FET questions

[arizonakiwi]

Hi,

My DH and I are about to do our 1st FET next week and I would be interested in your opinion on the following:
My clinic sent me for a blood test at day 21 last month and then confirmed that I would be doing a natural cycle this month. I had blood test on Monday (day 9) Wednesday (day 11) and Thursday (day 12) They have now told me to start my meds (Estrogen tablets and progesterone pessaries) 3 times a day and come in next Wednesday for FET. I asked them if I should be having an ultrasound to check everything is as it should be before they go ahead and thaw our little frostie but they said all I need to do is come in for ET next Wednesday morning. It seems to me like they are cutting corners – or am I being overly concerned ?
This is our last chance as we only have 1 embyo left so there is no 2nd chance with this. Should I be expecting more from my clinic or am I being overly concerned.

Also I cycle every day and feel I should stop doing this during the wait – when I asked my clinic they say just carry on as normal..... What do other clinics suggest about exercise during the 2ww?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts,

Arizonakiwi

[esperanza]

Hi Arizonakiwi--sorry to hear you have so many concerns and your clinic doesn't seem to be very helpful. I'm about to do my first FET as well, so I can't help you answering the ultrasound question, but I can help you with the biking/cycling one. I've been pregnant once, and at the time my doctor said "no biking" ...you can exercise (being careful not to over do it), but def no biking.

My acupuncturist told me exactly the same thing; she even told me not to do it while I was ttc just in case. When I did my fresh cycle in January I was told to take it easy during the 2ww and to keep my heart rate at a certain level (don't remember the number, but I kind of got the point). If I were you I would slow down, maybe go for walks but no more than that (at least during the 2ww, once you get your BFP you can ask your doctor about it).

BEST WISHES TO YOU and DH!!!!

[Kate21]

Hi,

I have done numerous FET and they are so much easier than a fresh cycle. In answer to your question I had a couple of scans before the ET to check the thickness of the lining and to make sure I ovulated at the right time. They then gave me an injection to make me ovulate as it wasn't happening as they wanted. It seems strange that they aren't scaning you as how else could they tell if your lining is ok, if its not thick enough then the embies won't implant.

Hope this helps?

Kate

[beachbaby]

Hi, I have done 2 FET's all medicated. You say you are doing a natural cycle, why do they have you on eostrogen? i thought no drugs were involved in natural cycles. I always got a scan a week after starting the eostrogen to check my lining, if all was ok i would be scheduled for transfer.
Good luck

[PMApsy]

Hi sweetie!!

Stumbled on your post so of course I had to reply, if only to say hi and send a couple of hugs your way!

Beachbaby, even with natural cycles, you still have to take progesterone at least. Given that conception still occurred artificially, outside the body, something has to replace the placenta until it is fully functional (week 12). Taking estrogen, whether in patches, pills, or injections, increases implantation chances, so it's good too. My clinic also has mothers take antibiotics over 2 weeks prior to ET during 7 days, as the bacteria that are normally present in the vaginal flora can be transferred into the uterus as well during ET, and that can lower success rates.

Angela, I understand your concern, too. When they did natural FETs, my clinic followed the cycle both with blood tests and ultrasounds if needed. Your ovulation can be determined even more easily with blood tests; hormones just don't lie. The lining, I'm not so sure. Has your lining even been a problem before? If not, then maybe that's why doctors are not overly concerned with checking the thickness of your lining before ET.

And as for exercising during 2ww, most clinics recommend to stop training in whatever way. Low impact and intensity exercise, such as walking, is recommended. That's what I do. One risk during pregnancy is overheating. Another risk is impact: it can occur with a fall (dancing), with a blow (kick-boxing) or because of the conditions of the sport itself (when biking outside, you can bump against something, which would give a big blow to your body). Crutches are generally a bad idea, especially after the 4th month (lying on your back is forbidden because the weight of the baby stops the blood flow in one of your arteries that passes next to your uterus).

You can definitely cycle on a stationary bike, because then there is no impact involved, but after 2ww. However, I'm told that most women stop even stationary biking after the 5th month or so because it becomes uncomfortable (baby belly!!).

Hope it helps my dear! Big hugs and I'll be checking daily for news of your little frostie!!!!

Sophie xxox

[not hopeless yet]

I would recommend halting all exercise (from what I've read, and heard from my two sis-in-laws that did IVF, you should've even do laundry, have orgasm, or exercise). Can't hurt to abide by these rules since it's your last frostie! Best of Luck - I have everything crossed for you!

[arizonakiwi]

Thanks for all your replys - they were really helpful.

My instinct says to stop for the next couple of weeks (and beyond if I manage to get a BFP) so I will despite the clinic saying carry on as normal.....

As for the ultrasound to check my lining - I am working on the asumption that as my cycle is always 27 days like clockwork and every other time they have done one they have said the lining is perfect. I guess I have to put my faith in the clinic that they know what they are doing as they do this all the time.

Have a great day everyone

Arizonakiwi