eating healthy for ivf

[Boo718]

I honestly can not get into the swing of it. She says as she sits drinking wine. After so many rounds eating healthy and cutting back on booze etc it’s made absolutely no difference. So this time (transfer hopefully September) I’m literally eating and drinking crap. I just don’t care, it’s so bad, I need a stick of dynamite up my arse and some will power. Any suggestions

[Purpledoggy]

Honestly, your mental state is far more important than what you eat. Enjoy every bite and every glass of wine. Savour it and try to relax. If it really bothers you, make sure one meal a day is super mega healthy then don’t worry about the others xx

[Hidden]

I am 100% with you, I’ve given up too much the last 7/8 years for nothing. I’ve got to the point where I figure it it’s going to work it will work. For the first time I feel super calm going into my FET and not stressed at all, I think it’s the way forward xx

[Mlove12]

I’m relieved to see this post! I’m starting my first round of ivf and whilst during this time I’ve just about given up alcohol, I can’t seem to bother to eat healthy! I’ve eaten probably worse than I usually do- I blame the hormones! Plus I just like eating crap lol!

I figure this is such a stressful process anyway, the least we can do is eat what we fancy!

[LoveToGive]

I did everything possible for my 2 failed FETs. Accupuncture, pomegranate juice, kale smoothies, high protein low carb, no alcohol. I did a ERA mock cycle and my lining was the same when I did nothing but the meds. My next round I’m going to eat what I want in moderation and just relax. I’ve been a hostage to IVF and infertility for too long. I’ve wasted so many moments, vacations and events thinkingI’ll be pregnant or I’ll be having a treatment. Just do what you feel comfortable.

[XxMrsBXx]

Hi boo , I don’t think a glass of wine hurts before transfer … I did on my last cycle and have done on the one I am going through now although have stopped completely now as my meds have increased and I do feel sick most days . Wishing you lots of luck ❤️Xx

[MrsOrangejuice]

Diet and lifestyle made no difference for me trying naturally for years or on IVF rounds and transfers. I think within reason it's unlikely to have much of an impact. I quite like the control element but after lockdowns and cancelled rounds and 'weird' responses no matter what I ate or did, and given the stress of IVF, little pleasures were a godsend. I found it helpful not to take things out and be miserable but aim to add in good things and it just so happened that my view of what was 'good' also matched things I enjoy (dark chocolate, good fats, whole milk, tasty and exotic fruit...). Wine also featured

[Twiglet2]

You know I’m gonna say if it’s making you happy and you are not being ridiculous with it all then f**k it enjoy your glass of wine lovely! That’s what worked for me ☺️ Dont know exactly why that’s the one that worked but I do agree with everyone who said mental state is important too and I strongly believe that was the different factor 🤗 best of luck xxx

[Eloquentia]

I am new to IVF. Had my first cycle in April/May and had to do a freeze all due to OHSS, so now getting ready for FET. I hear you about having a glass of wine between cycles! I really felt I needed it and enjoyed the 'freedom'. But now that I am back on the medication, I have discovered the joy of non-alcoholic wines. They taste different, of course, but for me oddly enough they have the same effect of relaxation and enjoyment. I guess it is all in the habit and ritual of having a glass of wine with your evening meal Good luck with the next round!

[Hopecontinues]

Thank goodness for this post, I thought I was the only one drinking alcohol, having a chocolate binge and wearing nail varnish. 😁Life is tough when you put everything on hold, holidays are taken up with ivf treatment, you have to put a game face on at work because it will impact your career if somebody knows, your boss is an asshole, but you can't move jobs, some of your mates are rubbish, because they don't understand and don't get me started on family. We all need an outlet and mine is the odd glass or two of wine. I'll stop when I start my meds.

[Bomboncita in reply to Hopecontinues]

Damn right girl! You've expressed how I feel 👍😀

[Emma672]

And another one here who’s right with you! My first two rounds I really focussed on the healthy eating as well as giving up alcohol. Both negative. I’m not a big drinker anyway but on my third round I had a good drink at a work do the week before embryo transfer, and hugely relaxed with what I ate throughout the process, I just thought being relaxed was more important. And this is the one that stuck, I’m due next week. IVF takes over your life in so many ways, it’s important to keep a bit of you where you can. Enjoy and don’t feel guilty in the slightest x

[Skittles11]

I'm with you on this one Boo! I started my IVF treatments being the healthiest I could be, no alcohol or caffeine, cut out sugar and didn't have any indulgence. Big fat zero eggs! Although I know that was my body's response to the meds it obviously didn't give me much confidence in my perfect diet. I wasn't as disciplined on the cycles that followed and got more eggs and more day 5 blasts. Like others have said when you're in this long haul and especially when you've gone through a few treatments, mental state should take precedence IMO. That said I do waver sometimes and feel bad about what I've indulged in...but overall I have much more of what I want including takeaways, coffee, treats etc. I totally get the not caring, being numb to it but at the same time a bit of of internal battle taking place xx

[Buisquits]

Same here. And the funny thing is it worked this time 😂

[TexasRose210]

With my first transfer, I went on an anti-inflammatory diet for 6 months and the transfer worked. Didn’t do it this time and I’m current 8 weeks. So would make small changes. I did stop drinking completely.

[Claire_FNUK Administrator]

Try not to beat yourself up, your mental health is more important than anything. There are loads of tips on yoga, mindfulness and nutrition on the Fertility Network UK website if that's any help? Good luck!fertilitynetworkuk.org/acce...

[DolphinJ]

I've been stuffing down chocolates today! One nice thing is all the berries and fresh fruit around just now so great to mix with a less healthy ingredient to make a semi healthy desert! We do need things to help, comedy TV, meet up with friends, find something to look forward to? I know it easier said than done though xx

[Lamagarden]

I can sooo relate! I’ve been sooo ‘good’ for sooo long. No caffeine, no alcohol, no refined sugar, organic healthy food, madly expensive vitamins and supplements. I’ve also changed my job to one that is less stressful. After our recent BFN, I said duck it, I’m going to have a drink! And a cuppa tea! And stop taking my vitamins for a week or two, I just need a break. I was so convinced that being ‘good’ would get us a positive but I think now that it’s much more down to ‘science’ than me not eating a chocolate bar. I’m aware how funny it all sounds xx

[GemE83]

Myself & my partner have had 7 fresh transfers & 1 frozen. All fails except for 1 chemical pregnancy on round 6 - and that was the one where we both relaxed with food & alcohol. Didn't go overboard but also didn't worry about it. I wouldn't over-think it x