It Starts with the Egg: Can't tell what is good advice and what's just hysteria

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the author's credentials, but it's unclear whether all of her advice is backed by research. For example, she suggests cutting out all beauty products with parabens. For example, I found no research on the relationship between parabens and fertility. Since so much about fertility is unknown I understand why some women follow the advice, but it would be helpful to understand which advice (cutting out sugar? not touching plastic) is more grounded in actual research and which is more speculative.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I googled and found one article on parabens:

"Conclusions: PP [propylparaben] may be associated with diminished ovarian reserve. However, our results require confirmation in further studies."

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1205350/

[Anonymous]

From dealing with infertility way back...take it all with a grain of salt but try to get as healthy as possible. I switched to mainly organic at this time and 13 years later have never gone back. I kept drinking dairy because when I did the research the only shown bad effects to eggs was people who already had lactose problems. Exercise, drink lots of water and tea, eat fruits, veggies and lean proteins and avoid as many chemicals as possible. Oh....and the most important thing ....try not to stress. So, much easier said then done. But, I had one after multiple failed rounds of IVF with only 2-3 embryos to transfer - went on to have #2 and #3 naturally. Knew a lot of folks like that. Was it that my body remembered how to work? Was it the stress? Was it the fact that my egg producing got a rest with each pregnancy and then spit out better eggs when it started back up? Who knows. Which is hte main thing I learned - doctors do not really understand the human body all that well

Trust your gut...and wishing you all the best.

[Anonymous]

That book is SO overwhelming. I took it in small, reasonable steps at a time - the first thing I did was throw away all plastic tupperware and switch to glass only (same for water bottles, etc). Easy. When I researched my cosmetics, I found most of my beauty stuff was already paraben/pthalate free, etc. so that was easy. If you use products from Sephora or department stores already, you may also find that to be the case.

Ask your doctor about all the vitamins/supplements, that was not something I would do on my own.

The diet thing is all over the map - my non-scientific hypothesis is so much of this stuff has to do with inflammation, which is something that they don't full understand yet. And I'd also guess like with all things, each person has different levels and different reactions so there's no perfect diet. Just try to be as healthy as possible and "clean" as you can, but don't stress too much about it.

[Anonymous]

I think ubiquinol is a good recommendation as a supplement. Will it improve egg quality definitely? No way to know, but there is no downside and it is an excellent supplement even if you are not trying to get pregnant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That book is SO overwhelming. I took it in small, reasonable steps at a time - the first thing I did was throw away all plastic tupperware and switch to glass only (same for water bottles, etc). Easy. When I researched my cosmetics, I found most of my beauty stuff was already paraben/pthalate free, etc. so that was easy. If you use products from Sephora or department stores already, you may also find that to be the case.

Ask your doctor about all the vitamins/supplements, that was not something I would do on my own.

The diet thing is all over the map - my non-scientific hypothesis is so much of this stuff has to do with inflammation, which is something that they don't full understand yet. And I'd also guess like with all things, each person has different levels and different reactions so there's no perfect diet. Just try to be as healthy as possible and "clean" as you can, but don't stress too much about it.

+1

You can really help to combat inflammation by avoiding processed foods and eating a lot of vegetables as well as healthy fats. Not to add another overwhelming book to the mix, but I have found the "Better Baby Book" to be helpful as well. Especially for diet advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That book is SO overwhelming. I took it in small, reasonable steps at a time - the first thing I did was throw away all plastic tupperware and switch to glass only (same for water bottles, etc). Easy. When I researched my cosmetics, I found most of my beauty stuff was already paraben/pthalate free, etc. so that was easy. If you use products from Sephora or department stores already, you may also find that to be the case.

Which spring water brands come in glass containers? I have yet to find any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think ubiquinol is a good recommendation as a supplement. Will it improve egg quality definitely? No way to know, but there is no downside and it is an excellent supplement even if you are not trying to get pregnant.

Agree; rhe supplements are the easy part. Cutting our sugar and plastic containers is a lot harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That book is SO overwhelming. I took it in small, reasonable steps at a time - the first thing I did was throw away all plastic tupperware and switch to glass only (same for water bottles, etc). Easy. When I researched my cosmetics, I found most of my beauty stuff was already paraben/pthalate free, etc. so that was easy. If you use products from Sephora or department stores already, you may also find that to be the case.

Which spring water brands come in glass containers? I have yet to find any.

I just use a refillable (stainless steel) water bottle now. I carry it with me everywhere, so I never drink bottled water anymore. But doesn't Voss come in a glass bottle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think ubiquinol is a good recommendation as a supplement. Will it improve egg quality definitely? No way to know, but there is no downside and it is an excellent supplement even if you are not trying to get pregnant.

Agree; rhe supplements are the easy part. Cutting our sugar and plastic containers is a lot harder.

It's true, it is annoying. But if you are to become pregnant you'll be happy that you cut out plastic - you'll want to keep your baby away from unnecessary plastic as well.

This is a good water filter that comes with a glass bottle to fill up and take with you. It fits on the counter which is not for everyone, but the price is pretty good for a good filter that eliminates fluoride as well.
https://www.berkeyfilters.com/berkey-water-filters/big-berkey.html?a_aid=538a5cb8c8907&a_bid=8b4878fc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think ubiquinol is a good recommendation as a supplement. Will it improve egg quality definitely? No way to know, but there is no downside and it is an excellent supplement even if you are not trying to get pregnant.

Agree; rhe supplements are the easy part. Cutting our sugar and plastic containers is a lot harder.

It's true, it is annoying. But if you are to become pregnant you'll be happy that you cut out plastic - you'll want to keep your baby away from unnecessary plastic as well.

This is a good water filter that comes with a glass bottle to fill up and take with you. It fits on the counter which is not for everyone, but the price is pretty good for a good filter that eliminates fluoride as well.
https://www.berkeyfilters.com/berkey-water-filters/big-berkey.html?a_aid=538a5cb8c8907&a_bid=8b4878fc

Don’t havve space on the counter unfortunately. Are there any Britta type filters whose containers aren’t plastic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate the author's credentials, but it's unclear whether all of her advice is backed by research. For example, she suggests cutting out all beauty products with parabens. For example, I found no research on the relationship between parabens and fertility. Since so much about fertility is unknown I understand why some women follow the advice, but it would be helpful to understand which advice (cutting out sugar? not touching plastic) is more grounded in actual research and which is more speculative.

Thoughts?

Isn't there a ton of stuff cited in the back of the book?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think ubiquinol is a good recommendation as a supplement. Will it improve egg quality definitely? No way to know, but there is no downside and it is an excellent supplement even if you are not trying to get pregnant.

Agree; rhe supplements are the easy part. Cutting our sugar and plastic containers is a lot harder.

It's true, it is annoying. But if you are to become pregnant you'll be happy that you cut out plastic - you'll want to keep your baby away from unnecessary plastic as well.

This is a good water filter that comes with a glass bottle to fill up and take with you. It fits on the counter which is not for everyone, but the price is pretty good for a good filter that eliminates fluoride as well.
https://www.berkeyfilters.com/berkey-water-filters/big-berkey.html?a_aid=538a5cb8c8907&a_bid=8b4878fc

Don’t havve space on the counter unfortunately. Are there any Britta type filters whose containers aren’t plastic?

I hear you. I found this post very informative and with a lot of options for all kinds of situations. https://wellnessmama.com/8079/water-filter-options/

[Anonymous]

I think it’s all bs and just adds more stress to an already stressful situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s all bs and just adds more stress to an already stressful situation.

Have you read the book?