Assisted Hatching - Anyone Under 35 try this with their IVF Cycle?

[Anonymous]

My RE recommend AH to help with implantation. I'm 32 = unexplained, my husband is 33 = male factor. Our first IVF cycle failed. Because of my age and our concern about multiples, we are trying IVF but only putting one embryo back (for now). I've researched AH and found there are some risks associated with the procedure that have me concerned (like conjoined twins!). I'm not sure how accurate the information I've found actually is so I was hoping someone could share their AH experience with me. I don't think my RE would recommend a procedure that seems pretty risky.

"Risks Associated with Assisted Hatching"
Unfortunately, there are some risks associated with assisted hatching procedures. In particular, assisted hatching procedures do seem to increase the likelihood that you will have identical twins (also known as monozygotic twins). This is because the micromanipulation technique used to break through the zona pellicuda can sometimes cause the embryo to split into two identical halves.

There is also an increased risk of:
damage to the embryo, potentially causing death
fetal complications
physical deformity
conjoined twins

The procedure can sometimes also cause complications for the mother, including:
high blood pressure
infection
nausea
mood swings

Thank you so much in advance!

[Anonymous]

Smart move to put one back! I had AH on 2 blasts transferred (just turned 40) and am now pregnant with twins. I think at your age putting one back is the best way to go!

[Anonymous]

pp here...oh and I have none of the symptoms you listed and both of my babes (fraternal) are healthy.

[Anonymous]

We used AH on our second cycle (which was a frozen cycle after the 1st one failed); I was 34 at the time. AH is recommended with frozen embryos, b/c the zona is quite hardened from the freezing. We transferred 2 embryos, got pregnant, and the one embryo that implanted then split into twins at 5 weeks, but we lost both around 9 weeks. (The second, late appearing twin never really developed from 6 weeks on; the first one was fine, with a HB until the 9th week). At 35, I started a new fresh cycle and we decided to use AH again since it had assisted with implantation on the second try. We transferred 3 embryos this time and, again, 1 implanted. I'm now 32 weeks pregnant with a singleton and everything has been fine so far with this pregnancy - no complications, nothing unusual with the baby. FWIW, we used IVF b/c of male factor issues, so were already taking on (in my mind) some minimal additional risks with using ICSI with our cycles as well. Hope this helps, and all the best to you.

[Anonymous]

PP again - not to be flip, but I think the nausea and mood swings can be virtually guaranteed at some point during your IVF cycle and certainly during pregnancy, so I did find it a bit amusing to see them listed as possible side effects from the AH!

[Anonymous]

OP, conjoined twins? Seriously? I'd heard twins, yes, but not conjoined! I was 37 so you may not be as interested in hearing from me, but we did AH with a FET and were successful. Transferred 4, pregnant with 2, delivered 1 (1 didn't progress).