Frozen Embryo Transfer is a procedure that individuals might opt for if they want to try again to conceive after a failed IVF attempt or wish to extend their family. It involves the use of unused, cryopreserved embryos from a previous IVF cycle which makes the process much simpler. This eliminates the need for egg retrieval so no surgery is needed. Instead, you will need to take hormones to build your uterine lining. If you are thinking about having this procedure, here are the symptoms that you should be aware of.
What to Expect After a Frozen Embryo Transfer?
After a FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer), you may have vaginal bleeding, slight pain, and discharge from the cervix. These are fairly common once the procedure has been completed and do not indicate whether it has been successful.
While some symptoms like a delayed period may allude to possible pregnancy, it’s important to note that this might not be the case. A delayed period is something that can be brought on by the hormone progesterone that you would have taken as a part of the process. It can stop you from bleeding and cause a delay. You may experience fatigue, sore breasts, cramping, bloating, and spotting also as a result. Other symptoms include an increased need to urinate which, as well as a change in your hormones, can be down to a UTI or possible pregnancy. This can only be found out after the 2-week wait by taking a pregnancy test.
No Symptoms After a Frozen Embryo Transfer
If none of the above apply to you, there is no need to worry. Having no symptoms after your Frozen Embryo Transfer does not necessarily mean that it wasn’t successful. 10-15% of patients that don’t report any symptoms go on to produce positive pregnancy tests.
What You Should Do
You can take paracetamol for any pain and should follow the advice given. Continue to take your tablets and use the pessaries that you were instructed to use until the date of your appointment. Then on the date decided, you should carry out a pregnancy test with the first sample produced that morning. Be sure to use a high-quality test for an accurate reading. If there is anything that you are concerned about, we recommend that you speak to your doctor so that they can advise you further.
If you would like to learn more about Frozen Embryo Transfer or any of the other treatments we provide, feel free to get in touch.
