Experience with natural FET

[Kerry1487]

I’ve just had a call with a NHS consultant who has told me my first FET after my failed fresh will be a natural cycle with no medication. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I will also not be getting any monitoring scans. I call on day 1 and test ovulation from day 8. Once I have my peak i will have the transfer 6 days later.

I can see their point as I have regular cycles and ovulate but I could be prone to having another polyp which we want to avoid.

Those who have had a natural cycle, do you mind sharing your experience? Thanks.

[Aquaharmony]

My situation is a little different to yours but I tried two medicated cycles and had to stop before transfer due to various negative reactions. The natural cycle worked and felt much better but I did have scans which were important I think ahead of the transfer. In my opinion based on my experience and research the natural cycle was way better and had a much better chance of success.

However, this also depends on your situation and you will find lots of posts on here debating the pros and cons which I am sure you will find helpful.

Wishing you all the best for your FET!

[Kerry1487 in reply to Aquaharmony]

Thank you for replying and congratulations on your pregnancy. Was there anything you did specifically after transfer which you think may have helped?

[Aquaharmony in reply to Kerry1487]

Thank you. Clear blue was really helpful as I said below and I was put on progesterone straight after the transfer which I think was important. Otherwise I would personally say staying active and keeping good circulation up, supplements tailored to your personal needs which you are probably already on and good diet.

[Kerry1487 in reply to Aquaharmony]

I’m worried that I’m not getting progesterone. The consultant mentioned meds leading to polyps but if I get progesterone after transfer that shouldn’t happen? Were you on lubion? I’m getting conflicting recommendations from the same clinic. I might call them to query this. I want to try everything possible to avoid another transfer and this will be using our best embryo x

[Kerry1487 in reply to Aquaharmony]

I’ve just called my clinic and they have agreed to a modified cycle as there is evidence to support I need progesterone. Did you drink lots of water in the wait? I really struggle with that x

[Aquaharmony in reply to Kerry1487]

Sounds like a good plan re progesterone glad they agreed. I tried to drink lots of water, I added lemon juice and slices also drank herbal and fruit tea, but be careful with this as there are quite a few herbal teas not recommended for pregnancy.

[Kerry1487 in reply to Aquaharmony]

Thank you

[Lbb24]

Hi! Yes I've been doing this I'm not at the transfer step yet but invested in the clear blue ovulation tests expensive yes but I found the strips confusing so rather have help with smiley faces hahah I was told to start testing from day 10 and finally got my peak on day 16 and will be transferring next week it does feel a bit risky but obviously it must have worked for people before so I'm hoping this time . . . It has been better to not have to remember medication etc but hope it goes well for you any other questions i don't mind trying to help 😊

[Kerry1487 in reply to Lbb24]

Thank you. The medication is a pain but now it feels like a comfort blanket being removed. On the upside a natural transfer does seem quicker which is good. Good luck for your transfer x

[Aquaharmony in reply to Kerry1487]

I second clear blue the early indicator worked well for me and comes highly recommended.

[Lbb24 in reply to Kerry1487]

I initially thought this aswell like oh I don't know how I feel about not having meds but I've deffo preferred it! Although I have been stressed out by the tests and worrying I wouldn't get a peak or anything hahah

[Kerry1487 in reply to Lbb24]

I’ve bought the pink ones to trial before my hysteroscopy x

[Lbb24 in reply to Kerry1487]

They're better than the strips! Expensive but so much easier to interpret

[Kerry1487 in reply to Lbb24]

Handy too that’s it’s only once in the am. I used to test multiple times with the strips because my lh peaks at night x

[Doodlebug23]

That was almost my protocol for my 7th transfer and I’m now 27 weeks pregnant 💖

I did have trigger at peak to make sure I ovulated plus prednisolone and clexane. Also progesterone support.

[Kerry1487 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Congratulations on your pregnancy, I hope the remainder goes smoothly for you. I discussed immune protocol because I have auto immune conditions but was told no. Had you tried natural cycles before? I thought I would at least get progesterone because I spotted before my OTD but again I’ll not get anything x

[Doodlebug23]

Thankyou. My clinic were reluctant to give me steroids but agreed in the end. I didn’t have any tests for immune conditions.

Surprised you’re not getting progesterone. My clinic said I’d produce it with it being a natural transfer but gave it as a precaution. I did spot after I came off it at 12 weeks so went back on it till 16 weeks.

[Kerry1487 in reply to Doodlebug23]

The last consultant said I shouldn’t bleed before test day. She said I could have lubion as well as cyclogest. I always have old blood before my period which makes me think progesterone is low. My follow up was with a different consultant and she said I didn’t need it. I also found out that at my baseline scan and last 2 scans they didn’t record my lining measurement so I don’t even know if it will be thick enough for implantation. The transfer will be our best embryo which is 5BA. I hope we aren’t wasting it x

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Kerry1487]

I bled before OTD on my first 2 transfers but my progesterone was never increased. My king was always good so it wasn’t measured on transfer 7 as I had no scans.

[Kerry1487 in reply to Doodlebug23]

I’ve just spoke to my clinic. I have a letter saying I will be on lubion and pessaries. I queried this and was told that the second consultant is by the book. The nurse is going to refer this to a practitioner and call me back but she agrees that progesterone support would be good and thinks I will be able to have this. I don’t understand why consultants opinions differ x

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Kerry1487]

I agree tbh. I just had pessaries x

[Flowergirlhope]

I've just had my 3rd FET on Thursday this week....and now in the dreading waiting phase😔🙏I had my first FET natural.........and lost it at just under 5 wks, then second one I did medicated as they wanted to control this cycle, however this failed.....then for this 3rd one they said you responded exactly the same with medicated and natural so you choose! So I went natural this time......although they wanted me to have cyclogest as they have found this to be beneficial......so had to start that a few days before the transfer. Was nerve racking but I did ovulate eventually on day 17!

I am on steroids, blood thinner injections and had intralipid drip this time too as found my NK cells are V high!

But would say I've tried both medicated and natural and had same reactions to both ...just do maybe ask them to give you cyclogest.

Do hope and pray everything goes well for you xxx

[Kerry1487 in reply to Flowergirlhope]

Thank you, good luck for this transfer, I hope the wait goes in quickly for you. I’ve asked to include progesterone so I’ll be doing a modified natural. I also didn’t have any symptoms of the progesterone that people talk about. I felt completely normal whilst on it. I’ll ask about the steroids again but they say there isn’t enough studies behind it x