Frozen embryo transfer timeline: what to expect week by week

2 June 2026

Dr Raj Jaspal

A frozen embryo transfer (FET) is a cycle in which a previously frozen embryo, typically created during an earlier IVF or egg collection cycle, is thawed and transferred to the uterus.

Advances in vitrification (rapid-freeze technology) mean that frozen embryo survival rates are now excellent, and FET success rates at experienced clinics are comparable to, and in many cases better than, fresh transfer cycles. This is because the FET cycle allows the body to fully recover from ovarian stimulation and enables the uterus to be prepared under optimal conditions.

Below, I have outlined a typical frozen embryo transfer timeline, along with what to expect at each stage. 

It’s worth noting upfront that no two cycles are identical; your protocol will be tailored to your individual history, cycle regularity, and medical needs, but this will give you a solid framework

Before the cycle begins: consultation and planning

Your FET cycle formally begins with a consultation with your fertility consultant. This is where your previous treatment history is reviewed, decisions are made about the protocol that best suits you (natural cycle versus medicated cycle), and the timing of your treatment is planned around your circumstances.

At this stage, your consultant may recommend additional investigations before proceeding, for example, a uterine assessment or a test of your progesterone rise if you have had previous transfer failures. These tests are not routine for everyone, but they reflect a genuinely personalised approach to maximising your chances of success.

If your embryos are stored at another clinic, arrangements will also be made at this stage for transportation to The Evewell. This process is straightforward and something our team manages regularly.

Day 1 of your period: the cycle begins

You’ll be asked to call the clinic on Day 1 of your period, the first day of full flow. This is the starting point of your treatment cycle. Our nursing team will book you in for a baseline scan, usually scheduled for around Day 8 to 10 of your cycle. This scan assesses your uterine lining and checks that your ovaries are quiet and ready to begin the protocol.

For many patients, this initial contact is a moment of significant emotional weight. The cycle that was perhaps planned for months is now formally underway. We’re always here to answer questions at this stage, and would encourage you to reach out if anything feels unclear or if anxiety is high.

Week 1 to 2: monitoring and medication

The approach to preparing your uterus for transfer depends on which protocol you’re following:

In a natural cycle FET, your consultant will use the timing of your natural ovulation to determine when the uterine lining is most receptive. 

This involves ultrasound scans every two to three days to monitor the thickness of the uterine lining and ovarian follicle development, along with urine or blood tests to detect the LH surge that signals ovulation. 

No stimulation medication is required, which many patients find preferable. Natural cycles are generally suitable for women with regular, predictable menstrual cycles.

In a medicated (hormone-primed) FET cycle, oestrogen medication, typically in the form of tablets or patches, is started after your baseline scan to build and thicken the uterine lining. 

You’ll attend the clinic every two to three days for monitoring scans and, in some cases, blood tests to check hormone levels. 

Your consultant will assess when your lining has reached the appropriate thickness (generally eight millimetres or more) before progesterone is added to the protocol. 

Medicated cycles offer more precise timing and are often used when cycles are irregular or when the clinic wants greater control over the protocol.

The progesterone start: preparing for transfer

Once your lining is ready, you’ll be told when to begin progesterone medication. Progesterone transforms the endometrium from a proliferative state to a receptive one, essentially creating the optimal environment for implantation. This is a critical moment in the cycle, and the timing must be precise.

Your transfer date will be calculated from the day you begin progesterone. For a blastocyst transfer (the most common, as embryos are typically cultured to day five before freezing), the transfer usually takes place five days after progesterone is started. 

In some clinics, the protocol varies slightly, but the principle remains the same: the transfer is timed to coincide with the window of maximum endometrial receptivity.

At The Evewell, we do not use a one-size-fits-all approach. Your hormone levels and scan findings are assessed at each monitoring visit, and your consultant may adjust your medication or the timing of your treatments based on their findings. 

This individualised monitoring is one way our approach differs from a more standardised protocol.

What to expect on your frozen embryo transfer day

Transfer day is typically a relatively short appointment. You’ll be asked to arrive with a comfortably full bladder, which helps to straighten the uterus and improves ultrasound visualisation during the procedure. 

Your embryo will be thawed in the laboratory on the morning of transfer, and your embryologist will check its development and confirm it is suitable for transfer before you go through.

The transfer itself usually takes around 15-20 minutes from start to finish, though much of that time is preparation. 

The actual procedure, passing a thin, soft catheter through the cervix and depositing the embryo under ultrasound guidance, takes only a minute or two. It’s not painful for most patients, though some experience mild cramping similar to period pain. No anaesthetic is required.

You will be given a few minutes to rest afterwards before going home. There is no medical requirement for bed rest following a transfer. You can travel home by car, public transport, or on foot, whatever you prefer.

The two-week wait: days 1 to 9 post-transfer

After transfer, the embryo needs to implant and establish a connection with the uterine blood supply. For a blastocyst, implantation typically occurs between one and five days post-transfer. The hormone hCG begins to be produced by the early embryo after implantation, and levels gradually rise over the following days.

You will continue your progesterone medication throughout this period. Regular movement and normal daily activities are fine. High-intensity exercise, alcohol, and smoking should be avoided. 

Monitoring your symptoms is natural, but as I tell all my patients, symptoms at this stage are largely impossible to interpret reliably. Progesterone causes many of the same sensations as early pregnancy, including bloating, breast tenderness, and fatigue.

Please do not test at home before your clinic-designated test date. Early testing is unreliable and can cause significant and unnecessary distress.

The pregnancy test: around day 9 to 12 post-transfer

Your clinic will advise you when to do your official pregnancy test; this is usually a blood test (measuring serum hCG) rather than a urine test, as blood tests are more sensitive and precise. At The Evewell, we aim to give you a clear result at this stage and to support you fully, whatever that result is.

A positive result will typically be followed by a repeat hCG test a few days later to confirm that levels are rising appropriately, and then by an early scan at around six to seven weeks of gestation to confirm the location and viability of the pregnancy. Your clinic will guide you through each of these steps.

A negative result is devastating, and I want to acknowledge that plainly. There are no words that make it easier. What I can tell you is that one cycle does not define the entire journey, and that a detailed review with your consultant, looking at everything from the embryo quality to the protocol and the lining, can help shape the plan for what comes next.

The full FET timeline at a glance

While every cycle is different, a typical medicated FET timeline from Day 1 of your period to your pregnancy test spans approximately five to six weeks:

•       Days 1 to 10: period starts, baseline scan booked, oestrogen medication begins

•       Days 10 to 18: monitoring scans and hormone checks, lining assessed

•       Day 18 to 20 (approximately): progesterone begins

•       Day 23 to 25 (approximately): embryo transfer

•       9 to 12 days later: pregnancy test

Natural cycle timelines are broadly similar but follow the rhythm of your own hormones rather than medication, so the exact schedule varies more between individuals.

A final word on the frozen embryo transfer process

A frozen embryo transfer cycle is, for many people, a moment of profound significance. You have embryos waiting, potential pregnancies in suspended animation, and this cycle represents the next chapter of that possibility. The process is carefully designed and medically well-supported, and the outcomes at experienced clinics with personalised monitoring protocols are genuinely encouraging.