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Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

A frozen embryo transfer can be a meaningful next step if you’re hoping to grow your family.

At Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, we’re proud to support you through every stage of the FET process with personalised care, expert guidance and outstanding clinical outcomes. Whether you’re preparing for your first embryo transfer or returning after a previous cycle, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.

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    Page Guide

    We understand that fertility treatment can be a complex and emotional journey. Our team is dedicated to providing you with all the information and support you need throughout the process.

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    Frozen embryo transfer: how does it work?

    We strongly recommend that good quality embryos surplus to the requirements of a fresh IVF cycle are frozen and stored for your future use. This laboratory technique is highly successful both in post-thaw survival and pregnancy outcome. As embryos are stored at minus 197°C they can – in theory – be preserved forever. However, in the UK storage is limited by regulation to 55 years.

    Thawed embryos can be replaced in a natural menstrual cycle or in a hormone replacement cycle (HRT).

    The HRT treatment involves damping down your own hormones and substituting them for the necessary hormones to create the best environment in your uterus for the embryo(s). We’ll monitor your progress to assess the right time for the transfer, maximising your chances of achieving a pregnancy.

    Step 1 – preparing your womb lining

    Your treatment starts with either a natural or medicated cycle to help prepare the lining of your womb. 

    In a medicated cycle, hormone medicine is used to regulate your cycle and help your womb lining develop. This creates the right environment for the embryo to implant and grow.

    In a natural cycle, no medication is used. Instead, we monitor your cycle to find the ideal time for transfer.

    Step 2 – monitoring and timing
    Step 3 – thawing the embryo
    Step 4 – embryo transfer
    Step 5 – taking a pregnancy test
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    Is FET right for me?

    Frozen embryo transfer is often recommended when you have embryos stored from a previous IVF or ICSI cycle

    FET gives you time to pause and prepare emotionally or physically. It can mean another chance at pregnancy without repeating the whole IVF process.

    At Bourn Hall, we’ll help you explore whether FET is right for you, considering your preferences, health and future plans. Whatever your journey looks like, we’re here to offer expert care and compassion.

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    What next?

    Why choose us for your FET?

    At Bourn Hall, we combine expert fertility care with a personalised approach to help you feel confident at every stage of your frozen embryo transfer.

    When you choose us, you’ll gain access to:

    • Specialist care from leading consultants and embryologists
    • Tailored treatment plans
    • Excellent FET success rates
    • Choice of clinics close to home
    • Consistent support throughout your journey

    Choosing Bourn Hall for your FET means trusting a team with decades of experience in fertility treatments and helping families grow. 

    Book your FET today

    Ready to take the next step in your fertility journey? Whether you’re planning your first frozen embryo transfer or returning for further treatment, our team is here to support you with expert care and personalised guidance.

    Contact us to book your consultation and begin your FET journey.

    Flexible Pricing Options

    To help make your treatment affordable and achievable, we offer fixed price treatment package options and a variety of finance solutions for patients looking to spread all or part of the cost of their treatment.

    Explore our prices

    Discover our prices and finance options, making treatments more accessible for you.

    Book a 15 minute Discovery call

    Schedule a Discovery call to find out which tests and treatments are right for you.

    Fertility funding partners we work with:

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    We're incredibly proud of our success rates

    At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 73%* chance of falling pregnant within one year.

    *Data from 2021

    If you are under 35, you have a 73% chance of falling pregnant within one year.

    If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 63% chance of getting pregnant within one year.

    If you are a female aged over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 25% chance of getting pregnant within one year.

    We're incredibly proud of our success rates

    At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 73%* chance of falling pregnant within one year.

    *Data from 2021

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    Younger than 35

    If you are under 35, you have a 73% chance of falling pregnant within one year.

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    35 to 39 years old

    If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 63% (50% for 38-39 year olds) chance of getting pregnant (pregnancy seen on scan) within one year.

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    40+ years old

    If you are a female aged over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 25% chance of getting pregnant within one year.

    We provide world-class support throughout the fertility journey.

    As one of the UK’s top fertility treatment centres, our values ensure we put our patients first.

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    Passion

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    Adaptability

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    Commitment

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    Teamwork and Collaboration

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    Our excellence in fertility treatment

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    1978

    The world's first IVF baby

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    1980

    Year founded by IVF pioneers

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    25000

    Babies born through Bourn Hall

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    Clinics around the UK

    Patient reviews you can trust

    Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.

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    “We went to an open evening at Bourn Hall Wickford and came away feeling really positive about the place. The staff were really friendly and the presentation was clear about the statistics regarding success rates and live birth rates; their data was very transparent. We came away feeling like we would really be looked after.”

    Katy and Leigh are parents to Charlie after IVF

    Patient 2023

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    “We chose to make an appointment at Bourn Hall Wickford because of the favourable reviews. When we got there and met the staff they were just so lovely, making us feel welcome and explaining to us what tests would need to be done and what our options were; we just thought ‘yes, let’s get the ball rolling!”

    Jess and Fran are mums to Nathan after IVF with donor sperm

    Patient 2023

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    Your Stories

    Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and we are always inspired by the success stories they have to share. Hear directly from our previous patients as they share their unique journeys to parenthood.

    From Challenges to Joy

    Every fertility journey is different, and for Kim and her husband, the path to parenthood brought both…

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    Sophie’s Journey to Motherhood: Becoming a Solo Mum with Donor Treatment

    At Bourn Hall, we’re privileged to support people on every path to parenthood. Today, we’re sharing Sophie’s…

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    Everything Happens for a Reason: Laura and Kevin’s Journey

    Sometimes, life takes an unexpected turn that changes everything. When Laura discovered a lump and was diagnosed…

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    Our Fertility Events

    Join our experts at a range of events including support groups, webinars and open evenings. 

    Learn more about the options available to you, from fertility tests to treatments, and find answers to any questions you might have.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Your questions answered. Find clarity on every step of your fertility journey.

    How long will you keep my embryos frozen for?
    How many embryos will be thawed for my FET?
    Will I be using Buserelin during my frozen embryo transfer?