Supporting Egg Quality

[LuckyLazyLara]

Hello All,We went through our first cycle of IVF in Jan and we are planning our next round in July.

The first round we went in very naively and rather blind in terms of body/mind preparation.

I have tried to guide myself as much as I can but I wondered what you could add to what I am doing.

I am on a 14 day seed cycle of sunflower, sesame, flax and pumpkin.

I am having healthy fresh meals as much as possible. An egg a day and lots of cruciferous vegetables.

600mg Q10, vitamin D, Ashwagandha, procieve vitamins, omega 3

Bone broth powder

Castor oil packs

Weekly reflexology and acupuncture.

Reduction of stress as much as possible but that's a struggle.

I am also taking sertraline and may need some antihistamines in the future.

After the devastating first round where we had 2 fertilised eggs but no blastocysts, your support and helpful tips will be so very appreciated 😊

[Fruitandflowers]

Sounds great and so much more than I did, even when I was trying very hard to do everything right. Only additional things are form of Q10 (there's some evidence ubiqionol is better absorbed) and I took bioavaialble b vits that included folate rather than folic acid. And added healthy fats but sound like you have that covered. There's some evidence linking gut and female reproductive microbiome and hormones which may be worth looking at but if you've never had any issues or symptoms it may not be worth it. I'd put the whole no stress thing to one side. And don't be too restrictive unless it helps you feel in control - I went with adding things in rather than taking away and that was much more manageable. I have no idea if any of this did any good but it didn't hurt and egg quality was good. Don't forget if you have a male partner trying to optimise his results too - that can be challenging but they are half the input and lifestyle choices and supplements seem to have a much greater impact on sperm quality than it can have for women's eggs.

[Christianbaby]

I think you're doing very, very well! Good luck on your journey, all the best. xx

[Football61]

Hi. I would have a look at Ubiquinol, Folate, DHEA and Human Growth Hormone. Wishing you the very best of luck x

[Sparklylife]

By all means no expert, but it sounds like you are doing great! I would say just let yourself relax with it all too. I felt I did everything right in terms of staying healthy.. but not just for ivf, but also for my everyday life, I want to live long and healthy. I was careful with some creams and shampoos for 3 months prior to ivf too... did not use much perfume at all. Good hydration with water! But we still have what seems like poor egg quality both times we have had egg collections.

So be healthy, do the right things, but I would advise not to look too much into it as that can cause stressors too! But like say, if it makes you feel in control, go with it! So much out of our control during this process, so I completely get doing what you can control may also help!

After two egg collections I think my egg quality and reserve is aging quicker than I feel I am. Not sure if I can affect that, might sometimes just be how it is. It is hard to come to terms with however.

So I wish you all the best and keep going!! Hopefully it will make a difference as I am sure it all does help! Hoping for success for you!! 💫🧡

[Learningdaybyday]

You sound like you’re already doing everything in your control to give yourself the best possible outcome. Including some lovely self care with the acupuncture and reflexology.

The only other potential things I’m aware of are melatonin and/or DHEA. And as another poster has said, thinking about supplements for sperm quality if you have a male partner - ubiquinol/CoQ10, multivitamins incl B Vitamins improved my partner’s sperm fragmentation.

Hope you have better luck on the next round, it can be very relentless and hard when so much of it is out of your control too. Sending lots of strength! 💕

[ecoexplorer]

Wow sounds like you're doing a lot already! You have some time now for the body to absorb all those vitamines etc ready for the hext cycle. Good luck and hope you get a better result next time. Some say a clean break betwen cycles is good but if you're just starting taking all these things maybe just carry on if you fell comfortable taking them. I don't recognise some of them but if they make you feel better then keep going.

[neonpg]

Good luck! I'm on a very similar journey to you with an IVF cycle planned in July after a failed cycle in Feb. You're doing amazing.

[LuckyLazyLara in reply to neonpg]

Thank you. I am crossing my fingers for you also 💖

[Greenleaves1]

Good luck, I'm not sure what else you could do. I know if this cycle doesn't work for me I'll be taking a 3 month break and starting DHEA xx