FET-IVF Procedure: What to Expect There are two basic kinds of FET-IVF cycles: hormonal support cycles and “natural” cycles. The most commonly performed FET-IVF cycle is a hormonally supported cycle. This is because the day of transfer is easier to control (making it easier for the fertility clinic and lab), and because hormonal support is needed if there are female ovulatory problems. FET With Hormonal Support A FET-IVF cycle with hormonal support starts at the end of the previous menstrual cycle, much like a conventional IVF cycle. Injections of a drug meant to control and shut down the reproductive cycle are given. Usually, the GnRH agonist Lupron is used, but other pituitary-suppressing medications may be chosen instead. Once you get your period, a baseline ultrasound and blood work are ordered. If all looks good, estrogen supplementation is started. This is to help ensure a healthy endometrial lining. Estrogen supplementation is continued for about two weeks. Another ultrasound and more blood work are ordered. The monitoring during a FET-IVF cycle is significantly less than during a conventional IVF cycle. After approximately two weeks of estrogen support, progesterone support is added. This may be via progesterone in oil injections or possibly with vaginal suppositories. The embryo transfer is scheduled based on a) when progesterone supplementation was started, and b) at what stage the embryo was cryopreserved. For example, if the embryo was cryopreserved on Day 5 post-egg-retrieval, then the frozen embryo transfer will be timed for Day 6 after progesterone supplementation starts. FET Natural Cycle With a FET natural cycle, medications aren’t used to suppress or control ovulation. Instead, the embryo transfer is scheduled based on when ovulation naturally occurs. The timing of the embryo transfer is crucial. It must occur a particular number of days after ovulation. (As mentioned above, that day will depend on whether the embryo was frozen on Day 3 or Day 5 post-egg retrieval.) Because timing is essential, the cycle is closely monitored either at home with ovulation predictor tests or at the fertility clinic with ultrasound and blood work. Since ovulation predictor kits aren’t always easy to interpret, most doctors still rely on ultrasound and blood work to time the transfer. When ovulation is detected, progesterone supplementation is started, and the embryo transfer date is scheduled. Risks of FET-IVF A frozen embryo transfer cycle has significantly fewer risks than a full IVF cycle. One of the primary risks to IVF (and fertility drugs) is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, you don't need to worry about OHSS in a FET cycle since ovarian stimulating drugs aren't used. Depending on how many embryos are transferred, there is a risk of multiple pregnancy. Even twin pregnancies come with an increased risk to the mother and babies. Embryo transfer comes with a slightly increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. There is also a very small risk of infection. With cryopreservation, some embryos may not survive the freeze and thaw process. With elective frozen embryo transfer, this means you may lose embryos that would have been available if you had done a fresh transfer. A meta-analysis found that pregnancies and babies from frozen embryo transfers may, in fact, be healthier than those from fresh embryo transfers. Frozen embryo transfer babies were at: Lower risk of stillbirth Lower risk of preterm birth Lower risk for low birth weight One study compared the risks of a particular kind of birth defect in fresh IVF transfers, frozen embryo transfers, and naturally conceived children. The study found that children were three times more likely to have the birth defect with fresh IVF transfers when compared to naturally conceived children. However, that increased risk wasn't seen with frozen embryo transfer. (Note that the overall risk of birth defects was still very low.) Best Fertility Care Centre, Advanced Fertility Care Centre , Ashwini Hospital Moondrumavadi K.Pudur Madurai-07, Maternal and child health care.
read more read more We hate spam too.
