Not allowed to do a FET due to Covid

[Spottydog444]

Hi everyone,

I don’t know if anyone else is in the same situation but I was meant to complete a FET in April which got postponed due to lockdown and rearranged to August. This one then also got cancelled due to COVID again and I’m being told it can’t go ahead due to them using immunosuppressants during the treatment and it being against HFEA guidelines to do that during a pandemic. But then I keep seeing on here people having them done and I’m just unsure if it is my clinic that isn’t doing it or anyone else in the same situation. The clinic is in a hospital but we are paying privately this time as we had IVF twice in 2017 and got our daughter from the second cycle and then the eggs for the FET. I don’t want to keep ringing and bothering them as the receptionist just keeps saying their hands are tied. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to reply xx

[Sammy246]

Hi spottydog444, I dont know much about immunosuppressionts, so cant give you any helpful advice. But didnt want to ignore your post. Do you have an email for your consultant who you can directly contact to by pass the reception to get an answer xx

[Spottydog444 in reply to Sammy246]

I don’t have one for him unfortunately but I might have a google and see if I can find one. Thank you xx

[Sammy246 in reply to Spottydog444]

Or alternatively email the manager. I'm assuming the steroid would be on a private prescription and you put be injecting it yourself so i can't see why you can't continue with the fet. Good luck xx

[Orla9298]

I was allowed to go on 20mg prednisolone for my recent natural pregnancy as I was on prednisolone for my previous transfers

[Spottydog444 in reply to Orla9298]

Is that an immunosuppressant? I’ve never had a FET before so not really sure why I need the steroids that they say I do to be able to do it xx

[Orla9298 in reply to Spottydog444]

Yes prednisolone is a steroid x

[Spottydog444 in reply to Orla9298]

Ok thank you. I’m just not sure why my clinic is saying no when others are allowed to go on it xx

[Orla9298 in reply to Spottydog444]

It’s preferred not to due to covid, I’ve been told to self isolate by the nurse, my consultant said that’s very cautious nhs advice so not to worry too much but to be careful.

I’m surprised you’re being out on steroids without reason, do you know why?x

[Spottydog444 in reply to Orla9298]

I honestly don’t. We had a meeting with the consultant last December and he put the plan in place then COVID hit etc and then they have just said because of the plan I’m not allowed to do it. They haven’t actually explained why I need the steroids, just that it is part of a FET. I think I might have to ring and see if it can be done without using it maybe xx

[treezuk]

Steroids is not part of an FET they should only really ever be used if you have a known NK (natural killer)cells issue (where body rejects the foetus) based on what you’re saying it sounds like you’ve never had this test done to know why they’re using it , I would really question their use of this because it isn’t needed as standard in most cases - the clinic we used are actually against using it unless proven it’s needed.

[Spottydog444 in reply to treezuk]

Thank you that’s really interesting to know. I’ve had a previous pregnancy before so I don’t know why they would need it. I will phone up on Monday and ask to discuss it with them further. Thanks x

[treezuk in reply to Spottydog444]

No worries - there may be other issues and instances they use it but my understanding is it’s used when you are struggling to keep a baby attached due to the NK cells or immune issues which by the sounds of it you don’t have - maybe do a little research and then be prepared with info to throw back at them.

[Spottydog444 in reply to treezuk]

Will do thank you xx