FET ...which one??

[1980sbaby]

How does any clinic determine what kind of FET you should try, we have the option of Natural or Stimulated at our NHS clinic. I had my egg collection but they found fluid in the uterus on the day of EC so decided to freeze 8 zygotes. Is this a good number? What's better, natural or stimed? How long should I wait from EC to ET?

[E_05]

I think a lot of it depends on whether you ovulate naturally as you can’t have a natural FET if you don’t. I had 2 medicated FETs both unsuccessful and this year had a natural FET - I’m now nearly 20 weeks pregnant.

I had lots of problems this year with free fluid so totally understand how frustrating it is, I’m not sure how long you have to wait after a freeze all cycle but I know they won’t do a transfer until the fluid has gone - hopefully your next period should clear it.

Wishing you lots of luck x

[1980sbaby in reply to E_05]

Thanks E_05 im on my period now so may ask my clinic to scan me to ensure the fluid has gone. I think I ovulate normally I have had positive ovulation tests. They are saying they would like to do stimulated cycle. Fingers crossed. X

[Sezvic in reply to 1980sbaby]

Are you doing a 5 day transfer for your FET?

[1980sbaby in reply to Sezvic]

I have no clue, they were frozen as zygotes (day 1) so they will thaw them and see which is best to transfer. If I get a blastocyst or 2 they can refreeze them for another future FET. I would like to get 2 blasts and 1 to transfer but maybe I'm being greedy.xx

[Saya85]

If you ovulate regularly and have no other health issues like pcos etc then they can do natural which works better for some women.

If they are worried about premature ovulation or other side problems they will recommend medicated so that they can control your cycle again.

Medicated usually includes cetrotide injection for first week after period and then just some oestrogen and later progesterone pessaries.

Much less intensive than a fresh cycle and far quicker too

Hope all goes well at your FET

[emmab178 in reply to Saya85]

I haven't got any issues and the clinic only recommended a medicated fet. I've day 1 of period i wait till day 21 then I've got two weeks of down reg then 1 week to get lining up and then ET.

[Saya85 in reply to emmab178]

Yes some clinics just prefer medicated as they are in control. But they would only recommend/allow natural if there were no other issues or if there multiple failed gets.

Protocol can vary similar to fresh cycles - short and long. Mine started day 1 and completed within one cycle. It seems they are waiting to override end of your first cycle with down reg and then implant in second cycle.

Hope works for you x

[emmab178 in reply to Saya85]

Bizarre isn't it but they insist that is what brings them the best results. I was looking forward to a shorter cycle. Just had the 1 first round successful icsi. I have regular periods but guess i go with their advice as no other option was presented.

[Saya85 in reply to emmab178]

It's difficult isn't it to know who to trust sometimes. Yourself or the 'professionals'.

The comforting thing is women have had BFPs with both medicated and natural cycles so there's a fair chance it could work.

My friend had medicated and didn't work but then tried natural and it did.

Some women respond better to meds and others bodies are stubborn and like doing their own thing 🤣

I guess next time you could suggest natural if you really feel it's not working for you but it's hard to know either way.

Hope yours works for you x

[emmab178 in reply to Saya85]

Thanks. Only got the one frostie so its their way and that's it. On the fresh cycle had the long protocol and lining was perfect etc so fingers crossed my lady bits play ball

[Saya85 in reply to emmab178]

Lol@ lady bits play ball.

Ditto!

[Tugsgirl]

8 is a fantastic number. Well done. If you ovulate naturally and fairly regularly I’d personally opt for a natural fet; it’s much easier on the body xx

[Hidden]

What’s the natural get? Xxx I’ve always been medicated xxx

[Saya85 in reply to Hidden]

They just follow your normal cycle and monitor for ovulation.

Then they transfer based on tjat.

Sometimes they give you extra pessaries and things but mostly they don't override your normal ovulation e.g down regging, which makes it natural

Lianna89 describes it in her reply below also x

[Hidden]

My doc just asked me if my periods were regular and if I've had clear positive ovulation tests so we went with a natural cycle with no medications, just waited for my LH surge and transfer was organised a few days after that, I'm 13 weeks and everything has been fine so far, I can't imagine having to take progesterone for weeks but I would take your doctors advice before anything else xxxxxx

[baby2016]

I respond better lining wise to a natural cycle (with added drugs) but they allow me to ovulate naturally as have regular clockwork cycles and always ovulate when I should. I can feel exactly when I’m going to! Clinics like to do medicated as they can plan exactly with you when you have your transfer, whereas is natural there’s really no choice on what day to have it, just 6 days after getting a smiley face on ovulation sticks. Really is a personal choice. I just don’t respond well to patches xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to baby2016]

Marietay just thinking baby2016 has also had issues in the past with lining problems as she doesnt seem to repsond to being medicated. She relies on her natural cycle until a certain point then starts progynova....she might be able to suggest her protocol so you can discuss with your clinic.xx

[Cinderella5]

8 frozen is a great number! Ive done fully medicated FET and this time around Im going for what I would call semi medicated.....no down regulation and taking estrogen tabs (progynova) to help with my lining. The down regulation for me was the hard bit so wanted to miss that out as I felt terrible. I decided against completely natural, not because I dont have natural cycles but more so that I dont have to rely on timing ovulation and getting it wrong (taking progynova form the beginning of your cycle is supposed to stop ovulation) and this for me took the stress out of things. Good luck with your decision.xx