Foods to eat / avoid after embryo transfer?

[Jules0277]

Good evening all!

I wondered if anyone has been told to avoid any particular foods after embryo transfer other than the usual soft cheese, alcohol and caffeine?

I don’t eat meat but do eat fish and my other proteins tend to be soya based high protein yoghurts, nuts and seeds, cottage cheese, greek yoghurt, lentils etc and i do try to replace for non dairy where I can such as oat milk and soya milk.

Does anyone know if soya based products such as yoghurts or soya milk can have a negative impact on success?

Also , are we best to avoid too many carbs and try to have a high protein diet?

Thanks so much for reading!

Jules 😊

[Jonesy84]

HI lovely, during past transfers the clinic have just advised to follow a diet as if you were pregnant so basically anything that would be on the NHS website. Fingers crossed for you xx

[Jules0277 in reply to Jonesy84]

Thank you. I think I will ask mine about soya products to see what they say, as I do eat them frequently. We are planning a frozen cycle starting in January. Thank you for replying. Xx

[CJohns]

My clinic just recommend a ‘high protein or healthy diet’ with limited caffeine and at least two litres of water xx

[Jules0277 in reply to CJohns]

Thank you that sounds sensible. The main query for me are the soya products. I will query with my clinic. We are planning to start buserelin in January for a frozen cycle 😊 xx

[CJohns in reply to Jules0277]

Ah fair enough. I don’t know about milks, but I know I have always avoided yoghurts (dairy or otherwise), as I’d always been lead to believe they are processed foods. Good luck with your transfer xx

[Jules0277 in reply to CJohns]

Good point. I will defo ask my clinic. Thanks!

How are you getting on with your cycle? Xx

[CJohns in reply to Jules0277]

Just in my 2WW at the moment, another 11 days to go🤪 xx

[Jules0277 in reply to CJohns]

Oh poor you! I remember it well 😊 It’s such a rollercoaster time, so many emotions. Wishing you so much luck for test day. X

[Eloquentia]

I was also advised to avoid high-mercury fish. If I were you, I would stay away from the soya, because it is known to mimic female hormones. Very best of luck, I hope it sticks!

[Jules0277 in reply to Eloquentia]

Thank you, that is what I thought re Soya. Good to hear others have read that too!

[BearPanda]

I was advised to follow Mediterranean, high protein diet (avoid high mercury fish) and limit refined sugars. I was allowed one cup of coffee a day. With quite a high soy intake you might want to consult your doctor as soy mimics estrogen and can affect hormonal balance in both man and women, so I avoided it altogether. Pea protein powder is another great replacement. Hope thi helps!

[Jules0277 in reply to BearPanda]

Oh I’ve never tried pea protein! Good thought thank you. 😊😊

[Eggfreezer2015]

I am vegetarian and I avoided soya based products/substitutes due to it potentially impacting estrogen levels. Good luck x

[Jules0277 in reply to Eggfreezer2015]

Thank you for replying. Did you eat coconut based yoghurts etc instead? How about milk options, I usually have soy milk in tea and oat in coffee.

I did check with my clinic and the doctor said soy products fine to eat so I don’t think I will completely stop eating them, just in moderation 😊

[Eggfreezer2015 in reply to Jules0277]

I ate and am currently eating organic dairy. I have normal whole fat milk and cheese, Greek yoghurt etc. I think moderation is good. I reintroduced tofu into my diet after my 2ww. So you may consider just cutting it right down until after 2ww. Good luck! X

[Wishinandahopin]

hi Jules, it’s all fine other than the things to avoid normally in pregnancy. Soy is fine - it’s actually beneficial for women doing IVF - this was according to an ivf nutritionist I saw. I ate it with no problems- tofu, tempeh, soy meat etc etc. I guess if you’re having tonnes of soy protein powder or something you could wind that in but the rest is fine.

I even ate liver pate and Brie in my TWW as I completely forgot 🤦🏼‍♀️ but I’m nearly 24 weeks now so didn’t have an effect.

My first two FETs where I was super strict with what I ate both didn’t work. Just eat your normal diet without alcohol and less caffeine and anything else nhs recommends against.

Good luck! Xxx

[Jules0277 in reply to Wishinandahopin]

I asked my clinic, and the doctors said the same. Soy is fine.

I agree, I have been very strict in previous cycles and not a slight hint of a pregnancy. My last 2 FETs were positive but ended in early losses. I think it will help keep a sense of calm too not having to worry about every little thing.

Amazing news re your pregnancy! How have you found it, have you relaxed into it?

Jules

[Wishinandahopin in reply to Jules0277]

I’m so glad they said that. There’s far too much to worry about with FETs than worrying about everything you eat too.

I’m so sorry for your early losses, that must be so hard. We had had two FETs with BFNs prior. I went down the immune testing route and found some issues, so for the one that worked was on lots of different drugs etc.

It’s been a difficult pregnancy if I’m honest! Weeks 5-8 I was bleeding loads and had a hematoma, constantly thought I was losing it. Then first half of second trimester I was nauseous every day and felt rubbish (unlike most people’s second trimester!) then I got two horrid viruses within 3 weeks and then this week just gone I found out my waters are leaking but we’re hoping everything will be ok and baby will stay in a lot longer. So it’s been a total whirlwind and I have been very anxious but def feel that what it took to get here has made me more resilient and more able to cope with everything. But yes I haven’t super relaxed into pregnancy 🙈😂

Xx

[Jules0277 in reply to Wishinandahopin]

Oh my goodness, poor you!! What a rollercoaster you have had. Let’s hope your remaining weeks calm a little 😊. When is your due date? xx

[Wishinandahopin in reply to Jules0277]

Yes a rollercoaster indeed! Due date isn’t till March 9th. Although now they are saying if I get as far as 37 weeks they’ll induce me then so that would be Feb 17th I think. Who knows 🙈 it’s been mad.

Thank you yes I hope it’s calmer and he sticks inside as long as possible xx