FET or new fresh cycle?

[Fr_Traveller]

Hi all,

I just went through my first round of IVF, a fresh transfer, which failed. I have two embryos frozen, which we would transfer at the same time, but the consultant also suggested I might do a fresh round so to have more embryos in my 'bank'. We have unexplained fertility, my AMH is 6.9 and I'm 36 yo. I'm inclined to do a new fresh cycle and keep the frozen embryos, but I was wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and has any advice from their personal experience? Thanks!

[Lagoon]

Hi Frsan, I am pretty much in the same situation. I am 36 and have two frozen embryos. I had a fresh transfer in June which was unsuccessful. I decided to go ahead with the frozen transfer this months- I will use only one of the embryos, as I didn't feel physically and emotionally ready to have another round of IVF at the moment. However, if the FT is not successful I am planning to have another round of IVF to put a few more embryos in the bank. These are my thoughts now...

[Fr_Traveller in reply to Lagoon]

Hi Lagoon,

Glad to hear I'm not alone in this! I know tens of people must be going through something similar, yet it only becomes clear when talking about it. I'm really sorry you also had to go through a failed transfer, it's heartbreaking. I completely understand why you are going with the frozen transfer. I myself am debating that, as I was hoping for a less intense second round. On the other hand, I'm scared of delaying it even further. The consultant did say that it's up to me so I don't think it'll have a massive impact either way, but it feels like a bit of a gamble, just at the time when I want to take all uncertainty out of it! If you don't feel ready, you definitely have made the right choice. I hope your transfer works! (sounds like we are going through the exact same thing, if you ever want to chat!)

[Lagoon in reply to Fr_Traveller]

So my FET was cancelled and my treatment stopped due to having an abnormal cervical screening test result. My clinic has been so useless. They never tested me prior to my IVF in May. When I started my treatment end of august they knew I went on my own and had the cervical screening and they didn’t even think “wait a minute, perhaps we should not start meds on this patient, maybe we should wait for the results first” . The nurse who carried out the test was suprised to hear that I hadn’t be tested prior to the IVF. I am back to ground zero… I am now seriously thinking to proceed with another round of IVF (privately and abroad ) instead as my plan was to do the FET this month and this delays everything. Sorry Frsan.. had a difficult day. As MrsOrangeJuice said it’s kind of a personal decision, depending very much on physical and mental readiness.

[Fr_Traveller in reply to Lagoon]

I'm so sorry to hear that Lagoon! It must be so disappointing to have the cycle cancelled after so much work. I know if they were to cancel mine I would be so upset. My experience from private clinic is also not great, I seem to always have to check on them rather than the other way round! However, a cervical smear wasn't part of the checks they required prior to treatment, they only asked if I was up to date with that. Make sure that you get your health checked though, you need to be at your healthiest for a pregnancy. I know this doesn't change how you feel about it though. Stay strong!xx

[MrsOrangejuice]

I'm similar, just turned 37 and unexplained infertility. We did a fresh round in March which we got quite a few eggs but didn't have a great fertilization rate. We got two blasts, one transferred which ended in a chemical. That was NHS and the delays for restarting (even FET) were massive so we went private and did another round - five eggs but all made it to blast. Fresh transfer ended in a chemical again but I am now 7 weeks pregnant from the first FET after that.

So the reason we did another round was to get more 'banked' but also because of the NHS delays. With our private package we have to use up any frozen before we can do another round but I definitely see the logic in banking and *if* this one works out, we have been discussing how it may be better to do another round as even with some frozen we know two out of three transfers didn't work so I'd prefer to have more options. It comes down to how you're feeling mentally and physically as IVF is much harder than FETs, and also finances I guess.

[Fr_Traveller in reply to MrsOrangejuice]

Hi Mrs Orangejuice, so sorry to hear about your struggles, I was devastated after my first failed attempt, so I can only imagine how hard it was for you. Hope your new pregnancy goes well! I've been waiting 6 months for my initial appointment with the NHS..! After over a year of TTC, I wasn't up for another long wait so I just went private right away. We are lucky enough to be able to afford it, but it's still a really hard bet for all the money and effort on the line. I sort of fear that this is the most ready I'll ever be, and in a few months or years it could be even harder. Thanks a lot for your insight, it really helps to hear different perspectives!

[MrsOrangejuice in reply to Fr_Traveller]

Thank you. I did two rounds within about three months (with the chemical in between) and I found it ok - the protocol was pretty much the same so I kind of knew what to expect and the only unpleasant symptom for me was the bloating. But then I didn't get masses of eggs so not really OHSS risk which is something to think about. So the rounds can be done quite close together if you're physically and mentally able, and that's what's right for you. X