Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and regular exercise is crucial before the FET. It's essential to avoid nicotine and alcohol as soon as possible. You should take your medication to prepare your uterus exactly as instructed by your doctor.

After the FET, take it easy, but you can continue with your everyday activities as normal. Keep eating a healthy diet and make sure you drink enough fluids. Refrain from sexual intercourse for the first few days to reduce the risk of infection. If the transfer took place during a medicated cycle, remember to continue taking your progesterone daily as prescribed.

The success rates of a frozen embryo transfer are comparable to those of a fresh transfer, ranging between 30% and 40% per transfer. These rates depend on various factors, including your age, the quality of the embryos, and the condition of your uterine lining.

The costs for a frozen embryo transfer are significantly lower than for a complete IVF or ICSI cycle because the most expensive steps, like hormonal stimulation and egg retrieval, have already been completed.

On average, an FET costs about one-third of an IVF cycle. The exact costs vary depending on the clinic and individual requirements, such as the type of medication and the number of ultrasound examinations.

At Cada, the cost of an FET cycle ranges from CHF 2,500 to CHF 2,700, depending on the medication needed. Additionally, one round of FET is included if eggs or embryos needed to be frozen due to the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).

The suitability of a natural FET cycle versus a medicated FET cylce depends on your individual circumstances. Both methods come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

In a natural cycle, you need little to no medication, which can be beneficial. However, there is a risk that your cycle may be delayed or you may not ovulate. On the other hand, a hormonally controlled cycle is more predictable, though it requires medication.

The thickness of your uterine lining is assessed through ultrasound scans. Ensuring the uterine lining is sufficiently thick is crucial for embryo implantation, and it should ideally be at least 6 mm for the planned transfer.

The optimal time for the transfer is determined based on the development of your uterine lining and your blood values. The hormones LH and oestradiol are measured in the blood, with LH levels rising sharply shortly before ovulation. By monitoring this LH increase, ovulation and the best time for the transfer can be accurately predicted. Oestradiol is also crucial, as it influences the build-up of the uterine lining.

The timing of egg transfer after thawing depends on whether your eggs were frozen in the pronuclear stage (directly after fertilisation) or as blastocysts (around 5 days after follicular puncture).

Oocytes frozen in the pronuclear stage typically take around 4 days to develop into blastocysts and are then transferred. Frozen blastocysts, on the other hand, can be transferred shortly after thawing.

Typically, one embryo is transferred. At Cada, we transfer only one blastocyst to minimise the risk for both mother and child and to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Can Cryopreserved Embryos Be Refrozen?

Yes, cryopreserved embryos can be refrozen. When we thaw your fertilised eggs, several blastocysts may develop. Since we typically transfer only one blastocyst, the remaining blastocysts can be refrozen and stored for future use.

In Switzerland, embryos can be frozen and stored for a maximum of 10 years.

When pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD/PGT) is performed, embryos are frozen until the results are available, which can take several days. PGD/PGT involves taking a biopsy of the embryo, where some cells are removed and genetically analysed in the laboratory. To protect the embryo during this period and ensure its development, it is frozen (cryopreserved). This process allows for the selection of genetically healthy embryos. Frozen embryo transfer then enables the best embryo to be transferred at the optimal time, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Wenn eine Präimplantationsdiagnostik (PID/PGT) durchgeführt wird, werden die Embryonen eingefroren, bis die Ergebnisse vorliegen. Das kann mehrere Tage dauern. Die PID/PGT erfordert eine Biopsie des Embryos, bei der einige Zellen entnommen und im Labor genetisch untersucht werden. Um den Embryo in dieser Zeit zu schützen und seine Entwicklung zu gewährleisten, wird er kryokonserviert. Die PID/PGT ermöglicht es, genetisch gesunde Embryonen auszuwählen. Durch den Kryotransfer kann der beste Embryo zum optimalen Zeitpunkt transferiert werden, was die Erfolgschancen erhöht.