I just turned 40, and have been trying to get pregnant for seven months with two failed ivf attempts in the mix. i heard something about a procedure that helps a woman hatch an egg so they can be fertilized. does this method exist?

Yes: Assisted hatching is an ivf procedure that is done after fertilization to improve implantation of the embryo into the uterus. It is controversial and requires skill and experience and may be helpful in your case but is not for everyone. Icsi or intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a procedure that helps with fertilization. After 2 failed ivfs, a second opinion may be helpful. Best of luck!

Yes: In assisted hatching (ah) a small window is created on the zona (shell) of an embryo by a laser or a mild acid to facilitate implantation. Usually performed during the 3rd day of culture just before transfer, ah can also be performed on day 5 to assist slow growing blastocysts with thick zona. The benefit of ah on embryo implantation is still under debate.

Yes: Assisted hatching is a procedure where a small opening is created on the outside shell of an embryo by a laser or a mild acid to help implantation (not ferilization). The benefit of ah for improving pregnancy rates is still unclear, however has not been shown to decrease pregnancy rates (in a skilled lab). You should speak to your rei about options to improve your chances of success.

Yes: That is called assisted hatching, and is often done during ivf, and almost always done in women over the age of 38 undergoing ivf. 2 failed attempts at ivf should not necessarily discourage you since the average pregnancy rate with each ivf attempt at age 40 is lower that at age 37 or 35, etc. If you ask your previous doctor, they probably did hatch the embryos.

Assisted hatching?: If i understand your question correctly, i think you are referring the procedure called assisted hatching, which will make a hole on the out layer of embryo make it easy to hatching and implant. Meanwhile, i recommend to try for natural cycle ivf or minimal stimulation ivf, i think it will increase your chance achieve pregnancy. We have many patients result in pregnancy over 40.