Is assisted hatching suitable for every patient having IVF or ICSI?
Assisted hatching has been used in clinics worldwide for several years and many babies have been born after its application. However, no conclusive laboratory-controlled test results are currently available to support generalised assisted hatching for all patients and so NICE does not recommend it as a standard procedure. But limited evidence suggests that it may improve the chance of pregnancy for the following: • women with three or more failed embryo transfers • women over the age of 38 • women with a high baseline FSH level • women whose embryos have an unusually thick zona pellucida MFS carefully assesses the possible benefits of assisted hatching for each patient before considering the process as part of any treatment plan. The possible use of the procedure is discussed with the patient in advance of the embryo transfers and consent must be given for an embryologist to use assisted hatching.
