IVF - Diet advice

[RavingRoo]

So my first consultations are coming up and it’s expected that we will move very fast afterwards. Have tried to improve my diet but feel there’s more I can do in this space, but don’t really know what. Reduced coffee, eating more fruit and veg, more protein. Is there anything else I can do?

[PinkChocolatex]

Lots of water too I've heard helps!

[RavingRoo]

Ooh thanks. Is there a specific amount or should I just knock it back?

[2014newme]

Protein is good for egg production

[2014newme]

Diet hasn't been shown to be a factor in the success or otherwise of ivf so bear that in mind.

[RubyBoots7]

I didn't do anything different with my diet. Tried to be vaguely healthy but IVF is stressful enough without freaking if you have enough veggies or too much chocolate.
Stress is much more likely to affect IVF. Diet wouldn't (unless you're getting smashed or not eating a la starvation mode, or the like). Take the vitamins you're prob taking already.

I would say though, that the clinics in my experience seem to say no to most exercise for a fair chunk of the process. So if you are used to being active, and then you factor in IVF drugs which can make you bloat, you might want to plan to adjust your intake a smidge. Or just get a wee bit chubby and deal with it later on because life is too short!

Also, when you take some of the drugs they can dehydrate you so decent water uptake isn't a bad shout. And it can help with the epic bloating :)

[Scottishgirl85]

I didn't change my diet. I don't drink coffee or alcohol or smoke. Diet has no effect, it's not worth the stress. Good luck x

[JoJoSM2]

I think that sounds about right. I'd also add supplements. At least some folic acid and ideally a multivitamin. A lot of fruit and veg is excellent as antioxidants help with embryos.

[RavingRoo]

Thanks everyone. Have started to up my protein intake. Not drinking much coffee anyway - one or two cups a week. Not looking forward to the bloating - I do walk a lot, hopefully I’ll be able to continue that.

[JoJoSM2]

You might not get that bloated. I only felt it after egg collection. Prior to that I felt excellent despite my ovaries producing crazy numbers of eggs.

[welshweasel]

No evidence that diet or stress effect IVF outcome. Don't drink to excess, don't smoke, ensure BMI within reasonable range. Not much more you can do I'm afraid. My advice would be to be in it for the long haul, carry on living your life as normally as possible.

[JoJoSM2]

I thought I’d just mention that diet is very much linked to IVF outcomes. With quality of sperm things are blatantly obvious and have been researched to death. When it comes to the female side of things, there’s also been tons of research, eg into the nutrients in the follicular fluid and how that’s linked to the quality of embryos. Nutrition also impacts your hormone levels (again very important in IVF). Nutrition can also make a massive difference to the quality of your endometrium and whether you are able to sustain a healthy pregnancy (that’s a real no brainer, isn’t it?).
Just while I’m thinking about it, also make sure you get enough vit D (another one strongly correlated with IVF outcomes). You can’t really get enough from food so it’s a case of getting some sun (you need be outside with no sunscreen on). In the colder months it helps to top up with a pretty potent supplement.

[bridgetjones1]

I have to agree with PP, diet is strongly linked to IVF, and the reasons you are having IVF. If, like me, you have PCOS then diet plays an enormous part in your success.

I would very much recommend you reading It Starts with the Egg. Absolutely fascinating research and results based on vitamins & diet.

I have done several IVF attempts, none of them are any easier than the rest, but I've made the decision to take control and completely overhaul my diet and rid my house of any horrible toxins.

There is a little known chemical that appears in most plastic items in our household called BPA - it is proven to have an impact on womens egg quality. If you can swap out any plastic containers for glass and switch to a organic beauty products.

Obviously I cant say for certain whether this will work for me but I'm certainly going to give it my best shot for our last attempt.

Good luck with your IVF

[Iwantaunicorn]

I took co enzyme q10 - I read online on a few different sites that it really helps. Got it on 3 for 2 from Tesco's, and popped at least 3 a day for a few weeks, stopping I think about a week or 10 days before egg retrieval. I also went caffeine free. Worked for me!

Weirdly, my husband gave up peas for 3-4 months beforehand, and his count went through the roof.

Good luck!

[bridgetjones1]

Hi Iwantaunicorn

I've just ordered my CoQ10 Ubiquinol as well as vitamins with folate rather than folic acid. I'm hoping it works for us too xx

[Rogue1234]

Our clinic recommended a low carb and high protein diet. They had done their own (small!) trial with patients who had had repeated failures and found better outcomes when the women followed this type of diet for 3 months, so whilst the trial was too small to be "official" they were of the opinion that it was worth a shot. PP are right though that IVF is stressful, so you have to balance keeping yourself sane with giving yourself the best chances.

Also a word of warning about the CoQ10 - speak to your clinic before taking it. I started taking it because it is said to improve egg production and my cycles were all over the place for months.

Good luck!