If you have embryo(s) frozen at Diamond Institute or any other facility or if you choose to have embryo adoption from our frozen embryo pool you will undergo preparation toward your Frozen Embryo treatment.
If your embryo (s) are located at another facility, we will be happy to assist you in arranging for their transportation.
You will have a nurse educational session where the FET cycle will be reviewed with you step-by-step from preparation to cycle treatment, cervical trial and embryo transfer.
You will be educated about the medication used and how to administer them. There will be medications that involve injection and this be reinforced on cycle start date as well as during the cycle.
Based on your individual condition, you may need some testing to prepare you for the treatment. Some of the testing includes, testing your hormones, evaluation of your uterine cavity.
When you are all completed with your preparation you will be ready to start your cycle. Scheduling of this can be done with your nurse. The use of fertility medications gives us flexibility as far as your cycle start date which will effect the time of your embryo transfer. If you or your partner may be away or have any other concerns at the time of your cycle start please share this with your nurse so we can accommodate as needed.
Before Cycle starts
Prior to beginning the cycle, you may need to take Lupron (leuprolide acetate). Lupron is given with a small needle under the skin daily. Lupron is a medication that is designed to turn off your hormones before starting the cycle.
For patient undergoing controlled hormonal cycle you will call a nurse Day 1 of your period and start birth control pills on Day 3 between 7:00 pm-9:00 pm. You will need to practice barrier protection from Day 1.
After you call Day 1, a nurse will set up your FET cycle. They will call you and send you a portal message regarding medication start dates, FET cycle dates and pharmacy information.
You will be taking medications as instructed which may include birth control pills, Lupron until a certain day where you will be scheduled to come into the office for cycle start.
Cycle starts and monitoring
Now you are ready for the next phase of the cycle in which you may be taking (for patients with hormonal controlled cycle) estrogen pills and patches. We will see you on the day of your cycle start for an ultrasound and blood work.
Following your cycle start, you will be monitored about once per week during the next two weeks with blood work and ultrasounds to ensure normal developing of your uterine lining.
When the lining is ready we will perform the cervical trial. You may need an HCG injection and you will be instructed about starting Progesterone in a form of suppository, gel and/or injection to affect your uterine lining and get ready for embryo transfer.
Embryo transfer
The embryo transfer is an uncomplicated procedure that usually does not require a sedative or anesthesia.
The embryo transfer is an abdominal ultrasound guided procedure. It is important that the patient’s bladder is full during time of transfer to help visualize the pelvic structures by ultrasound.
The physician first inserts a speculum to visualize the cervix, and then cleans the cervix with sterile water.
Next, the embryo(s) are loaded into the catheter and then the catheter is inserted into the vaginal canal. When the tip of the catheter is in the uterus, the embryo(s) are released into the cavity.
Once the catheter is removed, the embryologist verifies that there are no embryo(s) remaining.
The patient remains resting for 30 minutes and then is discharged home.
Following embryo transfer you can resume normal activities.
Following Embryo transfer
You will stay on your support medications (Estrogen Pills, Patches, and/or Progesterone) throughout the cycle until instructed otherwise by your nurse.
A few days following your embryo transfer you may need a blood test to check your Progesterone.
Based on the date of your embryo transfer you will have a pregnancy test performed twice to confirm conception.
With a positive pregnancy test, the patient will come every 2 days for a Beta and Progesterone serum level.
Based on your bodies response an ultrasound will be scheduled to evaluate the pregnancy.
The patient comes to the office about every 2 weeks for bloodwork and vaginal ultrasound.
We discharge our patients to the care of their OBGYN between 8-12 weeks, based on the patient’s insurance.
