of our patients.