Should I Transfer My Frozen Day 6 Blastocyst or Start a New Stimulation Cycle? (PCOS, Multiple IVF Failures)

[Fauzyt]

Looking for Advice: FET vs Fresh Cycle After Multiple IVF Failures (PCOS, Day 6 Blastocyst)

In 2023, I had my third IVF (ICSI) cycle in Nigeria. We transferred three Day 5 blastocysts, and one remaining embryo was monitored until Day 6. The doctor initially wasn’t sure it would make it, but later said it had “caught up” and was good enough to be frozen. Unfortunately, the fresh transfer of the three Day 5 embryos failed.

That was my third self-funded IVF, and it left me emotionally and physically exhausted—especially knowing I can’t conceive naturally due to the loss of both fallopian tubes from previous ectopic pregnancies.

I took a break to heal, moved abroad for my master’s, and I’m now living and working in the UK.

Now I’m considering returning to Nigeria to transfer that last frozen Day 6 blastocyst. However, my doctor suggested doing another stimulation cycle instead of relying on just one frozen embryo. But deep down, I don’t feel ready for another stimulation—especially since all my previous transfers were fresh, and none worked.

What really confuses and frustrates me is that, despite having PCOS, none of the clinics ever recommended frozen transfers before now. I’ve read that FETs are often preferred for PCOS patients due to hormone-related issues and the risk of OHSS. This makes me question whether I should trust the same clinic with another stimulation cycle.

So here I am, wondering:

- Should I take the risk and travel home just to transfer a single Day 6 blastocyst?

- What are the chances it will survive the thaw and lead to a successful pregnancy?

- Has anyone had success with a Day 6 frozen transfer, especially with PCOS?

- Or should I follow the doctor’s advice and go through another stimulation cycle, knowing it could just lead to another fresh transfer—which hasn’t worked for me before?

Any insights, advice, or similar experiences would really mean a lot.

I apologise for the long story 😔

pcos-struggles

[Kittykat198]

Im sorry to hear your last transfer wasn't a success.

I was always told by my clinic that if an embryo is good enough to freeze, it stands a chance!

There are lots of stories like mine of day 6 embryos making healthy babies so I really don't think you should right it off completely. I also have pcos and had 5 transfers (3 fresh cycles) to finally have my son. Both my of pregnancies (one live birth) came from frozen transfers too so I do think my body personally coped better with frozen transfers. I don't know how true this is for everyone with pcos though.

I don't think anyone can tell you definitively but for me, we chose to do another fresh cycle before transferring our last day 6 because of my age at the time (39) and my panic about egg quality. I felt calmer knowing I had more embryos if that one had failed.

I produced 35 eggs to get one baby in the end so knew my quality was poor. I think that if you have time on your side, I would be tempted to transfer and see what happened though? Then pursue another cycle if needed?

I think that the thaw rate for blasts is really high so there is a good chance your embryo will thaw. We were told around 90% but I don't know how accurate that is.

Best of luck whatever you decide! X

[Fauzyt in reply to Kittykat198]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and share your thoughts and journey—it’s very encouraging and helpful.

I’m 33 this year, and I feel like time might not be entirely on my side either.

Just that lately, I’ve been questioning whether I should feel this way about my clinic, just because I haven’t had a positive outcome yet. But I’m starting to lose confidence in them—especially after reading that frozen transfers are generally better for women with PCOS. Despite that, all my transfers so far have been fresh, and now they’re recommending yet another fresh cycle. It makes me feel like they’re not tailoring the treatment to my condition.

Although I got to know the clinic from someone who had success with them after 11 failed cycles elsewhere, which is partly why I went with them in the first place. I’m hesitant to go through another stimulation cycle because of this thought on my head

I guess I’m just feeling confused and unsure of what to do next. 😔

[ElianaandOrsmum in reply to Fauzyt]

Hi fauzyt, sorry to hear of your losses. I feel like if you must go back to same clinic , then you must address reasons they suspect it has not worked. Do you need blood thinners like clexane? do you need aspirin for antiphospholipid syndrome? do you need steroids?. If these are not addressed then it maybe another failed cycle. I say this because some clinics don’t address the patients as individuals but just generalise treatment

[Fauzyt in reply to ElianaandOrsmum]

Thank you very much for your input—it has definitely given me a useful talking point and something further to request during my appointment. I know that for all my transfers, I have only used aspirin. 🤗

[Twiglet2]

For me one in the hand is worth 2 in the bush is always my motto. I would always transfer a frozen embryo before doing a new cycle! If it stood enough to be frozen it’s good enough to be a baby! Waiting a month or 2 won’t make much difference from an egg collection ton point of view to try this wee one. I sometimes think doctors who push for another collection Just want the ££ and the success stats up rather than thinking about what it puts our bodies and purse through! Both my successful pregnancies were FETs but I have been pregnant from fresh transfers too, although miscarried which I think was unrelated. Good luck whatever you choose 🤗 xx

[Fauzyt in reply to Twiglet2]

I couldn’t agree more with you. ‘One in the hand is worth two in the bush’ is always your motto, and I share that mindset as well. You’re definitely right 👍

[Doodlebug23]

All my day 5 embryos failed. My only day 6 is now my daughter.

[Fauzyt in reply to Doodlebug23]

Thank you for sharing; it has truly helped to renew my hope 🤗

[Bisquisite]

not that I’m much qualified to weigh in here - but at 33 - I do think you do have (just enough!) time to go with your frozen embryo before moving to another collection.

- don’t put too much stress into blast quality as I’ve heard so many people have success with their “worst one”.

Then do not hesitate to change clinics. If you feel something is off, or you don’t trust their advice - then a second opinion is worth it - and changing clinic is one of the very few variables we have any control over in this process.

I changed clinics and the difference in service I’m getting is like night and day - no regrets so far…

[Fauzyt in reply to Bisquisite]

Thank you—your feedback and input have renewed my confidence and, I hope, provided some clarity on the way forward. I'm truly glad for this community. One love 😘

[Angelsalt1]

I would suggest you go for the new cycle because of age and freeze more embryos now. You can always go back to transfer the frozen one back in Nigeria at any later time.

I have one last frozen embryo out of the 4 we froze here in Uk but I’m going for a new cycle to freeze more embryos because I am 36 now and wouldn’t want to miss the chance to freeze more before using my last embryo.

[Fauzyt in reply to Angelsalt1]

I wish we could, but I'm not considering a cycle here in the UK due to affordability , and we've already been assessed for NHS funding, for which we unfortunately don't qualify. The alternative I'm considering is treatment in Turkey. I truly appreciate your suggestions 🤗

[Sarascottxox]

I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant with our last embryo which is a day 6! It was the last of our 4 embryos from our cycle in 2022. We have a little boy who's now two from that cycle and decided to try our last but we wouldn't do it again I'd it hadn't worked. Like you, I questioned how successful a day 6 would be but found loads of stories online of success with day 6. If it's good enough to freeze it's good enough to make a baby! I'm also 39 next month (was 35 nearly 36 when I had my egg collection) so I think you have plenty of time on your side!

Good luck with whatever you decide xx

[Rox28]

I got a positive with a day 6 (3ab) but 1.5wks later I lost it, however all eggs/embryos & bodies are different. Personally, I'd always transfer what I had before doing a new cycle if it saves me all the meds & extra stress on my body & mind.