So confused and would value input about IVF and FET

[Anonymous]

I had a failed IVF cycle in the fall (my first cycle) and am now gearing up to do a cycle in spring. I have ONE frozen embryo and was planning/leaning toward doing a frozen embryo cycle to transfer my one embryo. However, I am just very concerned because I only have one and am wondering if I should go through another fresh cycle instead. Obviously I know that a fresh cycle costs way more and is more invasive in general, however, if the one embryo isnt successful, we'd have to do another cycle anyway.

A little background: I did well on my fall IVF cycle-- responded well to antagon protocol and had mild OHSS but it was not too bad. I had 12 eggs retreived and 6 fertilized. I was closely monitored and went in to the doctor every other day. I got a positive bfp I ended up miscarrying at 7 weeks.

Ive heard negative an positive things about a frozen cycle-- pluses: easier, less invasive, fewer appointments, and your uterus is "more ready" for implantation. Cons: I've heard some nasty things about Lupron, not monitored as closely (a pro and a con really)

can anyone make sense of this dilemma?

[Anonymous]

age?

do you ovulate regularly?

what is your/DH's diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

33. Do not ovulate regularly.

Husband is ok. He had low morphology once but at last check it was good again.

[Anonymous]

I opted for a second fresh cycle when I had frozens after my first round because my insurance covered two ivf cycles and I wanted to use the second cycle of coverage on a fresh. Also figured it couldn't hurt banking more embryos when younger for second kid. But probably otherwise would have done FET. I don't do Lupron with FET. Just start estrogen on day 2 of period. Also if clinic vitrifies success rates are really good. Depends on your physical emotional stamina to do another fresh cycle too.

[Anonymous]

What did your RE say?

With just one frozen embryo I might lean towards another fresh.

[Anonymous]

In your situation with one frozen embryo, I opted to do another fresh cycle. That said, I'm not convinced it wouldn't have been better to first do a FET and then try another fresh cycle if it failed. It depends a little bit on your financial and insurance situation. We opted for fresh because we had coverage, and it seemed like fresh would give us a chance for more embryos. And like PP, we were also thinking it might be good to bank more embryos for a potential second kid if the cycle was successful (wishful thinking from early in my IF journey).

If you are concerned about Lupron, have you talked to your RE about a natural cycle FET? I didn't use any meds for mine, just monitoring and transfer when my linig was ready. This may not be an option if you don't have regular cycles, but it's worth asking.

[Anonymous]

OP here:

Yes, i asked if there was any other protocol I could do and was told no. I guess they only do lupron for FETs. I really am not sure which way to go here,, and I have to decide soon because i am supposed to start lupron soon.

[Anonymous]

Do you want other children, and is money a factor? If you would want to have more than one child in an ideal world and money isn't a problem, I would opt for the fresh cycle and hope to get more "younger eggs" that turn into better frozen embryos to use in the future.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I want to have more children. Money is a factor-- we can't afford a lot but I figure we would likely have to spend the same amount of money again in a future fresh cycle when we want to have more kids-- unless, by some miracle, i will be able to have children naturally at some point

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I want to have more children. Money is a factor-- we can't afford a lot but I figure we would likely have to spend the same amount of money again in a future fresh cycle when we want to have more kids-- unless, by some miracle, i will be able to have children naturally at some point

In this case, I do think I would go for a fresh cycle. The success rates of fresh and FETs are often similar now, so if you just wanted one child, I'd suggest doing the FET first. But it can't hurt to have extra frosties when you try for a second. Though I do know A LOT of women who got pregnant naturally with a second, after needing fertility treatments for a first!

[Anonymous]

PP, you need to ovulate regularly for natural cycle FET

OP, I would talk to the RE about switching to a fresh cycle and get his/her take on it.

[Anonymous]

Op here: I'm waiting for a call from my re so we can discuss it. I always find it very helpful to get the advice and perspectives of other ladies though. Thanks for all the input!

[Anonymous]

17:33- have you had success? If so was it with fresh or frozen?

[Anonymous]

17:33 here. Yes, DD is now almost 5 weeks. Ultimately our success was from a fresh cycle (and a different clinic). But very likely FET would also have worked. After two fresh and two FETs with my first clinic, I switched and was diagnosed with scar tissue that was covering my cervix. I had success after it was removed...so I think FET could also have properly implanted post surgery.

[Anonymous]

17:33 again. I should add, though, that for both fresh and frozen cycles my lining always looked great. If you have borderline lining, then it may be a different story.