Assisted Hatching and Twins
Getting pregnant can be more challenging to some couples than others. Thankfully there is help out there to increase your chances of having a child. Dr. Sonja Kristiansen has worked with countless men and women in the Houston, TX area, making their dreams of parenthood a reality through advanced fertility treatments.
The Houston Fertility Center offers numerous state-of-the-art fertility treatments, including assisted hatching, which can increase the chances of success during in vitro fertilization (IVF). This process can potentially increase the chances of having twins during IVF, however. Let’s explore this procedure in a bit more detail below.
What Is Assisted Hatching?
Assisted hatching refers to techniques that can be used in a fertility center to improve the chances of successful fertilization and pregnancy during IVF. After combing the egg and sperm in the lab, fertilization and cellular division occurs.
After identifying the best embryos that are developing, a fertility doctor will create a small hole in the shell of the embryo (the zona pellucida). This is done a day or two before embryo transfer. The rest of the IVF procedure then proceeds as it normally would.
Why Is Assisted Hatching Used?
Assisted hatching is done to help increase the chances of successful embryo implantation along the wall of the uterus. The idea is that the cells within the embryo can be introduced to the uterus more quickly.
Assisted hatching is usually done when women have problems with implantation in previous IVF cycles, or if embryo testing indicates that this would be an ideal option in the initial cycle to boost the chances of success.
Is Having Twins More Likely with Assisted Hatching?
Yes.
IVF already increased the risk of multiple births, and assisted hatching will further increase the chances of this happening. Studies have found that there is a link between assisted hatching and monozygotic twins (i.e., identical twins).
If patients are wary of having twins, assisted hatching may be avoided despite its benefits to IVF success rates.
Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Twins
Having twins is not something all parents consider. While raising a pair of children or adding a pair of children to your family can be joyous, it may also be unfeasible given your financial situation and limited space in your home.
As with all fertility treatments, it's important that we go over all of the potential risks and benefits associated with assisted hatching. By giving patients all of the information they need to make an informed choice about their fertility options, we can empower them and help them plan properly for the needs of their family.
Helping You Make the Right Decision
Whether or not you decide to use assisted hatching in your IVF cycle, we will make sure that the ideal treatment is performed based on your wishes. If you opt to forego assisted hatching, we will be more than happy to discuss other methods of boosting the chances of success during an IVF cycle. There are always other options to consider.
Learn More About Assisted Hatching
For more information about assisted hatching and other advanced treatments for male and female infertility, be sure to contact an experienced fertility doctor. The team at Houston Fertility Center is here to help. You can reach our practice by phone at (713) 862-6181.
