Timing of FET transfer

[Gardenlady543]

I’m having my first cycle of FET, I am on day 13 and planned for a transfer up to day 20, because that’s what my clinic advised me.

My clinic just called me and told me my FET transfer is going to be on day 22, that seems really late, when I asked about the clinical reason it became clear that they are booking it in late because of their scheduling.

I’m worried about this, the nurse seems sure that they can do it whenever as I’m on estradiol and it makes no difference. Is this the case with a FET? I know that people have an ERA to determine when they are most receptive to a transfer, is that just applicable to fresh transfers and there is no specific window for FET?

Aside from the worry about the chance of it working, this is my most viable embryo that’s on the line here... I’m also at work on the day of transfer, having booked all my leave around the transfer window they gave me in advance and now have to have all my allocated work reallocated.

I felt pushed into a medicated cycle, I had asked for a natural cycle but my clinic put me off because the clinic is shut on Sundays. It now seems evident that the reason I was advised against it is because they just slot FETs in around other things. I have been really nauseated on estradiol and have been vomiting on it. I also reacted to progesterone in my freah cycle and they think i have an allergy to it, so I’m dreading starting that. All in all I’m really upset and disappointed that I’ve been pushed into this cycle to suit the clinics scheduling and I’m worried my chance of success will be reduced because of it.

I'm not an expert in this by any means but what I've read suggests endometrial thickness is still an important prognostic indicator for successful FET cycles - have they got plans for helping maintain this at the optimum thickness for transfer? If you aren't feeling confident with them, maybe call them back and ask for clarification on their decision-making and contingency plans.

Having to be at work that day is rubbish - hopefully your work can swap things around so you can get some time to rest and recover.

Thanks for the reply @Scirocco they are going to keep me on estradiol, I’m on 10mg a day and spent the other night vomiting, I’m nauseated all the time (which most people don’t seem to get) so keeping me on it for longer than necessary is a bit annoying, it seems that they haven’t considered any circumstances when booking me late and prioritizing others. I don’t know if there’s anything else they can do to keep the thickness. I’m also worried because I had a suspected allergy to progesterone last cycle and starting my on Friday with the clinic shut for the weekend seems to be a really poorly thought out plan.

I tried to persuade them to reconsider the date and book it at the best time clinically, this is my best chance embryo after all, but the nurse was just sighing and saying things like “I’m sorry this doesn’t suit your schedule”.

I'm sorry that you didn't get very far with the nurse, I'd push for a call with the consultant or whoever is responsible for decision-making. As you say, this is your best embryo, not to be taken lightly. If the FET outcome isn't what you hope for I think this could really cause you to go over in your mind the 'what ifs' (if you are anything like me there are enough of those without adding to them).

Not sure if your clinic is private or NHS but at the end of the day either you are paying or the CCG is paying and either way the funding should be used in such a way as to maximise potential success.

Sorry that the estradiol is causing such side effects too.

My first clinic was very much about their schedule rather than mine and I chose not to continue with them. It probably didn't affect my outcome but as an approach I didn't like it.

@LongerthanMrTicklesarms thanks for the reply. You know I’ve gone over these things in my head, I’m paying privately with an Access Fertility package. There are no specialist clinics in my area, I’m with a chain that dominates all the local cities and the only clinic in my area is shut on weekends as well. If I was to move I’d want a clinic that really prioritises natural FET as the progesterone and oestradiol have been a nightmare. I mean I’m even thinking with the way this clinic operates, we will end up going through all my 8 frosties with their trial and error approach. I’m 35 and I want more than one child (I’ve never been pregnant), and I’m worried where I’ll be in a few years with egg quality.

I guess I’ll see with this cycle and maybe see with a natural cycle and maybe if this is consistent behaviour on their part I will bank these embryos and even look at doing another fresh cycle elsewhere. Where about did you end up by the way? it would be good to have an idea of clinics that consider the patient not their schedule. I assume clinics that prioritise natural cycles are quite good.