Me again!!!

[cls37]

The questions are coming now..... did anyone change the skin and beauty products that they used? Use Liz Earle for my face but worried about shampoo, shower gel etc!!!! Thanks in advance xx

[Tugsgirl]

I didn't change anything like that. But I know some women on here who have. The way I see it, infertility, ttc and ivf take over your life and for me changing shampoo and shower gels (etc etc) was one step too far. But like I said, that's just my personal choice.. I'm sure there will be a lady on here who can advise you though 😊 X

[cls37 in reply to Tugsgirl]

Think my brain is going into overdrive now xxx

[Tugsgirl in reply to cls37]

I know it's hard but try not to become all consumed by this journey as it will make you completely miserable. X

[Sara_123]

Don't let your brain overdrive xx

I did not change anything so far. I think there is no relation between infertility and such things.. Though choice is yours

[Tugsgirl in reply to Sara_123]

I agree. You can drive yourself crazy obsessing xx

[Lilli79]

Hi there! I'm on ivf no 1, I was conscious that we were told not to change anything too drastically however I have tried to cut out chemicals etc as much as I can. To be honest I've found it more fun than controlling, as I've learnt how to make my own shampoo, detergent, cleaner etc and I have gone veggie too (which I've been meaning to do for ages anyway) & find veggie food so much nicer & keeps me (ahem!) regular!! I just use chemical free shampoo but the one I have is no longer available so am planning getting another one (I think it's called back to nature or something, you can get it on amazon & in health food stores). Don't go crazy on buying expensive stuff as ivf is expensive enough, but if you plan to change anything make sure you're not depriving yourself of the nice things. I will NEVER give up chocolate!! I feel much better for doing all of the above, and whatever happens I will probably stick with it going forward. Good luck, let me know if you need any recipes for homemade stuff xx

[Tugsgirl in reply to Lilli79]

I gave up chocolate because of the caffeine content and switched to caffeine free tea and coffee. Giving up chocolate was SO hard! I think that probably the odd bar wouldn't have hurt though so next time I won't be so strict on the no chocolate rule I imposed lol xx

[Lilli79 in reply to Tugsgirl]

Yeah I've just tried to cut down on chocolate cos I'm trying to get weight down but could never give it up completely. I've switched mostly to decaf, I don't really see the difference and I'm a terrible sleeper anyway so it's helped me loads. I think as with everything I don't get obsessive about things. If we go for coffee or something and they don't have decaf I just have regular, one every so often isn't going to hurt. Poor OH is missing the smoking though I think, there is a strict ban on that!

[Tugsgirl in reply to Lilli79]

I miss smoking too! I gave up while ttc. And yeah I think I read that one to two cups of normal tea and coffee a day are fine. We women beat ourselves up so much over everything x

[Aleelilook in reply to Tugsgirl]

Ah yes I remember the enjoyment of a cheeky fag!! Long gone are those days!! X

[Tugsgirl in reply to Aleelilook]

Hard when you're stressed! When we were told about the baby's heartbeat being gone I went and bought a packet of cigarettes and a bottle of wine xx

[Aleelilook in reply to Tugsgirl]

Oh god I don't blame you! I did have a good few glasses of wine, but managed to stay away from the fags, as I know I'm an all or nothing kind of girl, and I couldn't bare to give up again!! Xx

[cls37 in reply to Tugsgirl]

Have cut down on coffee- allow myself one cup of caffeine coffee a day and have cut out chocolate! Allow myself a square of 80% dark chocolate though!!!! Xx

[72cloud9 in reply to Lilli79]

I tried to make my own dishwasher tablets yesterday! Disaster! They all just melted in to a flat mess!!😩

[Lilli79 in reply to 72cloud9]

Oh dear! Yeah I've had some disasters too, but don't have a dishwasher so never tried this. Homemade shampoo does not work, I felt icky and greasy, and had to go back to shop bought stuff...laundry detergent & spray cleaner works well, washing up liquid kinda does

[72cloud9 in reply to Lilli79]

I shall keep persevering lol!! I figure if I cut chemicals just in a few areas it will be good for us no matter what xxx

[Aleelilook]

I gave up alcohol during treatment and cut down on caffeine and cut out refined sugar, but I drew the line at giving up my Chanel, that was a step too far! I would say just do what feels manageable and right for you, if you like your toiletries then I wouldn't stress too much, unless you're planing on eating them!! 😂 xxx

[Lilli79 in reply to Aleelilook]

I'm starting the meds this week with egg collection sometime around end of June. Do you think better to give up alcohol completely from now? I've cut down massively, had my first night out last week as designated driver! Ha ha, free taxi for all!! Wasn't sure if just stop completely or just a few glasses of wine a week is OK?

[Lilli79 in reply to Lilli79]

A few doctors have told me a glass of wine can help to relax. Not sure they should be giving that advice!!

[Aleelilook in reply to Lilli79]

My doctor said a glass of wine to relax is fine, but on my first round I had one glass and felt really drunk with the drugs! Second round I just stayed away from it completely. I cut down about a month before treatment, just having a couple when out with friends, and then nothing when I started injecting. Xxx

[cls37 in reply to Lilli79]

We will be on treatment at the same time- are you on short or long protocol? X

[Lilli79 in reply to cls37]

Was that question for me cls37 ? Yeah, I start meds on Thurs & EC sometime around 30th June. I'm not sure what long/short protocol means? x

[cls37 in reply to Lilli79]

Yes it was for you- sorry! I'm starting on Wednesday and on long protocol! X

[sipidania in reply to Lilli79]

We were told not to drink while doing the drugs. I would recommend not drinking anything if you can avoid it. Re shampoos / perfumes etc I think it's fine to use all your normal stuff EXCEPT when you go in for egg collection and egg transfer - for some reasons eggs and embryos are sensitive to perfume so our clinic advised against even wearing deodorant on the days we went in for those procedures. Best of luck!

[cls37 in reply to Aleelilook]

Thank you- made me smile xx

[emmab178]

I tried to cut out sulphate and paraben shampoos and conditioners. I use one from the body shop which made my hair feel like straw for a while but then I realised I now don't have to wash my hair everyday as it's not as greasy. I also swapped deodorant to another sulphate free and ditched make up, perfume and nail polish. Used cocoa butter moisturiser. Also went to sanex 0% body wash. You try all this and then you hit a public toilet and get stuck with whatever chemicals they decide to give you!

I've just seen an advertisement for bumble and bumble that is supposed to be without some chemical and you will never need conditioner again ??

I'm not sure why I cut all this stuff out. I think it was to feel in control. I also have skin reactions so cutting out things is nothing new for me. They thought I was allergic to eating sulphites so figured cutting out sulphates isn't a bad thing for me. Think people get the idea from the book 'it starts with an egg' but I haven't read it.

Clinic advised no caffeine or booze during treatment but they all seem to have different opinions.

Rip off Britain had a thing today warning that decaf doesn't necessary mean caffeine free and there are traces in decaf products that can add up if you drink lots.

[cls37 in reply to emmab178]

It's so hard as different people offer different advice then who do you believe! Am sticking with fruit teas if I can! Not the same as coffee but I'm trying xx

[Lilli79 in reply to cls37]

Rooibos is also caffeine free, as is lemon & ginger, and peppermint.

[72cloud9]

Hiya-I was trying to cut down all chemicals-it was too late for my own eggs but realised it would be good for my skin condition to! It can consume u tho so I would say don't sweat it and just do what u can if it makes u feel good xxx

[Nyko1]

I use all tropic skincare which are all natural products and really nice. You can only buy online or through reps as the orders are made fresh. They don't do shampoo yet though but I'm obsessed with everything else they do x