I'm really struggling at the moment as we've been TTC for 3 years and had numerous cycles cancelled due to my thin lining. One failed FET.
Our consultant has advised that I stop all forms of exercise and gain weight. I am already within the normal weight range and ran approx 30 mins twice a week but he says that weight gain sometimes increases the thickness of the lining. We really want a family and will do anything to have a baby but I'm really struggling at the moment as there are no guarantees that this will work and I feel so powerless. I'm used to feeling healthy and have always used running as a form of stress relief. I feel completely lost at the moment and unsure whether it's even going to help!
Does anyone have any experience of this? I don't feel like I can talk to anyone about it as everyone keeps telling me to enjoy it which is massively underestimating how hard I am finding it xxx
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Pebbles345
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Hi Pebbles345 I think we have spoke before over our frustration of thin lining.., i was told the same about exercising and I feel the worse for it, I’m now 28 Bmi which is highest I’ve been due to no running etc and I feel worse for it and no improvement in lining.
Hi I am no expert on lining but BMI was low below 18 when we started IVF and I didn't have any issues with the thickness of lining so I think there is no rule here?
2 runs 30 mins each a week does not sound that much to be honest and your mental health is extremely important so if I were you I would be asking some more questions and ask for evidence based research behind his advice xxx
I had a bmi of 18 and needed to get to 19. I ate lots of eggs and avocado on toast and snacked on cashews and olives etc to get extra protein which helped me put on weight but in a healthy way. It’s tough if you enjoy running but maybe weigh up what is more important to you right now. Although it will be difficult to stop you also don’t want to think back and have regrets by not follow drs advice. Maybe ask if it’s safe to swap exercise for something more low impact like swimming or yoga? Best of luck x
I'd back LKT1 with lots of eggs, avocado and nuts (almonds and walnuts are both supposed to be good, and 2 or 3 Brazil nuts a day, cashews just taste better 😂). Also try pomegranate juice in the first half of your cycle to thicken lining. Personally I'd keep running twice a week, as long as you're not running further than 6km in that time I doubt you're doing any harm to your body and the stress relief is probably good for you. But as others have said, if you think you'll regret it, don't do the running. I was also told to chub up but it didn't help (different problem), I think it's just their go-to response if your bmi is below 21. Obviously don't let it slip below 18 though! Good luck with your next cycle x
MY BMI was 17.5 when we were referred for IVF and despite the fact I had already had a natural pregnancy at that weight the clinic wouldn't see me until I'd gained weight to get to 19 BMI. I snacked to put on the weight. I'm also a runner and have kept going taking breaks for stimming and the two week wait but was advised to cut back on distance because long runs affect your hormone levels. So if you can bear it you could consider doing shorter runs instead maybe at a steadier pace? All the best with it. x
Hi hunny, my first two cycles when I was heavier I could only get to between 5 - 6.5mm, this last round, slimmest I’ve been in 10 years and got a lining of 12mm I was stunned! The only thing I did differently was drank a lot of raspberry leaf tea during stims, but you can only drink it up until EC. I find it really hard to believe that it could make that much difference, but literally it’s the only thing I changed 🤷♀️🤷♀️!!! X x x
I actually agree with the raspberry tea thing! I usually get to around 7mm give or take and this time the nurse said my lining has never looked so good. It still wasnt crazy thick but 7.4/7.6mm is very good for me. It didn give me a little bit of a dicky tummy though. Worth a shot Pebbles345
Ah yes the dicky tummy, but do you know I saw that as benefit too after a couple of days as I then didn’t need any lactulose as I hate that stuff, win win lol!!
I'm always looking at your posts and just sending you so much luck! Lining issues are just so frustrating. Mine will barely get to 5mm by itself so it's so hard to stay positive. Giving up exercise has been so hard so I just hope it's worth it xxx
Thin linings really are a bitch arent they?! Its taken my clinic a fair amount of playing around with meds but we seem to have something that works now. Im not sure how much meds your clinic normally put you on but I usually start on day 2 with progynova 8mg (4 tablets per day) plus one estrogen 100 patch every 48hrs and baby aspirin until day day 9 then up my patches 2 every 48 hours. I think this seems to be the best regime for me so far. However in between I usually take around 1600 iu and drinking raspberry leaf tea (make sure its the leaf one) and I usually go for around 3 big cups per day. This has helped. I also had some DHEA which I used in my OE cycles so started on that too. No idea which thing actually makes the difference but between all that concoction I seem to manage a reasonable lining with a triple line which is the important bit. A bit less exercise may help but still do some walking as this helps blood flow to the uterus. Eating well will help but try to stay healthy too with lots of protein, green leafy veg and full fat milk. (I tried all the vaginal tablets and that didnt work for me).
Thanks for your kind words, its tough but still fighting on for now! Good luck.xx
Thanks for replying. I'm glad you've reminded me about the tea as I'd done that before but I will start again this time round. So glad that it worked for you! x
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Ranting today: bloody lazy lining (before FET)!! Always too thin... we're close to giving up 
Lining thins by 1mm compared to 5 days ago scan. 
