Why am I NOT doing a natural cycle?
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Anonymous
| I had egg retrieval and embryo freezing late last year. I am starting the process of FET and was told to take Estrace...I am reading online that you don't always need to "medicate" with hormones before embryo transfer. I am doing IVF due to loss of both fallopean tubes following ectopic pregnancies. I ovulate and have regular periods...Why was a natural process not offered to me? I do not want to pump myself full of hormones! |
Anonymous
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Medicated cycles are the most common because they allow for the most control and can be scheduled.Are you traveling for the transfer in another city? In this case medicated is allows for appropriate planning.
A true natural cycle is very difficult because it’s hard to catch ovulation exactly and then time the embryo transfer from that (as soon as you ovulate and start producing progesterone, that sets the time-sensitive window of implantation.) Modified natural seems like a great option though. You use your natural cycle but give a trigger shot when ready so that the doctor knows when you ovulate and everything can be timed.Because you naturally ovulated, you will have a corpus luteum producing progesterone to support the pregnancy. The progesterone is supplemented, as this shows better outcomes, but it’s less than in a medicated cycle. To my knowledge, the outcomes in terms of live birth rate are pretty equivalent between medicated and natural/ modified natural. Most doctors should allow for modified natural. You can make an appointment with them and discuss. |
Anonymous
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P.S. Here are links to some solid podcasts on the subject. One is hosted by a fertility doctor in Australia and the other by an American RE.
I have been binge listening to the podcast out of Melbourne. It’s a very warm personable conversation style on the program and well-produced. Knocked Up Podcast (Women’s Health Melbourne , Dr. Raelia Lew) Embryo Transfer Types https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/knocked-up-the-podcast-about-fertility-and-womens-health/id1381363197?i=1000609184522 What is an Artificial Cycle? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/knocked-up-the-podcast-about-fertility-and-womens-health/id1381363197?i=1000651699145 As a Woman Podcast (Natalie Crawford, MD): Frozen Embryo Transfer Protocols https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339?i=1000626593290 |
Anonymous
| I am sorry for what you are going through, OP. Many people do not want to do IVF and end up there. Should your transfers not work out, maybe look into RI if you haven't already. |
Anonymous
| Also adding that you should push back on estace and see what their specific reason is for that one. Will be starting FET this week and have been prescribed Estace which I will push back on heavily as birth control has really pushed my glucose through the roof (type 1 diabetic) |
Anonymous
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It's standard protocol is the answer.
I've failed every medicated cycle they forced me on and had to switch to modified natural. Lupron triggers my ovaries to forma follicle and ovulate. My gentle suggestion is if you get transfer failures, consult woth a Nook surgeon if you haven't already. 2 ectopics = endometriosis which could prevent implantation. |
Anonymous
| PP who mentioned pushing back on estrace - my endometrium is able to hit 7 - 8 mm on letrozole cycles so will be watching that carefully on this one |
Anonymous
Pregnancies that have a corpus luteum have less pre-eclampsia |
Anonymous
| The answer to your question, OP, is that your RE is like 80% of other REs and lazy, defaulting to cookie cutter medicine. Natural cycles require closer monitoring |
Anonymous
| Adding RE is regulated by themselves and most clinics are owned by private equity firms - really wonderful for us patients who are actually infertile versus their big push for under 30s to harvest and freeze 40 eggs |