Juice Diet before IVF

[Anonymous]

So, I'm 39 yr old and I have an .08 AMH, 7 FSH and usually 8-10 antral count. I get 10-12 eggs. 80% fertilize, most make it to day 3/4 and then they fall apart. His sperm is normal, DNA is normal, too. But, I have read that after day 3 it's mostly the sperms work happening. I want my husband to do a juice diet 3 days on 2 days off, repeat, and ejaculate for 7 days before the retrieval. I have no real data behind this but after 6 retrievals and no embryo to use, I'm changing it up.
I also have him on Dr. Braverman and Therologix vitamins and Tumeric.

Thoughts?

Anyone change it up after no success and happen to tumble on something that worked?

[Anonymous]

Um, this sounds insane.

How did you settle on juice (as opposed to any other speciality diet)? How did you come up with those numbers on ejaculation timing?

[Anonymous]

Have you tried PICSI and co-culture?

FWIW, I have the same problem. My RE said he doesn’t agree with the thinking that after Day 3 it’s the sperm causing the demise of the embryos. If it’s an issue with mitochondrial energy, then it seems most people focus on taking ubiquinol.

[Anonymous]

And my DH thought I was nuts for making him take a multivitamin.

[Anonymous]

The doctor actually suggested the 7 day thing because it will (not medical terms lol) turn the sperm over so they are the newer younger ones.

My husband eats like shit. He thinks he's the man because his sperm analysis was pretty good. But, he literally doesn't eat a vegetable. He eats meats and starches--god forbid the waiter forgets to ring in no parsley on the plate. I figure this could change things. He is two days in and says he already feels different.

We did PICSI the last retrieval and I think that helped too! What's co-culture?

[Anonymous]

I did a juice diet before, but not for IVF. I think with all the things you have to do for IVF this is probably the least he can do. Berberine is also good for mitochondrial energy. Lots of studies out there showing benefits, but not focused on sperm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The doctor actually suggested the 7 day thing because it will (not medical terms lol) turn the sperm over so they are the newer younger ones.

My husband eats like shit. He thinks he's the man because his sperm analysis was pretty good. But, he literally doesn't eat a vegetable. He eats meats and starches--god forbid the waiter forgets to ring in no parsley on the plate. I figure this could change things. He is two days in and says he already feels different.

We did PICSI the last retrieval and I think that helped too! What's co-culture?

Co-culture is when all the embryos develop together in one dish. Supposed to help them maintain energy for growth.

[Anonymous]

I'm with Shady Grove. I just asked about co-culturing and the response was "the embryos are cultures in groups in the wells of the plates" Whats that mean?

[Anonymous]

How are you thinking that a juice diet is going to help here? Juice is pretty sugary and lacks protein and fat, both necessary components of a healthy diet - why not just have him eat healthier for a while?

[Anonymous]

Juice is a terrible idea. It will spike his blood sugar and provide no essential fats. For mitochondrial health, lower his insulin with fasting and a ketogenic diet.

[Anonymous]

I'm holding one of the juices from Suja. It has 8 grams of sugar. When I counted all the sugar in the 6 bottle series its a total of 62 grams a day. That's a can and a half of Coke.

He can't eat healthy-- he eats steak and chicken, pasta, potatoes, green apples....otherwise it's processed crap. Chips, popcorn, Five guys, pizza, etc. No veggies.

I want him to get the cleansing effect and the vitamins he doesn't otherwise get.

FWIW, he is on day 4 and he says he has never felt better. Slept really well the last two nights. He ate a grilled chicken breast, as well, yesterday. Today, he will have the same chicken breast with green apple with whole wheat toast peanut butter. Tomorrow is that last day. Then he will repeat this again next week.

My protocol just got changed and extended. Retrieval won't be until the 18th. So he will space all of this out. I am really hoping this flush of vitamins his body isn't used to will help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm holding one of the juices from Suja. It has 8 grams of sugar. When I counted all the sugar in the 6 bottle series its a total of 62 grams a day. That's a can and a half of Coke.

He can't eat healthy-- he eats steak and chicken, pasta, potatoes, green apples....otherwise it's processed crap. Chips, popcorn, Five guys, pizza, etc. No veggies.

I want him to get the cleansing effect and the vitamins he doesn't otherwise get.

FWIW, he is on day 4 and he says he has never felt better. Slept really well the last two nights. He ate a grilled chicken breast, as well, yesterday. Today, he will have the same chicken breast with green apple with whole wheat toast peanut butter. Tomorrow is that last day. Then he will repeat this again next week.

My protocol just got changed and extended. Retrieval won't be until the 18th. So he will space all of this out. I am really hoping this flush of vitamins his body isn't used to will help.

It seems like you don’t want to listen to reason and will force this on him anyway. Nonetheless, I will point out that juices to not have any “cleansing effect.” A person who has a functioning liver has all the detoxing they need. I’ll repeat my concern that this “diet” has no protein or fats, and is not going to help with his sperm count or quality. The juices might be lower calorie, so if you’re wanting to force quick temporary weight loss, then fine. But don’t pretend like this is healthier than Five Guys.

[Anonymous]

You seem like you’re getting desperate and even more high strung because of IVF. I understand it’s frustrating you can’t control the outcome, but you can’t. I would consider taking a break. It’s going to be harder for IVF to work if you’re this worked up about it that you have your husband on a juice diet.

[Anonymous]

I understand your frustration. I had DOR and faced these kind of repeat failures in my early 30s. The honest truth is that, with a normal sperm report, the problem is in the eggs. It’s not your fault, it’s nothing you did, it’s just that they are the much more fragile reproductive mechanism. If you succed this time, it won’t be the juice, it will be finding your one lucky egg. If it doesn’t, consider moving on to donor eggs. I’m waiting for my two DE children to wake up so I can make them pancakes and take them to school. Move beyond this process and get on with the amazing business of being a parent. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand your frustration. I had DOR and faced these kind of repeat failures in my early 30s. The honest truth is that, with a normal sperm report, the problem is in the eggs. It’s not your fault, it’s nothing you did, it’s just that they are the much more fragile reproductive mechanism. If you succed this time, it won’t be the juice, it will be finding your one lucky egg. If it doesn’t, consider moving on to donor eggs. I’m waiting for my two DE children to wake up so I can make them pancakes and take them to school. Move beyond this process and get on with the amazing business of being a parent. Good luck to you.

Exactly all this.

After 6 retrievals (60-72 eggs; 48-58 eggs fertilizing and growing) and zero embryos to use, you need to consider the possibility that it might be the health of the eggs. Good luck to you.