Hi ladies sorry I have not been as available to offer advice and support to you all this last week.it really has been tough. So we had an appointment today with consultant and I desperately wanted answers as to why we now have had 3 bfns from 3 fresh cycles. She was as confused and disappointEd as us. I need to accept that sadly in this field of medicine there often is no answers. One small positive is as my age goes up my egg quality and quantity has gone up with every cycle though still no bfp however we do now have what she referred too as 3 beautiful embryos in the freezer. As we sat there today I felt guilty as our embryos were across the hall yet I seem to have lost all hope and I should get behind these wee pieces of us and find my hope again...so hard. Anyway they now recommending a natural frozen cycle and as this is our first frozen cycle I turn to you lovely ladies. She said they have a 90% success rate on thawing and their success rates with fresh and frozen are similar. She also mentioned that less or no drugs in your system can have a positive results so I guess this is quite different again. Cost is so much less and all seems so much easier than a fresh cycle. So please do folk have successful fet stories after failed fresh to help me find some hope again. Also successful natural frozen cycle success stories. And also she mentioned me going on drugs after transfer both a steroid called prednisolone and something called clexane. .anyone taken these? Thanks again for all your supportive posts and messages this last week..I love you all and thanks again in advance for any advice on above..lots of love xxx
Natural fet advice: Hi ladies sorry I... - Fertility Network UK
Natural fet advice
Hey Vic, I'm glad that you had a positive appointment today.... albeit a difficult one!! I obviously can't offer any advice as you know my crap history however I can tell you that a girl I met on here and cycled with, we both failed our first cycle have kept in contact with via WhatsApp and she has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl recent and this was a frozen embie! It is a lottery but I just want to give you some hope that sometimes it does work!!😚xx
Thanks so much hun😘😘😘that really helps there seems no rhyme or reason to this😢. Thats so lovely that you kept in touch too..I sometimes think we should all organise a big night oot🍷🍷you doing ok?? Sending love xx
You're welcome!!! I wanted to tell you earlier when you got your BFN but wasnt quite the right time when you were grieving! I know what you mean, when the consultant told us there was no reason we shouldn't have gotten pregnant with our 3 decent embies it leaves you baffled and p*$$ed off!! I have heard good things about frozen embies and the fact you've not had egg collection or heavy drugs helps. There's a fair bit of research going on to look at whether that's the way forward.
A big night oot would be braw!!🍷😂👍
I'm ok ta, been feeling a bit queasy after this prostap malarkey it's eased off today though!!xx
Take it easy and rest up and thanks for your supportive messages. Here a night oot should be organised however would take me hours to get across that damn bridge. ..lol xx
Don't I know it, I've to drive over it on Friday morning for my scan!!😣xx
Can't offer any advice Vic, I've had a FET although medicated and currently doing another medicated one.
I'm sure lots of lovely ladies here will be able to give you some advice though 🙂
Just wanted to wish you luck and to tell you that although my FET's have been medicated (tablet and pessaries) they are far more gentle on the body and I definitely found it easier compared to my fresh cycle xxx
Thanks hun..I really appreciate you messaging. ..you feeling any better???xxx
Hi I'm so sorry to hear about your journey so far.
I can't comment on FET I'm part way through my first frozen cycle, I'm on buserelin and start my Progynova tomorrow however I took prednisolone on my last fresh cycle which ended in chemical pregnancy I was put on them for raised NK cells but I'm not so sure about them as reading about them online there very mixed opinions but I guess we have to trust our consultants. I will be taking them this FET cycle too.
So far it is easier in terms on less drugs however emotionally I'm finding it more difficult.
I wish you all the best. X
Thanks for replying hun..I am so sorry about your chemical pregnancy. Yeah the drugs are a minefield. She mentioned nk cells and I have never been tested for that and my dh and I did decide against expensive testing as felt it would raise our anxieties. What is the negatives about this drug?maybe I will Google it. How come you are finding it harder emotionally?I think our first cycle we went through it with blinkers on so yes the more cycles you go through the more emotionally draining it becomes...rest up, take it easy and be kind to yourself. ..I ate lots of cake xx
Did they say why they were putting you on the steroids? I cant really remember how they made me feel as I was on pessaries too so I think side effects all become one headaches, fatigue, moody lol.
I hve had two fresh cycles which resulted in cp's, I've since had a Laparoscopy as a result of my NK cells and I had endometriosis so I've started by FET the cycle after that op as this was the best time, they can't say for sure if this caused my cp's or infertility and they said sometimes it's just bad luck. I think I'm emotional because I was not prepared to go straight into this cycle but I do feel more confident as the days passes I'm now off work with this cycle so that is a massive relief.
You have definitely been on a journey having three fresh cycles it's mentally and physically draining but don't give up hope x
You too hang in there..being off work will help. .try some of the ivf mindfulness that really helped me on my 2nd cycle. .not sure why the steroids to be honest. .she mentioned something about nk cells and trying this as different ah hell I would try anything now xxx
Hi Vic77 I'm pleased to hear you had an appointment where they are suggesting moving forwards although I'm sure it must feel very difficult. I'm doing a medicated fet at the moment and would have happily given natural a try. Jenny34 on here messaged me about the clinic we're thinking of using next (if unsuccessful) and she has had 2 successful natural fet cycles. All the very best of luck xxxx
Thanks mrs..I wonder why some folk do medicated and some natural fet?hopefully you won't need to worry about a next clinic xx
Thank you. I think medicated & natural have similar success rates, our clinic does medicated because they don't do egg transfers at the weekend so want control of your cycle. Seems crazy because medicated is more expensive and we're still NHS! X
My new clinic is putting me on prednisolone and clexane. They also freeze all embryos so that when you transfer you don't have drugs in your system. (IF I ever got to freeze anything that is!)
I have a good feeling for you with your Frosties and will keep everything crossed for you xxxxxx
I'm glad your appointment went well though I know it's frustrating to hear when they have no answers. Wishing you lots of luck with your FET. We're having a medicated FET. I'll let you know how we get on. Scan tomorrow to check the lining and hopefully FET next week. Fingers crossed. I'm really missing sugary foods, caffeine, spices etc - have cut them out having read that they can all affect implantation. Am being even stricter this time around than last. Am hoping that's the thing that will make a difference. Xxx
Hope scan went well and all crossed for you xxx
Thanks Vic. We're getting there. Got to go back Monday and hopefully then have FET the Monday after xx
Hi, I wanted to share my FET success story as I am currently 12 weeks pregnant (still feels strange saying that!). I previously had a failed fresh cycle and had 1 frozen embryo only. The FET cycle is MUCH easier. I had to take estrogen tablets up until a week before transfer and then I started pessaries (progesterone) and an extra injection of lubion. The meds continue then up until you are 12 weeks. After my fresh cycle (egg collection) I felt very ill so looking back it was hard to be positive because I felt so rubbish but with the FET you feel normal. Good luck and try and stay positive for your Frosties! X
Thanks so much for sharing your success story and huge congrats just wonderful. ..I can imagine it feels strange saying that😂xxxx
I have no advice as I haven't been anywhere near embryo stage but I just wanted to say changing everything up might be a good thing. Plus it cheaper and how often do you say that on a fertility journey! 😁
Hi vic, I'm on prednisolone (steroids) and clexane (blood thinners) I think it helps with implantation as it worked second time round. I think because I have endo this supports my blood from not clotting and being so think. I know the steroids are used for nk cells but I never got tested for this so I don't know if I have a risk or not. Definitely give them a go, I've had no side effects. Just gives me reassurance x
Did they put you on that drug combo the first time? What was their reason for putting you on that?I have not been tested for nk cells and don't want to be tested anyway and I don't have endo just multiple bfns so consultant said she just wants to try these drugs to see..how u doing after your good news?got a scan date?xx
To be honest I don't really know why I'm on them but I really trust the clinic and I'm sure it's doing good. 😃 I know a friend of mine had 3 miscarriages through natural pregnancy and was on steroids for first 12 weeks with her 4th pregnancy and now that baby boy is 6 weeks old.
To be honest sometimes we can know too much and worry ourselves so I try to trust the professionals and go with their recommendations.
Good advice..thanks xxx
Hey hun. I put a similar question up last week...a lovely lady from the site called Diane replied and i then called her. I'm sure she'll be happy to speak to you.
I am awaiting conformation from the Dr but I believe if you start a natural cycle and they or indeed you dont feel that the lining is looking good enough you can switch to medicated that same cycle so our thinking is it's worth a try.
All the best xxxx
Hi there Vic,
I had a completely natural FET after my first fresh cycle ended in a chemical pregnancy and I now have my beautiful 3.5 week old girl to show for it! From the moment my consultant mentioned it as a possibility I knew it was the way I wanted to go as all the drugs and stress of a medicated cycle really did play havoc with my mental health and I don't think there was ever any way I was going to get pregnant under all that stress. All I did was go in for one scan to check that my lining was doing what it should, then test for ovulation and go in for transfer 7 days after the LH surge was detected. My consultant told me that my body would know what to do once the embryos were in there and it did, so I would completely advocate a natural cycle.
Wishing you the very best of luck. Xx
Hi there we're going for our second natural transfer on sat. Completely without medication. Unfortunately the first one ended in a BFN.
It's so much easier on the body. I've been for 3 scans and then just transfer. Good luck with it and let me know if any questions xx
Thanks will do..good luck on sat xx
My success came from a 100% natural FET after a failed fresh cycle so there is definitely hope Hun!!! It's so much kinder to the body and mind too. Wishing you lots of luck. Feel free to ask any questions xx
Thanks hun..so you had no meds at all? She is talking about some blood thinners and steroids just both post transfer xx
No drugs at all Hun xx
Hi Vic, I have no experience of FET and can't offer any advice. Really happy that you had a positive appointment and wish you all the best with your FET xx
Hi Vic,
I am sorry your fresh cycle was unsuccessful. I am currently 9 weeks pregnant following a natural frozen cycle!
I haven't had a fresh cycle as I had hyperstimulation so they had to freeze all our embryos. My first transfer was a medicated frozen cycle - I chose medicated the first time round as it worked out quicker for us and I was getting impatient after the disappointment of having OHSS. I also liked the idea of having set dates for scans/transfer as it is more controllable on a medicated cycle. However it was unsuccessful. I then decided to go for a natural cycle as I thought it would be nice to be off meds for a bit, and as you say, quite a bit cheaper!
We had a couple of set backs - because the dates aren't so controllable we had to miss one month as the date for transfer fell on a weekend and there were not enough staff at our clinic to do the transfer. Then the next month we were away on holiday! So that was a bit frustrating. But now I have had our BFP and 7 week scan and all is well, so I would recommend it! As you say, I believe the success rates are about the same if you go medicated or natural (as long as you definitely ovulate) and I have to say I feel pleased to have not been on meds. My husband also likes the idea that it is a more natural way to do it (I work in healthcare so medications/medical processes don't bother me so much!).
Good luck! If you have any questions just ask xx
Congrats that is such good news and thanks for posting. I like the sound of natural after 3 fresh rounds my body is done in😉were you on any drugs at all?she just mentioned steroids and blood thinners only after transfer that was it so not totally unique medicated xx
I haven't been on any meds at all. I suspect the steroids/blood thinners is something to do with your previous history in that case, as they are not hormones to support the pregnancy so your own hormones will be doing that part! As you say it is definitely nice to have a break from the normal full medicated process xx
Hi! First of all I'm so sorry for your bfns. You are doing amazingly well in the face of such huge disappointment and trauma. As has been said it is a lottery and sometimes there are no answers which is why ivf is so bloody hard! I had fresh failed cycles but can certainly vouch for natural fets; my eldest is 2.5 and my youngest 4 weeks old and both were natural fets. The cycle is so much easier physically! And yes the thaw rate for frozen blasts is above 90%. Not having the drugs in your system is supposed to help and I certainly felt it did with me. And success rates are as good as fresh recent research has indicated. I really hope this gives you some Hope! Sending lots of love and luck xxxxxx
Hey Mrs thanks so much for posting and sharing your natural success..wow😁I don't feel I am doing well tbh I just feel like I am getting on and my hope has gone but hearing stories like urs really help..so thank you thanks also for the link..I so hope this natural fet works for us xxx
I think something that I was naive to before i started this process was the fact that there are no definites in this process and quite often no answers or reasons to why a cycle doesn't work. I had one fresh cycle which failed and was so disappointed but also wanted to know why. The consultant just told me that it could of been a number of reasons. I went on to have a FET in July and it was successful. I am now just over 12 weeks which is crazy to think! I had no drugs apart from oestrogen tablets (progynova) and progesterone pessaries. I felt completely relaxed from the lead up and all through the 2WW and didn't feel bloated or stressed like I did during my first round. I don't now if that helped or not because I think unfortunately this process is all down to chance but It was a much more relaxed approach with not as many scans that come with all the worry and anxiety.
Good luck and I hope that the next time is the ONE! xxx
Thanks so much hun and huge congrats on your pregnancy..fab news😀hopefully frozen is where it's at for us xxx
2 failed fresh IVF cycles now starting FET cycle
Natural FET? 
Natural FET or medicated short protocol?
FET transfer 
