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My wife and I know this journey intimately. Between us, we went through 9 failed IUI cycles, then moved to IVF. Our first two frozen embryo transfers failed — those were using embryos created with her eggs. After those heartbreaking failures, we switched strategies and used my eggs instead. That third transfer, using my embryo transferred to my wife, gave us our beautiful daughter – who is now 8 years old. The path to FET is rarely straightforward, and it’s often filled with more setbacks and emotional complexity than anyone prepares you for.

This guide covers everything you need to know about FET procedures, timelines, success rates, and — most importantly — what it actually feels like to go through one. It’s written from the perspective of someone who has navigated this process multiple times, including both failed and successful transfers.

Because the emotional reality of FET is just as important as the medical facts — and most resources skip that part entirely.

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What is a frozen embryo transfer?

A frozen embryo transfer is a procedure where embryos that were previously frozen (cryopreserved) are thawed and transferred into your uterus. The embryos might be your own from a previous IVF cycle, your partner’s embryos, or donated embryos from another family.

Unlike a fresh embryo transfer — where embryos are transferred just days after being created — FET allows time for your body to recover from egg retrieval, for embryos to be genetically tested if desired, and for your uterine lining to be optimally prepared.

Most fertility clinics now prefer FET over fresh transfers because success rates are often higher when the uterus hasn’t been overstimulated by the hormone medications used during egg retrieval. [Source: American Society for Reproductive Medicine practice guidelines on frozen embryo transfer]

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FET vs fresh embryo transfer

Fresh Transfer	Frozen Embryo Transfer
Embryos transferred 3-5 days after egg retrieval	Embryos transferred weeks or months after retrieval
Your body is still recovering from retrieval procedure	Allows your body to fully recover
Hormone levels may not be optimal for implantation	Hormone levels can be precisely controlled
Less time for genetic testing	Time for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
	Generally higher success rates

The vast majority of embryo transfers today are frozen transfers for these reasons.

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Frozen embryo transfer timeline

Your frozen embryo transfer follows a carefully timed protocol designed to prepare your uterine lining and synchronize it with the embryo’s development stage. Here’s what a typical cycle looks like:

Weeks 1-2: Preparation phase

• Begin birth control pills or other medications to regulate your cycle
• Baseline ultrasound and bloodwork to confirm you’re ready to start
• Start estrogen supplementation (pills, patches, or injections) to thicken your uterine lining

I remember being surprised by how many monitoring appointments there were during this phase — it felt like I was at the clinic every few days getting blood drawn or having ultrasounds.

Week 3: Monitoring

• Ultrasounds every few days to measure lining thickness
• Blood tests to check estrogen levels
• Lining needs to reach 7-8mm minimum thickness before proceeding

Week 4: Progesterone and transfer

• Begin progesterone supplementation (pills, suppositories, or injections)
• Progesterone start date is precisely timed based on when embryos were frozen
• Transfer typically occurs 5-6 days after progesterone begins
• The actual transfer procedure takes 10-15 minutes

Weeks 5-6: The wait

• Continue all medications exactly as prescribed
• First pregnancy test 9-12 days after transfer
• If positive, medications continue for several more weeks

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Frozen embryo transfer success rates

Understanding frozen embryo transfer success rates helps set realistic expectations for your cycle. Success rates vary significantly based on several factors, but here are general statistics from SART (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology):

By age (using own eggs):

• Under 35: 40-50% live birth rate per transfer
• 35-37: 35-40% live birth rate per transfer
• 38-40: 25-35% live birth rate per transfer
• Over 40: 15-25% live birth rate per transfer

Using donor embryos or genetically tested embryos:

• Success rates are generally higher because embryo quality is known
• Live birth rates often 50-60% or higher per transfer

Factors that improve success:

• Genetically normal (euploid) embryos
• Optimal uterine lining thickness (8mm or more)
• No underlying uterine abnormalities
• Proper medication compliance
• Embryos that survived the thaw process well

[Sources: SART National Summary Report, American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines]

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What frozen embryo transfer feels like

The actual transfer procedure is relatively quick and usually not painful — similar to a pap smear. Here’s what to expect:

Day of transfer:

• Arrive with a moderately full bladder (helps with ultrasound visualization) — but don’t worry if your bladder isn’t full. Most clinics will help you out here. I remember getting something to drink on transfer day from a really kind nurse who could see how nervous I was.
• Change into a gown and lie on an exam table
• The embryologist confirms embryo survival after thawing (over 95% of vitrified embryos survive the thawing process [Source: ASRM Practice Committee guidelines on cryopreservation])
• Speculum is inserted and cervix is cleaned
• A thin catheter containing the embryo is inserted through the cervix
• Embryo is released into the uterus under ultrasound guidance
• Brief rest period (5-10 minutes) then you can go home

What you might feel:

• Mild cramping during catheter insertion
• Some pressure or fullness
• Relief that the transfer went smoothly
• Anticipation and nervousness about the outcome

Most people return to normal activities the same day, though many choose to take it easy for 24-48 hours.

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Frozen embryo transfer medications

A frozen embryo transfer requires precise hormone supplementation to mimic a typical menstrual cycle and prepare your body for pregnancy. Common medications include:

Estrogen:

• Pills (Estrace), patches (Vivelle), or injections
• Builds up the uterine lining
• Started early in the cycle, continued through early pregnancy if successful

Progesterone:

• Pills, suppositories, or intramuscular injections (progesterone in oil)
• Supports implantation and early pregnancy
• Timing is critical — usually starts 5-6 days before transfer

A note about progesterone shots: Almost everyone I know who has done FET has had to give themselves progesterone-in-oil injections. These can feel intimidating at first — the thought of giving yourself a daily injection can be anxiety-provoking. If you’re facing this, know that you’re not alone and most people find it gets easier after the first few days. The shots themselves are manageable, and many clinics provide detailed instructions. Some people have their partner or a friend help with the injections, which can provide both practical and emotional support during this process. I found that warming up the injection by holding it in my hands or slipping it into my bra for a few minutes helped — the oil is less viscous when it’s warmer. Also, the plastic shot distractor things actually do help. I used them the entire time!

Other possible medications:

• Birth control pills to regulate timing
• Antibiotics to prevent infection
• Baby aspirin to improve blood flow
• Prednisone or other immune-suppressing medications in some cases

The medication protocol varies by clinic and individual situation. Follow your clinic’s instructions exactly — timing and dosage are crucial for success.

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What nobody tells you about the emotional side

The medical information is straightforward. The emotional reality is more complex.

Frozen embryo transfer often comes after months or years of fertility treatment. By the time you reach transfer, you may have been through multiple failed cycles, pregnancy losses, or other setbacks.

After our second failed transfer, I felt like I was carrying the weight of every failed attempt before this one. The stakes feel enormous because this embryo — this specific embryo — might be your only chance or one of very few remaining.

The two-week wait between transfer and pregnancy test is genuinely difficult. You’re simultaneously hopeful and terrified. You analyze every sensation, wondering if it might be an early pregnancy symptom or just the effects of progesterone medication.

If you’ve had previous failed transfers, approaching another FET can bring up grief, anxiety, and complex feelings about hope. It’s normal to feel cautious about getting too optimistic. It’s also normal to feel desperate for it to work.

Some practical realities that help:

• Most of the “symptoms” you might feel during the two-week wait are from progesterone medication, not pregnancy
• You can give yourself grace for everything you feel during this process — the hope, the anxiety, the despair. It’s all normal, and you’re not alone. So many people have felt exactly what you’re feeling.
• Failed transfers don’t necessarily mean anything is wrong; sometimes good embryos just don’t implant
• Having support during this process — from your partner, friends, family, or online communities — makes a genuine difference

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When things don’t go as planned

Not every aspect of FET goes smoothly, and it’s worth knowing about potential complications:

Lining that won’t thicken: Some people need higher estrogen doses, longer preparation time, or additional medications to reach optimal lining thickness.

Embryos that don’t survive thaw: Over 95% of vitrified embryos survive the thawing process, but occasionally embryos are damaged during freezing or thawing.

Difficult transfer: Most transfers are straightforward, but sometimes the catheter has trouble passing through the cervix, requiring additional attempts or different techniques.

Medical complications: If you have conditions like GERD, heart problems, or other health issues, anesthesia for egg retrieval or sedation for procedures may require special planning. Always discuss your full medical history with your clinic’s anesthesiologist well before any procedure. I learned this the hard way when my GERD made general anesthesia too risky, and I ended up awake during my egg retrieval — definitely not what I’d planned for or expected just minutes before the procedure.

Failed transfers: This is heartbreaking when it happens, but it’s unfortunately common. A failed FET doesn’t necessarily indicate problems with your uterus, remaining embryos, or chances of future success.

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Questions to ask your fertility clinic

Before starting your FET cycle:

• How many FET cycles do you perform annually, and what are your success rates by age?
• What medication protocol will you use for me specifically, and why?
• How will you monitor my lining development and hormone levels?
• What happens if my lining doesn’t develop optimally?
• How many embryos will you transfer, and what factors influence that decision?
• What should I expect during the transfer procedure itself?
• When will I take a pregnancy test, and what follow-up will you provide?
• If this transfer fails, what would you recommend differently for a future attempt?

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After transfer: the two-week wait

The period between transfer and your pregnancy test is often the most emotionally challenging part of the entire process. Here’s what helps:

Practical tips:

• Continue all medications exactly as prescribed — don’t stop early even if you get a negative home pregnancy test
• Avoid Dr. Google; symptom spotting during the two-week wait rarely provides useful information

Managing the anxiety of the wait: Have a game plan ready. If distraction works for you, try gentle activities like reading, crafting, binge-watching shows, cooking, or short walks.

If reflection and introspection work better for you, set up times with your friends, your pastor, your mom — the ones who get you — to chat through what you’re feeling.

Decide in advance whether you want to take home pregnancy tests or wait for the clinic’s blood test

Managing expectations:

• Most early pregnancy symptoms (fatigue, breast tenderness, nausea) can also be caused by progesterone medication
• Implantation bleeding is relatively uncommon and not a reliable sign either way
• A negative test doesn’t mean you’re not pregnant until you’re past the day your clinic recommends testing

If your test is positive:

• Your clinic will monitor you closely with additional blood tests and ultrasounds
• Medication typically continues until 8-12 weeks of pregnancy
• It’s okay to be cautiously optimistic. Many people don’t fully believe it worked until they hear a heartbeat

If your test is negative:

• This is deeply disappointing after everything you’ve been through to get to transfer
• Consider taking time to process before making decisions about next steps
• A single failed transfer doesn’t predict future outcomes — many people succeed on subsequent attempts

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Looking ahead

Frozen embryo transfer is often the culmination of a long journey, but it’s important to remember that one cycle — successful or not — is just one step. Many families require multiple transfers to achieve pregnancy. Others find success on their first attempt after months of preparation.

What matters most is being informed, having realistic expectations, and being supported throughout the process. FET success depends on many factors, but the two most important are embryo quality and a receptive uterine environment — both of which your medical team works hard to optimize.

For more information about the broader context of fertility treatments, see our guides on [IVF process timeline] and [embryo donation and adoption options].

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This guide was written by someone who has navigated multiple FET cycles, including both successful and unsuccessful transfers. All Paths to Parenthood provides honest, experience-based information for every family building their future in unconventional ways.