Let’s get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A frozen embryo transfer can be done at any point in the future if you have already undergone an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle that generated usable embryos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, it can happen as soon as the next cycle after your egg retrieval or several months (or years) later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A frozen embryo transfer cycle lasts approximately 3-4 weeks. The first two weeks will prepare your uterine lining for implantation. Once your lining is ready, you will begin progesterone<\/a> supplementation at some point in the third week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The embryo transfer then takes place after 3 or 5 days of progesterone support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now let’s break down the steps of a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle, day by day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are using your own eggs\/embryos, you will first need to undergo an IVF cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The IVF process and the freezing of any usable embryos usually take 2-3 weeks. You can read my post on The IVF Cycle Timeline<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already have embryos frozen, speak with your doctor to determine if you are eligible to begin a FET right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many fertility specialists will have you come back for a consultation to determine if you should do a medicated FET cycle vs. a natural FET cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may also need a uterine cavity evaluation (saline sonogram or a hysteroscopy<\/a>) or a mock transfer<\/a> before proceeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once everything is cleared, you will be instructed by your fertility clinic to call or email to report cycle day 1 of your period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Day 1 refers to the first day of your menses. After informing your clinic, you will be scheduled to come in on Day 2,3 or 4 of your cycle to potentially begin the FET cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Days 2-4 of your menstrual cycle, you will come in for morning monitoring, a transvaginal ultrasound scan, and blood work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the ultrasound looks normal and your hormone levels are “baseline,”<\/a> you will begin your FET cycle that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will begin estrogen supplementation on this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The estrogen tablets do two things: It thickens the lining of your uterus and prevents an ovarian follicle from growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will come back in about a week or so to check on the progress of your lining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You won’t be starting any medications. You will simply come back in about a week or so to check on the progress of your lining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At your second morning monitoring visit, your lining should be increasing in thickness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal is to get your lining to ~ 7mm in size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your lining is growing as expected, you will be given a start date for progesterone supplementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This usually involves intramuscular progesterone injection with or without progesterone vaginal suppositories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your lining should be thicker, and you should have a dominant ovarian follicle growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your reproductive endocrinologist may wait for your body to begin the ovulation process (aka, your blood tests show that your LH hormone is surging).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this case, your doctor may or may not have you take a trigger shot <\/a>to start ovulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At some point after the two-week mark, you will begin progesterone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will start intramuscular progesterone shots once your doctor has deemed that your lining is appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will administer the progesterone injection twice on the first day and then once every day after that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The embryo transfer procedure will then be scheduled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will begin progesterone suppositories on the day after your trigger shot (or the day after you ovulate).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The embryo transfer procedure will then be scheduled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the day of the embryo transfer. It is a simple procedure that shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will be expected to come with a full bladder, which will help visualize and guide the catheter containing the embryo into your uterus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about what to expect on the day of the embryo transfer, check out: Embryo Transfer Precautions: What Not To Do.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You will then have your first pregnancy test no sooner than 9-11 after the transfer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We believe that an embryo will implant in the first 24-48 hours after the FET. You likely won’t feel anything either way except for very mild cramping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We highly recommend waiting at least 9-11 days after the transfer to avoid getting a false negative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before that time, the human chorionic gonadotropin, aka hCG levels are not high enough to yield a positive home pregnancy test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is much better to get a quantitative hCG blood test at your doctor’s office after 9-11 days.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You are approximately 2 weeks and 5 days pregnant<\/a> on the day of a blastocyst embryo transfer (assuming that it works).<\/p>\n\n\n\n By the time you have a positive pregnancy test ~9 days later, you will be approximately 4 weeks pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Success rates vary among patients based on age and diagnosis, but a genetically tested blastocyst can have a success rate of 50-60%. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the success rate of an untested frozen embryo transfer can go as low as 20-30%, decreasing with increasing maternal age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some recent studies: [1<\/a>] [2<\/a>] [3<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out my post on Embryo Biopsy<\/a> to see if you are a good candidate for genetic screening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, we don’t always know why some embryo transfers fail<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, there can be an embryo quality issue, an implantation failure, or other endometrial lining issues that we don’t quite understand yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Preimplantation genetic testing<\/a> can help control for numerical chromosomal abnormalities, but it cannot test for all types of genetic conditions that can exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, there is not a lot that you can do to ensure a successful pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have already done everything within your power. The rest is up to the embryo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are on progesterone supplementation, do not stop taking it until your doctor tells you to do so.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n You do not need bed rest.<\/a> Also, it is a good idea to avoid any increased temperatures for the first 1-2 weeks following the transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, you should try to eat a healthy diet and stay well hydrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Data suggests that frozen embryo transfers are better than fresh embryo transfers in certain patients, such as those who have a high response to ovarian stimulation.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, many studies have shown that pregnancy rates and live birth rates are similar for many patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that said, many patients are not good candidates for a fresh embryo transfer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out my post on Freeze-All IVF cycles <\/a>to learn when you should freeze your embryos, and my other post on the disadvantages of frozen embryo transfer cycles<\/a> to help you make an informed decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You now understand the FET cycle timeline as it relates to an IVF treatment cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FETs are a great way to provide flexibility in planning the timing of your pregnancy, as any generated embryos can be stored indefinitely for future use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have any questions regarding the next step, you might be interested in reading:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make An Appointment With Dr. Robles To Discuss Your Fertility Options Today!<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"the](\"https:\/\/alexroblesmd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Frozen-embryo-transfer-timeline.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen is A frozen embryo transfer done in IVF?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How long does a frozen transfer cycle take?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the timeline for a frozen embryo transfer? (Day by day)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 0: Prep Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"30](\"https:\/\/alexroblesmd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/FET-timeline.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDay 1:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Day 2,3 or 4:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you are doing a medicated FET cycle:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you are doing a natural cycle:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Days ~10-14:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you are doing a medicated cycle:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you are doing a natural cycle:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Day ~15-18:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you are doing a medicated FET cycle:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you are doing a natural FET cycle:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Day ~19-24:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"image](\"https:\/\/alexroblesmd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/embryo-transfer.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDay~28-32:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How many days after FET does implantation occur?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can I do a pregnancy test 8 days after embryo transfer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How many weeks pregnant are you after IVF frozen transfer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What are typical 5 day frozen embryo transfer success rates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why do frozen embryo transfers fail?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What can you do after embryo transfer to increase success rates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are FETs better than fresh embryo transfers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"alex](\"https:\/\/alexroblesmd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/alex-robles-md.jpeg\")
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