What to Expect at Your Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

Many women eagerly await the Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) as it is one of the most significant milestones in the surrogacy journey! The day of a surrogate’s embryo transfer is a much-anticipated event that has likely taken months if not years for the surro mom and intended parent(s) to prepare for. By the time the day of the FET arrives, a surrogate has passed an extensive psychological and IVF medical screening, has signed the legally binding surrogacy contract, and has started her IVF calendar. Conversely, the precious embryo (or embryos) have been prepared and perfected by the IVF clinic using the IPs' sperm and eggs – or that of a donor(s).

All this TLC, of course, culminates in this procedure where the IVF doctor uses a small catheter to insert the Intended Parent(s) embryo(s) into the uterus. The FET is a relatively quick and painless procedure that most women compare to getting a PAP smear in terms of discomfort. And a woman should expect to be in-and-out of her IVF transfer appointment within 1 to 2 hours. Post-transfer, most IVF doctors require 1-5 days of bed rest immediately after the transfer procedure, which is a well-deserved respite for hard-working surrogate moms. A few weeks following the transfer, the surrogate and her IPs will find out if the embryo “stuck” and if they are pregnant!