Changes

[Greenleaves1]

What did you change in the lead up to your IVF cycle?

I'm due to start stims in a few weeks - I already take all the supplements required (have been for months now), I have acupuncture every fortnight, reflexology the weeks in between. I have two daily cups of coffee, the rest decaf. I am a natural overthinker so have to do my best to keep my stress in check, I do try to meditate each night (I normally pass out 2 mins in lol).

I eat and sleep the best I can with a 21 month old demanding most of my energy when I'm not working lol.

I'm hoping to get more walks in this week & with the nights getting brighter I'll be able to get the wee one out in his buggy in the evenings.

Any suggestions fire them my way thank you.

[Fruitandflowers]

You sound like you're already doing a lot (and way more than I did) so don't 'need' to change anything, unless you want to. I didn't really, just added stuff to my diet that I thought might help and didn't cut anything, or change my work pattern or exercise. I found being restrictive and resting hadn't made much difference in the past so I didn't also want to be miserable denying myself things for no reason. But nore walking, getting outside, and doing more of the things that make you happy sounds like a great idea to me!

[Greenleaves1 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

The main things i'm planning on doing is upping my steps, water intake and cutting takeaways (bar the odd treat 😀)

[Christianbaby]

You're doing really well. For me, the difficult part was cutting down on caffeine. I also added other supplements recommended by my doctor. Good luck! xx

[Greenleaves1 in reply to Christianbaby]

Thank you! I still have my instant coffee in the morning and a Nespresso after the nursery drop off lol it's a non-negotiable. xx

[SurvivorPhoenix]

Hi, it’s sounds like you’ve got a lot covered which is amazing. If you’re a natural over thinker, I’d suggest adding therapy in there too. The clinic should offer it or try via GP, private or if you have anything through work.

I was having therapy already but, it really helped me during IVF x

[Greenleaves1 in reply to SurvivorPhoenix]

Thank you - I've had some counselling in the past and to be honest I don't find it helped much. I think i need to work on staying in the present, which is hard in this process as you are always thinking ahead about next steps. xx

[Twiglet2]

sounds like you are doing everything you can 🤗 I’m also due to start stims in a few weeks and I’m stressing a bit about the lack of solid 8 hours sleep I’m getting lately so going to buy some ear plugs (as I’m such a light sleeper) and punt the responsibility for bedtime etc to the other half for a couple of weeks (who could sleep through an earthquake 🤣) I’m trying to get out in nature a lot more too my dog thinks it’s Christmas all the extra walks she getting! I did look at acupuncture but the cost seemed so much and it was a distance form me travel wise, are you feeling a lot of benefits? xx

[Greenleaves1 in reply to Twiglet2]

Thank you! ooohh we could be cycle buddies. Yeah the sleep is hard, to be honest I feel better when i get around 7 hours, i find if i get more than 8 i'm really sluggish. I do have broken sleep as my son still wakes most nights for something lol. Ahhh yes it's so good for the dogs isn't it? Helps us both lol.

I'll be honest, i haven't felt any real benefits this time round with acupuncture. Reflexology is so much more relaxing (and cheaper) but i'm finding it hard to break up with the girl who does the acupuncture so I've dropped it to fortnightly.

I went elsewhere for acupuncture when i was trying for my first child and i fell pregnant the next cycle via IUI. I'm not sure if he did anything different but I've been going to the new girl for months now and at £45 a pop it soon adds up.

The reflexology gives me such a good night sleep and lifts my stress, much more relaxing. xx

[Twiglet2 in reply to Greenleaves1]

Oh thank you I will look into the reflexology then! The acupuncture wanted £75 a time! But it was fertility specific …tbh I think getting an hour away for myself just even a wee massage would be beneficial the now 😆we have an almost 3 year old that’s slept through the night since about 4 months and has recently decided he no longer wants to sleep at a reasonable time and/or all night!! 🤪 so our luck has ran out 😂 xx

[Greenleaves1 in reply to Twiglet2]

Jeez £75 is a lot. My acupuncture is fertility specific, scared to stop incase it is helping somehow lol.

Ahhh the joys - my little one was a really good sleeper too but he just loves life that much that he doesn't want to sleep.

Is this your first round of IVF for a sibling? xx

[Twiglet2 in reply to Greenleaves1]

No we’ve been trying a while I’ve actually lost count 🤪 think this will be our 5th fresh round and had 3 frozen- transfers too. we started when wee one was only 3 months! Had a few chemicals and a miscarriage at 9 weeks end of last year so hoping this one will finally be it after being so close! But also terrified we get no embryos this time 🫣 it’s been MUCH harder 2nd time around!

I’m looking at the reflexology stuff just now it looks really good whether benefits to IVF or not! Might give that a wee go for the next few weeks 😊 at this point t I will try anything 😆 xx

[Cuppppatea in reply to Twiglet2]

Search for community acupuncture clinics - where i go it’s 30£ - there can be 2/3 having treatment at the same time but it’s fine ! X

[zbexbj]

I think you've got it covered! I'm starting stims this week and I think it's natural to try to find things to do, cut out etc. etc. to try and feel that we're in control and doing everything we can to maximise chances of success. I definitely think most of it is worth doing because why not - I'm literally about to go to acupuncture for IVF so I'm really going with it lol. But, equally (and annoyingly), these changes probably have minimal impact on treatment so we don't need to put so much pressure on ourselves. Good luck and I hope all goes well for you xxx

[Greenleaves1 in reply to zbexbj]

Good luck! I'm starting oestrogen priming on Friday - I know I keep telling myself my eggs have been around maturing for 90 days so changing things now won't help. They've maybe preferred the take aways lol xx