This is my first post on this website and I was wondering if anyone had a similar experience to mine. Unfortunately I had an ectopic pregnancy last month after our second fresh cycle of IVF. The doctor said that we could try again after my second natural period in December. We have to decide if we want to do another fresh cycle or use our frozen embryos from last cycle. The doctor said that as we have five embryos stored, which are good quality, she was not able to recommend which option to choose as both, fresh and frozen, are good ones. Has anyone had a positive outcome after a frozen embryo transfer? When we had frozen embryos transferred in June it didn’t work as they didn’t expand one out from the lab. Any feedback would be really appreciated
I understand your doctors decision to sit on the fence over your choice of route forward.
Scientists led by Dr Abha Maheshwari, senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and Consultant in Reproductive Medicine with NHS Grampian, published a study last year in the journal Fertility Sterility that analysed data from 11 international studies involving more than 37,000 IVF pregnancies and concluded frozen embryos are more likely to produce successful, complication-free IVF pregnancies than those that are fresh citing using stored embryos cuts the risk of bleeding in pregnancy, premature birth, and giving birth to an underweight baby by almost a third, and cuts the risk of a baby dying at around the time of birth by about a fifth.
The researchers thought there could be two reasons for the results. One being that only prime quality embryos are likely to survive the freezing process. The other, more popular, theory is that the womb lining is allowed time to settle down and recover from the rigours of IVF hormone treatment as a pregnancy too soon after a women is given fertility-boosting drugs is known to increase the risk of hyperstimulation. The researchers did acknowledge that they also needed to do a large randomised controlled trial to conclude this was accurate and said “In the meantime my advice to women undergoing IVF is that there is no reason, yet, to change the way they approach IVF. However, there should be no concerns about freezing embryos and resulting pregnancies, if your clinic is offering the freezing of spare embryos.”
Your doctor is likely to be able to see the benefit of both options.
It would be great if there is anyone on here who is able to give their experience of frozen embryos?
Many thanks for your reply, I’ve read about a similar study carried out in USA which had the same conclusion. I suppose my fear is that none of the five embryos will expand the way they should once out from the lab as it happened in June, although in June we had only two embryos stored. As what happened so far it’s not enough, the doctor also realised during the keyhole surgery to remove the ectopy pregnancy that I have mild endemetriosis but suggested not to do anything about it and carry on with IVF. Has anyone done IVF having endemetriosis? Sorry if it’s getting more complicated
I haven’t been on in a while but saw your message and wanted to reply. I have experienced both fresh and frozen cycles so would be happy to answer any questions you have.
I had two EPs and ended up with one remaining tube in bad condition, so IVF was my only safe option. I am happy to say that it really can work and I am incredibly lucky to have two boys from it. It is a really tough journey to go on, so please ask anything you want.
As for endometriosis, I am not sure what that would mean for your cycle, but guess would require more close monitoring of your lining in the run up, during and after? Maybe with adjustments to hormonal support? I suppose it depends how serious it is, as sometimes surgery can help?
In terms of whether to do fresh or frozen, if it was me I would avoid a fresh cycle and try with the stored embryos you have. A frozen cycle is much easier on the body and I found a lot less stressful in the run up to it. Much cheaper too!
A bit of my message got deleted (am on my phone) - I also wanted to say so sorry for your most recent ectopic. Hope that you are physically recovering ok, I know how hard the emotional recovery is, and especially for you after a cycle. Big hugs to you and fingers and toes crossed for you that you will have your dream fulfilled soon xxx
Thank you very much for your messages and for taking the time to reply, it does help to read about other people, who went through similar experiences. Congratulations for your boys! Are they twins by any chance? Could I ask you if it was the fresh or frozen cycle, which worked in your case and after how many attempts? I know of course that everybody is different and reacts in different ways. I suppose that whatever choice we decide to go for, I have to try and go with an open mind… Thanks again for your replies. xxx
Are they twins by any chance?