Need advice: IVF this summer

[Anonymous]

I am gearing up to start IVF this summer. I gained a couple of pounds and want to lose it before we start.

Suggestions for easy/healthy meals? I don't like cooking so would appreciate any advice.
Is it ok to drink protein powder during your cycle? Sorry if this is a silly question. I don't eat much meat and wanted to get enough protein.
Any advice beforehand? Do the injections hurt? Do they make you feel sad?

Sorry if these questions are silly. Hoping to lose weight beforehand so I can feel better and more positive.

[Anonymous]

Heading in the same direction as you OP. Not feeling great about having to go IVF route either and would like to lose weight. Hoping we both get pregnant in our next cycles. IFV for me will begin in April.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heading in the same direction as you OP. Not feeling great about having to go IVF route either and would like to lose weight. Hoping we both get pregnant in our next cycles. IFV for me will begin in April.

Thanks for sharing. I hope so as well. Did you start the stims? Have you made any diet changes?

[Anonymous]

I tried to eat clean before ivf and eliminate processed foods and alcohol. Also added coq10 for three months prior. Most of all, just try not to stress your body out no matter what you’re doing. Would clean up your diet in a positive way (maybe focus on adding greens, eliminating processed foods, being more active indulging when needed) as opposed to overly restricting. These things will make you feel good, and a good mental state of mind is helpful when starting.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I tried to eat clean before ivf and eliminate processed foods and alcohol. Also added coq10 for three months prior. Most of all, just try not to stress your body out no matter what you’re doing. Would clean up your diet in a positive way (maybe focus on adding greens, eliminating processed foods, being more active indulging when needed) as opposed to overly restricting. These things will make you feel good, and a good mental state of mind is helpful when starting.

Good luck!

Also, I got used to the injections quickly. The hard part was just getting the whole process down- loading cartridges, putting on needles, extracting me pour from the vial. The videos at freedom fertility website were so helpful. I iced the area for a few minutes before injecting, alternated sides each day. I pinched the flabby parts around my belly button, inserted needle, injected medicine while softly releasing the pinch. Applied pressure with gauze post injection for 15-20 seconds, and fortunately had very little bruising.

You get used to the injections, and for me, stims was over pretty fast- it’s only a week or so and you’re done with that part.

[Anonymous]

Learn to cook. Seriously, you are going to have a family. One year is long enough to get up to speed. You are not going to like do a lot of things as a mom but you will have to learn to do it. I am not trying to insult you, I am trying to help.

[Anonymous]

Spend a chunk of time meal prepping on the weekend.
I've lost 35lbs doing WW over 6 months.
Don't try to lose weight during your cycle, it puts your body into a state of stress that lowers fertility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Learn to cook. Seriously, you are going to have a family. One year is long enough to get up to speed. You are not going to like do a lot of things as a mom but you will have to learn to do it. I am not trying to insult you, I am trying to help.

100% agree. Once baby is here you will not have the time or energy to learn to cook.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. I made my first stab at cooking. I made chicken noodle soup in the crockpot. I used precut vegetables (don't hate!). I had smoothies as well, and I already feel lighter. What are your favorite websites for easy recipes?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Would you guys mind sharing recipes?

I can share daily updates if you'd like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Would you guys mind sharing recipes?

I can share daily updates if you'd like.

Go to the Food forum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Would you guys mind sharing recipes?

I can share daily updates if you'd like.

Go to the Food forum

Wow, that's mean.

[Anonymous]

Don’t lose weight before IVF. Lowers your chances.

[Anonymous]

I would only focus on weight and diet if it helps you feel better and more positive, OP. The process is emotionally difficult (or at least was for me) and self-care is important.

One general suggestion I have is seeing what your husband can take off your plate. In our case, he handled ordering and keeping track of meds, doing the injections, basically all the logistics. This helped a lot since I was the one bearing the medical-side of the burden.

Like others, I got used to it. I found the mental aspect harder than the physical (waiting, uncertainty, hoping it will work, etc.). I posted on another thread that acupuncture was helpful as self-care (for me, ymmv).