Should I break between fresh and FET transfer?

[Gpmg84]

Hi, this is my first time posting on here. After 3 losses last year, developing Ashermans (scarring) from several d&c procedures and an ectopic at Xmas, my husband and I started IVF in Jan. Fresh transfer failed (test day was yesterday) and I now need to decide if we go straight for FET next month or wait a bit for a natural bleed etc? It seems that the advice varies clinic to clinic so looking for some general advice / opinions on this really ..... My consultant is away so I can not speak to him for advice until later in the week and I am trying to prepare myself mentally in the meantime.....

[HemBella]

I’m sorry to hear your fresh transfer failed. 😢. I really don’t know the answer but I’ve been looking into fresh vs FET and everything around it as my clinic recommends freeze all cycles, so I’ve been debating what to do myself.

I’ve read a lot about giving your body a break, and a natural bleed before the FET. One nurse said to me that it’s a little like planting a seed into healthy soil. You want to make sure your womb is happy and healthy and recovered to be ready to provide a good space for your embryo. I kinda liked that logic. Good luck whatever you choose to do xx

[Gpmg84 in reply to HemBella]

Thank you. Yes I like that logic too - although I am SO impatient now and just want to crack on..... Fertility treatment seems to be one big waiting game interspersed with disappointment and upset - sorry I am having a bit of a pity party today but could really do with some good news...!! Wishing you lots of luck for your transfer, I have heard people recommending freezing all cycles too. xx

[Cinderella5]

Sorry to hear that you got a BFN, its not easy! Im not sure if its just an NHS thing or not but I had to wait 3 months after a fresh cycle although that was for another fresh so frozen may be different. Good luck.xx

[Gpmg84 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thank you for replying. That's interesting about NHS suggesting 3 months. I think I will start preparing myself for another wait.... Hope all is going well for you and wishing you lots of luck for your fertility journey!! xx

[Italy300618]

Hi lovely, my clinic advised to have at least 1 natural period in between, but again that was fresh not frozen so it may be different. Good luck hun xx

[Gpmg84 in reply to Italy300618]

Thank you for sharing! There’s so much waiting isn’t there!! 😢 x

[Gueritarubia]

My clinic lets you go straight through on the withdrawal bleed. Have done a couple of back to back FETs and it nearly broke me. I’d be hesitant to do a FET straight after fresh even if you’re allowed. I might do another FET back to back now (official test day tomorrow but looks like it’ll be a BFN) but only if I can try a natural cycle for a change. Good luck deciding whatever you do and hope next try is the one!

[Gpmg84 in reply to Gueritarubia]

Thank you for telling me that. Do you mind me asking what it was that you found hardest? All the drugs etc or physically did it knock you having them back to back? Sounds like taking a break is the best option! X

[Gueritarubia in reply to Gpmg84]

Hello again, first of all sorry to hear about your rough journey and losses. Got straight into action with my previous post! FETs are remarkably “light weight” on the drug front if you compare with a fresh cycle, I only have a couple of days of headache before starting progesterone, some minor bloating and night sweats. But this makes you feel like it’s a breeze as you don’t feel so physically affected. As I said, I did two back to back without thinking much of it, then was forced a break due to summer holidays. Then realised that my body was properly out of whack despite only the “light “ hormones and it took me a few cycles to get back to my normal self. Mentally it wasn’t great but don’t think that was the worst. We have a daughter from our second fresh cycle so now trying for a sibling with Frosties from same cycle. We’d like a sibling but aren’t as desperate as when trying for our first. Don’t get me wrong, we’d love a sibling but no longer at any mental, physical, emotional and practical price 😉 Still trying for now though... the balance still swings towards keeping trying but I’m lucky that we didn’t go through miscarriage or ectopic. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Hope4another]

I'm so sorry you had a BFN. I felt desperate to get on with it following a missed miscarriage after icsi. However, I now think having to wait to miscarry naturally really helped me take the time to grieve and recover.

[Gpmg84 in reply to Hope4another]

I’m so sorry to hear of your missed miscarriage. They’re so painful. I took some time out after my most recent loss and that did help so I think a break probably is sensible. Thank you for your support. Wishing you lots of luck on your journey xx