Assisted Hatching?

[Anonymous]

I am about to turn 38 and we are starting our second IVF attempt. Attempt #1 was a 5 day transfer of 2 grade A embryos which resulted in a very low beta/chemical pregnancy. None of the other 3 embryos made it to freeze.

I asked our RE about assisted hatching for this go around and she basically is leaving it up to us if we want to do it, but she said the clinic (Shady Grove) generally doesn't recommend it unless a woman is 39 or over and/or has had two failed IVFs.

I've read that AH can sometimes damage otherwise healthy embryos, and can increase the likelihood of multiples (identical twins, which would be fine with me but not if it bumped it up to triplets...or quads...).

If you had AH done, can you share your age and any factors that led you to that decision? Were there any adverse effects from the AH?

thanks!!

[Anonymous]

I AM 39 AND THIS IS MY 1ST IVF WITH NO FERTILITY ISSUES AND SHADY GROVE WILL BE DOING AH ON MY EMBRYOS. THEY TOLD ME THEY DO IT ON 40 YR OLDS ARE OLDER. MY CYCLE WILL BE 3 MONTHS BEFORE I HIT 40 SO MY DR. SAID I QUALIFY.

[Anonymous]

I just turned 39 and my doc at Shady Grove said they'd do AH with me if we went with IVF (giving IUI a shot right now). I haven't read anything about it damaging the embryos - I thought that was just with ICSI.

[Anonymous]

PP here - I should clarify that I thought that damaging the embryos was a concern with ICSI, not that it actually occurs. My understanding is that the jury is still out on ICSI.

[Anonymous]

ISCI is safely done. I have 17 embryps and all fertilized wtih ICSI and hope a DD to show for it.