What Is Laser Assisted Hatching and When Is It Needed?

For couples struggling with infertility, every step in the IVF journey can feel crucial — and sometimes, even high-quality embryos face hurdles when it comes to implantation. One of the most important, yet often overlooked, steps is the embryo’s ability to “hatch” from its protective shell and attach to the uterus.
This is where Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH) comes in — a modern, precise technique designed to give embryos a better chance to implant and turn hope into pregnancy.
At Isha Women’s Hospital, the best IVF centre of Dombivali, Dr. Chinmay Pataki, with his expert fertility team, combines cutting-edge technology with personalized care to ensure every couple receives the best possible chance of success. Whether you are facing repeated IVF failures, older maternal age,

What Is Laser Assisted Hatching?

Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH) is an advanced laboratory technique used during In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) to increase the chances of successful embryo implantation. Every embryo is surrounded by a thin protective shell called the zona pellucida, which safeguards it during early development.
Before an embryo can attach to the uterus and establish a pregnancy, it must hatch out of this shell. In some cases, the shell may be unusually thick or hardened, making natural hatching difficult. At Isha Women’s Hospital, our expert embryology team, guided by Dr. Chinmay Pataki, one of the leading fertility specialists in Thane, uses state-of-the-art laser technology to create a precise opening or thin a small area of the zona pellucida. This allows the embryo to break free more easily and attach to the uterine lining, increasing the chances of implantation.
The procedure is carried out in our advanced IVF lab under a high-precision microscope and is typically performed on Day 5 (blastocyst stage) embryos, just before embryo transfer. The laser is so precise that it affects only the zona pellucida, keeping the embryo itself completely safe.

Why Do Embryos Need to Hatch?

For IVF to result in a successful pregnancy, it isn’t enough for an embryo to develop normally in the lab. The next critical step is implantation, where the embryo attaches securely to the uterine lining. To achieve this, the embryo must first emerge from its protective shell.
While natural hatching occurs on its own in many cases, certain conditions can make this step difficult:

Thick or hardened zona pellucida: This can occur due to age-related changes or after the freezing and thawing of embryos.
Embryo development challenges: Slower-growing or slightly lower-quality embryos may struggle to hatch naturally.
IVF-specific factors: Lab conditions can differ slightly from the natural environment, sometimes making assisted hatching beneficial.

At Isha Women’s Hospital, our skilled embryologists use laser-assisted hatching to carefully reduce barriers to implantation. With Dr. Chinmay Pataki’s expertise, couples benefit from personalized care, advanced technology, and the highest standards of IVF practice, giving their embryos the best possible chance to implant and develop into a healthy pregnancy.

When Is Laser-Assisted Hatching Recommended?

Not every IVF patient requires Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH). It is usually recommended only in specific situations where it can make a real difference in helping embryos implant successfully. Let’s take a closer look at who benefits most from this technique and who may not need it.
Candidate and Why LAH Helps

Women over 35 years - As women age, the embryo’s outer shell (zona pellucida) naturally becomes harder and less elastic. LAH makes it easier for the embryo to hatch and implant.
Couples with repeated IVF failures - If previous IVF cycles have failed despite transferring good-quality embryos, LAH may increase implantation chances by removing one potential barrier.
Frozen-thawed embryos - The freezing and thawing process can sometimes make the zona pellucida tougher. Assisted hatching helps these embryos break free.
Embryos with a visibly thick shell - During lab observation, some embryos are seen to have a thicker zona pellucida, which can hinder hatching.
Patients undergoing ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) - The injection process may sometimes alter the structure of the shell. LAH can make it easier for these embryos to implant.
Before Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) - LAH is often performed to create an opening in the zona, which helps embryologists safely remove a few cells for genetic testing.

In all these cases, LAH is a valuable tool that gives embryos a better chance at successful implantation.

Who May Not Need LAH?

While Laser Assisted Hatching is highly beneficial for certain groups, it is not necessary for everyone. Some patients already have a good prognosis and don’t require this additional step.
These include:

First-time IVF patients with good-quality, fresh embryos: Many couples achieve pregnancy in their first cycle without the need for assisted hatching.
Younger women under 35 with no major fertility complications: Embryos from younger women usually have a softer zona pellucida that hatches naturally.
Embryos showing excellent development: When embryos are dividing and growing well on their own, they often hatch without assistance.

While Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH) is often offered as an add-on procedure with extra costs at many fertility clinics, Isha Women’s Hospital, one of the best IVF centers in Kalyan-Dombivali, includes this advanced service as part of the standard IVF package. Dr. Chinmay Pataki, being the best Fertility & IVF Expert, ensures that every couple at Isha Women Hospital benefits from the latest technology without any additional charges, ensuring both convenience and value during their fertility journey.

How Laser Assisted Hatching Is Done

Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH) is a highly specialized procedure performed by expert embryologists in the IVF laboratory under strict sterile conditions to ensure the safety of the embryo. The procedure is precise, quick, and designed to give the embryo the best chance of implantation.

Here’s how Laser Assisted Hatching works, step by step:

Thawing the embryo (for Frozen Embryo Transfer cycles) – Selected Day 5 blastocyst embryos are carefully thawed before the procedure.
Microscopic observation – Each embryo is placed under a high-powered microscope equipped with an advanced laser system for precise visualization.
Computer-guided laser application – The embryologist uses a computer-controlled laser to target a specific spot on the zona pellucida (the embryo’s outer shell).
Creating the opening – A tiny hole is made, or a small portion of the shell is thinned, allowing the embryo to hatch naturally when the time comes.
Embryo transfer – Shortly after assisted hatching, the embryo is transferred into the uterus, maximising its chances of successful implantation.

At Isha Women’s Hospital, this procedure is performed by Dr. Chinmay Pataki’s skilled embryology team using state-of-the-art technology, ensuring precision, safety, and the highest standards of IVF care.

Is It Safe? Risks & Considerations

One of the most common questions couples have is whether laser-assisted hatching is safe. The good news is that when performed by skilled embryologists in a state-of-the-art IVF lab, LAH is considered very safe.

Safe and precise: Modern laser systems are highly accurate, ensuring that only the zona pellucida is targeted while the embryo remains unharmed.
Minimal risks: In rare cases, if performed improperly, there is a slight chance of embryo damage. This is why the expertise of the embryology team is crucial.
Lab quality matters: LAH must be done only in advanced IVF labs with proper equipment, protocols, and highly trained professionals.
No long-term risks: Studies so far have shown no evidence of long-term health problems in babies born after assisted hatching.

Does LAH Improve IVF Success?

Laser-assisted hatching is one of the many advanced techniques that make IVF more effective today. By helping embryos hatch and implant, it offers new hope to couples who face repeated challenges in their fertility journey.
Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH) is not a universal solution, and its benefits vary depending on individual circumstances. Its effectiveness largely depends on factors such as maternal age, embryo quality, and previous fertility history. Research indicates that LAH can significantly improve implantation rates for certain groups, including:

Women over 37 years of age
Couples who have experienced multiple failed IVF cycles
Patients using frozen-thawed embryos

At Isha Women’s Hospital, Dr. Chinmay Pataki and our expert embryology team carefully evaluate each patient to determine whether LAH is likely to enhance the chances of a successful IVF outcome, ensuring that this advanced technique is used safely and effectively for those who truly need it.
Dr Chinmay Pataki’s Isha Women’s Hospital understands that every couple’s fertility journey is unique, and to support that, we offer personalised care, advanced technologies, and compassionate support at every step. Techniques like Laser Assisted Hatching are used selectively and safely to give your embryos the best possible chance of implantation and pregnancy.
Choosing Isha Women Hospital means choosing a centre that combines expertise, cutting-edge IVF solutions, and a patient-focused approach — helping you turn your dream of parenthood into reality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is laser-assisted hatching painful?
Ans - No — it’s done in the lab on the embryo, not the woman’s body.
2. Will LAH guarantee pregnancy?
Ans - No — it may improve chances but can’t ensure implantation.
3. Is LAH done with every IVF cycle?
Ans - No — only if recommended based on your fertility history.
4. Is there an extra cost for LAH?
Ans - Yes, it's an add-on procedure — check with your clinic for pricing.
5. Can LAH damage the embryo?
Ans - Rarely — when performed by experienced embryologists, the risk is very low.