FET - 3 Options

[Looom]

We've had 1 failed fresh ET and have been advised we have 3 options for the frozen embryo transfer. Below is my best interpretation but could be wrong:

1) Natural - no medication, at home ovulation testing, bloods then FET

2) Modified - 8 to 12 day cycle, scan and bloods, booster and pessaries then FET.

3) Constructed - meds throughout and longer timeline (8 weeks?). Suited to those who have irregular cycles which I don't.

I wondered what everyone's experiences of any of the above are? Is there any evidence which one has the best success rate? They advised I was to chose which I found strange. I'm leaning towards 1 or 2 as I have a regular cycle. Thanks in advanced.

[Fruitandflowers]

That's great your clinic is giving you a choice - so many don't especially for natural as they're difficult to schedule. My successful FET was between your options and I think is the typical regime: start on a natural period, oestrogen for a week or so then added progesterone for 5 days or so and transfer (although I reacted badly to the oestrogen so dropped that right down before transfer), probably 2 or 3 scans. Then stay on meds. There was no trigger (is that what they mean by booster do you know?). But exactly the same protocol trying for a sibling was a BFN. So I really pushed my clinic to do natural which they eventually agreed to and said it was suitable if you have regular periods, ovulate and your progesterone level is normal. That would have involved at home ovulation monitoring, maybe a scan or two, transfer then progesterone support if I'd wanted it for reassurance. I think some clinics want to do more scans and monitoring (like blood tests) which isn't a bad thing. My consultant said the success rates are the same for all options but I read that natural has better outcomes for those with regular cycles and for older ladies for some reason. I was keen as I reacted badly to most of the synthetic hormones and having done three rounds of IVF plus two FETs I was pretty sick of the meds and side effects (plus the cost!) - once you're on them you stay on them until 10-12 weeks post transfer so that's something to consider. Downside is that the clinic has less control and you may not ovulate for example or they could miss ovulation (less likely with blood tests and scans vs test sticks alone), or your transfer date may fall on a day the clinic isn't open, all of which can lead to cancellation.

[Aquaharmony in reply to Fruitandflowers]

I would agree natural with progesterone supplements post transfer worked for me and if you are older and/or have natural cycles there is some evidence for this having more success.

I had several failed attempts at transfer on the medicated cycle before I got given your options 1 and 2 so great you get the options straight away.

Hope it goes well x

[Rjfguitfg in reply to Aquaharmony]

I agree as well. I had 2 failed transfers on fully medicated and success with modified natural. I’m 39 years old for reference.

[Doodlebug23]

My 7th transfer was the successful one for me. Modified natural.