FET: natural cycle or controlled

[kristin]

Dear All

I hope you are all well!
I would be really grateful for some advice as I am about to embark on my first FET cycles and the clinic I go to seems reluctant to discuss natural cycles to FET as they mainly do controlled ones. I have totally regular cycles and so think it might be worth a try but would really appreciate it if anyone knows what the success rates might be and whether it is worth pursuing the natural cycle or not. I have quite a few frosties so I think it is worth a try but am not sure!!

many thanks for your help
with love
kristin

[Anie]

Hi.

After reading your post i think you should do a natural cycle!

I'm going for a natural cycle as well and this will be my 1st FET too.

Good luck to you

Anie

[beachbaby]

kristin, i have done 3 FET's all medicated, and got pregnant every time. However i feel clinics don't give you the option as a medicated cycle is easier for them as they can control when to do the transfer etc, wheras with your natural cycle you have to be closely monitored for ovulation so they get transfer dead on. i would stick to your guns and go for the natural if you can, less drugs the better.
good luck

[PMApsy]

Hi Kristin!

I understand your dilemma! Before, my clinic almost only did FET on natural cycles when women's body could cooperate (like yours). However, in April 2007, they went through some training at the most successful clinic in Canada, located in Calgary. They do medicated cycles only. Since they made the modifications, they upped their success rates *considerably*; the nurses told me they are impressed and see the difference already. But the changes to the protocol are quite impressive. First of all, the FET protocol is two cycles long. During your first cycle, nothing happens except:

- You start taking Suprefact and baby aspirin on day 21. Suprefact is considered better than Lupron because it achieves downregging just fine while being less aggressive on one's system. They also switched to Suprefact for IVF cycles.

- When AF comes, you start taking Vibramycin (antibiotics) for 7 days and Estrace (estrogen) in increasing doses until pregnancy test. At this point, Estrace helps you build a nice thick comfy lining, while after FET it helps implantation. Baby aspirin helps blood circulation, and given that your uterus is better irrigated, you increase implantation chances.

- On day 14 of that cycle, you have u/s. If your lining is 7mm or thicker, your transfer is scheduled to happen 3 days later. You start taking Prometrium (vaginal progesterone) two days before FET of course, stop Suprefact and continue Estrace and baby aspirin.

I, too, had a big shock when I saw all the meds I had to take. But, from personal experience, I know that following one follicle through ovaries that went through IVF meds before is not easy. Relying on the lining's thickness seems a little less iffy and maybe that contributes to higher success rates.

That being said, each woman is different. You medical history might make natural FET quite possible. If I were you, I'd ask my doctor to explain why he/she thinks that a medicated cycle is better, in general and for me.

Good luck on your FET!

Sophie

[PMApsy]

Hi Kristin!

I understand your dilemma! Before, my clinic almost only did FET on natural cycles when women's body could cooperate (like yours). However, in April 2007, they went through some training at the most successful clinic in Canada, located in Calgary. They do medicated cycles only. Since they made the modifications, they upped their success rates *considerably*; the nurses told me they are impressed and see the difference already. But the changes to the protocol are quite impressive. First of all, the FET protocol is two cycles long. During your first cycle, nothing happens except:

- You start taking Suprefact and baby aspirin on day 21. Suprefact is considered better than Lupron because it achieves downregging just fine while being less aggressive on one's system. They also switched to Suprefact for IVF cycles.

- When AF comes, you start taking Vibramycin (antibiotics) for 7 days and Estrace (estrogen) in increasing doses until pregnancy test. At this point, Estrace helps you build a nice thick comfy lining, while after FET it helps implantation. Baby aspirin helps blood circulation, and given that your uterus is better irrigated, you increase implantation chances.

- On day 14 of that cycle, you have u/s. If your lining is 7mm or thicker, your transfer is scheduled to happen 3 days later. You start taking Prometrium (vaginal progesterone) two days before FET of course, stop Suprefact and continue Estrace and baby aspirin.

I, too, had a big shock when I saw all the meds I had to take. But, from personal experience, I know that following one follicle through ovaries that went through IVF meds before is not easy. Relying on the lining's thickness seems a little less iffy and maybe that contributes to higher success rates.

That being said, each woman is different. You medical history might make natural FET quite possible. If I were you, I'd ask my doctor to explain why he/she thinks that a medicated cycle is better, in general and for me.

Good luck on your FET!

Sophie

[PMApsy]

Hi Kristin!

I understand your dilemma! Before, my clinic almost only did FET on natural cycles when women's body could cooperate (like yours). However, in April 2007, they went through some training at the most successful clinic in Canada, located in Calgary. They do medicated cycles only. Since they made the modifications, they upped their success rates *considerably*; the nurses told me they are impressed and see the difference already. But the changes to the protocol are quite impressive. First of all, the FET protocol is two cycles long. During your first cycle, nothing happens except:

- You start taking Suprefact and baby aspirin on day 21. Suprefact is considered better than Lupron because it achieves downregging just fine while being less aggressive on one's system. They also switched to Suprefact for IVF cycles.

- When AF comes, you start taking Vibramycin (antibiotics) for 7 days and Estrace (estrogen) in increasing doses until pregnancy test. At this point, Estrace helps you build a nice thick comfy lining, while after FET it helps implantation. Baby aspirin helps blood circulation, and given that your uterus is better irrigated, you increase implantation chances.

- On day 14 of that cycle, you have u/s. If your lining is 7mm or thicker, your transfer is scheduled to happen 3 days later. You start taking Prometrium (vaginal progesterone) two days before FET of course, stop Suprefact and continue Estrace and baby aspirin.

I, too, had a big shock when I saw all the meds I had to take. But, from personal experience, I know that following one follicle through ovaries that went through IVF meds before is not easy. Relying on the lining's thickness seems a little less iffy and maybe that contributes to higher success rates.

That being said, each woman is different. You medical history might make natural FET quite possible. If I were you, I'd ask my doctor to explain why he/she thinks that a medicated cycle is better, in general and for me.

Good luck on your FET!

Sophie

[kristin]

many thanks ladies
all this was really useful and Sophie your regimen sounds so interesting and different to what i have encountered so far.
I went to the clinic yesterday and spoke to the Dr who said that it seemed fair enough to try once with a natural cycle but then he suggested a medicated cycle following that (he was a bit relaxed about it as I have 18 frosties!!!). He said they do so few in the clinic that he could not quote stats on success rates but there is enough of a question mark around it that they are starting a randomised controlled trial comparing natural and medicated FETs later this year! So he reassured me that it wasnt stupid to give it a go.
It was also quite interesting as he commented on my previous use of acupuncture and said that there is a new study out which shows that acupuncture has no or possibly a negative effect. But he said that I should use it if on the day of ET if it helps me feel relaxed and happy as he said that there is an interesting study out which shows that if women feel relaxed and confident in their clinic on the day of ET then the results are much better!!! Food for thought!!!
do please keep me posted on how you are doing! Fingers, legs, and eyes crossed for all the frosties!!!
lots of love
kristin

[kristin]

many thanks ladies
all this was really useful and Sophie your regimen sounds so interesting and different to what i have encountered so far.
I went to the clinic yesterday and spoke to the Dr who said that it seemed fair enough to try once with a natural cycle but then he suggested a medicated cycle following that (he was a bit relaxed about it as I have 18 frosties!!!). He said they do so few in the clinic that he could not quote stats on success rates but there is enough of a question mark around it that they are starting a randomised controlled trial comparing natural and medicated FETs later this year! So he reassured me that it wasnt stupid to give it a go.
It was also quite interesting as he commented on my previous use of acupuncture and said that there is a new study out which shows that acupuncture has no or possibly a negative effect. But he said that I should use it if on the day of ET if it helps me feel relaxed and happy as he said that there is an interesting study out which shows that if women feel relaxed and confident in their clinic on the day of ET then the results are much better!!! Food for thought!!!
do please keep me posted on how you are doing! Fingers, legs, and eyes crossed for all the frosties!!!
lots of love
kristin