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Fertility journal · reviewed by a doctor
Frozen Embryo Transfer Steps: The Cycle Explained
At Jananam Fertility Centre, Chennai, a frozen embryo transfer is usually done around day 18 to 22 of your cycle. You come on day 2 of your period for a scan, take oestrogen tablets for about 10 days, have a lining scan and progesterone check, then start progesterone. A blastocyst is transferred on the 6th day of progesterone.
Key takeaways
- A frozen embryo transfer is usually done around day 18 to 22 of the cycle, but your lining and progesterone set the exact day.
- Most frozen transfers at Jananam use oestrogen tablets from day 2 of the period, then progesterone; the other method uses letrozole and your own ovulation.
- A blood test before progesterone checks you have not ovulated early; if you have, the cycle is stopped and your embryo stays safely frozen.
- A blastocyst goes in on the 6th day of progesterone, and the pregnancy blood test is 12 days later.
On which day of the cycle is a frozen embryo transfer done?
Usually around day 18 to 22, counting day 1 as the first day of your period. In the hormone replacement method, you start on day 2, the lining is scanned about 10 days later, and a blastocyst goes in on the 6th day of progesterone. In the letrozole ovulation method, it is around day 19 to 21 in a regular 28-day cycle. If your lining needs longer, the transfer moves later; the calendar never decides it on its own.
What if my lining stays thin?
We give it more time on oestrogen, check again, and move the transfer if needed. Your embryo stays safely frozen while we wait. If the lining stays thin across cycles, we look for a reason, such as scarring inside the womb, before trying again.
What happens to the embryo on transfer day?
The embryo is thawed in our lab that morning and checked before it is loaded into the catheter. Most vitrified embryos survive thawing well. If an embryo does not survive, we tell you before the transfer and talk about the next step. [CONFIRM: Jananam practice]
Why are most transfers at Jananam frozen?
Dr Vani's position is plain: "More than 90% of our embryo transfers are frozen." Freezing lets the lining settle after stimulation, protects women at risk of over-response (OHSS), and is needed when embryos are tested. It also means one egg collection can give more than one transfer.
What should I do after a frozen embryo transfer?
Rest for 15 to 20 minutes, then go about your day. Keep taking progesterone exactly as prescribed until we tell you to stop. Work, stairs and travel are fine.
When to call us
- Your period has started and you want to book your day 2 scan.
- Day 2 falls on a Sunday and you are not sure when to come.
- You missed an oestrogen or progesterone dose.
- You have bleeding before your test date while taking progesterone. Do not stop it; call first.
- Severe tummy pain, heavy bleeding with dizziness, or breathlessness: call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department, then call us on +91 89399 94244.
Questions couples ask
Still unsure? Ask us on WhatsApp — a real person replies.
How is the uterine lining prepared for a frozen embryo transfer?
Two methods are used. The hormone replacement method is the more common: estrogen tablets from day 2 of the period prevent natural ovulation and thicken the lining. The alternative is a letrozole and ovulation method, which works with your own cycle.
How thick does the endometrium need to be?
A scan about ten days after starting estrogen checks thickness, and generally more than 8 mm is looked for before proceeding. Thickness is not the only factor, as pattern and blood flow matter too, but it is the main measure used at this stage.
Why is a progesterone blood test done before transfer?
To confirm progesterone is still low, usually under 1 ng/ml. Occasionally a woman ovulates despite the medication, which raises progesterone and can mean the cycle is cancelled rather than transferring an embryo at the wrong point in the cycle.
When is the embryo actually transferred?
After progesterone is started, given by injection or vaginal gel. The exact timing depends on the stage at which the embryo was frozen, since day 3 embryos and blastocysts are transferred after different numbers of days of progesterone.
Is a frozen transfer as good as a fresh one?
Frozen transfer is standard practice and lets the lining be prepared without the hormonal effects of a stimulation cycle. It also allows surplus embryos from one egg collection to be used later, which is why cumulative outcomes are the more meaningful measure.
How Many IVF Cycles Does It Take to Get Pregnant?
There is no fixed number of IVF cycles.
Unexplained Infertility: Is IVF the Only Option?
No. When every test is normal but pregnancy has not happened, the diagnosis is unexplained infertility, and IVF is one option among several.
Fertility Hospital in Chennai: How to Check Any Clinic
We won't rank fertility hospitals in Chennai, including ourselves.
Embryos waiting? Let's plan the transfer.
Message us when your period starts, or before, and we will book the day 2 scan. A real person from our team replies on WhatsApp during clinic hours (Mon to Sat, 9am to 5pm. Sunday closed.).
Sex selection is prohibited in India under the PCPNDT Act, 1994 and the ART Act, 2021.