A few drinks whilst doing IVF injections - OK or a no-go?

[Leedslady77]

Hi all,
I've just started taking my injections for our first round of IVF. I have a birthday meal tonight and wondered whether a few glasses of wine would be OK or whether it's best to stay clear.
I know what the sensible answer is of course, but if one glass isn't going to cause any harm then it would be nice to celebrate with friends (and avoid any awkward questions about why I'm not drinking!)

I wouldn't risk it tbh. If you're going through the NHS, you may only get 1-3 chances at IVF, and private treatment is very expensive. While one drink might not make or break a cycle's chances of success, how would you feel if you had a drink and then there was an issue with the cycle?

There are lots of non-alcoholic options for drinking in social situations - mocktails, ordering an orange or coke and pretending it has vodka in it, etc. If you drive and are going out, you could just take your car and say you can't drink because you're driving.

Good luck with your treatment and I hope you have a lovely time tonight!

I agree with PP. Even though it’s probably fine, if you had a drink and your treatment wasn’t successful, how would you feel? That would be the decider for me.

Take your car, say you’re on antibiotics etc.

Hi there, I’m in the opposite camp. I do lot believe that a couple of alcoholic drinks will in any way affect your chances. I think sometimes we go to extremes to try to get the baby we long for but it’s hard going through infertility and treatment and sometimes we just need to give ourselves a break. Enjoy your night, whatever you decide.

*lot = not

I also would go for it and i don't believe a drink or two would have any impact at this stage. IVF is a long hard road and it can totally consume you so i believe it's important to try to relax and enjoy spending time with family and friends and having one or two drinks if you feel like it. Enjoy your night and best of luck

It depends how you'll feel if it doesn't work. Will you feel you didn't do everything you possibly could? Or will you accept that if a good embryo is put in a good environment at the right time then there's only extremes that would stop it working (which is the truth and a couple of drinks isn't extreme).

I wouldn't do it. IVF is exhausting both mentally and physically and expensive. Why would you risk it over a couple of drinks?

We really need to destigmatize other people's drink choices.

Hi everyone thank you for all your responses. It's interesting to hear everyone's views and I can see both points of view. I ended up having one very small glass of wine, it's probably going to be my last night out with friends for a while and it was great to just catch up, talk about other things and take my mind off this bloody difficult process for a few hours. I'm pretty sure if our ivf doesn't work I won't be blaming that one small glass of red, so I'm not worried about beating myself up later down the line.

@Leedslady77

Hi everyone thank you for all your responses. It's interesting to hear everyone's views and I can see both points of view. I ended up having one very small glass of wine, it's probably going to be my last night out with friends for a while and it was great to just catch up, talk about other things and take my mind off this bloody difficult process for a few hours. I'm pretty sure if our ivf doesn't work I won't be blaming that one small glass of red, so I'm not worried about beating myself up later down the line.

Good for you, OP. It won't have made the slightest difference.

Good luck!

I’m pretty sure it makes no difference. After 2 cycles of failed ivf and following the rules perfectly but it didn’t work. Then l doubt l will do next time, a few drinks will miss likely be had