Is there anything a woman facing IVF can do to increase egg quality or production/chances? For example, taking Folic Acid, losing weight, eating spinach, etc? I know they say pineapple helps with uterine lining, and we are working with a Gestational Carrier and she ate pineapple before her last transfer with her previous couple and conceived twins. It could be a wives tale, but that is why I am asking.
My concern is that I do everything in my power to make this as successful a cycle as possible given that I am turning 36 this year and am overweight. I am working on weight loss in a healthy manner by watching what I eat, cut out caffeine, no more processed foods, and increasing exercise while taking multi vitamins. I am just wondering if there is more I could do or that might be recommended?
Ways to increase egg production/quality?
Started By
, Apr 21 2008 07:33 PM
5 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 21 April 2008 - 07:33 PM
#2
Posted 21 April 2008 - 10:53 PM
I'm wondering the exact same things. I'm also at Markham, Dr. Virro. The clinic didn't give any suggestions. Like you, I wonder if there's more I should be doing.
Are you taking an additional folic acid tablet besides a pre-natal vitamin? I'm taking a daily Materna, plus a calcium and an omega 3-6-9 capsule but no additional folic acid. I have the occasional cup of tea and no alcohol. I've tried eating pineapple core at implantation time but it is hard and chewy. I choke it down but just hate it and always end up eating more regular pineapple unfortunately. Do you know any way to make it more palatable?
I'm just doing walking as exercise. I'm afraid to do more, I've heard getting over-heated is bad. This last cycle I avoid any heavy lifting, esp the day of and day after my IUI. I try to make sure I get some 'peaceful' time each day to relax, and try to get enough sleep to help with stress. I'm trying acupuncture but I've had some difficulties and don't know if I'm committed, but I'll continue for the time being.
I'm also always after my husband to take cooler showers as we have low sperm count.
Good luck to you!
Susan
Are you taking an additional folic acid tablet besides a pre-natal vitamin? I'm taking a daily Materna, plus a calcium and an omega 3-6-9 capsule but no additional folic acid. I have the occasional cup of tea and no alcohol. I've tried eating pineapple core at implantation time but it is hard and chewy. I choke it down but just hate it and always end up eating more regular pineapple unfortunately. Do you know any way to make it more palatable?
I'm just doing walking as exercise. I'm afraid to do more, I've heard getting over-heated is bad. This last cycle I avoid any heavy lifting, esp the day of and day after my IUI. I try to make sure I get some 'peaceful' time each day to relax, and try to get enough sleep to help with stress. I'm trying acupuncture but I've had some difficulties and don't know if I'm committed, but I'll continue for the time being.
I'm also always after my husband to take cooler showers as we have low sperm count.
Good luck to you!
Susan
#3
Posted 21 April 2008 - 11:55 PM
All great questions/concerns/tips. I am wondering about all the above as well. I heard taking baby aspirin can increase bloodflow to uterous and help implantation and prevent miscarriage. I am more concerned about implantation as I don't have a history of mc.
Me: 33 DH: 35
TTC since July 2006
MF #'s all over the place. Usually low volume, sometimes low motility and morph
1st IUI with 100mg clomid, March 24 (CD15) BFN
2nd IUI with 100mg clomid, April 22 (CD 16) BFN
3rd IUI with 100mg clomid, May 18 (CD 15) BFP beta 76(14dpo) 1728 (21dpo)
MC 11w6d... now advised to take aspirin and progesterone
4th-6th IUI with 100mg clomid BFN
7th IUI with 100mg clomid, March BFP beta 36(14dpo) 762(21dpo)
Due date Nov 15, 2009
Nov 19 2009 Piper Joelene is born 7lb 11 oz
IUI Feb 2011 BFN Clumping and 57 %antibodies found, mostly on tail.
IUI Jan 2012 with 100mg clomid (CD 15) 1.1 million post wash BFP beta 114 (13dpo)
TTC since July 2006
MF #'s all over the place. Usually low volume, sometimes low motility and morph
1st IUI with 100mg clomid, March 24 (CD15) BFN
2nd IUI with 100mg clomid, April 22 (CD 16) BFN
3rd IUI with 100mg clomid, May 18 (CD 15) BFP beta 76(14dpo) 1728 (21dpo)
MC 11w6d... now advised to take aspirin and progesterone
4th-6th IUI with 100mg clomid BFN
7th IUI with 100mg clomid, March BFP beta 36(14dpo) 762(21dpo)
Due date Nov 15, 2009
Nov 19 2009 Piper Joelene is born 7lb 11 oz
IUI Feb 2011 BFN Clumping and 57 %antibodies found, mostly on tail.
IUI Jan 2012 with 100mg clomid (CD 15) 1.1 million post wash BFP beta 114 (13dpo)
#4
Posted 22 April 2008 - 08:20 AM
I wish there was an easy solution to increasing the number of oocytes produced in an IVF cycle. Certainly, in some cases, increasing the dose of medication can have that effect but at some point, once a maximum response is reached, more medicine does not equate with more eggs.
My typical protocol for poor responder includes the use of microdose lupron and a combination of recombinant FSH (gonal-f, follistim, puregon) and a urinary gonadotropin (menopur) at a combined dose of 450 IU daily. I don't believe that doses higher than that are of any benefit. I also prescribe low dose aspirin and some patients have elected to do acupuncture as well though I have not seen any data that proves either makes a substantial difference when it comes to egg number or quality. I also often prescribe dexamethasone at the beginning of the stimulation through the day of the embryo transfer. Again, there are not large, randomized studies proving the value of dexamethasone.
Dr. G
My typical protocol for poor responder includes the use of microdose lupron and a combination of recombinant FSH (gonal-f, follistim, puregon) and a urinary gonadotropin (menopur) at a combined dose of 450 IU daily. I don't believe that doses higher than that are of any benefit. I also prescribe low dose aspirin and some patients have elected to do acupuncture as well though I have not seen any data that proves either makes a substantial difference when it comes to egg number or quality. I also often prescribe dexamethasone at the beginning of the stimulation through the day of the embryo transfer. Again, there are not large, randomized studies proving the value of dexamethasone.
Dr. G
#5
Posted 06 May 2008 - 08:28 AM
I also have a question about Egg quality/number. I am 33 years old. Over 2 years post-op Trachelectomy patient (as a result of Cervical Cancer). Also had pelvic lymph nodes removed. Have been trying to conceive since surgery. Seeing a fertility specialist throughout.
Did 6 failed IUIs (one resulted in PG but I had a MC at 8wks). I have been told my FSH is 11 (which Doc says is high). I had one failed IVF cycle in Dec '07. 19 mature follicles (seems I responded okay to meds), but only 6 fertilized through ICSI. Wondering if it was poor egg quality due to high FSH??
Doc did a blood test called AMH yesterday- I think it was to check my follicle reserve. What does this test actually measure and how is it detected in the blood?? Hoping you can help...
Did 6 failed IUIs (one resulted in PG but I had a MC at 8wks). I have been told my FSH is 11 (which Doc says is high). I had one failed IVF cycle in Dec '07. 19 mature follicles (seems I responded okay to meds), but only 6 fertilized through ICSI. Wondering if it was poor egg quality due to high FSH??
Doc did a blood test called AMH yesterday- I think it was to check my follicle reserve. What does this test actually measure and how is it detected in the blood?? Hoping you can help...
#6
Posted 07 May 2008 - 08:43 PM
Hi - my first IVF cycle I produced 32 eggs and only had 6 embryos. The quality was poor as I was over-stimulated. I was on an antagonist protocol. The second cycle resulted in 14 eggs and 12 embryos. I was on the flare protocol which worked better for me.
Sometimes egg quality can be impacted by the medication you are given. Some meds/doses and protocols work better for you than others will.
Sometimes egg quality can be impacted by the medication you are given. Some meds/doses and protocols work better for you than others will.
Me 45, DH 41
TTC 3 years
Uterine polyps, high prolactin levels and tested positive for anti-cardio lipin
5 failed IUI's
IVF #1 July 2007, 32 eggs retrieved (many immature), 12 fertilzed, 9 made it to day 3, transferred 3 embbies, BFN
FET #1 - 3 embryos Oct 07, beta Nov 2nd, another BFN
IVF #2 - Nov 2007, on Lupron and birth control pill, 11 days of stims 225 Gonal F plus 75 Repronex and 150 Gonal F at night, retrieved 18 eggs Dec 11th, 8 fertilized through ICSI and 4 naturally
Transfer - 3, 8 cell embryos Dec 14th, BETA Dec 28th, BFN
7 frozen
FET #2 - June 5/08, BFN
hysteroscopy and polypectomy on Sept 25/08, removed 1 polyp
FET #3 - used up my last 4 frosties Oct 27/08
Beta Nov 9/08 125 BFP 13dp3dt
Beta Nov 11/08 315 15dp3dt
Beta Nov 15/08 over 2000 19dp3dt
Beta Nov 18/08 7365 22dp3dt
U/S date Nov 29/08, a singleton, heart beat 131 beats per minute
U/S date Dec 7/08, heart beat 160 beats per minute, growth good 8 w 2 days
U/S date Dec 13/08, heart beat 157 beats per minute, growth good at 9 w 1 day, baby moving around
U/S date Dec 27/08, heart beat 165 beats per minute, growth good at 11 weeks 1 day, baby moving around, now has arms and legs and was kicking
nuchal test US Jan 2/08 TEXTBOOK NORMAL Thank you God!
IPS pregnancy test results NORMAL, risk is 1/800 of Down's Syndrome and 1/1,100 for spina bifida
anatomical u/s NORMAL, it's a girl!
Due date July 18, 2009 in the home stretch
Sophia Anne born July 22, 2009 at 12:41 AM via emergency C-Section.
Fell down the stairs Aug 4, 2010, fractured C7, T1, T3 and 4 ribs (neck and upper spine). Still healing and hoping bones fuse on their own.
TTC 3 years
Uterine polyps, high prolactin levels and tested positive for anti-cardio lipin
5 failed IUI's
IVF #1 July 2007, 32 eggs retrieved (many immature), 12 fertilzed, 9 made it to day 3, transferred 3 embbies, BFN
FET #1 - 3 embryos Oct 07, beta Nov 2nd, another BFN
IVF #2 - Nov 2007, on Lupron and birth control pill, 11 days of stims 225 Gonal F plus 75 Repronex and 150 Gonal F at night, retrieved 18 eggs Dec 11th, 8 fertilized through ICSI and 4 naturally
Transfer - 3, 8 cell embryos Dec 14th, BETA Dec 28th, BFN
7 frozen
FET #2 - June 5/08, BFN
hysteroscopy and polypectomy on Sept 25/08, removed 1 polyp
FET #3 - used up my last 4 frosties Oct 27/08
Beta Nov 9/08 125 BFP 13dp3dt
Beta Nov 11/08 315 15dp3dt
Beta Nov 15/08 over 2000 19dp3dt
Beta Nov 18/08 7365 22dp3dt
U/S date Nov 29/08, a singleton, heart beat 131 beats per minute
U/S date Dec 7/08, heart beat 160 beats per minute, growth good 8 w 2 days
U/S date Dec 13/08, heart beat 157 beats per minute, growth good at 9 w 1 day, baby moving around
U/S date Dec 27/08, heart beat 165 beats per minute, growth good at 11 weeks 1 day, baby moving around, now has arms and legs and was kicking
nuchal test US Jan 2/08 TEXTBOOK NORMAL Thank you God!
IPS pregnancy test results NORMAL, risk is 1/800 of Down's Syndrome and 1/1,100 for spina bifida
anatomical u/s NORMAL, it's a girl!
Due date July 18, 2009 in the home stretch
Sophia Anne born July 22, 2009 at 12:41 AM via emergency C-Section.
Fell down the stairs Aug 4, 2010, fractured C7, T1, T3 and 4 ribs (neck and upper spine). Still healing and hoping bones fuse on their own.