Frozen embryo transfer

[lemonsquashie]

I had successful IVF 4 years ago. One embryo was transferred and the other frozen. We still have the one embryo in storage.

Has anyone had any success with frozen embryo transfer? What does it involve?

I think the chances of success could be low?

Especially given they advised that they had selected the strongest looking one for transfer at the time.

There will be quite a lot of factors at play, but if your embryo was frozen at day 5 blastocyst stage, then you will still have a good chance.

What age were you when the embryo was frozen and which grade was it?

I haven't had an FET yet, but it can be natural or medicated. The odds are just as good as fresh transfer, if not better in some circumstances, so don't worry about that aspect.

Congrats on your successful IVF!

@IslandStars thank you for replying

It was a 5 day blastocyst but I don't know the grade or have forgotten. I was 38 then

@lemonsquashie you're welcome. Maybe try to find some paperwork to find out the grade or email your clinic. It's a blastocyst anyway, so they only freeze them if they think they will be viable, even if it was a lesser grade than your successful one. If you'd like another child, i'm sure it would be worth transferring and certainly cheaper than another full round of IVF (plus eggs would in theory have been better quality at 38 than they are now. No offence, i'm also 42!).

Most clinics will do a medicated transfer so that it is better controlled by them. It's nowhere near as bad as the initial IVF cycle in terms of drugs and side effects and it's quite quick.

The odds are actually pretty good with FET, and there is a trend at certain clinics to do freeze all cycles almost as standard. The theory is (I think?) when the transfer happens your body has not just been through the ringer with the fresh cycle, egg collection etc, so it might be stronger and healthier. Also, they tend to only select good embryos to freeze so a frozen 5 day blasto is going to be ok quality. I was in a much better place mentally when I had my frozen embryo transfers compared to my fresh cycle where I was a complete mess.

I have had two frozen embryo transfers (I had a freeze all cycle due to OHSS) and it was absolutely fine both times.

Best of luck

@lemonsquashie I had a fresh cycle at age 40 which resulted in a twin pregnancy and two frozen embryos, grades 4AA and 4 AB. Had a FET last Summer of the 4AA which was unsuccessful, and then had the 4AB transferred without very much hope really. I'm now almost 14 weeks pregnant having just turned 43 😊 Medicated FET cycles have slightly better success rates than unmedicated, and personally I pushed for oestrogen patches rather than the usual low dose of tablets as I know I have issues with lining.

My doctor has told me that frozen embryo transfers are often more successful than fresh ones 👍

Thanks everyone for answers and advice

Hi there, i just had a frozen transfer a couple of days ago. Wondering if anyone in same circumstance and in 2ww?

This is my second fet. 1st was a misscarriage at 7 weeks. This one is my last chance. Feeling worried because have no symptoms

Good luck @Hopinggem I hope you get a positive result 🙏 x

Thank you @Sara279 trying to keep the hope. But finding it difficult

My clinic does natural FETs unless significant reason otherwise as a number of studies have shown no difference in live birth rates for women with regular cycles that ovulate. It does mean the clinic can't program in your transfer in the same way so they have to be able to support that with their clinicians. FETs have slightly higher success rates than fresh generally. Probably not just because they often transfer one that's not quite good enough to freeze. Your clinic will have specific success rates you should be able to ask for. I've attached my clinic rates for a guide.

@Hopinggem I had my FET on 4th Feb - my test date is 15th. How are you feeling today? It’s such a long wait isn’t it

@Gensola I'm feeling fine. How are you feeling?

Is this your FET? This is my second. I cant help but compare it to my first. My first ended in s misscarriage at 7 weeks. This time I dont feel any symptoms at all so worry its not worked.

@Hopinggem yes it’s my first - I had a fresh cycle in November but my fresh transfer was cancelled as I was very poorly with OHSS.
We only have 1 more embryo in the freezer so I feel quite stressed about this not working. I know lots of people get BFP with no symptoms though so try not to worry.

@Gensola know the feeling of pressure. This is my last frozen embryo. So back to square 1 if this doesn't work.

Fingers crossed on BFP

@Hopinggem when is your official test day? Are you planning to try and wait until then or test early?

My fresh transfer (I've just had my third FET and got a BFP on 6dp5dt) was the only one that didn't implant! (other FETs were a chemical and miscarriage at 6 weeks).

So although none of the FETs have 'worked' so far, I think the implantation rates of success are no different compared to fresh and I echo what the others have said about a FET cycle being much easier on your body having not had to go through the recovery of an egg retrieval.

I'm now 14dp5dt and have had the pregnancy confirmed with a beta test - but still hardly any symptoms! I think it's very early days @lemonsquashie and @Hopinggem but I totally understand your feelings of anxiety. Hang in there x

We had a successful frozen embryo transfer and now have a 6 month old daughter. We had one previous transfer which didn't result in a pregnancy and then we used one of 3 embryos from that cycle 2 years later which was successful. We had the embryos tested too so l think that gave us a better chance. I found the frozen transfer a lot less stressful than the first round. There were a few weeks of drugs and injections but my body felt in better shape than after the egg collection. Wishing you lots of luck

I had a successful FET. Couldn't have fresh transfer due to OHSS. I remember being impatient but thinking I probably had a better chance because my body would be recovered from the IVF drugs. I had a natural transfer so no drugs - literally just a couple scans to confirm ovulation and then the transfer. I have frozen blasts so will do another hoping for the same good fortune. Good luck!

Good luck @Hopinggem. I had no symptoms at first either and very standard period pain. Good luck to you too @Gensola. Fingers crossed for you both 🤞

Congratulations @SamoyedFan123 and @loulamay! Hope all goes well with your precious pregnancies

Congratulations to you too @sozzleb1983. My successful FET is now 7months

My clinic have a better rate of success with frozen compared to fresh and actually prefer to freeze first where possible. I hear 9 out of 10 survive the thawing process too though of course there is that risk. I had first child with a frozen after OHSS

Thank you it is lovely to hear stories about FET. My clinic advised frozen for me because of my endometriosis

@Gensola how are you keeping? I have resisted testing for now. Partly scared of it being negative and also scared of a false positive!

Meant to say lovely to hear positive successful FETs*

@Hopinggem I’m struggling tbh, spending my whole time googling pointless stats and reading other people’s stories!
I think I might test on Friday which will be 9dp5dt. I don’t think I can hold out til Sunday

@Gensola yes I know what you mean. I am trying to keep busy and wishing the 2ww days away!
Good luck for Friday.

I had a frozen blastocyst transfer and worked first time. My clinic said that rates for frozen were no lower than for fresh.