FET Frozen Embryo Transfer

• Introduction

  An FET cycle requires very little testing in advance, though your doctor may require an updated mock embryo transfer (MET) and transvaginal scan.

• Booking an FET cycle

  A patient will contact our office to advise they wish to begin a frozen cycle. If necessary, we will order any repeat screening tests or schedule a follow-up visit with their doctor.

• Preparing the lining of your uterus

  A FET cycle will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. A cycle typically begins with an injection (Prostap) on approximately day 21 of a patient’s cycle. After the course of Prostap a patient will undergo a baseline assessment involving bloodwork and ultrasounds, and perhaps further medication to ensure hormone levels are appropriate. A nurse will then confirm an FET date and the patient will attend the clinic for their transfer several days later. Oestrogen and progesterone continue after the transfer, and through to the pregnancy test about 2 weeks later.

• Embryo transfer

  The embryo transfer is a simple procedure that only takes about 5 minutes to complete. There is no anaesthesia or recovery time needed. A patient will review their cycle with the doctor and the number of embryos recommended for transfer. The nurse will give the patient instructions for the following 2 weeks until it's time for the pregnancy test.

• The pregnancy test

  Two weeks after the embryo transfer, in the privacy of their own home, a patient will perform a pregnancy test and advises the outcome so Glasgow Royal Fertility Clinic can plan the next steps.

1. What are the benefits of an FET cycle over a fresh stimulated cycle?

   FET is often a good choice over a fresh stimulated cycle if you have frozen embryos to use. Benefits include
   
   Lower cost
   Less complex treatment
   Fewer monitoring appointments
   No risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
   No anaesthesia or egg retrieval
   Significantly reduced medication cost
   Nearly identical success rates

2. What kind of medication will I take when doing an FET cycle?

   For some women with a completely regular cycle we can do a FET without any medications. For many women though it is beneficial to construct a cycle for them using HRT tablets and progesterone pessaries.

3. How do frozen embryos allow doctors to perform genetic testing?

   If you have a risk of passing certain genetic conditions on to your children, we can test the embryos for certain genetic mutations. This is called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). After the doctor retrieves the eggs and they are fertilized, the embryologist will biopsy each suitable embryo. The embryologist will then freeze the embryos while awaiting results from the biopsied cells. The doctor can then transfer only embryo(s) for which testing indicates the genetic mutation (and corresponding medical condition) in question is absent. In addition to testing for genetic mutations (PGD), embryo freezing has allowed for preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). This screening looks for abnormalities in chromosome number, such as trisomy 21, which causes Down syndrome, and many others that are likely to result in implantation failure or miscarriage. Likely candidates for this testing include patients with failed implantation and older women, who are at higher risk for chromosomal abnormalities.

Fees

Our full price list can be found here for download. Should you have any questions about the fees, please contact us on 0141 956 0509 and speak to a member of staff.