Natural Vs Medicated FET

[JB1988]

Hi All

Its been a while since I posted but I am back ready to take on my FET round 2!

I know everyone is different etc etc but now I am questioning my decisions and just wanted a feel of what others experienced and outcomes.

So, as the title says natural or medicated FET - thoughts? Did you have success with one rather than the other?

Does your clinic give you stats on whats better? etc etc

Just to add - they have done further tests on me and found nothing - so in theory no reason for me not to fall but a chemical and fails later disprove this! Our issue is male factor - in case that changes anyones response

Hit me with your thoughts!

Thanks in advance xx

[WeeJacs]

Hi JB I'm in this situation too. Never had Frosties until our 3rd cycle and now we have 3.

3 fresh attempts, 2 BFPs but MC and a BFN. Our clinic is suggesting natural. All very New to me so I'm keen to hear others advice xx

[JB1988 in reply to WeeJacs]

Sorry to hear youve had MC and a BFN its really hard to cope with sometimes isnt it?!

I have had a natural FET and I did prefer it as I felt "normal" if you like and not controlled as such but unfortunately I bled before test day.

I have told the clinic I want to do natural and they are happy with that but now I am worried I am wasting our last shot - so many decisions!

[Hidden]

We’re currently prepping for a FET. My clinic prefer a long medicated cycle including down regulation, they say their success rates are the highest with this protocol and about 30% higher than with natural cycle FETs the reason being that they can control and time everything perfectly. Our problem is male factor too. I failed to down regulate for our first attempt at a FET cycle so I’m waiting on day 21 to start again, no success stories here yet. Good luck with yours xx

[JB1988 in reply to Hidden]

Thats interesting to hear. My clinic didnt give me any stats but were happy to go with whatever I was most comfortable with.

I am just worried I am wasting our last shot as we only have this 1 frostie left - so many decisions!

Good luck with yours though hun xx

[Hidden]

My gut is to go as natural as possible (i think the more interference there is the more can go wrong) but I am currently awaiting a medicated FET myself as my periods aren’t regular enough to go natural! I’m yet to make it to transfer stage at all so can’t help on success rates. That’s my view for what it’s worth! Hope it goes well whichever you choose. X

[JB1988 in reply to Hidden]

Yea thats how I have been viewing it - if my body does what its meant to do then why interfere with drugs.

I am just second guessing it all as its our last frostie and I just want it to work so badly, obviously! lol! xx

[Hidden in reply to JB1988]

Of course! Fingers crossed for you! X

[JB1988 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks hun xx

[E_05]

I’ve had 2 medicated FETs both unsuccessful. Last year I had a natural FET but with cycologest and I took prednisone on the lead up to ET. I was quite against a natural FET as I thought if it hadn’t worked before how would my body be able to do it naturally however I’m now nearly 33 weeks pregnant.

I would personally chose natural over medicated, there’s less interference and you’re working with your body. Good luck on whatever you decide x

[JB1988 in reply to E_05]

Thanks hun and congratulations

I prefer the natural way but was just starting to doubt my decision but I think I will follow it through and hope and pray!

Ive also had the scratch this time so hoping and praying this little embaby sticks! xx

[E_05 in reply to JB1988]

I think it’s only normal to become doubtful the closer you get, I’m sure it’d be the same if you was doing a medicated FET you’d be questioning whether you should do a natural one - our brains like to make things even more difficult for us.

Fingers crossed for you x

[JB1988 in reply to E_05]

Yes that’s very true! Thanks hun xx

[wemma83]

Hey lovely,

This was my first FET, I went semi-medicated and I’ll be six weeks pregnant tomorrow 😊 I had a bad experience with OHSS after my egg collection and I wanted to avoid medication as much as possible so had nothing leading up to FET and I’m just on Cyclogest pessaries twice a day and Lubion injections once a day.

If your periods are fairly regular I’d say go as natural as you can, good luck whatever you decide sweetheart 😊💕 xxx

[JB1988 in reply to wemma83]

Thanks hun and congratulations.

I have already said I want to do natural but just second guessing myself but I think it’s better for me, going to stop questioning it all and go with it! Xx

[Hidden]

If you have a clear LH surge and ovulate then go for a natural, your body will do all the work regarding hormones etc, but discuss this with your doctor and get their advice! I'm 27 weeks pregnant after a natural FET with no meds at all and the process was easy, test for LH surge an then book the transfer a few days after, oh and the reason for us doing IVF was due to a possible tube blockage after an ectopic everything else was fine xxxxx

[JB1988 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks hun and congratulations.

The clinic are happy for me to do natural and Id rather this just second guessing myself but going to stop over thinking and just go with it xx

[Hidden in reply to JB1988]

I did the same thing, I couldn't understand how my body would be able to do it without any meds etc xxx

[WeeJacs]

Lots of positive natural stories, thank you for sharing. I suppose I'm just doubting my own body esp after having 2 MCs. We are going to test for uterine NK cells before we transfer xx

[JB1988 in reply to WeeJacs]

Yes, I am going to stop doubting myself, they havent found any reason why not!

NK cells was one I havent done, my clinic dont offer it and didnt think it was worth it but I am still wondering, like we all do!

Let me know how you get on xx

[WeeJacs in reply to JB1988]

I have endo, a lot of research indicates endo and raised NK cells are related. Just want to rule it out before trying again xx

[Sprinkles86]

I found the natural cycle much less stressful, no going in for scans, less medication etc. I did still use progesterone pessaries and was taking steroids for high NK cells but it was the cycle that worked for us. Fresh cycle and first FET had resulted in early miscarriage. I had weekly reflexology and acupuncture leading up to it to really throw everything at it as it was our last embryo. Good luck lovely xxx

[JB1988 in reply to Sprinkles86]

Thanks and congrats hun

Ive decided on natural but was having a wobble but I definitely think its better for me, so will put my big girl pants on and go for it! xx

[Sprinkles86 in reply to JB1988]

Aw I honestly think you’ll find it so much less stressful, it’s just positive ovulation test and then get booked in for transfer! There’s still the ‘hope it thaws out ok’ nerves but that’s the same either way isn’t it 🤷🏻‍♀️ Xxx

[JB1988 in reply to Sprinkles86]

Yes 100% - We have done a natural FET before so I know how much of a breeze it was compared but I bled before test day, I think thats why its concerning me so much but I am sure this one will be the one - fingers crossed!! xx

[Sprinkles86 in reply to JB1988]

Will they give you progesterone if you ask for it? If they won’t just ask them what’s the risk of having it... if there’s no risk, why not have it etc. Good luck xxx

[WhatAwait]

I've just had a natural FET last month (after a successful pregnancy with the first fresh round of ICSI). I basically didn't have any other choice since I am still breastfeeding, but it's much less hassle free too - and cheaper (if private of course)!

I literally just had to go in for blood tests (4) for them to check when the surge happened and then they phoned me back with the time and date for transfer (5 days later). Nothing else. So I felt this way they could time it precisely without any meds.

It ended in BFP and today I'm 6 weeks pregnant!

[JB1988 in reply to WhatAwait]

Congrats hun

Thanks for replying - I had a natural one before and literally had a couple of scans, kept an eye on surge, triggered so they knew exactly when and then transferred, it was simple!

I was just debating as i bled before test with my last one, im just panicking but I think it will ultimately be for the best xx