Here we go!!!

[Running4u]

Starting my first ever round tomorrow, excited and apprehensive all at the same time. Any tips or tricks? Anyone else starting stims this weeks?

[Hidden]

hi!! Starting my round on Thursday! After my baseline scan! Goodluck!

[Running4u in reply to Hidden]

Amazing, hope this is everything you've ever wanted ❤️

[Hidden in reply to Running4u]

likewise ❤️❤️

[raverg]

Woo hoo!

Here’s my tips from 2 rounds of stims:

- drink lots of water and make sure you’re well hydrated over the next few weeks, as your ovaries will need it

- you can exercise in the first few days as per your normal (good for blood flow and as an anxiety reliever) but as your ovaries are getting bigger, stick to lower impact forms of exercise, such as yoga, walking, swimming as the risk of ovarian torsion is real

- don’t get too stressed about the injections as there is a lot of room for error, otherwise they wouldn’t let us do this at home by ourselves; there’s also videos with instructions on youtube for every medicine

- try to take it one day at a time, one scan at a time, one result at a time and don’t let your mind skip ahead to outcomes, as things can change from one scan to another or things can go either way at every step

- make sure to line up all of your stress and anxiety relievers as things will get stressful as hormones build up; do fun things, watch movies and tv shows, hang out with friends

- don’t get too bogged down on the number of follicles, eggs or embryos as what matters more is quality and you have your age on your side

Good luck! Xx

[Running4u in reply to raverg]

What a beautiful reply. Thankyou xx

[Marg29 in reply to raverg]

This is literally all the advice you need in a nutshell! I couldn't haven't said it better myself. Make sure you have some prune juice available for after egg collection. They will start you on progesterone straight after and for a lot of people it causes constipation!

[Running4u in reply to Marg29]

Thankyou, thats helpful advice 😊

[raverg in reply to Running4u]

Oh good point. After my egg collection the nurses told me to make sure I eat plenty of fibre. I think it’s something to do with the absorption of progesterone, and potentially to also deal with the constipation that comes with sedation.

[Greenleaves1]

Lots of protein - eggs for your eggs 😊

[raverg in reply to Greenleaves1]

Second this, an excellent tip! Your body needs energy from protein to grow eggs, and eggs have a high protein content. If you’re as lazy as I am though, my workaround was to have peanut butter on ryvita every morning and then whenever I got peckish. I even took my peanut butter jar with me on my travels lol. My acupuncturist says that it’s important to start your day with a high protein / low carb & low sugar breakfast.

[Running4u in reply to raverg]

Perfect, thanks both! I'm a veggie so have to get my protein from other sources 😊

[Sja1981 in reply to raverg]

I wonder if almond butter would also be appropriate?

I start with oats and berries, but have read rolled oats are too sugary?

[raverg in reply to Sja1981]

I’ve done Zoe last year and I’m in a Zoe fb group too, and it seems that on most people’s glucose monitors having porridge in the morning triggered a sugar spike. Weird as it’s such a staple breakfast item!

So I’d recommend the other sources of protein for breakfast, like eggs or peanut butter. I don’t know about almond butter, it would have slightly less protein than PB, but maybe just have more. Check the protein content at the shelf when you’re next in a supermarket.

Good luck! Xx

[Sja1981 in reply to raverg]

What's Zoe?

Yeah I'm going to cut out the porridge bleurgh as through wintry June it has been keeping me going!

I don't like eggs so I'll try to find another protein option x

[raverg in reply to Sja1981]

Haha yeah we really are living through a wintery June!

Zoe is this nutritional programme where you have blood and stool tests, wear a glucose monitor and then you get a score for your sugar and fats response, the based on that you get scores for various ingredients and meals. It guides you towards meals that are good for you personally. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I liked it and found it useful.

Hope you find another breakfast to get you going through this wintery summer xx

[Sja1981 in reply to raverg]

Are there any general guidelines on what levels to be mindful of in foods, when trying to improve egg quality? Is this available in the FB group even if I don't do the full programme?

I'm veggie and don't drink or smoke, no caffeine, but do like a sugary treat sometimes! X

[raverg in reply to Sja1981]

Ah the Zoe programme is not related to fertility. For protein in particular, you usually need 0.8-1 g per kilo you weigh. Otherwise sugar spikes can generally be brought down when you pair the dishes with good stuff like nuts, seeds, fruit, yogurt. You can have sugary treats, especially throughout this process as you’ll need it, but maybe keep them small and at the end of meals, or maybe replace them with fruit. The glucose goddess has interesting posts about pairings to avoid sugar spikes on instagram, whereas Zoe is based on Tim Spector’s book called Food for Life I think. There would also be some dietary advice in It Starts with an Egg. Basically lots of fruit and veg and nuts (which you should be good for as a vegetarian) and fish (if you’re also pescatarian), but cut out processed foods; anything ready meal or pre-made sauces.

[Sja1981 in reply to raverg]

All noted. Yeah got the egg book. Mediterranean diet is what im aiming for. I do eat fish. Salmon every week now.

Checking about food pairings, v interesting!

I'm trying to make curries from scratch and loads of veggies daily and fruit.

Sugary snacks is my comfort eating sometimes through all the stress of this process. Can't resist chocolate sometimes!

[raverg in reply to Sja1981]

It sounds like you have an excellent diet! I treat myself with a Lindor chocolate truffle after lunch and dinner as well 😆 we deserve it!

[MammaMia86]

Congrats!!!! Follow all the recommendations from the doctors, go for walks, you might obsses a little it during the 2ww, and it is normal try not to stress too much.Best of luck

[Running4u in reply to MammaMia86]

I'm a keen runner, not fast, but I like to run off road for miles, so walking will be my go to now. Thankyou so much 💓

[positivityonly]

Tips from what I learnt :-Supps: coq10, vit d, omega 3, choline, folate.

Nuts : walnuts, brazilnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, hemp hearts.

Food:avocado, blueberry, whole eggs, whole milk, brocc, beans, spinach

Other: acupuncture before or after

Outdoor walking once a day.

Avoid / reduce: caffeine,sugar, fish with high mercury, red meat, high spice foods.

Do what you can, start where you are, use what you have. Do not worry about anything else.

Good luck 💝💞

[Running4u]

Perfect advice Thankyou so much 💓

[Hopefullme]

Excellent advice! I started my (3rd round) stims yesterday and although I should be well versed in the do’s and don’t s, everyone loves a wee revision tip sheet! 🧡

[Hopewhite]

wishing you all the best of luck!! I'm also starting today (second cycle), my best advise is be kind to yourself there will be a lot of new experiences, just try to do your best and don't worry if it isn't perfect, when in doubt always ask to your clinic or this forum is also very helpful.

Try to eat healthy, sleep well, and drink plenty of water it will help your body to process all the hormones! if you feel is getting too much the GP can sign you off, or if you're open about it at work they may give you a few days depending on the fertility leave policy. Try to be as relaxed as you can and to carry on as normal to get your mind distracted from it. sending lots of hope and baby dust your way, you've got this xx

[Francypants]

I'm also starting the stim injections on Thursday. Exciting times! Good luck!

[Running4u]

Thankyou all <3 Really hopeful this works out for you xxxxxx

[Boo718]

hello, good luck. My only advice after years of ivf and multiple rounds would be to stay away from google. It honestly causes so much stress and if you can, try not to test until your test date because different medications can impact the answer you get in the 2ww. You’ve got this xxx