Can anyone tell me how much alcohol, if any my husband should be drinking before he gives his sperm sample?
Should he stop completely and if so how long for?
He likes a drink for sure and also has a stag 2 weeks before egg collection and thus producing a sample. We are going for ICSI but obviously want to ensure we are giving this out best shot.
Thanks so much xx
To the best of my knowledge sperm production takes 72-90 days so anything he produces now would've been made nearly 3 months ago. X
It takes three months to produce the sperm, so in that period, ideally no drinking, especially if there's male factor involved. My husband had a stag do just before EC as well and the absolute hero that he is, he decided not to drink. It did mean filling a lot more people that we intended to in on why, because not drinking on a lads weekend wasn't going to go unnoticed or uncommented on.
We had 4 èmbryo transfers in total with ICSI. My partner didn't drink for 3 months prior to any sample he gave to give us the best possible shot.
We are now 12 weeks pregnant and trust me it was all worth it. It's a small sacrifice to make on the grand scheme of things plus you dont want to be in the position that if it fails either of you are wondering whether it was something you done or didn't do.
I've always been a big drinker and didn't drink for the past 2 years of treatment. My partner had a blow out on any breaks in between treatment which he deserved but once that 3 month timescale kicked in it was back to business.
Good luck to you both x
3months before! Our nutritionist said the odd small glass of red wine was ok as it’s high in antioxidants! X
Same. Was told the 3 months before is vital but a few glasses of wine / the add beer a week is fine. But a binge is a really bad idea! Me and dh used to argue about it lots but we got our best sperm quality when he cut down to just 2/3 drinks a week and took lots of vitamin c and e and omega 3.
We saw huge differences in DH’s sperm samples when he gave up drinking. Binges are particularly damaging so the odd pint or glass of wine here or there is unlikely to cause major issues but a big night on the tiles can have a detrimental impact so he definitely wants to try and avoid that in the 3 months running up to giving his sample xx
Agreed 3 months beforehand, my partner started 6months because he has azoospermia. His sperm was 1000 times better 2nd IVF and we got 3 embyos than with our original IVF which we failed miserably. 2 transfers and 2 births later, he wouldn't have changed his decision for the world to give up, he use to drink up 4-5 bottles of wine a week! (In liquore industry) now he is lucky to have a bottle a fortnight 😆
My husband was drinking heavily during our 1st round unbeknownst to me (work pressures) and we got a BFN. When he told me we went to see the fertility docs to ask them if it would have made any difference and she said no - because it was icsi it wouldn't have made a difference. Did round 2 without the heavy drinking and still BFN.
I was wondering this. As with ICSI they obviously pick the best sperm. Thanks for your reply xx
I’m fortunate me and hubby only drank occasionally but we were advised that Caffine and alcohol can really affect sperm and egg quality as well as implantation so we both stopped drinking at home and just had one or two at a wedding we went to. If he can stop drinking and continue throughout the process then at least you will both know you have given it your absolute all and have no regrets x
I agree. It’s trying to create the idea circumstances!! I have cut out alcohol and caffeine. I find caffeine the hardest. Am trying to eat less sugar too.xx
Me too! Caffeine is so much harder to give up than alcohol. With alcohol I'm mostly bothered by 'the looks', the 'omg are you pregnant?' looks. I HATE them. But the not drinking itself is surprisingly easy. But my goodness, caffeine, that one's so much harder.
My consultant always said stick to the advised limit of 14 units per week. There is no IVF safe limit advised and that’s the guidance for general health.
I used to stress a lot about it but on last round just made sure we both ate well, stayed in safe limit and took our supplements. Xx
Huge congratulations on your pregnancy!! It is definitely a small sacrifice to make, I agree. It seems that no alcohol or caffeine is really important. X
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