The process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can be filled with expectations, emotional ups and downs, and physical challenges. If you’ve already undergone one IVF cycle, you understand how demanding it can be, both physically and emotionally.
And in case the cycle you are planning currently is your second round of IVF with the use of frozen embryos you are probably experiencing a mixture of cautious optimism and a few questions:
“What will be new this time?
How successful will you be?
What is the best way to latest preparations?”
This article offers a clear and realistic overview of the second IVF cycle with frozen embryos. It covers the procedure, success rates, emotional considerations, and practical tips to help improve your chances.
Why Use Frozen Embryos in the Second IVF Cycle?
Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine
If your first IVF cycle did not result in a pregnancy, your fertility specialist may recommend using frozen embryos from that earlier cycle. These embryos were created during your initial egg retrieval and then preserved through cryopreservation.
Thanks to advances in freezing methods like vitrification, frozen embryos now have excellent survival rates after thawing. In fact, frozen embryo transfers (FETs) often result in fewer complications and offer success rates that are comparable to or even better than fresh transfers.
How the Second IVF Cycle Differs from the First
1. No Egg Retrieval Required
You will not have to repeat ovarian stimulation and the egg retrieval procedure since the embryos have already been generated and frozen in the first cycle. This would be a relief to a lot of patients, both in terms of finance and physical cost.
2. A Shorter and Less Invasive Process
FETs tend to be easier and quicker. It would take less than three or four weeks to complete the whole cycle in comparison to a new cycle that would take at least six weeks or more.
3. Lower Costs
Frozen embryo transfers usually cost less than fresh IVF cycles. You avoid the high costs associated with stimulation medications, egg retrieval, and additional monitoring.
Second IVF Cycle With Frozen Embryos : Step-By-Step
1. Pretest
Your fertility clinic will do a complete assessment, which will involve blood analysis and ultrasound to make certain that your uterine lining is prepared to house an implantation. Whether or not it is found that you have any problems, your doctor will attempt to deal with them prior to proceeding.
2. Endometrial Preparation
You will start hormone treatment to have your uterus prepared to support implantation. It normally consists of a couple of days of estrogen and then progesterone. They will follow your response by doing frequent blood tests and ultrasounds at your clinic.
3. The Embryo Thawing
On the transfer day, the embryo you have selected will be thawed out. Using the techniques applied in vitrification today, survival rates of thawed embryos are fantastic, with over 90 percent success.
4. Embryo Transfer
It is a short procedure, with very minimal invasiveness and is an outpatient procedure. Placement of embryo into your uterus This is carried out by a thin catheter. You will typically take a short nap either in the clinic or back home, and most individuals resume their usual schedule on the same day or the following day.
5. Two-Week Wait
After the transfer, you are allowed to wait about 9-14 days after which you have a pregnancy test. This is emotionally challenging waiting process and you need to care about mental well-being during this period.
The Frozen Embryo Success Rates of Second IVF
With the improvements in medicine, frozen embryo transfers have the same success rates, or sometimes even increase them in relation to fresh transfers now.
However, the success factor is pegged on various parameters, among them being your age at the time of egg extraction, quality of embryo, healthy uterus, and any fertility issue.
| Age Range | Approximate Success Rate (per FET cycle) |
| Under 35 | 45–60% |
| 35–37 | 40–50% |
| 38–40 | 30–40% |
| Over 40 | 20–30% |
Emotional Differences The Second Time Around
After the 1st IVF has occurred, the second time isn’t same as the first experience. A female’s body might have a degree of experience and execute higher preparedness during the second time or may also execute fear or mental exhaustion. The obvious fact is that the body has built great responsiveness to medication, which is a fantastic positive element. Yet, differences in fully feeling safe, prepared, and emotionally strong might arrive.
Here are some certified methods to take control of your mental health during your second cycle
- Engage in a heartful conversation with therapist specializing in fertility
- Journaling
- Meditation and mindfulness should be practiced
- Vocalizing with your partner about your genuine thoughts without any hesitation
- Speaking to someone undergoing similar experiences
- Facebook and social media groups are wonderful platforms to connect with people who have gone through or are going through the same journey as yours.
Some Tips To Elevate Your Chances Of Success
1. Take Care Of Uterine Lining Health
Uterine Lining health is the undoubtable root to uplift the chances of implantation. The better the uterine health, the more is the chance of successful implantation. For weak health, proper medical consultation, taking supplements or medicines as prescribed and certain exercises and yoga can also improve uterine health.
2. Maintaining A Healthy Diet
Diet makes or breaks your health. Especially with critical procedures like IVF, diet matters a heap more than regular health conditions. The math is simple, antioxidant rich food, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, berries, lean protein become your best friends while alcohol, caffeine, processed junk foods, high sugar consumption become your worst enemies.
Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet at all costs, falls amongst the top activities that provide solace to the heart and confidence to the mind regarding success of the procedure.
3. Be Active
Exercise activities (walking, yoga, etc.) can facilitate blood circulation and help to feel good. Do not do strenuous exercises at the transfer stage unless cleared by the doctor.
4. Manage Stress
Sometimes stress is unavoidable when you go under fertility treatment, and so learning how to cope with it can enable your body to remain in balance. Meditation, breathwork, acupuncture, or just time spent in nature is restorative.
5. Get Plenty Of Sleep
Get 7 to 9 hours of good night sleep. Sleep maintains hormonal health, immune system and general balance of reproduction.
What Happens When The Second Cycle Fails?
However, despite the fact that FET may seem very hard to accept, not all FET cycles lead to pregnancy. In case the second attempt fails, then your doctor will most likely advise you to reconsider the whole process and find some areas to incorporate improvements or suggestions in the future.
This may be:
- PGT-A screening of embryos
- A hysteroscopy to determine the abnormalities in the uterus
- Screening of immune or clotting disorder screening
- One to test the optimal timing of a transfer, an endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA)
It takes several individuals two or more cycles of IVF to get a successful pregnancy. Although that is sometimes disheartening, every cycle lends information and knowledge.
Conclusion
The decision of following through with a second IVF cycle via frozen embryos is a personal decision as well as a medical one. It is not a very simple journey but a journey of strength and determination and hope. It is not like you start at the beginning but do something based on what you have already learned and experienced.
No matter what comes next remember this: you are a person, not the sum of your disease, nor a plan, nor a percentage. This is your own personal journey and there is no right or wrong way to go through it, but there is your way. We hope you are now aware regarding the experience on second IVF cycle with frozen embryos.
