Assisted Embryo Hatching India: IVF Success with World-Class Treatment

Embryo hatching

Embryo hatching plays a very important role in early embryonic development and in IVF. Here’s a clear explanation:

What is Embryo Hatching?

• During a natural conception, an embryo is growing within a protective covering known as zona pellucida.
• To become implanted the embryo needs to hatch out of this shell and then connect to the uterine lining.
• This hatching normally occurs between Day 5-6 of embryo formation (blastocyst stage).

Assisted Hatching in IVF

In some cases, embryos may struggle to crack through zona pellucida particularly in:

• Women of higher maternal age (>37 years)
• Thick zona pellucida cases.
• Embryos that have been frozen (then thawed) (because freezing may stiffen the shell).
• The patients with prior IVF failures.
• Embryologists can use Assisted Hatching (AH) to increase the probability of implantation.

Assisted Hatching procedures:

Mechanical Hatching (Partial Zona Dissection)

• A small hole is punctured in zona pellucida with a fine needle.

Chemical Hatching

• The shell is dissolved by a weak acid (Tyrode solution).

Laser-Assisted Hatching (most widely used nowadays)

• A high accuracy laser is used to make a small opening in the zona pellucida.
• Safer, faster and more controlled compared with older procedures.

Assisted Hatching Benefits

• May increase implantation rates in the selected patients.
• Helps embryos that are not able to hatch.

Embryo hatching success rate

Not all people have the same success rate of embryo hatching (assisted hatching in IVF) due to age, embryo quality, and underlying fertility problems. This is what the research and clinical data have demonstrated:

General Success Rates

• Total IVF implantation rate in the absence of assisted hatching: 20 to 25 percent per embryo transfer.
• Using assisted hatching: There is evidence of a 5-10% better implantation and pregnancy rate in the selected groups of patients, but not in all patients.

Patient group success rate

Women >37 years old

• Assisted hatching could raise implantation rates of about 15-20 percent up to 25-30 percent.

Recurrent IVF Failures (two or more cycles not successful)

• Can improve success rates by 8–15%

Frozen–Thawed Embryos

• As freezing can solidify zona pellucida, assisted hatching can increase the implantation rates by 10 to 20 percent over non-implantation.

General IVF Population (young women who had good-quality embryos)

• No great difference; success rates are the same (~30-40 per transfer).

Embryo hatching in IVF

• In IVF, fertilized embryos are cultured in the laboratory.
• Around every embryo lies an outer shell known as zona pellucida.
• The embryo has to break out of this shell before implantation in the uterus can occur.
• In some cases, embryos generated in the IVF fail to hatch spontaneously → in this case, Assisted Hatching (AH) is employed.

Embryo hatching procedure

Step 1: Embryo Culture

• Embryos are cultured in the lab between 2 and 5 days after undergoing fertilization (IVF or ICSI).
• Embryologists note the quality of embryos and zona pellucida (outer shell).

Step 2: Selection for Hatching

• Assisted hatching could be recommended in case the patient is over 37 years old, has undergone a few IVF failures previously, or the embryos demonstrate thick zona / are frozen-thawed.

Step 3: Preparing the Embryo

• The embryo is observed under the strong microscope using the micromanipulation instruments.
• The zona pellucida is so positioned to be perfectly accessed.

Step 4: The Opening (Hatching Methods) Creation

Laser-Assisted Hatching (widest used nowadays)

• A narrow beam of laser forms a small opening or thin part in the zona pellucida.
• Extremely regulated, fast and secure.

Partial Zona Dissection (Mechanical Hatching)

• The zona has a small cut made with a fine glass needle.

Chemical Hatching

• Part of the zona is dissolved in a mild acidic solution (Tyrode acid).

Step 5: Handling of post-hatching embryos

• Washing of the embryo takes place to eliminate chemical traces (when chemical hatching is applied).
• It goes back into a safe culture medium until transfer.

Step 6: Embryo Transfer

• The unhatched (or partially opened) embryo is then transferred into the uterus of the woman.
• The opening assists the embryo in coming out of the zona and attaching itself to the endometrium.

Timeline

• Only a few minutes are required to carry out the procedure per embryo.
• Done immediately prior to embryo transfer (typically on Day 3-Day 5).

Embryo hatching fertility treatment

• During IVF, embryos will grow within a shell (zona pellucida).
• To become pregnant, the embryo will have to hatch out of this shell and stick to the uterine lining.
• In some cases embryos are unable to hatch naturally, and to assist them doctors apply Assisted Hatching (AH).

Factors Affecting Embryo hatching cost in India

The variables influencing the price of embryo hatching (assisted hatching) in IVF in India:

Location & Living Cost

• Assisted hatching and other IVF services are usually more expensive in large cities such as Delhi NCR compared to smaller cities because overheads are higher. 

Clinic Reputation & Success rate

• Very expensive clinics with good results and highly qualified employees tend to have premium prices. 

Technological Method Used

• The most accurate and most widespread technique, laser-assisted hatching, is more costly compared to mechanical or chemical techniques. 

Leverage in Treatment Packages

• Assisted hatching is part of the IVF packages in some clinics and is additional in others. When it is combined with other interventions, such as cryopreservation, prices can be different. 

Extra Processes and examinations

• Additional procedures, like ICSI, PGT/PGS, embryo freezing or blastocyst culture may involve extra costs, both directly and indirectly related to assist hatching. 

Patient's Clinical Profile

• Complex cases (ex: repeated IVF failures, older maternal age, frozen-thawed embryos) might be required to undergo assisted hatching, occasionally with increased urgency and expense. 

Medication, Diagnostics & Follow-Up

• Additional costs are perceived and budgeted based on the overall cost of the IVF treatment, which includes diagnostics, hormonal drugs, monitoring and transfers.

Affordable embryo hatching in India with GetWellGo

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24 hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for Embryo hatching treatment.
• Expert gynaecologists with a strong track record of success
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food