Embryo and Egg Banking

A FET is a process where you are medically prepared to receive in your uterus embryos that have been previously preserved at low temperatures by conventional freezing or vitrification. You may do a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle, whenever you have frozen embryos and wish to use them. This may happen after a previous pregnancy, and you are ready for another one using frozen embryos. It could also be after an unsuccessful stimulated IVF cycle, in which you have obtained frozen embryos. The requisite is that you must have embryos frozen.

What is the advantage of FET over a fresh stimulated cycle?

From the outset you need to keep in mind that embryo freezing or vitrification results in pregnancy rates similar to those attained with fresh transfers. If there is an option a FET is often a better choice over a fresh stimulated cycle when a patient has frozen embryos to use. In that case, benefits include lower cost (FET are simpler, less invasive and require less medications than a Fresh Stimulated cycle), less complex treatment (e.g. no surgical retrieval of eggs), less medication, and generally similar success rates.

Are success rates for Fresh Transfers and FET comparable?

The success rates of a FET and a fresh ET are similar. To the point that many programs have chosen to vitrify all embryos and put them back later in a FET.

FETs use blastocysts that have been frozen following a fresh cycle.

What is the time commitment of a FET?

The patients contact our office indicating their plan to have a FET cycle. After all records are reviewed to insure everything is current, including the existence of embryos, infectious disease bloodwork, Pap Smear, updated mock ET, consents and injection review. If there has been appreciable time since the last time she was in the office, a follow-up visit with the physician may be scheduled.

Once everything is cleared, patients and doctor set a date for the FET. Depending on the circumstances the patient is put on medications that will prepare her for the FET. At cycle baseline the patient is instructed to begin sequential injections of estrogen, to build the uterine lining. At ‘lining check,’ upon demonstrated of a thickened endometrium, patients are instructed to add in progesterone. At this time the FET time and date is confirmed and given specific instructions. After the FET she receives additional instructions and estrogen and progesterone continue during the frozen transfer, and through the blood pregnancy test, about two weeks later.

What are the screening tests and medications give before the FET?

The FET cycle requires very little screening. After a delivery or other medical indication, an updated Mock Embryo Transfer (Mock ET, or uterine sounding) will be completed to accurately measure and map your uterine contours. Most patients will be on a cycle/month of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) before their actual frozen cycle. An updated infectious disease blood work for patient may be required within the last year.

How about legal paperwork and consents?

Consents for a FET are signed by both patient and partner prior to the procedure. This is mandatory.

How many office visits are needed in a FET?

Probably about three or four are needed. One for a baseline evaluation (blood and US), before her medications are started. One at mid-cycle (‘lining check’), to insure the uterine lining is thickened, one the actual transfer appointment itself and then one for the beta HCG pregnancy test two weeks later.

What are the medicines given in a FET?

Patients are given estrogen and progesterone medications. The daily injections of medications to stimulate the ovaries are not needed. Estrogen is often given in the form of every-third day injections, oral or vaginal pills or patches. Progesterone is administered in the form of injections every day as instructed after the mid-lining sonogram check, orally or vaginally.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please speak with one of our friendly New Patient Liaisons by calling the US line (619) 400-6919 or 01152 (664) 635-1853