Q for those with Frozen Embies

[MrsReady2bMama]

Hi all,

This is sort of an odd one I'm currently grappling with. I will preface this by saying it is like an embarrassment of riches as far as infertility is concerned, so please forgive me if it comes off as "woe is me, I have so many options"!

We have a lovely DD conceived via IVF and born in Oct of '07. We were fortunate enough to have 5 blastocysts frozen for future use from that procedure. We have been planning to undergo FET this summer.

Since we are never careful, we ended up getting very surprisingly preggers naturally in February. I subsequently miscarried at 6 weeks. Nevertheless, it was exciting that for the first time ever my body conceived!

We are now back on plan to use the frozen babies this summer. In the meantime, we are actively TTA by charting, etc. I'm a little bit torn -- I mean, now that it seems I *could* potentially do this on my own, wouldn't it be nice to do it naturally and avoid the hormones, etc.? On the other hand, I'm not sure what the heck I'd do with those frozen embies, and I'm paying over $600/year to keep them stored, so shouldn't I use them?

WWYD? What are you planning to do with any unused embies when all is said and done?

TIA, and fertility wishes to all you beautiful mamas and mamas-to-be,
Gina

[crazyrunningmama]

I can understand how happy you are knowing that your body can get pg without ART. If it were me, I'd still use the frozen embryos because I wouldn't want to wait and see if another miracle occurred (that's my age talking though). It may be that your body will be better able to support a pregnancy better than you thought and you might talk to your RE about using fewer meds (there is such a thing as a med-free FET). That might be a good compromise for you. Not sure what I would do with leftover embryos, still debating that one (if it ever becomes relevant). Good luck to you!!!

[nummies]

totally agree with crm.

[MrsReady2bMama]

Thanks so much for your replies! I really do want to use the frozen embies too, so it is nice to hear that you all are of similar mind

We hope to start our journey sometime this summer so I'll be joining that FET thread at some point!

Luck and love,
Gina

[BellyBean]

I am probably speaking WAY too prematurely, but we plan on a FET about 1 - 2 years after baby #1 is born, and then one more FET after that. However, I don't plan on going back on BCP to avoid any miracles. If somehow we get pregnant naturally it would still be much cheaper than using the frozen embies, and we would have to pay for the storage anyway.

As it stands, we have more snowbabies than we could ever use. The releases we signed give instructions if we die, divorce, or 10 years passes, but I am not 100% sure of my choices (only a couple days to think about it). I am sure we can change our minds and sign more releases. It's a very hard decision, especially now when I know there will be embies left over.

[Barefoot Farmer]

We had 5 frozen embies after a successful IVF that unfortunately ended in m/c. Repeated pregnancy loss is our situation, while we can conceive on our own (although it takes FOREVER), we just can't get them to stick. We did a FET after the IVF m/c, 2 transferred, 2 didn't make it through the thawing stage, 1 still frozen, BFN with the transferred embies. I know $600 is a lot, but you don't know how your body will respond; I would keep storing them or look into a low medicated FET.

[MrsReady2bMama]

Thanks again for the replies!

Barefoot Farmer, I just wanted to offer you a . It sounds like you've been through more than your share of infertility nightmares. To me I always thought it should be either "hard got" or "hard kept", never both. So sorry to hear of your m/c, it must have been devastating. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and hoping for that last frozen embie to be a success story for you!! It only takes one, right? Best of luck.

Take care women,
Gina

[lushlife]

I would try to use the embies, you created them for a purpose, you should try to use them. You can do natural FET cycles, so that is almost like TTC naturally if that helps any.
If not, there are embryo donation programs in which you donate your unused embies for an infertile couple or a person who wants them. They will pay for the shipment and any testing you need to do in order to be in the program. You can do annon or open donation. PM me if you would like more info.
Good luck in your quest to complete your family