Natural cycle FET: what to expect

[BananaHammock23]

Would love to hear any experiences of natural cycle FETs, particularly what the process involved and what day of the cycle your transfer was on. I'm still BFing my 2yo (he was a fresh embryo transfer, so slightly different) so the clinic are keen on a natural cycle, although they did say they could trigger ovulation if I was likely to ovulate over a weekend and they couldn't time the transfer.

I'm due to speak to the clinic this week but feeling impatient/excited about it all! Would love to hear experiences!

Hi @BananaHammock23
Hope you don’t mind me jumping on here to see your replies 👀
I had a freeze all cycle in March and due to do a natural FET on my June cycle.
Ive struggled to find much info or threads on natural FETs as generally people have controlled - my clinic also push for controlled but I was adamant I wanted to try natural. I over reacted to the hormones in my IVF cycle which is why I had to have a freeze all so I’m really reluctant to have any more injections!!!

I have already had my appointment and now just waiting for my AF to start next month, but here’s the info they gave me:
I call on day 1 of my period to book in a scan for day 10
Day 10 scan checks I have one prominent follicle & my linining is thick enough
All being well I then start taking ovulation tests at home
I call when I have my ‘surge’ then they book me in 6 days after that (so 5 days after I’ve ovulated) to have the transfer done
My embryos are day 6 blasts but they advised they still transfer on day 5

Hope that helps you a little all the best with your FET 😁

Hi @BananaHammock23 and @HopefulHead !
We've just been given the go-ahead for a natural FET after bloods and scans were clear, and my previous preeclampsia meant that a natural cycle would be slightly less risky. Would you be willing to share your experiences in the meantime? I hope you've had good news xxx

Hi @beachbum85 - I had my natural cycle cancelled as my lining was too thick too early and the clinic was convinced I hadn't bled properly. I eventually decided to go for a medicated transfer while feeding DS2. I fell pregnant first time but sadly ended in an ectopic. Good luck!!

Thank you for sharing @BananaHammock23 , and I'm so, so sorry to hear about your ectopic 😥 wishing you much better luck if you plan to try again xxx

Hi @beachbum85 I ended up ovulating late (for me) but they still did transfer 6 days after (which was technically 5 days before I was due to start my period) so I didn’t think it was right and still feel like they failed me to be honest, they couldn’t even tell from my scans if I’d ovulated but basically just said they would go from my surge…. So we had the transfer but not surprisingly it didn’t work.
since then my periods have started being really irregular, I think this must be delayed reaction from egg retrieval as I have had regular cycles for the last 20+ years… so I think if I did another transfer I would try medicated next time.

Hopefully it goes smoother for you 🤞🏼 I’d definitely still try natural if my periods hadn’t started being so irregular, I definitely think it’ll be better on your body ❤️
good luck 😘

Thank you so much @HopefulHead ! I'm sorry to hear your FET was unsuccessful, and especially that they went ahead even when things didn't look 100% right. That must have been so frustrating... I hope your cycle settles down again, and that things work out if you transfer again 🤞🏼

Our doctor said there are so many reasons that a natural cycle could be cancelled (anovulatory onth, thin lining, etc etc), and that we'd move onto medicated after that, so hopefully my body cooperates the month we try it out. Thanks again xxx

@beachbum85 I’ll keep everything crossed for a good result on your first cycle ❤️❤️