Thawing process

"The embryos are thawed out at room temperature, which takes about one to two minutes. However, the most critical element of the thaw procedure is not the timing but the careful dilution of the cryoprotectant fluid to return the embryo to its favored culture medium. This permits resumed growth and development in vitro. Once this is done, the embryo is assessed for cryodamage to determine if it is suitable for transfer. Experience has shown that if the embryo survives 50% or more intact, it is worthwhile to replace it. Embryos can accommodate such levels of cellular damage and still establish healthy pregnancies." We had been told previously that the thawing will take place about one hour before the transfer. Thankfully my clinic has a 90%+ thaw rate meaning less than 10% of the embyros they thaw do not make it to the transfer.

I admit I am still concerned about the whole assisted hatching decision. The website which I quoted from above said, "the zona pellucida, which surrounds the embryo, has been shown to suffer a certain amount of hardening during cryopreservation. This can be overcome by artificially making an opening in the outer embryo shell." So I am going to pray specifically that the little blastocyst can hatch on it's own since our RE doesn't want us to do AH this time (he says if this transfer doesn't result in a pregnancy to do AH the next time).