Talk to me about FET after ivf success

[RainbowSlide]

I have an almost 2yo via ivf, and we have 2 5 day blasts sitting waiting for us. I've made the appointment with our fertility clinic and wanted to hear others' experiences.

What tests did you have to re do? Did you have to monitor your cycle for a period of time before FET? Any surprises?

I'm assuming ovulation tracking, scans to check my lining, and the preventative clexane/progesterone like first time round.

I'm nearing 40 so it's now or never!

Hi @RainbowSlide I've had three transfers total - two FETs (sadly BFN, BFN, chemical). I'm 42, using embryos created at 41.

My FETs were not too long after fresh treatment, so I didn't have to do any tests in advance. That may be different if you're coming back to treatment after a long time.

You probably know that you could have a medicated or natural FET depending on whether you have regular cycles or not, though some clinics prefer medicated FETs so they can control scheduling. I can only speak about natural FET from my experience. On day 1 of my period I contact the clinic to book in. They tell me to start ovulation tracking from day 10 - it can be earlier if your cycles are short. Two tests a day, AM and PM, and I was told to use a digital (I use Clearblue Advanced).

The day I get my LH surge, I go in for a scan (or the next day if it registers on a PM test) to check there's a lead follicle and lining is over 8mm & tri-laminar. That's the first and only scan I have - may be different elsewhere. Mine are 5 day blasts so my clinic schedule transfer for 5 days after the LH surge and I start meds 48 hours after LH surge - progesterone pessaries and on the latest try they added Clexane. Then the usual 2WW hell!

It's all pretty straightforward and I like the minimal meds of the natural approach. The downside is that you're not sure what's going to happen when, so it's hard to plan around it.

Hope that helps!

ps I know I'm not in the 'after success' category but saw no-one had replied so thought some info might be better than none!

Hi, I had a saline ultrasound scan as had a c-section to make sure no defects in lining of uterus. Otherwise all the virology tests (HIV, hepatitis etc) were still in date so we were good to start a FET the moment we had the all clear from the ultrasound. Unfortunately the pandemic had other ideas so we had a few months delay in starting again but no other extra tests needed. It was a gap of 2 years between treatments in the end. Good luck 🍀