Treatment guide
Frozen embryo transfer (FET)
A previously frozen embryo is thawed and transferred in a later, medication-light cycle.
Written and reviewed by the MyBabyBridge editorial team · Last reviewed · 3 sources · General information, not medical advice. Our editorial standards
What it is
Most IVF cycles now separate the retrieval from the transfer. Embryos are frozen after culture and transferred in a later cycle, once the stimulation hormones have cleared and the uterine lining can be prepared deliberately. It is a much lighter cycle than a retrieval: no stimulation injections, no sedation, no procedure beyond the transfer itself.
Who it is usually for
Used when embryos were frozen from an earlier retrieval, when genetic testing results are pending, when there is a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, when the lining is not ready in the fresh cycle, or simply as a clinic's standard approach.
Unfamiliar term? See the fertility glossary.
What happens, step by step
- Step 1
Lining preparation
Either a natural cycle tracked by ultrasound, or a medicated cycle using estrogen and then progesterone to build and time the lining.
- Step 2
Timing
Transfer is scheduled by the number of days of progesterone exposure so the embryo and the lining are synchronized.
- Step 3
Thaw and transfer
The embryo is thawed on the day of transfer and placed through a catheter under ultrasound guidance. No anesthesia is usually required.
- Step 4
Luteal support
Progesterone support continues into early pregnancy, with a blood test roughly nine to twelve days later.
Time and cost
How long it takes
Usually three to six weeks from starting preparation to the pregnancy test.
What it typically costs
Considerably less than a full retrieval cycle, because there is no stimulation or retrieval, though medication, monitoring, thaw, and storage fees may be listed separately.
Prices vary widely by clinic and region. Get an itemised estimate in writing — see the IVF cost guide.
Risks and limits
- An embryo may not survive the thaw, although survival rates with vitrification are high
- Cancellation if the lining does not respond
- Side effects from estrogen and progesterone support
- The same pregnancy risks as any transfer
What to ask your clinic
- Will this be a natural or medicated cycle, and why that choice for me?
- What are your thaw survival rates?
- How many embryos will be transferred?
- Is the thaw fee, monitoring, and medication included in the quoted price?
Ask for the answers in writing, alongside itemised costs.
Sources
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) — Cleveland Clinic
- Practice Guidance and Committee Opinions — American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Assisted Reproductive Technology — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Thinking about Frozen embryo transfer (FET)?
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