Alcohol

[ama4]

I know alcohol is frowned upon but how long before treatment did u give it up? Reading zita west book and apparently at least 3 months b4 treatment we should give it up entirely and I will if I have to...just wondered what ur thoughts were on it? X

[destiny121]

I dont think having a little alcohol now and again is a problem.... theres lots of ppl who get pregnant albeit the other way who drink take drugs and all sorts of crappy stuff.... i do think its all about moderation and treating yourself now and again.... good luck xxx

[ama4 in reply to destiny121]

Thanks hun. Just fear id be miserable without my glass of wine to relax but so many forums say give it up xx

[destiny121 in reply to ama4]

When you say relax with a glass of wine.... how many are we thinking?? ..... i was thinking maybe once a week or once every 2? 😊

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to ama4]

I used to use wine to relax but found other things to replace it- much healthier and better at getting you to actually relax, eg a gentle walk. I decided to do this years ago, before ttc, and it’s been easy to stick to. We just don’t bother to have much alcohol in the house now. You might find that giving up for ivf actually gives you a healthier lifestyle in general xx

[ama4 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Absolutely. We already walk a lot with the dog and I go to gym and eat healthy. Just need to find another way to reward myself lol xx

[Looby25]

Hey, i gave up my two/three nights in the week of a cheeky wine about three months before treatment, but still had the very odd glass if we went for a meal or to a bar when socialising, I agree with Destiny, I think ivf consumes most parts of your life so having a little normality now and again is good for you and your partner, my cycle was a success!

Top tip that I learnt is appletizer in a wine glass, no one questions it and it also feels like a treat!

Wishing you lots of luck xxx

[Looby25 in reply to Looby25]

Oh and just to add, none whilst actually on treatment, ones the meds start it’s a alcohol free zone I’m afraid xx

[ama4]

Thanks girls. I'm on a mission now lol xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I did give it up on the whole for three months, just a few drinks on one night out with the girls in that time. I barely drink anyway though so I didn’t find it hard.

[ama4 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Good for U! Hope it makes all the difference 😘 xx

[Mokey76]

Is it best that you both stop drinking? I rarely touch alcohol these days, but the other half drinks most days. Should he be stopping too?

[ama4 in reply to Mokey76]

It's recommend for both hun xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Mokey76]

Yes he should, there’s more evidence that it has a positive impact on sperm than the evidence of impact on egg quality.

[Blondyboo]

I gave up drink first 3 cycles by the 4th I just had a little now an then. Didn’t get plastered but had odd glass. It’s this 4th cycle I got bfp! I don’t think a little hurts at all and helps to relax you x

[ama4 in reply to Blondyboo]

Thanks huni 😘 xx

[Aleelilook]

Well I had a follow up appointment a few weeks ago, and I asked my consultant with my head in my hands “is there anything else I should or shouldn’t be doing, please give me something!” Her response “don’t give anything up! A glass of wine will not make a jot of difference!” Obviously don’t go mental, but the odd one to relax is fine! I don’t actually drink during the drugs as it makes me feel weird, but in between I’m being a bit less manic, I’ve put my life on hold for so long, so I was massively relieved! Xxx

[Flimzee]

Yes, my consultant said a small glass of wine once or twice a week would be fine. I actually didn't drink that much anyway since ttc for so long. My last cycle (which started mid-January) was successful and I stopped drinking pretty much completely in December (although I had a moment's weakness and a couple of glasses of white wine on Christmas day). I didn't drink after that and my partner stopped drinking after New Year's Eve. I think it all hinges on moderation and what you feel comfortable with. Good luck xxx

[ClarabGlasgow in reply to Flimzee]

Congratulations that it worked this time, wonderful news xx

[Flimzee in reply to ClarabGlasgow]

Ah, thank you! Yes, I can’t still believe it somehow. Got another scan next week and awaiting the blood results and then, fingers crossed, I will be able to relax into it. Hope all is ok with you xxx

[ama4]

Thanks girls, its hard as your hear conflicting advice from different sites but I know if I cut out everything I enjoy in life I will be even more miserable. I will be sensible with it but my 1st cycle doesn't start until aug / sep time and that's a long way away xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to ama4]

Just to resonate what others have said....I cut out alcohol completely for around 3.5 months before my first cycle and it was the worst outcome Ive ever had. Relaxed things a bit the next couple and although I didnt get a BFP my embryos did better. Everything in moderate I think!xx

[ama4 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thanks hun - heres hoping next one is a success. Is it Athens you are using?xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to ama4]

Yes Im in Athens....well not living there (I wish on rainy cold days like this) but yes having treatment out there!xx

[ama4 in reply to Cinderella5]

Best of Luck hun!! <3 xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to ama4]

Thanks so much!xx

[Franco81]

I’ve wondered the same thing as I, like you, enjoy a little (ok large!) glass of wine to relax me now and again but when I realised lots of girls completely gave up before treatment I started to panic.

I asked my doctor, nurses and counsellor and they all told me that the odd glass of wine won’t make any difference at all. Then, all the studies I’ve read on it (I got a bit obsessed!) basically seem to have the conclusion that alcohol isn’t great but over 4 units a week is when they have seen a difference to outcomes (not always obviously, but statistically). I’m not 100% sure at which point this starts but since it seems 3 months is the timeframe for making changes to egg/sperm quality then I’m going with that.

I totally understand that all of us on here are on our own journeys though and as long as we are happy ourselves that we’ve given it our best shot and taken the advice we feel is right then that’s the best we can do and a treat to get us through (whatever that may be) is pretty essential to maintaining some kind of sanity!

Good luck xxx

[ClarabGlasgow in reply to Franco81]

Thank you 3 months seems to be the magic amount of time! I am also thinking about diet changes as well as less alcohol. Will be so worth it if it works but if not I may be even sadder . I think finding a balance and wee treats is great advice . Good luck x

[Franco81 in reply to ClarabGlasgow]

That’s so true actually, I know some of us have done everything by the book and sacrificed everything only to be let down again, which must be even more frustrating. I honestly believe though that it’s mainly out of our control so we need to carry on living our lives as best we can.

We’re having a break for a while to get a bit healthier and give ourselves the magic 3 months to make changes but I’m not doing great yet so the next round seems further and further away! It’s all just so frustrating isn’t it!! Xx

[Lilli79]

Hi ama4 my consultant also said alcohol is fine. He never even told me to stop during the meds! We decided we'd do weekend drinks only, I managed to go mostly dry - my husband was not so great though. I did get a little drunk on NYE though halfway through stimming. It can't have been too bad as we got a bfp and I'm currently 14 weeks. The only thing I did do though was a water only January (so no alcohol, tea, coffee, soft drinks etc). Not sure if it made any difference but really helped keep me hydrated and healthy, particularly important after egg collection. Good luck xx

[ama4 in reply to Lilli79]

Amazing!!! Huge congrats hun!!!! So happy for u xx

[Lilli79 in reply to ama4]

Thank you 😊 forgot to say that I think giving up alcohol for at least a month before your OTD is good practice as you'll have to give up when pregnant anyway. The water obsession has stuck with me and I rarely drink anything else now. I think this is really good for baby ❤️

[ama4 in reply to Lilli79]

Wats OTD hun? Xx

[Lilli79 in reply to ama4]

Ha, sorry! 😋 it's Official Test Day, as in the day you take pregnancy test after the 2WW xx

[ama4 in reply to Lilli79]

Thanks hun 🤞💪 xx