Assisted hatching
Thinning or making a hole in the embryo's shell to 'help' it implant.
The verdict
Not shown to improve your chance of a baby.
| Body | Position |
|---|---|
| HFEA |
|
| ESHRE | Not recommended (research only) Not recommended — no live-birth benefit shown; possible increased monozygotic-twinning risk. Source |
| NICE | Do not offer NG257 1.49.1: do not offer assisted hatching, because it has not been shown to improve pregnancy rates. Source |
| ISAR | No robust evidence; India data needed No robust evidence of an increase in live birth (across frozen embryos/blastocysts, thick zona, advanced age, RIF, poor-quality embryos); calls for India-specific data collection. Source |
Cochrane evidence base
2021 review (39 RCTs): no clear evidence of improved live birth.
In India
Laser assisted hatching ~₹15,000–25,000 (seen ₹14,000–45,000).
Sources
Take this further
Last reviewed .