Do’s and don’ts during IVF

[CocoDisney]

Firstly, thank you to all who have already responded to my posts. Hearing your stories, and receiving advice and information, has been helpful.

I came on my period yesterday (2 days earlier than expected) so today we make our way to the clinic to start the beginning process of traditional IVF. Though after many appointments and information overload, I’m not entirely sure what we’re to expect at this initial starting appointment if I’m honest.

I have a few questions regarding the do’s and don’ts throughout the IVF process. Obviously I’ll voice any concerns today at the clinic. However, I think it would be helpful to hear from those of you who have/are experiencing it yourselves.

I read that you should go through the experience as though you were actually pregnant. As in, little or no alcohol, limit caffeine, avoid seafood, strenuous exercise etc. Are these things anyone has been advised throughout your own IVF journey? I also read you shouldn’t use nail varnish? If anyone can offer any advice or additional information, that would be helpful.

Thank you.

[EjHack]

Others will certainly have a different opinion on this. Remember it’s all relative and what you feel comfortable with.

Personally, do whatever you need to do through, It’s emotionally and physically challenging enough! The only thing I was told not to do was swim after egg retrieval and transfer, then when I had a positive test, I couldn’t swim or take a bath for 12 weeks due to risk of infection… that was quite difficult! But other exercise is ok, if you feel like it, you may want to find a little hole due to the hormone surges!! Also there are plenty of people that get pregnant having had a vino, although that’s a personal choice. I chose not to drink and looking down the barrel now of 11months without a gin. Wouldn’t smoke.. isn’t good for you anyway!

If you want to get your nails done, go for it… I did in the 2 week wait, no harm done.

Just do you! Sending you strength!

[Luce_16]

Hello CocoDisney! I hope your first appointment went well ☺️

I guess other women will have different opinions and each clinic probably gives slightly different pieces of advice. I am going to share what I have done hoping you’ll find it useful.

During the weeks before the egg collection, I didn’t drink alcohol and tried to increase the proteins intake. I avoided strenuous exercise but kept walking (until my ovaries were too swollen to do so - that was probably a couple of days before collection).

After transfer and during the TWW I avoided exercising and very hot showers - lukewarm temperature water is fine! I also avoided alcohol and anything unpasteurised and made sure meat and fish were always cooked through.

After I had a positive test (💙), I started exercising (especially once out of the first trimester!) and kept being careful with food to avoid toxoplasmosis. I didn’t drink alcohol.

I was not a smoker during the IVF process but if you are, I’d suggest quitting. I had caffeine throughout the entire process - I tried to stick to one coffee per day.

I personally kept having my nails done as I didn’t know there was a risk associated but if you’re nervous about it, ask your clinic

Sending you love and baby dust 🧡

[Eggfreezer2015]

I was quite strict with myself, I tried to eat mostly organic, use natural body products, use natural cleaning products as much as possible, no nails or anything chemical. Now the reason I did this was I wanted to know I had tried my best no matter the outcome and that I would not look back and think what if… I got a failed FET may be it was because of the chemicals from getting my nails done or what if it was from the chemicals/hormones impact in foods. So my advice is do what you think is best for you and where you will not have the ‘what if’… good luck x

[Doodlebug23]

For me. Before transfer cut down on alcohol and eat healthy. After transfer act as if pregnant. There were times I tried the whole no this no that be mega strict, but for my mental health it wasn’t good to put myself through such a stressful time and add the pressure of that on too. My clinic told me to have a glass of wine the night before transfer and relax. I think stress and the cortisol it produces is not a good thing so you need to take that into account.

[CocoDisney in reply to Doodlebug23]

Thanks Doodlebug23, this is really helpful.

I think you’ve pretty much summed up my way of thinking, I just needed to hear others opinions, as we have chosen to do this without telling friends or family, so it can be difficult not having an outlet.

This will be our first cycle, and it can be hard to know what to do for the best. This is all new to us, and we’ve received so much information in such a short space of time. Hearing the experiences of others allows me to trust myself more and feel calmer in my decisions.

Thank you. All the best.

[Doodlebug23 in reply to CocoDisney]

I know everyone has their own opinions and experiences so I found listening to it all then doing what was best for me was best for me.

You’ll get extremes from stop everything to give best chance, to well people get drunk eat shite and get pregnant. You’ll figure out what’s best for you. Sending you lots of 👶🏼 ✨

This forum has been an absolute god send on my IVF journey 💖

[Lenley81]

The only things my clinic told me was no alcohol & no caffeine (they said I could have one cup of tea a day…..or buy decaf which I went out & bought straight away). I’ve been quite strict about these rules over the past 18 months- although if I go to someone’s house & they don’t have decaf, I don’t refuse a cup of tea….i also had a glass of Buck’s Fizz over Christmas. The clinic also said to avoid anything strenuous in the 2 week wait which I did. Aside from those things, I haven’t changed anything else.

[Eloquentia]

Hi! Lots of things have been said already. I recommend reading 'It all starts with the egg'. I found lots of useful lifestyle and dietary advice there. Very best of luck!

[Twiglet2]

From someone being doing this for a while (since 2017) and tried a lot of different things I’m going to be controversial and say please don’t read ‘it’s starts with the egg’ it can really mess with your mental health and cause pressure that’s not needed and also £££’s wasted.

Before egg collection yes cut down on alcohol and caffeine and avoid completely when on stims but other than that my advice would be to live your life in a modestly healthy way but also do what makes you happy and gets you through! Vitimins D and folic acid is a must and the more ‘real’ vitamin D you can get from the actual sun the better I’d say 💜🤗 good luck with it all! Xx

[CocoDisney in reply to Twiglet2]

Thank you Twiglet2.

I think as you have said, mental health is very important at the moment, so I need to do what I feel is right for myself as an individual. We have enough stress in our lives already, so for myself personally I really think I need to keep that in mind.

Thank you. All the best.

[Eloquentia in reply to Twiglet2]

Everyone is different and responds to information in a different way. For me, that book opened new horizons and helped me improve lifestyle and diet in a way that I think lead to our BFP. But like all information, it is not to be taken too literally and complied with 100 %

[Twiglet2 in reply to Eloquentia]

Like I said controversial I know 🤣 but it’s just a can of worms I hope others don’t open or open with caution as for a lot of people I’ve personally known go down rabbit holes for a while with it or blame themselves for negatives cos they didn’t do everything in it …the times I’ve completely ignored and not put that pressure on is when it’s worked for me so it’s different strokes for different folks I guess!! 🤗💜 xx

[Eloquentia in reply to Twiglet2]

I hadn't considered the book can affect people in this way so it is good that you put the warning out Twiglet! Definitely not a yardstick to measure ourselves against or beat ourselves with. xx

[Greenseal]

I have had one cycle. My biggest piece of advice would be to make sure you have as much information about the options: frozen vs fresh transfer and to do genetic testing or not to bother, the start of the cycle.

Ideally make an appointment with a consultant and maybe embryologist to discuss your circumstances, as for us the genetic councillor was only really a starting point for having to make some complex decisions.

I felt like I had to go through a cycle to have all the information I needed. It will very much depend on your clinic, but that was my experience.

[CocoDisney in reply to Greenseal]

Hi Greenseal,

Similar to yourself, we’ve decided to try a round of traditional IVF for our first cycle, in order to get more information & see what we’re working with really.

My chances are low, so we’re trying not to get our hopes up and prepare for disappointment. However, it can be hard not to hope for a little miracle to happen.

I’m just trying to take one day/step at a time at the moment, as we’ve gone through what feels like a lot in the space of a few weeks really.

I gather from most reply’s I’ve had, just to be sensible regarding the do’s and don’ts. But also, to do what you need to do as an individual in order to get through it, and not add additional stress to what’s already a very stressful time.

Thank you. Wishing you all the best.