Gap between ivf cycles

[yug1502]

Hi All,

Please help me get some clarity.. i underwent fresh cycle which was cancelled post egg collection due to OHSS.. after next immediate bleed, clinic started FET#1 for me which resulted into bfn last week..i started bleeding two days after bfn and reached out to my clinic for next FET#2. This time clinic says that immediate bleed doesnt count as it clears lining etc.. clinic asked me to call back after next month bleed which puts me on the risk of hitting December holiday period and associated delays..HAS ANYONE FACED SOMETHING SIMILAR ? Is it fair for the clinic to be inconsistent in starting next cycle ? or am i being impatient ? Please help !!!

I think there is an impatience in all of us who have gone through this to try again as quickly as possible after a failure and the process can seem long at times, but I believe it does your body good to have a natural cycle before preparing again for implant. Most private clinics are hardly ever shut so you may find it's only Christmas Day/NYD that they are closed and they will know how to deal with it if you fall to be seen on those dates.

I had a cycle gap between my ivf attempts but they were both fresh. My clinic has advised if my FET fails (natural) I could go straight into a fresh cycle - but I guess in a fresh cycle drugs regulate everything anyway.

So I don’t know if it is possible to have back to back FET but I would say you want to give it your best shot and not waste the embryos if your body isn’t ready. So I’d say take their advice and enjoy a month off. Good luck

My clinic prefers waiting 3 cycles between any medicated protocol - short or long. I had a cycle in December and to be honest the clinic managed it really well - they weren’t closed for nearly as long as I thought they would be

I also had a cancelled fresh transfer due to severe OHSS in August. My clinic advised to wait until after the withdrawal bleed and then to ring them when next period starts (to then commence downreg on day 21). To be honest, I was too ill to have contemplated starting a FET any earlier.

From what I’ve read, there is variation in what clinics advise in terms of waiting. From my perspective, I want to have recovered as well as possible as am certainly not in a hurry to repeat stims after my experience.

The clinic I use is only shut on Xmas Day and I think there is more flexibility timing wise with a FET than a fresh, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that aspect.

@Teddybear45 does 3 cycle gap advised by your clinic apply for FET cycle too with buselrin injections & other meds ? I guess long and short protocol is only for fresh cycle.. my clinic has a standard FET.

Thankyou @Ginger1982 for your response ! I want to take the best shot but at this point i am lacking clarity from my clinic.. its been years of waiting to reach this stage and almost an year with the clinic with no positive outcome yet 😐 IVF really is a test of patience !

Thanks for your response @hoping2018 .. what is natural FET ? I am just aware of standard FET at my clinic with buselerin injections on day 21 of bleed followed by lining improvement oral meds.. is natural FET drug free ?

Hey, yes natural FET is drug free - you need regular cycles for it so depends on your reason for ivf? Has the same success rates as medicated FET.

It’s also worth saying I had one period between my two fresh ivf and second cycle was successful. I’m looking at the FET for #2 (hopefully!)

Thanks @Anaesthetist83 for your response ! I had moderate OHSS too but interestingly my clinic started next cycle after immediate bleed.. and inconsistently after FET bfn they are asking me to wait till 2 bleed to start injections.. wonder if my clinic was wrong before and that resulted in bfn ☹️ i am really losing faith in my clinic.. specially the fertility nurse who take random decisions without consulting the consultants !

Good luck @hoping2018 👍 for your FET

Just for my clarity.. when you say you had a bleed gap before commencing next fresh cycle.. you mean that post your 2nd bleed you started meds ?

Also did you do anything different in terms of food or lifestyle to ensure success in 2nd fresh ? Please share

You can get long and short medicated protocols for FET too just without the stimulation. I have been on just about every protocol at my clinic and the 3 month wait applies for them all. The only one where they can be a bit flexible with is the entirely unmedicated FET but that tends to have a lower success rate than medicated so clinics reserve it for either young couples or those who are using donor gametes with no known fertility issues.

Are you sure it was moderate OHSS? As that often results in hospital treatment - the majority of cases, even those that feel bad, are mild if it doesn’t result in a pregnancy. If yes then it’s shocking they didn’t wait for 3 cycles.

Thanks @Teddybear45 for your response !
Hearing your experience i guess it makes sense to wait as recommended by my clinic. Just that the wait is killing me 😐

I had my failed cycle in January 2018 - bleed at end of it (February). Had a normal period I. March and then started drugs again for April and got pregnant with that fresh cycle.

I disagree with poster above (respectfully) chances of success with a natural FET are the same as Medicated (otherwise I def wouldn’t do it!!!) but do agree you have to have regular cycles etc. don’t know about the age thing - I’m 33 and consultant was very clear unmedicated was best For us - cheaper, easier, safer.

Our ivf was ICSI - first cycle was awful as despite 14 fertilised embryos there was only one poor quality blasts by day 5. BFN

Second cycle I was on lots of supplements but we surgically removed husbands sperm and I think that made the difference . 13 fertilised. 2 transferred in day 3. One baby boy who’s now 7 months and two Frosties I’m hoping to use next year.

Hope that helps

@Teddybear45 yes i had moderate OHSS and was warned to be admitted in hospital if the case gets any worse i.e moves to severe OHSS.. clinic would have gone ahead with transfer on my fresh cycle if i had just mild OHSS as i am PCO and they expected me to develop OHSS.

Definitely something was not correct with my FET cycle treatment and thats why despite of unexplained infertility and having best grade embryo transfer..i had bfn last week 🙁

I think it would be worth you arranging a review appointment with the clinic so that you have opportunity to discuss

Thankyou @hoping2018 for sharing the details. Hearing your experience, i think it makes sense to wait for a month to allow my body to cool down.. i wish i had done that last time too.. anyways better late than never 😊

I did 6 rounds of ivf
Sometimes I had several months of a gap as I needed to recover mentally and physically
I do query howclinics can recommend getting back so quickly but I have been in threads where I sawgirls get pregnant quick

My advice is to do your own research, do what is right for you emotionally and physically and question the clinic thoroughly

Good luck with your journey

@fabulous01 thanks for your response.. i had a chat with a senior fertility nurse today and am all clear now🙂