Fresh or frozen? What to do??

[Jobo-Mollie]

Hi ladies,

I am asking for some advice please,

I am on my first round of IVF. I am a patient with care fertility and have been fortunate enough not to have had my treatment cancelled due to covid-19. It has been touch and go throughout the cycle with one minute being told it would be cancelled when I was down regging to it then being back on!! However I was told that it would be a freeze all cycle.

However, when I had my egg collection on Wednesday (retrieved 6 eggs) the consultant stated that she would actually consider a fresh transfer and has done So for other patients. Primarily it was supposed to be for patients who’s embryos were not good enough for freezing. However, she stated that she would give me the option of a Fresh transfer even if I had embryos to freeze- she would prefer me to have a freeze all due to covid-19 but would give me the choice.

So I am on day 3 now and the embryologist has called with my results so far

1 x 8 cell grade 1

1 x 8 cell grade 2

1 x 6 cell grade 2

1 x 5 cell grade 2

1 x 4 cell grade 3

Transfer day would be on Monday morning, this is if they turn to blastocyst. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed and not getting my hopes up too much.

So basically, the consultant is now saying that if they are good enough to freeze on Monday she would not do a transfer. Feel like an emotional mess. One minute I get geared up to having a transfer and then not. The reasons she gave are obviously due to covid-19 and the associated risks, secondly To give my body rest from all the drugs and thirdly I am on antibiotics due to having small amount of endometriosis so if there was any inflammation left it would not make a good environment for implantation.

So my question is do I fight my corner and say I want a fresh Transfer on Monday (all being well with my embryo’s)? I am 36 and like many women don’t know when the govt will allow IVF (in vitro fertilization) to recommence due to virus. I am working from home at the moment and have no stress of work like I usually would. The lining of my womb is the right thickness now for transfer and if I have a frozen cycle will have another two weeks of more drugs. I would also pay for private scans if necessary due to the strain on NHS.

Or do I just go with the consultants advice and have a break? She is the expert after all. It was planned for me to have antibiotics from the outset so surely If inflammation was a concern why didn’t she suggest a freeze all from the start? (Pre vivid-19?)

Would they just discard any poor eggs that are not good enough to freeze? And keep the good ones?

Sorry for the REALLY long post! It may actually be taken out of my hands on Monday if I don’t get a blast that is good enough but just want to be prepared. - Thank you!! Xx

[Hidden]

Hi Jobo-Mollie,

I had to make a similar decision recently and I was going to freeze all until I remembered all the prep I had done up to this point, like you said with the lining being right and everything, I also had a fibroid cut out late last year in preparation and so decided to go with the original plan instead of the possibility of fibroids growing back and instead of having to take hormones again, especially since I suffered daily headaches and other side effects.

I’m still waiting for my test to see if my transfer was successful. I’m in Australia, but id say it’s similar, if you decide on a fresh transfer they will select the best blastocyst for fresh transfer on day 5 and freeze any others that make it to blastocyst that day. My clinic here watched all the embryos up to day 6 and froze more on day 6 that made it blastocyst. Any that don’t reach a stage where they can be transferred would get discarded I imagine. I opted for any of mine to go to research so they may be used for that as well.

Not sure if that helps your decision. But it’s sometimes helps to hear others in a similar situation.

I’ve read a lot of pros to frozen transfers as well so either way whatever you decide will be the best decision for you.

All the best.

[Jobo-Mollie in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply M_ry. I really hope your transfer was successful.

I know it’s so tough but to know what to do with for the best. I’ve also googled it to death and I don’t think there is to much between a fresh or frozen it’s just the thought of having to wait another 6 months or more before I can have a FET. I guess I will know more on Monday.

I’m also a bit confused about them discarding the embroys that are not as good as I’ve read so many stories on line about low grade embroys being transferred and ladies having a BFP. Surely if they want to to freeze all my good ones just give the others a chance even if it doesn’t work?

Good luck with your result xxx

[Chel91]

Hi, sorry you are having to make such tough decisions. It sounds like you might have at least 1 or more good quality at day 5, so they would likely discard any that aren't good enough quality to freeze anyway. They like to transfer the best ones first usually. Would you be transferring 1 or 2 embryos? I personally would push for a fresh transfer, but it depends on things like if they would charge you for a frozen transfer? For me every FET is a lot of cost unfortunately.

Personally, I had a fresh transfer of 1 embryo a month ago, I signed some paperwork to say I was happy to take the risk of pregnancy or something to that affect. Unfortunately that was a chemical pregnancy, but I'll be doing a FET hopefully ASAP with my remaining 2 embryos. Best of luck to you xx

[Jobo-Mollie in reply to Chel91]

Hi Chel91,

I’m so sorry to hear about your chemical pregnancy and your giving yourself some TLC.

I would only be transferring one embryo at a time I think. Also they will pay for the freezing costs due to the virus so haven’t got to worry about that. Xxx

[Sarah_rich19 in reply to Jobo-Mollie]

Really think about how you are feeling. I had a similar decision to make and really wanted a fresh transfer and convinced myself that I was feeling all fine but deep down inside I wasn't, I was so swollen, felt ill and my stomach was in so much pain however I went through with it and honestly I think I needed time. I should've listened to the clinic when they said freeze all. The cycle didn't work and after that I decided to give myself 3 months off to get better physically and mentally. I had 2 left in the freezer so knew I could take time and honestly it was the best thing I did. I had a frozen transfer in March and I'm currently 6 weeks 🤞Do what is best for you

[Hope4040]

I would definitely opt for fresh transfer. But that’s only my personal preference due to my own experience. Ive got pregnant twice on fresh cycles and was unsuccessful with a frozen.

But I also hear of plenty who are successful with frozen xx

[Hidden]

Just because 1 gets pregnant with fresh don't mean the other 1 would don't mean fresh is better or frozen...it's all down to the individual how there body responds.. and the embryo...Everyone is different go with what is best for you.. only you would know that. Good luck x

[Telford1]

Hi, it’s a very hard decision. Fresh has got to be best if you are feeling strong enough. But don’t feel you have to. I was the same as Sarah Rich 19 and did a transfer which deep down I knew I should have waited until stronger. I was stressed with work, sore and tired from ivf (fainted after transfer). I think i would have been more successful in a better ‘me’ environment. It was gutting as they used what was essentially a perfect embryo. Take your time to decide if you feel stronger now than you would be in a normal set of circumstances. Good luck!!

[Jobo-Mollie in reply to Telford1]

thank you for your message and I’m sorry to hear about your experience, wishing you luck for next time x

[Kaylon]

Hi Jobo-.Mollie, I just wanted to add I have always had antibiotics after egg collection to prevent infection from the procedure and have had several fresh transfers.

I hope you get your fresh transfer on Monday. Will keep my fingers crossed for you. Also that your embabies keep developing nicely and you get some good quality blastos.

Good luck x

[HollyT7]

Hey we had a fresh transfer and got a bfp than ended in a chemical then had a frozen transfer with embryo glue that we got a bfp from too 😊 hopefully yours will go well either way and what's mean to be and all that ❤️🐰 xxx

[Chowlady14]

I would go for the fresh transfer, if you don’t and clinics are shut for 12 months you will torture yourself. If you feel up to it go for it. My clinic have advised against all transfers due to COVID we had a failed frozen last month but was in a middle of new cycle so pushed on & did a frozen transfer of 2 embryos on April 3rd. Our OTD is 17th April & im a nervous wreck as have so much cramping but praying some light comes out of this dark time. Good luck xxxx

[Jobo-Mollie in reply to Chowlady14]

Wishing you all the luck in the world xxx

[Same0508]

If your fertility care center ok with you now going with fresh transfer then go for it as soon as possible.... Currently due to covid - 19 everything is shutting down... Before it shutdown completely just give a try if it's success then OK if not anyway they are not gonna do second transfer until this covid issue resolves... U might have break anyway so just go for transfer give a try but be safe using toilets and traveling for transfer...

[12356]

I think it depends on luck , I had 19 months old Son from my fresh transfer 2017, and now am almost entering 15 weeks with FET ,

So my dear check your self and body well and decided within you if you are ready for it.

Wishing best of luck in any decision you take 🥰🥰

[Jobo-Mollie]

Hi ladies, just to update you. I went with the transfer this morning! Had four embryos good enough for freezing so thought I would go with it. So fingers crossed now. Just to say thank you for all your replies, I have never used this forum before and I am so glad to have found it xxxx

[Hope4040 in reply to Jobo-Mollie]

All the best for your 2ww 🤞🏼 xxx

[Same0508 in reply to Jobo-Mollie]

All the best...dont worry and dont google in this 2ww....just relax and be calm...

[Chowlady14 in reply to Jobo-Mollie]

Wishing you all the luck in the world. The next 2ww are tough but try to stay positive & hydrated. Don’t symptom spot, try to avoid early testing & googling. It’s much easier said than done believe me xxxx

[12356]

All the best dear🤗🤗🤗