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Original poster

Frozen embryo transfer or not?

55 replies

Nk11 · 02/01/2023 21:44

After a failed fresh transfer in December we have the option to have our one remaining embryo transferred but it is a Day 6 graded 5CB and our fresh 3 day transfer didn’t take at all which was graded the highest quality at the time of transfer. I got my AF like nothing had ever happened just before Xmas…fabulous.

We knew our issue was male factor due to low on all areas but DH recently had an ultrasound that showed a varicocele and 2 cysts. Now thinking we need to have this treated as is now causing DH discomfort but wondering whether we should have the FET or not. Worried it may be poor DNA quality since the fresh one did not work and varicocele can impact DNA frag.

DH has also just started taking Proxeed so we are thinking maybe we will have a better shot if we repair the varicocele and give it a little time but undecided whether to use the frozen embryo or leave it in storage. Kind of feels like we should give it a go and expect it to fail but it’s another £2000 to do this plus the £1000 to pay for the freezing of it. Does anyone have any similar stories or advice on what you would do?

For context I am 30 and have a good egg reserve, only had Bemfola 100 stims so did get 9 eggs but only 2 were progressing at day 3. We can do another cycle after varicocele treatment it is just what to do about this frozen embryo! Would also be nice to hear of anyone going through something similar.

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TL037 · 16/02/2023 10:53

@Ttc91 fingers crossed for you today, sorry that your day 3 didn’t make it, but your 4BB is a great grade! It only takes one 🤞🏻

Based on my experiences of the EC and two transfer I won’t be using ABC/ create again, unless something dramatically changes my opinion in the follow up. That’s not to say it’s all be negative, a couple of nurses were excellent and so lovely!

Ttc91 · 16/02/2023 10:33

@TL037 @Nk11 im so sorry for your negative results - so disappointing! What are your thoughts on using abc/ create again vs finding another clinic?
I just had a call saying my day 3 thawed embryo didn’t make it to day5. So they are now thawing my only remaining day 5 4BB. So worried we will have nothing to transfer this afternoon / even if we do, I’m not sure how great the chances are given that 1 blastocyst out of 14 eggs made it to day 5!

TL037 · 16/02/2023 09:16

@Nk11 I’m so sorry :( is the test that you used an early detection one? I think a lot of them test if 25hcg but some of the earlier ones are as low as 10, so just wondering if it might be too soon still! I also took a test this morning and it was negative so I know I’m out. I have one blastocyst left now with ABC but we’ve said we’re going to have a chat over the weekend about possibly moving to a different clinic, the more I’ve looked into it the more I think I need to try a natural cycle for the next transfer and I also think I just need to go through another egg collection which I really hoped I wouldn’t have to!

Hope everything on Monday goes well and in the next few months there’s every chance it could happen naturally for you 🤞🏻. Amazing news about the NHS cycle too, hopefully in a few months time things can get started with them if you need it!

Completely get what you mean about the money too, I keep thinking the same and try and justify it in my head as just saying we’ll pretend our house cost us 10k more when we brought it (stupid I know but otherwise it makes me sick thinking about how much it’s cost with nothing to show for it). I guess the only thing is that I’ve now learnt about the progesterone issue and will push for a natural cycle when we try again!

I turned 32 last month (and I know it’s easy for me to say it when I already have a child) but the nurses/ doctors have reassured me that there’s still time on my side. I’m at a point where even though some of my friends have started to have kids, there’s a lot of them who still don’t and some are nowhere near ready to settle down. It’s the worse feeling when you feel like everyone around you it falling pregnant easily, but there are definitely a lot who aren’t and who aren’t even at that stage yet!

@Ttc91 good luck with your transfer today, hope you’re feeling okay. got my fingers crossed for you!

Original poster
Nk11 · 16/02/2023 08:04

Hi so unfortunately I did a test this morning, one day before my official test and it was negative. Just used the easy at home strip one but completely -neg sadly. Feel more annoyed than anything all that money down the drain and more waiting time now before we can do anything else. We go for the varicocele embolization on Monday and then a 3 month wait to see if any changes. I emailed my NHS clinic last night to see about waiting for after then (still waiting for a consultation with them anyway) hoping we could maybe do our NHS cycle before having to fork out more money. Frustrating knowing I will now be at least 32 before I get my first which I know is not any age but it feels a long road when I am still 30 for a few more weeks.

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Original poster
Nk11 · 14/02/2023 12:19

@TL037 I suppose there is a reason they give the official test date so you're definitely not out yet got everything crossed for you. I started bleeding last time so I didn't need a test to tell me the answer and part of me feels blissfully unaware if I don't take a test I don't have to face the outcome. I came home just now though and noticed some spotting so I can't help but feel like my period is on the way :(

@Ttc91 I see, well hopefully it all goes well if it is meant to survive it will is how I like to think. When they defrosted mine I only had one, and they said it collapsed and they were a bit worried but then it started to inflate back up slowly so at the point of transfer they couldn't actually see what grade it was as they said it takes hours for them to inflate. They said it had a small hole in it which was good for hatching.

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Ttc91 · 14/02/2023 11:55

@TL037 a negative is always so horrible to see but it’s still such early days!! So I’m sure there is absolutely still hope! I don’t think I will make it to official test day without testing either… so hard!!

@Nk11 your symptoms definitely sound so promising!! No my transfer is on Thursday. They have a policy of freezing the best egg on day 3 and thawing it and culturing it to a blastocyst right before transfer. Hopefully it makes it to blastocyst otherwise we have one frozen 4BB waiting for us. I am terrified that we will be in the small percentage who don’t survive the thaw! Such an awful waiting game isn’t it!

TL037 · 14/02/2023 11:44

@Nk11 those symptoms in the days after transfer sound promising! 🤞🏻🤞🏻 (massive well done for not testing yet, I regretted it immediately and then felt the need to do it yesterday so now going to avoid for a few more days)!

Original poster
Nk11 · 14/02/2023 11:33

@Ttc91 good luck so are you having the transfer today?

I haven’t yet tested my official test date is Friday but I don’t think I’ll wait until then. I have so far got no symptoms. I just had slight bleeding a day after transfer and cramps / electric shock type pains for 3 days after then nothing since I feel perfectly fine. Honestly can’t imagine it will have worked because I’ve never had a positive test so I just feel like it hasn’t worked regardless! Not knowing isn’t easy though. I run my own online business though and have 3 horses so I am kept busy which helps.

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TL037 · 14/02/2023 11:29

@Ttc91 i’m glad I’m into week 2 of it! I stupidly did an early test 6 days after the transfer and then again yesterday (7 days past) and it was negative so not going to do one again now until Saturday which is my OTD, but tbh I have no symptoms at all so not convinced it’s worked especially with the negative tests! I’m feeling okay, think I’ve mentally prepared myself for the news now! Sorry if this sounds really negative.

Ahh that must make it seem so real! are they thawing your day 3 to try and get to day 5? have they give you a time for Thursday? Hope everything goes well and through your progesterone result comes back normal too, at least you’ll have a couple of days to top it up if you need to 🤞🏻

Ttc91 · 14/02/2023 11:03

@TL037 @Nk11 Hope you’re both doing okay in your 2 week waits!? Must be so hard. Have you both decided when you’ll test/ wait until official test day?
I’ve just had my progesterone blood test this morning and had a call to say they’ll be thawing the egg today! So nerve wracking!

TL037 · 10/02/2023 08:27

@Nk11 no please don’t let it worry you. It’s really not done as standard as most people absorb enough from the pessaries! I only decided last minute because of my period arriving 7/8 days after my last transfer so thought I’d kick myself if it happened again and I hadn’t checked it.

I also had some light spotting on tueday, the day after my transfer and when the doctor called about my progesterone result he said that light bleeding is nothing to worry about at that point because the cervix may have been irritated by getting the catheter. Completely get why you’re taking utrogestan the other way - I’m on cyclogest and I’m doing the same! I feel like it’s much cleaner and it all stays in - sorry for TMI!

Original poster
Nk11 · 09/02/2023 22:31

@TL037 Oh that has me a bit worried as I didn't have the blood test...

I had the transfer Tuesday and then yesterday had cramps and some light bleeding. Same again today but not really any bleeding perhaps a little spot that's all. I've been using the Utrogestan pessaries the other way as last time found them too irritating using them the way they are instructed and the nurses told me that it was ok to do that. Never like the sign of bleeding though as I typically always spot a bit up to a week before my period is due.

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TL037 · 09/02/2023 20:39

Hi @Ttc91 thats great, bet it feels more real now you know the date for your transfer! How are you feeling?

I had my transfer on Monday and did end up getting my progesterone checked, they called me on Tuesday morning to say it was low so added lubion injections. I’m now just quite sceptical about how this transfer will go to be honest considering my body obviously hasn’t absorbed enough of the pessaries in the five days leading up to it. Just trying to stay positive and hope for the best now 🤞🏻

@Nk11 hope you’re okay and not going as mad as I am in the TWW!

Ttc91 · 09/02/2023 20:15

@Nk11 @TL037 how are you both getting on? I’m due to start progesterone on Saturday for (hopefully) a Thursday transfer!

TL037 · 01/02/2023 17:49

@Nk11 that’s so good it’s in for then, that appointment came through quickly. As annoying as it is to have to pay privately at least you know it’s getting sorted quickly and now have a proper plan going forwards!

@Ttc91 best of luck for your scan, you’ll hopefully only be a week behind. It’s so nice to just get to this point with the transfer x

Original poster
Nk11 · 01/02/2023 17:25

@TL037 another update my OH just got his varicocele embolisation booked for 20th Feb so I feel like now if this transfer didn’t work we will have another step straight away. Trying to think positively but it helps me to have a plan. The sooner they try to sort that the sooner it might work naturally or at least be able to have another round.

@Ttc91 best of luck xx

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Ttc91 · 01/02/2023 15:32

Ah that’s great news for both of you! Fingers crossed for your transfer in the coming days!!

I’ve just booked my day 9 scan in for Monday so hoping I’ll have similarly good news!!!

TL037 · 01/02/2023 12:30

@Nk11 great news, so pleased for you! Fingers crossed xx

Original poster
Nk11 · 01/02/2023 11:04

@TL037 scan today came back as 7.2mm so transfer will be Tuesday. Fingers crossed for us both then x

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TL037 · 31/01/2023 10:00

@Ttc91 yes mine will be a day 5 (or day 6) transfer. I’ve got a day 5 4BC and a day 6 5CB - my first FET was in December which didn’t work and in that one my “best” embryo didn’t survive the thaw so they went to the next one which was a day 5 3BB. So hopefully whichever one they think is best will survive this time round 🤞🏻.

Fingers crossed your day 3 will culture to day 5 and then you’ll also have the spare day 5 one to use too. As @Nk11 has said, I was feeling quite low about the gradings of mine but the clinic have reassured me that how they look really doesn’t matter as some they don’t look as good are genetically normal and vice versa!

Original poster
Nk11 · 30/01/2023 22:39

@TL037 I’m thinking not to test the progesterone for me now but it’s up to you if you wanted it for peace of mind. I watched a panorama on fertility clinics ‘add ons’ not having any evidence that they actually made a difference so it’s made me think maybe it’s not necessary. Fingers crossed for you we’ll be at similar times all being well.

@Ttc91 mine is a day 6 blastocyst the only one I have frozen after I had a fresh day 3 transfer in December that failed so I’m not overly optimistic but I asked for a follow up call with the embryologist and they made me feel better as they said the grading really only matters in terms of what it looks like under the scope but that in reality the poorest looking ones can do well.

That was my first cycle. What does your story look like if you don’t mind sharing? I don’t personally know anyone who has been through ivf so I definitely find this really helpful.

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Ttc91 · 30/01/2023 20:25

@Nk11 im with the Hertfordshire abc clinic but have had egg collection at St. Paul’s. Communication has been okay… I struggled with the embryologist calls to be honest - we had a really poor fertilisation rate with icsi (about 25%) and they didn’t really expand or give any reason why…

@TL037 I’m finding it okay so far although it’s only been a day so I’m sure some side effects will kick in! So interesting on the progesterone - I think I’ll push for it for peace of mind but who know if it makes a real difference?!

Are you both having day 5 transfers? We actually have a frozen day 3 they are going to thaw and attempt to culture to day 5. If not then we have our one and only blast!

TL037 · 30/01/2023 19:54

Hi @Ttc91 of course! Yes I’m on elleste too which they said is the equivalent of progynova. How are you finding it so far?

@Nk11 6.6mm is still really close so there’s time in the next couple of days for it to increase, fingers crossed all on track for your transfer next week! Its really good that they are giving you the extra scans too to make sure it’s right.

Mine was only just over at 7.3mm but today is day 9 for me so she said to just keep everything as it is and continuing to take the oestrogen (3 a day too) and will start the progesterone on Wednesday.

I asked about the progesterone today, and I have been kind of reassured that our bodies should be absorbing enough but if I do want to get it checked then I can pay for the blood test on the day of the transfer. If it comes back slightly low then they’ll contact me to increase it (it shouldn’t have too much of an impact on the embryo either by increasing after transfer - really not sure about this but that’s just what I was told). She also said there’s not much evidence on how much progesterone is actually needed to sustain a pregnancy which is why they don’t offer the blood test as a standard. So basically I have no idea if I will get it checked or not now!

Original poster
Nk11 · 30/01/2023 19:40

@TL037 @Ttc91
Hi I had my day 10 scan today and my lining was 6.6mm so they weren’t fully happy with it as want it to be over 7mm so I have to do 2 more days and go back for another scan Weds then should be booked for transfer next Tuesday 7th Feb so will just be one day behind! Was everything with yours ok? I’ve been taking 3 progynova a day.

I’ll have to ask about progesterone whether it’s worth paying for an extra test or not I’m not sure. It won’t be something they will do with abc for sure as it’s outside ‘protocol’. @Ttc91 how have you found abc and which clinic are you with?

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Ttc91 · 30/01/2023 19:16

Hi both, do you mind if I join? I’m currently on day 1 of elleste for my FET (think this is the same as progynova!?) and also with ABC. I’m having my lining scan next Monday 6th so about a week behind you guys. How did your scan go today @Nk11 ?

Really interested as I’d also like a progesterone test - do you know wether it’s best to have it on the day of transfer or day before?