I just got a bill in the mail for the Assisted Hatching of our embryos. The problem is, we didn't realize that the embryologist performed Assisted Hatching on the embryos. When we signed our consent forms, we agreed to those standard procedures in the embryology lab that may be needed at the time of thawing or transfer--you place an X or a check, I can't remember which, on what you agree to/do not agree to. It is not like we would have refused Assisted Hatching, it is just concerning to me that it was never discussed with us on the day of the transfer or any consult leading up to the transfer. Not even during the WTF appointment (during which I would think it would be very appropriate to discuss Assisted Hatching). It was not explained as a standard procedure for FET (as I found online). Nothing about how frozen embryos often have harder zona/shells, or how Assisted Hatching is commonly used to increase FET success because of this, was explained to us, ever.
Assisted Hatching is something I actually have never even thought about. That some embryos need it is all I really know. Maybe what bothers me, other than the fact that my RE and embryologist left out a pretty important piece of information about my care, is that I didn't have time to research beforehand like I do with everything else. I didn't get a chance to ask questions about it during the consult. Questions about embryo quality, for example.
Sometimes I feel like I don't have all the information about my diagnosis and treatment, I don't have all the subtle indicators that are written down in my patient notes. I felt this way when an RE who was not my primary DR, answered a question with, "Well you know you do have some Diminished Ovarian Reserve." No, I did not know that I had indicators of DOR. My RE had never told me this. He also never told me that our embryos may need Assisted Hatching, for whatever reason.
Now I have to sit here and try to convince myself that it is just standard procedure for FET, nothing specific about the quality of our embryos, not an indication that the little ones transferred are not likely to grow.
Maybe if I felt pregnant right now I would have more confidence dealing with this issue. Or maybe the real issue is that I don't feel pregnant and any surprise leaves me feeling like i have even less control over my life right now than I thought.
For those of you who have done FET, was assisted hatching part of the process?
5 comments:
Mine were hatched for the fresh cycle. I too was not informed of this. I think AH is pretty standard for many IVF procedures.
Yes, I definitely had AH with my previous FET. It was standard for my lab.
I am 21 weeks with my assisted hatched embryo from a fresh cycle. No issues with his growth, in fact he always measures a few days ahead. AH was standard at my clinic for all women over 35.
I think AH is standard for all IVF procedures at my doc office. But so is ICSI. My RE thinks stuff like this increases the chance of success so they're not optional, or paid for separately. That sucks that you got a surprise bill!
I didn't do a FET, but all 3 of my fresh cycles have included AH and I have an elevated FSH level. Hoping for a very good ultrasound for you next week <3
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