FIRST FET : What do I need to know?

[Suzyanne-Faye]

Hi all- so after months of ‘we’re too full to fit you in’ I got the shock news yesterday that we can have our FET this month. It’s caught me off guard tbh!

I’m due to collect my meds on Wednesday and start taking them on Friday!

However, my consultation was so long ago and I can’t find my notes 🤦🏼‍♀️

Can anyone tell me what happens step by step so I’m prepared? Can I be doing anything to improve our chances? I take pregnacare supplements every day but this is my first frozen transfer and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed 😱

[Pu217]

Hi there Suzyanne, I had my first FET last November.

Pretty simple - follow your meds schedule to a T. Always call your clinic to double check if you have any doubts on dosage etc and clear any doubts you may have in person as well at each scan.

Each clinic does things slightly differently but basically I had my baseline scan on CD4 (will vary for you) as I had a mock cycle in August to do my ERA so we pretty much followed the same protocol. Started meds the same day. I was on progynova for estrogen.

I had my next scan on CD13 to check lining and if everything looks ok. Then another scan on CD17 and was told when to start on my cyclogest and progesterone injections.

Had my transfer on CD22 and I am now 13+5. All of above will differ for you based on clinic protocol/what your doctor thinks is best for you. But that’s basically how it goes. All the very best to you on your FET.

[Suzyanne-Faye in reply to Pu217]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate this xx

[Suzyanne-Faye in reply to Suzyanne-Faye]

I’m confused though as I’m starting meds CD21????

[F_J_762301 in reply to Suzyanne-Faye]

It sounds like you will be starting downregulating on cd21. So then you should have a bleed, then a baseline scan to make sure your ovaries are quiet and your lining thin, then you will start other medications to build up your womb lining ready for transfer. Does this sound like what your clinic has discussed with you? Dont be afraid to ask them questions or go over things again with you.

Other things you can do are drink plenty of water, eat well, plenty of fruit and veg, cut out caffeine and alcohol. Make time to relax each day. Good luck! Xx

[Hannakallas]

Hi Suzyanne,

Brace yourself for a long comment!

I've started my downregulation on day 21 of my cycle which involved injection Buserelin (0.5iu) every evening at the same time. My doc said I will be doing the injections for around 14 days. As I was doing the injections, the clinic advised me that I will have my period whilst on Buserelin. It was very worrying as I thought I will not come on, as my period was 4 days late (and it's usually like clock work!!). I started stressing out and contacted my clinic on Friday (as I had the scan on Monday) to tell them my period has not started yet.. They told me the medications will delay period and L U C K I L Y my period started on Saturday.

I then phoned the clinic to re-arrange my scan for 3 days after the original appointment where they would check endometrial lining (to make sure it's thin!) and that my ovaries are quiet. After the scan which was 18 days after I started my downregulations (cycle day 21) they said that my ovaries are quiet and lining is thin.

Next step was to start building up the endometrial lining to make sure it's nice and thick (between 7-8mm). Medication wise, I was still doing Buserelin injections but also started taking Progynova tables (2-3 times a day). Although the clinic did not suggest any extra supplements I did start drinking raspberry leaf tea (3x a day) and started doing castor oil packs on my stomach (for a week, every other day). In addition, in order to get your blood flowing you'd have to do light/moderate exercise on daily basis. I took my dog for a run every day for 40-60 minutes. Once again I was really worried of the uterine lining not being thick enough as my period has always been on lighter side and only lasts max 3 days.

I just had my scan on Thursday and I've reached the required thickness (7.1mm) and have got my frozen embryo transfer date booked.

I do think that drinking raspberry leaf tea and doing the castor oil packs helped me reach the right thickness.

Best of luck and DM me if you have any questions.. It's all so fresh in my head so won't have to dig anything up!!