Another EC or wait for FET?

[ChocoMuffin]

Hello everyone!

I’ve recently undergone my second EC and whilst we were hoping for a fresh embryo transfer, my progesterone levels were raised and the clinic decided we couldn’t go ahead with fresh transfer and instead freeze our only embryo (obvs very sad news as we were hoping for more).

I had a fresh transfer during my first cycle so wasn’t really aware of the timings for an FET, which seems miles away: I haven’t had my withdrawal bleed yet and have to wait for next cycle, then start injecting buserelin from day 21…. This takes us to potentially transferring in late October/early November 😑 if I’ve understood it correctly… also, our embryo was frozen at Day 1 so we have no idea how good it is, and I’m aware of the risk of it not surviving the thaw.

I will be 38 in December and was hoping to have had another EC before then to hopefully maximise my chances at my age. Maybe a few months’ delay is not a big issue in the grand scheme of things but we’ve experienced so many delays I am frustrated and want to keep going.

I was hoping for advice on going for another EC (this would be with another clinic as we haven’t been too happy with the current one), and see whether we have a better outcome. My thinking is that I can always go ahead with the FET at any point, and perhaps I should maximise getting a higher number of potentially better quality embryos now.

Any thoughts/experiences from others would be welcome! Thank you 🙏

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Just wanted to wish you good luck when you restart treatment Have you discussed your concerns with your clinic about your treatment so far ? Might help put your mind at rest and help you feel more in control Hope you have taken advantage of your counselling appointments you should be offered while on treatment

Take care of yourself

Janet-Partner

[Rainbow2023]

Hi, I totally understand you frustration with the delays - when you’re in the process you just want things to keep things moving. Personally I would see the positive in the delay with your transfer and use the time to do another EC. I was in a similar position during my first round (aged 41) but naively didn’t take the advice of my consultant. As a result I later had 3 more EC rounds over 4 months to build up our bank of embryos before continuing with an FET. I am now thankfully 30+ weeks.

This process is sadly a numbers game which requires patience which I learnt the hard way.

Wishing you all the best with what you decide and sending lots of baby dust your way x

[Twiglet2]

I would alway transfer frozen ones before another egg collection (no guarantees new EC makes a blast, gentler on your body, costs less money etc) but I have never been in the position of not having a day 5 blast frozen (ie knowing it’s at least good enough to get to that stage). Why did they freeze it day1? I might be swayed to leave that clinic and start a fresh elsewhere in this situation, totally personal choice and no right or wrong answer but I can defo follow your thinking on it xx

[Onestepatatim3]

I've just seen your post regarding egg collection and FET I had the same thought process as you at the point I was told to do a FET instead of fresh transfer. Basically quickly turned my disappointment into positivity to say they are advising me to do an FET to allow my body to recover from meds and to give the embryo a better chance when transferring. Else the outcome may have been even more disappointing. They take these steps per their protocol to ensure you are safe and looked after and have a better outcome to what could have otherwise been. RE: another egg collection I also wanted to do this but I'm taking the decision to see what my FET will be like. The clinic should be able to advise what you might be able to do in what order if you ask to speak to them and if you are not happy with your particular consultant ask them to change your consultant and emphasise why. I was told at the start of all this that I'm in the driving seat and I would have to voice what I want throughout all of this otherwise the clinic won't know what you want and when and how and they'll continue to drive the process. Deffo try to give them a call today to minimise your anxiety and stress over the weekend. Xx