FET query

[IVFgotthis37]

Hello all,Can anyone explain to me the process of a FET in this scenario? Or any time lines/experiences of it.

The consultant said I would have an injection on day 20 to switch my ovaries off, but then no more medication other than a scan/bloods on day 10ish to check transfer date.

He said I may need estrogen if lining isn't thick enough and start progesterone before transfer.

Surely I take something else in between cycles to induce a bleed to start the next cycle?

I wish I had more time to clarify, but it was a lot to take in as we also discussed my previous freeze all egg collection/frozen embryos and how long I have to wait (so gutted!!).

Thank you for any guidance.

[Kittykat198]

I can’t comment on your specific treatment timetable but for fet, I had to skip the first step as I can’t take the down regulation drugs. Then take estrogen tablets 3x a day until first scan (about day 10 but I can’t remember exactly) and then when the lining is over 7mm, you start progrsterone for 5 days. Then transfer. Continue all meds, test in 14 days.

From start to finish probably about a month or so but add a week or so for the down regulation injection if that’s what your are prescribed (so about 5-6 weeks in total).

I don’t think down regulation drugs stop your period coming so unless you have an irregular cycle, it’s probably fine to expect period when it’s due. Worth checking with the nurses though as they tend to know their stuff and perhaps are a bit better at explaining than consultants

Best of luck!

[IVFgotthis37 in reply to Kittykat198]

Hello. Thank you for this info! Very helpful. I didn't realise the down regulation didn't stop your period, so that's good to know

I assumed your ovaries had to be "working" to have a period.

[BluTulip]

I had the downreg injection and you tend to get a bleed not too long after. Even if you don't bleed they'll scan to check nothing is going on in the ovaries (think mine was 2 weeks later). If OK, as already mentioned, oestrogen starts to thicken lining, then a scan (mine was at 12 days after starting) to check thickness prior to confirming transfer date (around a week late but they can just keep meds going a bit longer if needed). I think I was told they try to do the transfer between days 17-21 after starting oestrogen but I might not have remembered that quite right!

Although what you've been told might be a slightly different protocol to what I had.

The process does all take a while (mine was called long protocol!), plus if lining isn't thick enough you might take oestrogen a bit longer before they set the transfer date. I started progesterone 5 days before transfer, think that's standard if you have a 5 day blastocyst.

Good luck!

[IVFgotthis37 in reply to BluTulip]

This is all great - thank you. I definitely feel like I understand the plan more from people's responses. I have a 4 day early blastocyst so unsure if that affects anything.

The nurse said today that they like the injection in your system for 2 weeks so that fits in with what you said. I just haven't had anything confirmed yet as waiting for admin to actually book me in!!

[HollyT7]

here was mine

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[IVFgotthis37 in reply to HollyT7]

Thank you so much! This looks exactly like I had in my head, but I was confused about the bleed part. It sounds like it happens anyway! I also think mine is a one off injection on day 21.

[Twiglet2]

if you are in down reg injection you do bleed about 7-10days afterwards so when they look at your lining 10 days later it should be nice and thin. At that stage they do need to then build it back up with eostrogen tablets though as they have shut your own cycle down is my experience. Then when you know transfer date you start taking progesterone 5 days before. Hope that helps xx

[IVFgotthis37 in reply to Twiglet2]

Great - thank you for explaining. So helpful!!

[Crie1983]

Hi, I’ve had 4 downregulated cycles with the injection on day 21 and a scan 2 weeks later. Each cycle I’ve had a bleed within those 2 weeks.

At that 2 week scan I have started off the estrogen tablets and then when my lining is thick enough (a week-10 days later) have started all other meds. It’s usually 4-5 weeks from downregulation to FET.

My next FET is on 11th 😬. Wishing you all the very best. X

[IVFgotthis37 in reply to Crie1983]

Hello. Thank you for this! So reassuring to know the bleed comes. How did you find emotions on the injection?

Thanks for the timescales too. Trying to plan for work!

Aww good luck!! Keeping everything crossed for you.

[Crie1983 in reply to IVFgotthis37]

You’re welcome. A bit up and down with emotions but I am on estrogen, progesterone, steroids & blood thinners. I find the hardest part is trying to keep positive during the TWW.

I hope the timescales help a bit. I know everyone is different but you seem to have a few similar replies so hopefully that gives a good guide. Xx

[IVFgotthis37 in reply to Crie1983]

Good to know. I'm dreading it as read you can feel really depressed on it and that's the last thing I want/need.I think I'll just be on estrogen and Progesterone.

They definitely do! I'm trying to pin my clinic down to commit to dates but getting nowhere fast. It allows me to have a rough idea at least. X