Diet & Exercise During IVF

[Anonymous]

I am getting ready to start my first IVF cycle at SGF and was wondering what people have been told regarding diet, exercise, caffeine and/or alcohol during IVF cycles by SGF docs.

[Anonymous]

i think no one has responded because they're are so many schools of thought on this one. some believe you should alter everything -- no caffeine, alcohol, tons of supplements etc; others think it is what it is. i think, ultimately, it depends on what type of person you are. do you need to feel like you've "done everything possible to help" before you can sleep at night, or are you better off feeling more relaxed about it and not obsessing? i think egg quality is pretty hard to change but i know some believe it can be done over time. good luck.

[Anonymous]

My SG doctor told me:
No caffeine
No alcohol after transfer
Stop exercising when I felt physically uncomfortable from stims
Follow pregnancy food guidelines after transfer

My nurse recommended reading "The Fertility Diet" -- the big new study that just came out about nutrition and fertility.

[Anonymous]

I think every RE that I interviewed in D.C. said just keep caffeine and alcohol consumption to moderate levels. One said don't drink after ovulation (or IUI/transfer if doing treatment). My RE at SG never told me anything about diet and exercise other than to stop exercising when I felt uncomfortable while stimming. My new RE says studies have shown that just two drinks a week can reduce the chance of success during an IVF cycle, and that caffeine should be limited because it can effect blood flow. So they tell women to stop all caffeine and alcohol when they start stimming.

[Anonymous]

Before you turn your diet upside-down based on the fertility diet book, I'd recommend taking a look at this NYTimes article about the book http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/health/nutrition/18well.html?_r=1
Having taken some epidemiology in grad school, the study the "diet" is based on sounds sketchy to me and some prominent REs agree. That said, there's probably no harm in it. It just seems like a shame to devote a lot of time/energy to changing your diet when the study is based on 400 women who were asked what they ate once every couple years (not to mention feeling guilty if you don't stick to the diet). I agree with the PP who said that you have to figure out what kind of person you are. Will you be less stressed if you feel like you did "everything" or will you be less stressed if you keep your life pretty much the same (to the extent that that is possible). There are no wrong answers, just do what seems right to you. And good luck!!!!

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for all of your thoughts and good wishes! I agree that everyone has to figure out what feels right for you, but it is very helpful to know what others are doing.