Assisted hatching is a micromanipulation procedure where a small hole is created in the shell of the egg to supposedly help the embryo escape from its shell. The hole can be created by 1) mechanically creating a breach in the shell with an ultra-fine glass needle, 2) using a biological acid to melt away part of the shell or 3) by using a microscopically directed laser beam through one of the lenses of the micromanipulation microscope to cut through the shell. This methodology was used commonly in the 1980’s and through most of the 1990’s. During those earlier years, the culture systems for embryos were less developed than now and supoptimum culture conditions might have caused artificial toughening of the shell of the embryos. Even so, it was never clearly demonstrated that assisted hatching was beneficial to all patients. The procedure of assisted hatching does add cost to our treatment plan, is not risk free and embryos may be damaged. With newer culture systems, more optimum culture conditions and hatching of blastocysts frequently observed in the culture dishes, assisted hatching is not recommended by the Frisco Institute for Reproductive Medicine. If requested by a patient or absolutely indicated, assisted hatching will be performed at the Frisco Institute of Reproductive Medicine by using a modern laser system.