Fertility cleansing after IVF

[AniSL]

Hi All

So we plan to do a freeze all approach if we get day 5 blasts and then do a FET.

I want to get rid of all the hormones that have been pumped into my body to allow uterus to have the best possible environment for implantation.

Has anyone done a fertility cleanse?

[NaiceViper]

Nutritionist is not a protected term (unlike dietician) and I wouid be sceptical of thisinitiave. You need to ask a hell of a lot more questions, staring with 'what the hell is a liver detox, why do you think my liver isnderperforming, what is the precise action of the substances you propose I should take on the liver, and how long ones it take for these pharmacologically active compounds to clear they?'

A healthy liver does not need a boost/detox to work, so Iwould also be asking for peer-reviewed published papers on the action and efficacy (not because I want to follow the detail, but because I want to know if any exist). Or if there is any suspicion that my liver function is poor (have you had blood tests?) then I wouid be asking for a referral to the relevant consultant and getting it sorted out before a pregnancy.

[Persipan]

I am far from convinced that this is of any benefit. If my clinic were telling me to do a fertility cleanse I'd be asking them to direct me towards peer-reviewed published research into the topic so I could evaluate the evidence base.

[Verbena87]

I think just having the ‘time off’ hormones will be beneficial but realistically the hormones they give you for FET are high dose too, and the hormones of ‘natural’ pregnancy and birth are potent enough to cause months of vomiting, depression and psychosis, total body transformation, growing an entire new organ from nothing (placentas are amazing), turning into a good source (and dribbling milk over everything you own) etc etc so it’s not worth fretting too much - female bodies are resilient and designed to handle drastic hormonal shifts.

[PurpleDaisies]

warm water and lemon as always does a good detox trick

More pseudoscience.

sciencebasedmedicine.org/detox-what-they-dont-want-you-to-know/

If you like the taste of lemon and warm water, that’s fine but don’t kid yourself that it’s doing a great job for your liver.

[AniSL]

Thanks Botanica and Verbena87. We are hoping to return in November so will be religiously drinking water between now and then to flush them all out and warm water and lemon as always does a good detox trick.
I know people get pregnant without the special diets but we are riddled with artificial hormones which is never good, so hoping I can reset my body before FET

[Verbena87]

(If you’re vegan and trying to get rid of extra hormones you might want to look at how much soya stuff you eat because it’s got stuff in it that mimics oestrogen, though I think the evidence for whether it affects the body in the same way is still a bit sketchy)

[Verbena87]

I did what was technically a ‘freeze all’ cycle as our embryos were tested for a genetic condition (PGD) and are frozen during that process. Egg collection in July and FET in December.

I didn’t do any sort of special diet, but we eat pretty well anyway (mostly plant based too, lots of fresh fruit and veg, limited amounts of processed stuff) and I did carry on limiting my caffeine intake, didn’t drink alcohol and carried on with folic acid and vitamin d. We also had lots of sex, which I would definitely recommend because morning sickness then serious birth injuries have put us into a long dry spell - enjoy it while it’s comfy and uncomplicated just in case!

I was very lucky to get pregnant from our first transfer but honestly and truly I think it’s mostly blind luck, and I get a bit pissed off with the pressure on women to micromanage their diet and activities in the lead-up because then if your embryo doesn’t stick you risk feeling like it’s your fault for not doing more, rather than feeling like “this is a really shit thing but is out of my control” (which I think is closer to the truth).

So do what you need to to feel comfortable with your choices. And given what I said about luck: lots and lots and lots of luck

[Botanica]

Yes, it's known by medical professionals that it's good to get these drugs out of your body the sooner the better, so I'm with you on this @AniSL.

My nurses advise two routes - pee and sweat. Best advice they have is to consistently keep drinking 2-3 litres of water every single day and that is the best way to get it out.

Important not to do any type of deprivation as your uterus needs lots of nourishment over the coming weeks.

[thedogiswearingtartan]

Best thing for your liver is Vit C.

[AniSL]

I think you all have misunderstood me here, the nutritionalist works in my clinic alongside my consultant, neither have tried to sell me anything! Theu even told me that pregnacare/proxeed/fertaild etc is just a way to have some very expensive urine. So no they are not telling me crap and yes its a proven medical fact that all the meds they give you mess up your hormones and your body, stims dont produce an ideal environment in your uterus for embies and that is why so many clinics are pioneering a freeze all approach.
My clinic advise at least one natural bleed beforw embarking on FET, yes they monitored my liver before with LFT and fibroscan and you can definitely tell the difference, I dont smoke or drink and am vegan so my liver is in pretty good shape. Perhaps the term fertility cleanse is what confused, maybe should have said body detox.

[welshweasel]

Sounds like bollocks. Eat well, drink in moderation, don’t smoke, try to chill out. There is zero evidence behind what they are trying to sell to you. I know ivf is hard going but latching on to shit like this is only going to make you poorer!

[hoping2018]

If the hormones damaged your liver then the consultants would have to monitor your liver with blood tests... liver tests go up and down very easily - the slightest thing can put hem up.

I'm afraid I also don't think this a thing....

[PurpleDaisies]

That’s all pseudoscience.

[TakeAChanseyOnMe]

Seems like people who are preying on women who are vulnerable because they’ll do anything to TTC. Spend the £100s on a relaxing hotel break with your DP (and some....fun...things )

[TakeAChanseyOnMe]

This is a very accurate representation of my opinion of “nutritionists” -

m.youtube.com/watch?v=uRqB5-egs1s

[AniSL]

My consultant told me about the massive damaging effect these hormones have on the liver and I have seen it first hand on my fibroscan.
My nutritionist at the clinic said a liver detox and certain teas and juices which help with uterine health are good at getting ride of the crazy hormones I have just pumped into my body and messed around with the natural environment of the uterus.

[TakeAChanseyOnMe]

Sounds like quackery.

Googled it and of course the “cleanse” costs 100+ dollars. Eat properly, avoid alcohol and minimise stress - thatll do way more than any “cleanse.”

[physicskate]

All I could think of is time...

[PurpleDaisies]

I’m not sure this is a thing.

[Bananacloud]

I didn’t cleanse before my fet and had a healthy baby girl 9 months ago