Natural Cycle Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) - Quick and Easy Process

1. Introduction QUICK START: Natural Cycle Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

2. Cryopreservation Cryopreservation During a fresh IVF cycle, embryos that are frozen or cryopreserved through a process called VITRIFICATION. These frozen embryos can be stored in liquid nitrogen indefinitely until you are ready to use them.

3. Important Info before Cycle Start Prior to beginning your cycle, you must have: • Completed your checklist • Signed all consents • Confirmed your specific embryo thaw and transfer plan with your physician and nurse • Obtained all of your medication for your cycle • Checked with your financial coordinator that you are financially cleared for your cycle. You will not be allowed to start any medication if you are not financially cleared. Important Info

4. Cycle Prep Cycle Prep A Natural Frozen Embryo Transfer ( FET) uses a woman’s natural ovulatory cycle to plan for an embryo transfer. Ovulation Predictor Kits may be used, along with ultrasound and blood work, to monitor your menstrual cycle in order to detect ovulation.

5. Cycle Prep Cycle Prep This type of cycle uses no stimulation medication, however, it may need to be enhanced by Ovidrel to trigger ovulation, depending on response or cycle timing.

6. Cycle Type #1- w/OPK Cycle Type #1

7. Cycle Type #1- w/OPK • If you are using OPKs, you will start using one kit each evening starting. Your nurse will review the dates to start testing with your kit. If you have a positive indicator, you will come for ultrasound the next morning during monitoring hours. • If the monitoring physician determines you are ovulating, you will be advised to start progesterone and your nurse will review the plan for embryo transfer. • If the monitoring physician determines that you are not ready to ovulate, your nurse will review when you will need to return next for ultrasound and blood work. • Most patients with regular cycles will ovulate between day 12 to 20 of their cycle.

8. Cycle Type #2- No OPK Cycle Type #2

9. Cycle Type #2- No OPK • In some cases, it may be necessary to monitor for signs of ovulation using ultrasound and blood work instead of using the OPK. • Patients who are using ultrasounds for monitoring will be instructed what days they need to come into the office for morning monitoring to look for signs of ovulation. • Using blood work and ultrasounds, we can follow follicle development and predict ovulation. Sometimes we may need to use a trigger injection to control the timing of ovulation. • If the monitoring physician determines you are ovulating, you will be advised to start progesterone that day, and your nurse will review the plan for embryo transfer.

10. Progesterone Embryo Transfer Progesterone Click here to view our Injectable Medication Training Videos

11. Embryo Transfer You will receive a phone call the day prior to your embryo transfer with what time to arrive in Basking Ridge the next day. Embryo Transfer

12. Embryo Transfer • Since there is no anesthesia needed for an embryo transfer, you can eat or drink that day. Once again, we ask that you or your significant other please do not wear any makeup or use scented fragrances when visiting our Basking Ridge IVF Retrieval and Transfer Facility. • Pre-embryo transfer instructions are fairly simple. Patients are instructed to insert a progesterone suppository into their vagina at approximately 1-2 hours prior to transfer.

13. Embryo Transfer • The transfer is quite simple. The physician places a speculum into the vagina and inserts a soft, flexible catheter containing the embryos into the uterine cavity. The procedure is similar to a pap smear. • After the transfer, we will ask you to get up and empty your bladder and prepare to be discharged home. • Your Pregnancy test will be approximately 9 days later

14. Questions Please contact your nurse with any questions or concerns.