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Balaji Horizon Women's Hospital

Advanced ART · Assisted Hatching

Assisted Hatching

Assisted hatching is a laboratory technique that creates a small opening in the zona pellucida (outer shell) of the embryo to facilitate hatching and implantation in selected cases.

When assisted hatching may help

Indications

  • Frozen-thawed embryo transfer (zona may harden post-freeze)
  • Advanced maternal age (≥38)
  • Two or more failed IVF cycles
  • Embryos with thick or abnormal zona on assessment
How it is performed

Laser vs chemical thinning

Modern assisted hatching uses precise laser micromanipulation to create a small opening or thin a region of the zona pellucida. Older chemical methods are largely obsolete.

Evidence

What the data shows

Meta-analyses suggest assisted hatching modestly improves implantation rates in selected populations (especially older patients with prior failures). Routine use in good-prognosis younger patients is not supported.

Common questions

Assisted hatching

AspectDetail
What it isThinning the embryo shell
UseSelected (older age, frozen embryos)
EvidenceModest — case by case
The guidelines we follow

Our IVF practice follows international reproductive-medicine standards.

Frequently asked

Does assisted hatching damage the embryo?
Modern laser techniques are precise and atraumatic when performed by experienced embryologists. Risk to the embryo is minimal.
Should all patients have assisted hatching?
No. Routine use is not evidence-based. Selective use in older patients, frozen-thawed embryos, or after repeated failures is appropriate.
How is the decision to use assisted hatching made?
Through joint clinician-embryologist assessment considering patient age, history, embryo characteristics, and prior cycle outcomes.
Your fertility team
Dr Priyadatt Patel, fertility and reproductive surgeon, Ahmedabad

Dr Priyadatt Patel
Lead — Fertility, Endometriosis & Reproductive Surgery

Dr Patel leads fertility care at Balaji Horizon, integrating reproductive surgery and IVF into a single plan — ethical, evidence-based and individualised, with realistic expectations and no overpromising of success.

Dr Shreya Iyengar Patel, fertility and reproductive medicine, Ahmedabad

Dr Shreya Iyengar Patel
Fertility & Reproductive Medicine
Talk to our fertility team

Individualised IVF and fertility planning with honest, evidence-based counselling — and realistic expectations from the very first consultation.

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Dr. Priyadatt Patel

Senior Gynecologist · Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon · IVF and Endometriosis Programme Lead

MS OBGyn · Pregnancy Care · Advanced Gynaecological Ultrasound · Fertility Preservation

ESHRE / ESGE / AAGL / ASRM guideline-aligned practice. 3D Karl Storz precision technique. Fertility-preservation-first philosophy. Evidence-based decisions, honest counselling, long-term outcomes orientation.

Endometriosis
Superficial to deep infiltrating, fertility-preserving excision
IVF & Fertility
Individualised protocols, ART Level 2 lab, transparent outcomes
Advanced Laparoscopy
3D Karl Storz precision, nerve-sparing technique
Pregnancy Care
Antenatal care, high-risk pregnancy, advanced ultrasound
Balaji Horizon Women Hospital
Science City Road, Ahmedabad 380060
Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00 · +91 97234 31544
Balaji Women Clinic (AEC)
Naranpura, Ahmedabad
Mon–Sat 08:30–10:30 · +91 70460 02566
Bureau Veritas ISO 9001 UKAS accreditation 0008 — Balaji Horizon Women's Hospital

Internationally Accredited · State Registered

ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System — UKAS Accredited Certification by Bureau Veritas

Certificate IND.25.899/QM/U · Valid until 02 September 2028 · Independently verify at certcheck.ukas.com

Permanently registered under Gujarat Clinical Establishments Act, 2021 · Reg. No. CEA/AHD/262/2025 · Single Speciality Hospital · 15 Beds

Operated by Balaji Women’s Clinic · Trading as Balaji Horizon Women’s Hospital

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