Nutrition, Lifestyle and IVF

[AnnaSteen]

Hi all, we had a failed round of IVF due to MFI - all of my tests came back in normal ranges. However when we had our follow up consultation the doctor indicted I might have poor egg quality as I didn’t respond well and the embryos were crap. (Either this or wrong dose of meds as I was on a very low level).

When we got diagnosed with MFI my DH went militant on trying to improve it and he did succeed in getting his count from 1 mil to 18 mil. Now it’s my turn however to work on improving egg quality and I am struggling. He gave up caffeine without a blink and I am still having one a day with x2 sugars. We went to a nutritionist who said we are intolerant to dairy and gluten - he’s given both up straight away and while I’m doing fine on gluten I am having some milk in my one coffee.. I’m still having some dark chocolate in the evenings. He has totally cut out all refined sugar and treats without a backward glance. He is busy eating all these foods he doesn’t like and never complains.

I am feeling a bit down that I can’t make myself do the same as I do really want a baby and want to give us the best chance in our next round. I am not overweight (size 12) but I could do with losing a stone as I carry weight on my stomach which is supposed to be bad. My DH lost half a stone he needed to lose straight away also.

I guess I am wondering how you all managed to motivate yourselves to do all this and what kind of thing you? Any advice appreciated. Just had a coffee and feeling guilty!

I have pcos and for me what worked was my fitness pal and weighing the food I was eating. I also went on specific pcos diets to improve egg quality (these may work for you too as they are high in protein / fat /veg but low in processed carbs), took pregnacare max, and co-enzyme q10 for egg quality.

I found that when I lost the first few kilos I did become more motivated. However I still didn’t give up my coffees / tipples until after the embryo transfer. Neither impacts egg quality - they tell you to give it up only to help implantation.

@AnnaSteen I gave up caffeine around 18 months ago after being an absolute caffeine fiend. It was absolutely horrendous during the withdrawal but has been fine since and I don't miss it at all, I just drink decaf now.

In terms of giving things up, hopefully you can make small changes? I have done 5:2 in the past and found it really good and relatively easy (mainly because you don't really need to ask yourself 'can I eat that?' because the answer is mainly no!)

My nutritionist told me to have tomato purée every day (on a cracker; random!), watercress and a lot of protein. I'm eating chicken, eggs and greek yoghurt every day, as well as protein powder to ensure I get enough. I should say though that I'm having IVF so it's only been for a month or two.

I'm not sure if this has been of any help but wishing you a lot of luck

Pfft. The evidence base is - high protein, low carb, minimal snacks to regulate blood sugar, reduce caffeine and alcohol. That's it.

Nutritionists have no formal medical training and tend to tell everyone to give up dairy and gluten.

You can't live your life this way, you'll get resentful and stressed.

Stomach fat is good if you're a healthy weight, you need it to produce estrogen.

Read it starts with the egg. It's a good book.

I got told similar - MFI but poor response (I only had 1 egg and it didn't fertilise).

I was told to take Omega 3 fish oil and Co-Enzyme Q10 as they both help with egg quality.

Lifestyle-wise, they said to try for a more mediterranean style, so more fish and vegetables and less processed carbs. Full fat dairy if you have it and nuts.

Breakfast switched to Greek yogurt, nuts/seeds and fruit (especially brazil nuts). Make sure you get plenty of protein in your diet as that helps.

I have not cut out chocolate etc (like you I carry weight on my tummy but I am overweight) but work on everything in moderation. Caffeine is supposed to affect success, so try to cut back or switch to decaff for your coffee.

If you are about to try again, do not go too extreme on your diet as that sudden change can affect you as well.

I agree that the Mediterranean diet is great for fertility. I avoid gluten and dairy and red meat -but that’s only because I have endometriosis and there’s lots to say it causes inflammation.

It’s so hard -I love chocolate -I can only really go without it for a short time before the urge comes back!!

The stone you think you need to lose is not doing you any harm. IVF worked for me after years of fertility treatments, I gained weight with each one and was at my heaviest when the IVF was successful.
We were both very careful with what we ate for 3 months leading up to the last egg retrieval, we followed a protein rich diet, with complex carbs and very little alcohol. The odd cider for him and nothing for me. I took omega fish oils and prenatal vitamins.
Don’t beat yourself up about everything you eat, the stress will not help. Be kind to yourself and your body.

Watching this thread with interest as I always beat myself up over not being as good as I should.

Be kind to yourself OP 💐