Alcohol before starting IVF?

[Veekay80]

Hey guys, just looking for some advice please.

It’s my birthday and my fiancés birthday this month. Next week is a surprise birthday I’ve organised for him and we’re going out for dinner and drinks with a large group, I’ve told people i'm not drinking but I’m feeling pressured to have a few. I’m wondering will it be ok fo me to have a few drinks (obvs not driving) as there’s a big group of us and I want to let my hair down.

I will start my 2nd round of IVF on day 1 of my period which might actually be that day or a few days after the night out, so I’ll be booking the scan and I guess stimming will start a few days after. So far I’ve been eating healthy and not drank for a month but hardly drink anyway, will one night off be ok? I don’t plan to do any more drinking after for my birthday or anything else. What do you think?

Thanks

xxx

[Blondyboo]

I would but thats just me. out of my 4 cycles i didnt drink leading up to them or during and got BFN's. The last 4th cycle I had a few G&T's in Cyprus during treatment (didnt get drunk though) and it worked! BFP!

i think as long as you dont drink heavily its fine. The NHS IVF talks we had they seem more bothered with smoking than drinking. But of course getting blotto every night is not a good idea I feel a few now and then doesn't muck up treatment.

[AmbK]

Alcohol is harmful when you're on any medicated procedure. I haven't had an IVF yet but as far as the copious amount of online digging is concerned... alcohol is a total no no when you're on it. As any side-effect might or might not appear... so it's not guaranteed that it will affect or not affect the process if at all but there's certainly a risk. If it means to you so much and there's already some fertility issues then I guess one birthday isn't a huge sacrifice for a baby! But then again it's just my personal opinion... and yours might simply be different. Ultimately it's your life and your choice.... all I can say is choose wisely. Wish you luck for your IVF irrespective of what you choose! sending baby dust.

[Hidden]

If you want to have a drink, I think as long as it is only a couple then go for it. But don’t feel pressurised to drink. If you want an excuse- say you are taking antibiotics for a tooth infection (metronidazole is often used and is one of the few antibiotics that you really can’t drink with). There are lots of opinions online and some say you should not drink at all but I am not sure about the research behind it.

I had a couple of drinks whilst on down-regulation(it was Christmas) but then nothing when I was on stimulation. I got a BFN but I really didn’t drink much at all so I don’t feel it is related.

Good luck- ultimately it is what you feel comfortable. X

[Hidden]

Hey. I asked my consultant if it would be ok to drink on my week long holiday and she said it would be fine. I get back a week before starting my injections so I think 1 night off to have a few so will be fine. Good luck with your cycle xx

[Cinderella5]

I dont think a few at the start will do much harm in my opinion so I would take the oportunity whilst you can. I gave up everything nice for around 3 months before my first cycle and it was a disaster and wasnt so strict prior to my following cycles, I didnt acheive pregnancy but I had better embryos so I think a few drinks for a birthday night out wont hurt!xx

[AS100]

Our clinic said 4units of alcohol for women and 10units for men a week is ok. (Not after transfer) We have cut it out, but If I was in your situation for a special occasion I think I’d let my hair down and have one or two glasses and make them last a long time! Hope you both have fun birthdays and good luck for your cycle xxx 💖

[Amanda86]

I’d say if you want to have a few drinks then do 🙂 I didn’t drink at all for months before treatment my first 2 rounds, I had a few drinks during treatment my 3rd round and got BFP that round, I think a little normality can be good for us at a time that’s already so stressful! Enjoy 🙂 xxx

[Tugsgirl]

I think you’ll be fine to have a few drinks. Enjoy xx

[Newqgirl1]

Let your hair down, have a couple if you want to but don’t feel pressured! The good old WWW will give you reasons to and reasons not to, ultimately no one really knows most of the time why cycles fail but being relaxed and happy must go a long way towards success!

❤️🥂 🎂 and happy birthday to you both! Keep in touch xx

[Veekay80]

Thank you for all your kind comments, i think i will relax and enjoy myself, a few drinks wont hurt and ill be eating, after that i will be on my best behaviour xx

Wishing you all the best too xx