Fertility diet : Hi all, So two weeks... - Fertility Network UK

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Fertility diet

Sarah83ap profile image
11 Replies

Hi all,

So two weeks ago I started the Mediterranean diet as mentioned in starts with the egg, I’ve been pretty bloody good. No sugar, slow burning carbs, two bits of fruit. I never had processed foods anyway but I did eat a fair few sugary treats (only really noticed how many since stoping)

My question is how strict were you all? I wanna go for a nice dinner once a week and not worry but don’t wanna undo the work I’ve done. I’ve done body transformations in the past and had a cheat meal (not a day, meal) and never felt bad but with this I’m more concerned fir obv reasons. Thought I’d ask the forum what you have done and if you allow yourself any time to enjoy food or spend the whole 3 months not touching anything

Thanks xx

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Sarah83ap profile image
Sarah83ap
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11 Replies
Jonesjp profile image
Jonesjp

Hi hunny, I’m not sure how much use I’ll be, but my first round I was really strict with my diet, took loads of vitimins, didn’t drink for 6 months before my cycle, no caffeine, drank loads of water and we didn’t produce a single egg, all my follicles were empty 😢 My second round, I was far more relaxed as I figured I couldn’t make the result any worse!! I didn’t binge, but certainly didn’t watch everything I ate and still had caffeine and alcohol until I started down reg and we got 6 eggs!!! Sadly a bfp, but it just shows IVF can make no sense at times. Managing our diets is something we feel we can control, when so much of the IVF process is out of our control, but in my opinion IVF is difficult enough without being super strict with yourself, the meds can make you really hungry and this isn’t the time to be hard on yourself! We’re just about to start our 3rd round in two weeks, the only thing I’ve done different from my last round is lost a bit more weight to get my BMI to 23, but that’s more to do with getting in my wedding dress in feb!! But please don’t be too hard on yourself, this journey can be difficult enough and good luck 😘 x x

Sarah83ap profile image
Sarah83ap in reply to Jonesjp

Thank you!

Good luck with your next round!

That’s crazy how different that was for you. My last two rounds I didn’t change my diet but tbh I don’t eat bad in the week. More at the weekend I’d say.

So hard knowing what to do.

Good luck with the wedding! 😊

Jaygee profile image
Jaygee

I truly believe you could eat the best diet in the world and it would still be down to luck. Over the last 2 years I have tried so many vitamins, cut out food groups etc to no success. There is no harm eating well and med diet sounds great but just don’t stress about it too much as it seems to be that some people eat crap, smoke and drink like sailors and still manage to fall pregnant 😂😂

hifer profile image
hifer in reply to Jaygee

Couldn’t agree more and I’ve done exactly the same. Good diet and exercise but don’t go mad on either!! X

Summerdays1 profile image
Summerdays1

Hi Sarah,

Don't drive yourself crazy on diets. I was overwhelmed with nutrition information, complementary therapies, etc etc . So I decided not to do any of them .I decided to keep my normal diet , drink my one coffee a day as that's what I really enjoy and workout a few times a week .

I did take conception supplements.

I got BFP and am now 10 weeks .

Good luck in your journey .

Xx

Shinyhalo1 profile image
Shinyhalo1

I’m on my 2nd FET and I drove myself mad with pineapples, warm feet, strict 5 a day stuff etc on my first round and got a BFN. I was devastated and took it so hard as I believed I’d done everything that I could.

This time I’m more chilled haven’t been as ‘on’ it so my outlook isn’t as stressy as my first round. I really believe it’s look of the draw with IVF. Good luck with everything but deffo enjoy a treat every now and then xx

Italy300618 profile image
Italy300618

Hi there, I've done exactly the same as you after having an abandoned cycle... I've read the book 'it starts with the egg' and changed my diet..like you I was what I would say quite healthy before but definitely the sugar thing..wow it's hard to come off, It makes you think how much i had before and didnt think it was bad.

I too fear now that if i have a little treat I'm going to undo all my hardwork working towards egg quality!

But somethings got to give..or we will just be miserable! why dont you choose something healthier off the menu and then treat yourself to a pudding? Or one week have something naughtier for your main meal and not have a pud..something like that, so you arent going crazy!

It's so hard, I would love to say just go with what you feel, and everything in moderation, but I am trying to be really strict myself so I would probably try and stay as strong as possible for the next 3 months on your diet and have the very odd treat when you want to xx

Sarah83ap profile image
Sarah83ap in reply to Italy300618

Thank you fir your reply.

That’s exactly what I was thinking of doing. Having steak with salad and a dessert. I have been really good so I don’t think the odd treat can hurt.

When you you having another go? Be interested to hear if your diet improved your quality xx

Italy300618 profile image
Italy300618 in reply to Sarah83ap

Not until December/january, which I was hoping for sooner. Everything in first round was looking good, scans went well, had 10 eggs collected, then to hear only 1 fertilised was 💔 and the embryo didnt end up being good enough quality for transfer.

They said they cant see anything they would do different to help next time, and like the others I believe luck has a huge part in this, but to feel I have some control over something like diet and other things is helping the mind feel proactive! Good luck with the diet, enjoy your pud and all the best for your next round, let us know 🤞🥰 xx

I do believe diet makes a significant difference to egg quality, and even more so sperm quality (in case you are doing treatment with a male partner). But feeling relaxed and not being too stressed is also important, and you don't know how long your 'journey' will end up being, so you can't be too strict I don't think. What you propose sounds ideal, and when you have your 'cheat' meal you should 100% enjoy it with no guilt or worry!

Sarah83ap profile image
Sarah83ap

Thanks everyone! Really lovely to hear what you have to say. I had my cheat meal and I’m straight back onto it today.

I have other blood tests booked on the 7th October. And will see what the results say before I book my next cycle.

Good luck to everyone!

Xx

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