Alcohol and prep for frozen transfer

[PixieB26]

Hi ladies,

My period is due any day now, which means I could then start my prep process for a frozen embryo transfer.

With it being the festive season I have a few things in the diary over the next week to catch up with friends.

I know ivf clinics advise you to stop drinking alcohol as soon as you start this prep for the transfer, but I wanted to know if anyone knows the reason why? Is it that the alcohol reacts badly with the estrogen/progesterone? Is it that they just want to ensure your body is free of any ‘poisons’ like alcohol? I can’t seem to find the exact reason for this anywhere.

I am very healthy and exercise every day, but just wondering if I have a glass of wine in this prep time when meeting friends, is it a big no?

[strawberriesandcream]

This isn’t directly related to frozen transfers but I have done quite a bit of reading about alcohol and conception. In summary, they are unsure why but alcohol effects chances of conception. Moderate drinking (under 4 drinks per week) was found to be insignificant in the study I read. So I think the odd glass here and there won’t hurt.

I decided to abstain anyway as I know I’d beat myself up for it if it didn’t work but that is personal choice. I think if it won’t worry you then a small amount wouldn’t make a difference. Maybe ask your clinic for a certain opinion?

[PixieB26 in reply to strawberriesandcream]

Hi strawberriesandcream , me too, I’ve read everything there is to read, and during my three egg collections I definitely didn’t drink when prepping, which made sense to me with the eggs growing. But there’s no specific info when it comes to prep for frozen transfer. I know my clinic say no alcohol as my friend has already done transfers there, I just want to know the reason ;o)

[strawberriesandcream in reply to PixieB26]

Yeah it’s annoying isn’t it as it doesn’t give any real reason as to at what point it makes a difference.

I’m honestly I am sure if in moderation it would make no difference at any point.

A fertility dr told me last Christmas to just enjoy myself so think there are mixed feelings on the evidence too..

[PixieB26 in reply to strawberriesandcream]

I think that fertility dr sounds wise!

[strawberriesandcream in reply to PixieB26]

He certainly improved my Christmas 🤣

[PixieB26 in reply to strawberriesandcream]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Hidden]

Great news you can start soon!

I am sure some people on here will cast me down and be furious with my next commentary but I have always been told by my clinic that a glass or maybe two won't hurt. They always say that your mental health and relaxation is as important as your physical wellbeing.

I think the main thing is not having regrets. If you are comfortable having a glass or two then I would crack on. Everyone has a very different opinion and there are lots of people that give up pretty much everything, but having been through this process quite a few times now I have found that anything within moderation hasn't had a dramatically different impact on the outcome of my cycles.

Good luck xx

[PixieB26 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Daisy, thanks for your reply! I am pretty much in the same camp as you. I didn’t even start drinking until about 4 years ago and I’m 42. I exercise a lot and eat very well, and having done 3 egg collections this year my most unsuccessful one was my 3rd where no embryos survived and that was the cycle I had even added extra fertility vitamins to, so I do agree with you, everything in moderation is unlikely to have an impact.Being that m a complete control freak 🤣 I just want someone to tell me the exact reason why no alcohol is advised before frozen transfer. It makes sense when prepping for collections, but I can’t find info for this next stage. Will definitely ask my clinic, I’m just trying to fit my i’s and cross my t’s now so I feel prepared.

[Twiglet2 in reply to Hidden]

Totally agree daisy 🤗

[Cinderella5]

Have a glass of wine! I know lots of people will maybe think that's the wrong thing to do and there are some thoughts that it can affect egg quality (which would only be in a fresh cycle) however I think as long as its not bucket loads for the whole festive period you're fine. So much fun is taken out of life having to go through IVF so enjoy the down time whilst you can. Ive had a glass of wine and on my latest one, we went out for a nice meal and I had wine 2 nights before transfer. Good luck.xx

[PixieB26 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thanks Cinderella5! I feel the same, I know I have one perfect embryo, I paid ridiculous amounts to have it genetically tested, and two more being retested at the moment. So I feel like I’ve done the prep and surely a glass wouldn’t be an issue. I am just tired of people’s reactions when I’ve been lying and saying i’m doing dry December (I totally made that term up 😂) just to throw them off track for when I do start.

[Lisichka]

Hi Pixie

I’ve had 5 transfers and I did drink before some of them, didn’t drink etc. I think as long as it’s moderate (my moderate is quite generous, I set myself a limit of 7 drinks a week and it was fine with my doctor), not binge drinking, you should be fine. It was my husband’s 40th a week before the 5th transfer and we had a big party for it, where I had a lot to drink and even had some weed (it’s legal where I am). The transfer worked! And I’ve had transfers where I wouldn’t be drinking anything from the start of taking meds and those transfers didn’t work out one way or another. So I think go and enjoy yourself, a few glasses a week won’t do any harm but I would completely cut the booze out the week before your FET to give your body a chance to get it out of the system etc. The IVF process is not fun and takes a lot of enjoyment out of life so enjoy the festive period!

[PixieB26 in reply to Lisichka]

Thanks Lisichka!! I’m hoping the fact I never drank until I was around 37/38 had some good effect,and over the next week it will just be a couple glasses here and there. I lead a pretty healthy lifestyle so I figure it should be ok, and will def stop leading up to the days before transfer.

[Linda84Co]

Hi, good luck with your frozen transfer. Regarding alcohol or even caffeine I always try to stop, I know there is no evidence showing it does any harm but I always want to feel I did my absolute best and I gave the best chance possible to my body and embryo. I understand it’s accord not to drink specially if you usually would have a drink, a trick I have used around family and friends before Covid is ordering one and then every one would assume I’m drinking 😆

[PixieB26 in reply to Linda84Co]

Very smart on the pretend drinking! I absolutely want to give it my best shot too. I haven’t had caffeine in nearly a year, I will never go back to it either. No sign of my period yet, but it’s going to turn up any time, so hopefully I can get past my Tuesday catch up and then I’m good to go on tap water 🤣

[Linda84Co in reply to PixieB26]

For me caffeine was always the difficult one but this time because I was off it for almost the whole year it was easy.Best of luck dear, Keep us posted xx

[Twiglet2]

All The times I avoided alcohol didn’t work (fresh and frozen and IUI) this time I had a meal and some drink, which included a tequila 🙈 2 weeks before the frozen transfer, when I was already in the meds, (when the pubs briefly opened here in July!) and even had a rose spritzer 4dpt on a staycation (mainly to put people off the scent that we were trying again). This time worked and I’m 21 weeks pregnant now so I’m really not sure it matters, especially as your embryos are made. I was the most relaxed I’ve ever been this time and I genuinely believe that’s what made the difference instead of the obsessing about what I was eating and drinking and doing like the other times. I think it’s your individual choice really xxx

[PixieB26 in reply to Twiglet2]

Thanks for your reply Twiglet!! And wonderful news that your tequila fuelled round worked 😍🤣I agree, I think being relaxed is the most important part!