Advice-has anyone done a FET with a HCG injection after transfer to aid implantation?

[Masief]

Hey lovely ladies, I have recently read about hcg injections being used to help the endometrium to communicate with blastocyst once tranferred? In natural reproduction we start secreting small amounts of this to help this process, with IVF this can sometimes be lost so HCG is used after to help the process. My clinic offers it and my consultant will decide if I can do this. I just wondered if anyone here has experienced it, did it help?. I know there is risk for OHSS for some women, are there any others? I am doing a natural FET, I surged on my own so no trigger was used but am taking cyclogest pessaries. Any guidance would be appreciated, thanks so much xxxx

[MrsH86]

Hiya

I don’t know that it helped specifically as I haven’t had an FET without but when I had my natural FET I was given a third of a pen of ovitrelle after and the FET worked. Like yourself I surged normally without a trigger although I didn’t take cyclogest. There shouldnt be much of a risk of OHSS from it as you won’t have been stimming on this cycle ( I had unfortunately got hcg OHSS on a fresh cycle but the trigger after FET was fine).

Sending lots thoughts and good luck for your FET x

[Masief in reply to MrsH86]

Hi MrsH86, thanks so much for replying with your experience. I have read quite a lot online about this. My clinic seem to only offer the injection before ovulation. It's a bit tricky as I'm speaking to them over an app, and so unable to have a conversation about this. I'm hoping that when I see my consultant tomorrow for the transfer I can explain what I have read and see if they prescribe it so I can pick it up tomorrow and inject it. Fingers crossed, congratulations on your success xxx

[Lilly12255]

Are you talking about an injection in the stomach fat like the usual IVF injections or an intra uterine one. They are different. I read that the intra uterine one can help more than the classic one. What is your clinic offering exactly?

[Masief in reply to Lilly12255]

Hey Lilly12255, as I have found out about this research annoyingly late I have been communicating with the nurses via a messaging app. The first nurse said they do offer this and another said they only offer it before ovulation. So I don't think they understand what I mean. What I am talking about is simply injecting HCG into the tummy to signal to my endometrium that the blasto is there and to encourage receptivity. I'll see what happens tomorrow x

[Lilly12255 in reply to Masief]

The research says that the more useful injection is intra-uterine for FET. Nurses would have no clue. You need to ask a doctor about it.

[Masief in reply to Lilly12255]

Exactly, I will see the Dr at the transfer and see what she says! I wish I knew about this before, it's a bit frustrating that these options aren't presented to you so you can choose something new. This experience has taught me that you need to push for different approaches. I am going to message them now to see if there is any option to add this on (intra-uterine) tomorrow. They will call to consent to the thawing of the embryo, I will see if they can ask the Dr then x

[Lilly12255 in reply to Masief]

Good luck! I hope you you manage to squeeze it! Keep us updated

[Masief in reply to Lilly12255]

I will do, this is the last thing I thought I'd be doing in prep for my transfer xx

[Millbanks]

I haven’t had this but would be really interested to know what you decide though as I have heard of it, I’ve not thought to try it though. Xx

[Masief in reply to Millbanks]

Hi Millbanks, I'll let you know the outcome. It seems common practice in the US but not here so much so my clinic may not agree. I really hope they have seen the research and agree as it is a tiny amendment and so easy on their side. It just depends on the risk factors, which I don't know enough about. Maybe the fact that I am taking pessaries may make it risky for some reason. I'll let you know anyhow xx

[Millbanks in reply to Masief]

Thank you 🥰 it definitely makes sense to me that it would help. It’s not something I’ve heard of other ivf-ers doing for sure. Best of luck! Xxx

[hifer]

Hi, yes I’m using Ovitrelle prior and post transfer this cycle. This was advised after my results of my ERA. It it not commonplace I don’t think but I went through the implantation clinic at my clinic and suspect my clinic would only be happy with this addition after an ERA but I don’t know this for sure. Generally, my clinic like to know what meds are going to go into your protocol in advance, rather than adding them ad hoc last minute. However we all know clinics vary massively and if your clinic offers this as standard anyway then there is absolutely no harm in trying. It’s always worth challenging things during this process I think just in case something might work for you. Good luck xx

[Masief in reply to hifer]

Hi hifer, thanks for responding! That's interesting that you're about to do this, can I ask what clinic are you at? I may need to look at others in the future. Also, did they use it for your ERA and that's the reason they're using it for this cycle? I completely understand that this is very random, to ask so close to the wire. I just didn't want to miss out if there is any chance they can add it on as it is literally ordering from a local Asda. But I'm just chancing it and seeing what they say xxx

[hifer in reply to Masief]

Hi, no the Ovitrelle addition came as a result of the ERA as well as an extra day and high doses of progesterone. I have under active uterine natural killer cells hence the addition of the Ovitrelle to help implantation 🤞. There’s never any harm in asking and just see what they advise. Xx

[hifer in reply to hifer]

Having researched I’m not actually sure it is that unusual! Just not sure it’s common at my clinic! Anyway would be great to know what your clinic say xx

[Masief in reply to hifer]

So I didn't get it today. The usual consultant I see was replaced with the owner/director. Time was scarce, this morning I just accepted that having found this info late that I'll bank it for the future and make the best of this transfer. Will definitely update here as I get more info from clinic to see if this is possible later xx

[hifer in reply to Masief]

Ok good luck with this transfer and do keep us posted xx