[Anne]

Hi -- I posted this in the IVF section too. Has anyone done a "natural" FET protocol? With success? Any insights would be most appreciated!

[kblythe]

I did with my last cycle ... they timed it with my natural ovulation, so no lupron or ovidrel. But I still took estrace and progesterone (and antibiotics and steroids). It worked, too!

k.

[Anne]

Wow! Really?? That's sooo encouraging!! Thanks. I'm thinking this could be what's next for me.

CONGRATS on your pregnancy!!!

[Martieroo]

I started today - Day 1!

Megan

[irena_adler]

I did a natural cycle - just watched for my LH surge with the OPKs then went in for an ultrasound. After my O, I started steroids for 4 days (for the AH) and PIO. That's been all. Very low stress and successful too.

[kblythe]

Good luck, Anne and Megan! I really feel that natural was actually better for me. I always had this feeling that my body didn't like the lupron, so I was really glad to try a natural cycle.

And congratulations, Irena!

Kathryn.

[Anne]

Wow! I'm so glad I asked.

Megan -- yay for Day 1. Keep me updated! So... you do nothing for now?? Just be you?? Seems counterintuitive in the fertility world.

Kathryn -- I feel just like you said about Lupron and some of these meds. I had a terrible reaction to the stims back in my IVF cycle. Terrible OHSS that had me very sick for weeks and hospitalized. The doc said she couldn't have predicted I'd react to the meds that way. Heck, I fall asleep if I take one Motrin. And it took 19 days of Lupron this past FET cycle for me to get a bleed (7-10 is normal). I felt like my body was just ignoring it. Then my estrogen #s were still high so they upped the Lupron. Not but a week later, my estrogen levels were too low (from too much Lupron) so they upped my Estrace to 3 pills 3 times a day. It's just a roller coaster on the body. So I'm really looking forward to trying this natural cycle.

Did you have a failed FET before your natural cycle too?

What is a naturopath and how did s/he help your cycle?

Thanks again!

[Anne]

Oh, I just read your signature Kathryn. I see you did have a failed FET before your natural cycle.

Was the process that you stopped progesterone and then waited for ? And then day 1 of your period was the beginning of the natural cycle? Or did you have to go through an entire cycle and wait for period #2 in order to start the natural cycle? Just curious about timing on this.

And Irena -- that is AWESOME about your pregnancy!!!!

[irena_adler]

Originally Posted by Anne

Did you have a failed FET before your natural cycle too?

What is a naturopath and how did s/he help your cycle?

Thanks again!

I'm not sure if these questions are directed at me but I'll answer anyway.

I did a fresh cycle before, this is my first FET. My RE uses the natural FET when he can - basically for anyone who has a regular cycle when off meds.

A naturopath is someone who works with herbs, homeopathy and other more natural methods. My problem was a too short luteal phase and some herbs she put me on fixed that. She's been working with DH on his MF, but he's too chicken to take a SA to see if it worked.

[irena_adler]

Originally Posted by kblythe

Good luck, Anne and Megan! I really feel that natural was actually better for me. I always had this feeling that my body didn't like the lupron, so I was really glad to try a natural cycle.

And congratulations, Irena!

Kathryn.

Thanks! You're soooo close to being a mom!

[kblythe]

Anne,

I was trying to do another cycle in the same calendar year so I could write off the expenses on my taxes, so my RE let me go with the 2nd FET on the cycle immediately following the failed FET. Also, I used acupuncture on the day of transfer. There has been a study done that has shown a statistically significant increase in success for patients using acupuncture both before and after an FET on the day of transfer. You may want to google that.

Keep us posted!

Kathryn.

[nething4mybaby]

Thank goodness for this post! I just had a failed FET cycle, and my RE suggested natural FET next time. I really didn't know anything about it. Good luck, hopefully I will be joining you soon.

[Anne]

I'm sorry about your failed FET cycle. Not easy. I just got the call an hour ago that mine was a also. I feel sad this time b/c I thought we had a great shot -- a great looking blast and acupuncture for months ahead and on the day before/after FET, excellent diet, no vices whatsoever for a looooong time.

On days like this I feel back to square one emotionally where I can't believe how easy this is for some people and I resent it. It's SUCH a counterproductive and toxic way to be (it'll pass in a few hours I hope!!) and 99% percent of the time I feel immensely grateful for everything I have and don't dwelll on negativity or view myself as a victim. But in the high-pressure world of infertility, those dreaded words, "It's negative" smash all hope for me temporarily and bring out a very bad side. I just had to vent.

Ug!!!! Onto brighter things!!!

I'll leave well enough alone today. Tomorrow I think I'll call my RN and tell her that we are interewsted in learning more about the natural FET cycles.

Thanks for reading and listening.