To those successful in the IVF process, what supplements did you take?

[ashbb]

Hello,

It looks as though I will be starting IVF soon. I've never even been on the pill so pretty scared about injecting hormones.

The consultant says there's no evidence around taking supplements but I've seen some of you talk about them. I take "trying to conceive pregnacare", my diet is great and i am active.

What else have you taken to support successful IVF? Something called Coq10? What strength etc. Any help appreciated.

[Ivfgotadream]

I took Proceive Max for women as that has the most “stuff”’in it and in higher concentrations

Other than That I wouldn’t waste your money on loads of additional supplements - like coq10 or ubquinol or royal jelly. I saw no change in egg quality or numbers over 5 cycles taking them. The only thing that worked for us was changing from short protocol IVF to natural modified which indicates it’s more to do with the mix of drugs in connection with your specific hormone levels that month which dictate follicle numbers and egg quality x

[ashbb in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Thank you. All tests for us are positive so far and it's unexplained infertility. We've been told I'll be on a "long protocol". Still trying to understand what that means... More time taking hormones I believe...

[Ivfgotadream in reply to ashbb]

Yes long protocol means you “down reg” so take drugs to basically out your body in a sort of temporary menopause and switch your ovaries off before switching them on again with a different set of drugs

I’ve never done long protocol as couldn’t face the weeks and weeks of medication- I’ve always done protocols which are over in less than 2 weeks 🤣

[Mrs_MT]

I take pregnacare too which my consultant said is fine. I think you can buy more expensive supplements which are more expensive because your body is supposed to absorb more because of the way it’s designed. But essentially, I’ve only been advised to take the typical folic acid, vitamin D. I’ve read studies that vitamin E can help with implantation/reduce risk of miscarriages. But to be honest, I just stuck with pregnacare xx

[AVL1987]

Hi! It’s like wrote that, we look to be on really similar journeys. I’m about to start my injections next week and it will be the first time I’ve ever done anything similar. Never taken the pill or any medication so I’m also feeling nervous. Please touch base with me to see how I’m getting on if you want, might help during your journey 🙂

I’m taking a conception supplement from the supermarket (pregnacare I think) which has folic acid and lots of other vitamins etc. I also was told take take vitamin D daily as my levels were very low.

Folic acid has been proven to help prevent certain issues in growing embryos, google it and it will give more information.

I’ve been told to reduce caffeine and stop when I start this process as well as fizzy drinks, processed foods and lots of fat/sugar. Like anything else it’s probably best to keep a really healthy diet up to and into your treatment. So lots of whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Fingers crossed for us both! And please feel free to ask me anything. It can feel quite lonely sometimes as even when you have a partner they aren’t experiencing the same physically - nice to talk to others who understand x

[ashbb in reply to AVL1987]

Thanks so much. Yeah, I only really drink fizzy water and cut out caffeine a while ago. We have the odd takeaway but pretty well behaved besides that. I definitely need to up my water intake though. Good luck to you next week. I've done all the consent stuff, just waiting on the call to begin (still in a bit of disbelief that we're having to do IVF since there's nothing "wrong"). How does it work re timing of your period? Do you start the drugs on the first day of menstruation?

[AVL1987 in reply to ashbb]

It really depends what protocol they put you on. When you have your nurses consultation they talk through what you’re going to be put on and that will depend on the timescales. I’m on a short protocol which means I will start an injection on the first proper day of my next menstrual cycle we should hopefully be next Friday. I will then take injections for the first seven days and have a scan to see how my follicles are responding. They may then increase my dosage for a further 3 to 4 days or continue as I am. Usually at day 9 or 10 you have an additional scan and if I am responding well they will book me in for a collection roughly 2 days later. after recollection it’s usually 3 to 6 days depending on how the embryos are developing for embryo transfer. So if everything goes to plan it all happens relatively quickly but the concern is that it can of course fall down at any point during the process.

We’ve just been for our final bloods and a Covid test this morning so hoping that all comes back okay so that we can start next week!!

[ashbb in reply to AVL1987]

Fingers crossed for you. I'll be on a long protocol, just waiting on the nurse appointment (even the private clinic has a bit of a wait list now). Hoping covid doesn't delay us all any further. xxx

[AVL1987 in reply to ashbb]

I know… As if this journey isn’t hard enough with the pressures of Covid too. I hope you have a swift journey to get started and have all my fingers crossed for you too. Please do let me know if you ever have any questions once you get started X

[Florencenightingale]

Woman

Pre conception vitamin

High dose vitamin d (4000iu)

Man

Zinc, selenium and vitamin c

[Pittuck23]

Hi! I took a high dose of vitamin D, Vitamin E, a prescription folic acid tablet high dose and DHEA tablets 3 times a day. I got pregnant first time on my first ivf and now have a 3 year old daughter. I have low AMH. My friend who is 40 also took DHEA for both of her ivf/iui pregnancies and now has 2 children xx

[Purpledoggy in reply to Pittuck23]

Can I please ask what the reason for adding in the DHEA was, and what dose? I know it is helpful for DOR but I don't know if there is a specific AMH/FSH/AFC level that one should use it, or did you have your DHEA checked? My AMH is 7.6 and I am 39 so it's not awful and I'm trying to figure out whether DHEA will do more harm than good. I'm in the UK and we don't routinely test for it. Thanks! xx

[Pittuck23 in reply to Purpledoggy]

I was told by consultant at the time that the DHEA strengthens egg quality. I’m sorry I can’t quite remember what dose it was but I took 3 tablets a day for 3 months before I could even start my process. I think if you google DHEA it should come up. You can order them online but I would ask your consultant what he thinks about them.

Your amh level is much better than mine was when I started at 32! I had a level of 4. I’m also on the UK 😊 sorry I couldn’t be of more help. If I was to go through ivf again I would defo use them again. Xx

[Fifikoko]

I took everything recommended for advanced maternal age (40) and endometriosis in the book called “It Starts with the Egg”:

Ubiquonol

Vitamin D

Omega 3 with DHA

Vitamin E

Melatonin

DHEA

There may have been a few others but I forget. Please get the book.

I took them for about 2.5 months and in my third and final fresh cycle my egg numbers jumped from 6 collected and 3 fertiliser in 2nd cycle to 16 collected and 10 fertilised in that final cycle. I ended up with 6 high quality blastocysts. Had 2 transferred which have resulted in one gorgeous 6 week old boy 👶🏽🥰.

I wish you all the best on your journey 😘

[ashbb in reply to Fifikoko]

Thank you. I have the book but am a terribly slow reader so was hoping someone would reveal the recommendations from the book. Massive congrats to you. The best news!!!

[Fifikoko in reply to ashbb]

There are a few pages that summarise the recommendations (supplement plans) for different types of infertility diagnosis including unexplained. I’ve lent my copy to someone else so can’t tell you exact pages but have a look. It’s quite important you identify the best Supplement plan for yourself. What works for one person might not be the right fit for you.

xxx

[ashbb in reply to Fifikoko]

ok, great. I'll try again.

[SR90]

Hey, just reading through this and wanted to jump on. I have just started our IVF journey, we are giving ourselves until January and then starting due to work etc. I’ve had my consultation and tests etc. My AMH came back as slightly low for my age 10.8 at 30yo. The consultant has recommended I take 25mg DHEA 3x a day, Melatonin 5mg 1x a day and Q10 200mg 1x a day for 14 days and reduce it to 100mg for the rest of the time.

I’m also due to do the long protocol. I would always speak to the consultant before buying anything like that. But normal vitamins like Pregnacare etc are perfectly fine. I was taking them before.

[ashbb]

Thank you. I'm 35 and my AMH is 8.3 - "normal" apparently but at the edge of normal. Also going to be put on a long protocol and should be starting some time in October. Where are you sourcing these supplements? xx

[SR90 in reply to ashbb]

I have had to get Melatonin from America due to restrictions in the UK but they have been rubbish! I ordered 1 month ago and It’s still showing as ‘in transit’. So no idea when they’ll arrive. I’m hoping soon. I also got dhea from there.

Q10 and the Pregnacare I got from boots.

[Hidden]

I never took any except from folic acid. I’m just about to start another FET and they’ve suggested taking vitamin D now so that’s it and folic acid x

[josephnsn]

I have just taken pregnancare conception