Caffeine

It's been quiet well documented that caffeine has the potential for affecting fertility, this report, being one of the latest nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/new... . I know that it is one of the things that my clinic tell me to stay well clear of when undergoing treatment.

Compared to when I was younger, I hardly drink any coffee now, the odd cup on the weekend. But this Monday, I decided to get one to kick start a week at work. I went to a new place and got a Flat White, and boy was it strong! This then sent me into a mild panic, as I'm in the 2nd half of my cycle and what happens if this one cup has stopped me getting pregnant this weekend.

That night, told my DH, he said not to worry, and I'm supposed to be having the summer of, and one cup will make no difference.

I hope he's right, but I know that after my summer holiday, all caffeine will be banned as I prepare for my 3rd cycle.

What are your thoughts on caffeine and what have you been told?

[ruth81]

I was told by my clinic to try to avoid caffeine so whenever I am cycling I cut it out just to be on the safe side. From what I have read it can affect the way the egg moves down the tubes (not an issue for IVF then? Or me with my mangled tubes, nothing is getting down them anyway!) and can also cause tiny contractions in the womb which could affect implantation. I actually miss caffeine more than alcohol when I am cycling, so whenever I have had a BFN I reach straight for the kettle! I went to a clinic open day this week and although not talking about caffeine directly, they did say that tiny uterine contractions are, they think, one reason why implantation doesn't work.

That said though, I think us IVF girls could go to all lengths and all extremes to change our lives in the hope of getting pregnant. It is natural, we want this so bad we will try anything to achieve it. We could cut out and do all sorts of things to try to maximise our chances, but, like my gynae always says "if an embryo is so weak it is going to get affected by a cup of coffee, a hot bath, or one glass of wine, then it is not going to become a strong and healthy baby anyway"

So, I guess what I am trying to say is, yes, I think from what I have seen caffeine can have some effects on fertility, but, I really don't think the odd cup is going to stop you from conceiving and I think we torture ourselves so much on this journey, whether it is all the medication or all the lifestyle changes we make, that we need to remember to look after ourselves and not beat ourselves up if we have one slip up every now and again. We are only human after all!

[Hidden]

Thanks Ruth - think I was having one of those moments that we all have. And you're right that if it can't survive one cup of coffee...