Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

During a FET cycle, patients do not have to undergo ovarian stimulation. The treatment includes only endometrium preparation for embryo transfer and then the transfer itself.

There are many different methods to prepare the endometrium during the FET cycle.

Depending on each patient’s condition, doctor will choose a suitable protocol. Amongst these protocols, external hormones are most commonly used thanks to the ease of use, low cost and high performance.

One basic FET cycle will include these following steps:

Step 1: Using estrogen

• From day 2 or 3 of your cycle, you will be prescribed oral, topical, injected or vaginal estrogen to prepare your endometrium. The most popular way is drinkable pills.
• Estrogen will stimulate the endometrium development and inhibit the natural ovulation
• Use estrogen 2-3 weeks before FET
• You will be asked to come back to the clinic for ultrasound after 6-7 days, then every 3-5 days in order to evaluate the growth of endometrium.

Step 2: Using progesterone

• After the ultrasound shows an image of a suitably thick endometrium , doctors will give the prescription of oral, injected or vaginal progesterone, preferable the last method to have a direct effect on the vagina.
• Progesterone will promote the favorable endometrium for embryo implantation.
• Progesterone will be used 2-5 days before FET depending on the stage of frozen embryos.

Step 3: Thawing embryo

• On the day of FET (announced in advance), embryologists will thaw the embryos
• The number of thawed embryos will be considered to ensure the highest rate of success and lowest rate of multiple pregnancy.

Step 4: Embryo Transfer

• Before embryo transfer, you do not have to be fasting.
• Embryo transfer is a simple procedure without anesthesia.
• After the procedure, you will stay at hospital for 30- 60 minutes.

Step 5: After embryo transfer

• A medical officer will instruct you how to use your medicine (estrogen and progesterone)
• You should maintain daily activities as usual. Bed rest can reduce the chance of pregnancy and increase the risk of vein thrombosis.

Step 6: Pregnancy test

• About 12 – 14 days after FET, you will have a pregnancy test.
• This pregnancy test is beta-hCG quantitative test, to confirm you are pregnant or not.
• In some cases, blood spotting or bleeding may occur before the pregnancy test. You need to contact the clinic immediately.