Fresh and Frozen Embryo Transfer: What to Know

A fresh transfer usually follows egg collection and fertilisation in the same treatment cycle. A frozen transfer uses an embryo preserved from an earlier cycle. The uterus may be prepared with medication or monitored around ovulation, depending on your cycle and clinic plan.

During either procedure, a clinician guides a thin catheter through the cervix and releases the embryo into the uterus. The transfer itself is brief, but the surrounding plan includes hormone support, appointments, and a scheduled pregnancy test. Micronised progesterone may be part of that support.

Take prescribed medicines at the instructed times and keep every monitoring appointment. Follow your clinic's guidance about food, activity, and travel on the day. After transfer, ordinary gentle activity is often possible, but your own team should guide exercise and work decisions.

Mild cramping, pelvic heaviness, or light spotting can occur. Do not stop hormone treatment because of these symptoms unless your fertility team tells you to. Record bleeding, pain, and medication questions so they can be discussed clearly.

Contact your fertility clinic promptly for heavy bleeding, worsening or severe pelvic pain, fever, faintness, breathing difficulty, or marked abdominal swelling. Seek urgent medical help for severe pain with dizziness or collapse. These symptoms need assessment rather than waiting for the planned pregnancy test.

Ask why a fresh or frozen approach is recommended for you, how the uterine lining will be prepared, which medicines to continue, and what symptoms should trigger a same-day call. You can also ask when testing is planned and how the result will be communicated.