209 replies to this topic

[hopeful123]

hi girls
i am wondering if cocoa have any caffine in it ,i know its in pop (you can get decaffe diet coke )
how about herbal teas ,any caffine in any of the flavours or brand
how about sweetners are they ok
also does any one know a recommended allounce for caffine (i am not sure where i read it )but seems like 1-2 normal tea cups/day is ok
also heared some types of chocolates have caffine too

also i was at a fundraiser and they were saying they think environment has a big role to play in autism as its incidence is rising ,they did not talk about what environmental factors ,does any one have info on that ?????????? its in research phase still they think some foods are related ,no body knows which ones .....

has anyone heared of sticking a pillow under the bum after ET and also after sex .............
they say after sex it helps sperm reach the ovary faster (due to gravity) and after ET helps to keep them in but only for hour or two

also when i had my hsg done the dye was not passing through the left tube (the troubled one) so the dr turned me on my left side and in seconds the dye went through ,so i am wondering if i should roll side ways after sex ....you know what i mean

sam

Edited by hopeful123, 09 September 2007 - 08:27 AM.

[poohbaby]

Hi Sam

Cocoa does have caffeine.

Chocolate also has caffeine in it, dark chocolate having the highest level.

Sweeteners as far as I can tell are safe for consumption as long as it is in moderation.

I have checked out several herbal teas and a lot of them still have caffeine in them. There are some decaffeinated ones out there but I find you really have to read the labels. I know Tetley has a few.

I did some looking around and from what I have found they recommend 300mg or less of caffeine a day.

Edited by poohbaby, 09 September 2007 - 02:47 PM.

[poohbaby]

Did a bit of looking around and came up with some numbers for Caffeine Content in Common Products.

Brewed coffee 100-200mg per cup (depending on blend & strength)
Instant coffee 146mg per cup
Cocoa 3-13mg per cup
Decaffeinated coffee 4mg per cup
Loose tea, 5 minute brew 40mg per cup
Bag tea, 5 minute brew 46mg per cup
Ice Tea 26-42mg per cup (depending on brand)
Coke 65mg per 12oz can
Dr Pepper 61mg per 12oz can
Mountain Dew 55mg per 12oz can
Pepsi 43mg per 12oz can
Coffee Flavored Ice Cream 50-84mg per 8oz (depending on brand)
Hershey Dark Chocolate Bar 31mg
Hershey Milk Chcolate Bar 9mg
Hershey Kisses (9) 9mg

[hopeful123]

judy thanks so much ,that so helpful ,it means pop is worse than tea
hmm i think i will stick to decaffe coffee
sam

[eve0916]

Hi girls! Great post - very helpful and informative. Anyway, here is what I am doing to prepare for this next cycle... anything I am missing?!

-prenatal vitamin (from my naturopath) with folic acid
-acupuncture
-light exercise (yoga and walking my dogs)
-pineapple (daily) with core... just wondering, how much pineapple I should be eating, and do I stop eating this after ET??
-raspberry leaf tea (2-3 cups/day)
-eating healthy, trying to get a good night sleep and reduce stress as much as possible!!
-stopped drinking caffeine this summer (suffered 3 weeks of headaches - I will never go back - but I love my decaf coffee!)
-no alcohol - okay, maybe the occassional glass of wine but will stop entirely once I get to Calgary
-taking meds on time

I skipped on the wheatgrass that was mentioned - not sure what this is for?

Any other suggestions I can do to strengthen the lining of my uterus? DH and I are 'unexplained' but our last cycle went so well - lots of eggs, all fertilized naturally (without ICS) - they just don't stick!! I am actually also taking 'Macagen' root extract - according to my naturopath is good for the lining.

What are other people doing?

My acupuncturist suggested the wheatgrass to me and I have read about in different IF and Acup books. Its for general good health, it also helps to clean out your liver. Good for liver stagnation. I don't remember all the details of what this means, its a term used while doing acupuncture.

I was also told my acupuncturist to stop having dairy products to help ledsen the mucus (in my uterus?) and to help with the lining. So, I now take soy milk and eat lots of greens to get my calcium.

You raised a good question about the pineapples. "-pineapple (daily) with core... just wondering, how much pineapple I should be eating, and do I stop eating this after ET??"

Anyone know the answer??

[momof2]

I ate pineapple after the transfer just for a couple days, I wasn't sure, and I was getting tired of it. It supposed to help with implantation, so I have no idea. I hope someone has done more research and can help answer that.

The rasp tea, I just want to stress NOT drinking after the ET...it causes contractions. But it is really good for you and the uterus up to transfer day.

[jaan]

I'm trying to remember the pineapple, I bought an entire pineapple & ate 1-2 rings a day with lunch, I think it lasted until 1/2 way through my 2ww & then I stopped buying it, there is nothing harmful about pineapple so I don't think it matters if cont to eat through your 2ww & pg. from what I know it's supposed to help the utrerine lining so I started eating it right when we we're stimming.

That sounds so much more reasonable than what I did! When I did my iui, I ate about 1/2 pineapple daily for about 4-5 days. Sometimes more than 1/2 a pineapple!! I think I should take it easy! LOL!

[hopeful123]

any one heard of not using chemicals that have chlorine in it ,like bleech and some cleaning product ,also some other substance i think its called DEET in some aerosole sprays ,that is bad too ???
sam

[Zoey]

any one heard of not using chemicals that have chlorine in it ,like bleech and some cleaning product ,also some other substance i think its called DEET in some aerosole sprays ,that is bad too ???
sam

I heard that Deet (insect repellant) is really bad..... that you should not use if pregnant. Avon's skin so-soft is supposed to ward of insects.....

[hopeful123]

THESE GUIDELINES ARE BASED ON OUR PERSONELL EXPERIENCES AND ADVICE OF FRIENDS /BOOKS /SOMETIMES DR'S ,PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS


Recommended/beneficial

acupuncture # 20
Avon's skin so-soft is supposed to ward of insects
brazil nuts # 41
chicken that was hormone free and grain fed # 22
eat healthy , fresh fruits
follow dr's instructions
folic acid 1-5 mg as prescribed by the dr (helps sperm function ,prevent neural tube defects in fetus )# 17 ,22
green tea –thins mucous # 2 , 23 ,26 , 30
guaifenesin # 24
Grapes # 50
gatorade (for after ER)
have your water checked for lead level
House planta # 42
light exercise (gardening , walk)
Macagen' root extract -For lining # 55
massage
Pillow under your butt after sex –gravity # 51
Positive attitude
prenatal vitamins # 13 ,19 , 20
pineapple core (helps implantation) # 2 , 23 , 24 , 41 , 48 , 58
robitusin –thins mucous # 23 , 31 , 48
Squids # 50
timing - stick to the schedule
tribulus terrestris . Helps sperm # 27
wheat grass (2 shots/day,1.5ml each) # 9 , 12 ,16 , 56
yoga
zinc ,selenium ,saw palmetto ,folic acid(for men) # 18 , 20

Cautious/limited

artificial sweeteners # 32
caffeine 300 mg/day # 53
drugs/meds (unless prescribed by the dr and dr should know you are doing ivf )
fish(high mercury levels) # 20 ,32 , 44
peanuts/peanut butter # 48 , 32
pure Organic Raspberry Leaf Tea (2cups/day-4c/day # 2
Vitamin A Supplements # 44

Avoid

alcohol
Cat Litter Boxes # 44
Chlorinated products –tap water , bleach # 44
Contact with Reptiles # 44
dangerous sports like motorcycle ride ,scuba diving
Deet –insect repellant
Electric Blanket # 44
Fumes from Paint, Paint Thinner, Household Cleaning Products # 44
heavy lifting
herpes # 44
hot dogs # 43
hot baths/sauna for men and women # 2 ,7
Junk Food # 44
Microwaves # 44
Pesticides # 44
Raising Your Body Temperature # 44
raw or undercooked meat (food born bacteris can cross placenta) # 32 , 44
raw eggs # 32
stress-ya right # 22 , 44
swimming after ER for 2 weeks
sex-after ER for 2 weeks # 31 , 32 , 35 ,37 ,41 ,47
strenuous exercise # 7 , 44
smoking (both the partners)
strawberries # 34
Tick Bites # 44
un-pasteurized milk, soft cheeses, pate # 32
unwashed fruits and vegetables # 22 ,32
VDTs # 44
Water Bed # 44
X-Rays # 44

Reference

www.twoweekwait.com
www.babyhopes.com
www.kamisante.com
www.dynamicgreens.com

books
what to expect when expecting


# -indicates post number for details

Thanks so much for this thread! I've been reading and hearing some things about what to do and what not to do, but I haven't really sorted it out for myself yet. Now I have a good list to go through and try/research. If I find anything else I'll be sure to post it!

[hopeful123]

hi donacia
glad you find it useful
is it easy to go through it ,if you have any suggestions please let me know

also need feed back on following books
sam

www.ihr.com good resource for ivf

books

The Couple's Guide to Fertility: by Gary S. Berger, (General)

How to Get Pregnant: With the New Technology, by Sherman J. Silber (ART)

The Infertility Book: A Comprehensive Medical & Emotional Guide, by Carla Harkness (General)

Taking Charge of Infertility, by Patricia Irwin Johnston (Emotions)

Conquering Infertility: A Guide for Couples
By Stephen L. Corso

A FEW GOOD EGGS by Julie Vargo and Maureen Regan

Infertility Sucks! (Keeping it all together when sperm and egg stubbornly remain apart) by Beverly Barna

The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies by Randine Lewis

Conquering Infertility: Dr. Alice Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping with Infertility by Alice D. Domar and Alice Lesch Kelly

Infertility Survival Handbook by Elizabeth Swire-Falker

Pregnancy Wishes & IVF Dreams: A Story & Lessons About Life, Love & Infertility by Kelley R. Taylor

Edited by hopeful123, 30 September 2007 - 10:49 AM.

Excellent summary Sam. Thanks very much for taking the time to pull all of our comments together! Its been very helpful.

Hope you are having a nice weekend! I live in Toronto and we have been lucky to have wonderful weather today! Hope its sunny where ever you are

Thanks for the helpful summary Sam!

[momof2]

Sam I LOVE the new list, esp with the post # for reference, and the book list. If Rick gets any perks from using Amazon he should make these titles a link directly to that.

In reference to the strawberry item and the peanut item. Just so people have some info on it.

I found this on a website called netdoctor.

Iron

During pregnancy, a woman's body needs more iron than usual to produce all the blood needed to supply nutrition to the placenta. Good sources of iron are green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, strawberries, muesli and wholemeal bread.

And this I found on a site called Mom to be tips

I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER-CAN I HAVE IT?

ANSWER: This is the million dollar question: if a woman eats peanut butter during pregnancy, will the baby be more likely to have a peanut allergy...The research indicates that if there is no family history of a peanut allergy, peanut butter during pregnancy is fine, and it’s a good source of protein. However, if you have any peanut allergies in your family, better to avoid it during pregnancy.

[hopeful123]

thanks goes to all you wonderful ladies ,it was possible with your input and research
thanks marina ,will add that to list too
sam

[hope239]

That's very useful list Sam - I also read that women who are trying to concieve should avoid tofu, soya products. as it kiils the sperm. Also it causes miscarriages.
Here is the article:

"A chemical called genistein, found in soya, causes sperm to 'burn out' once they reach a woman's reproductive tract, causing them to lose their fertility before they reach the egg.

Professor Lynn Fraser, of King's College London, found that even small amounts of soya had a rapid and fatal effect on sperm.Soya milk is consumed by many as an alternative to dairy products, and is also an ingredient in a range of foods, including meat substitutes, ready meals, chicken soup and chocolate.

Professor Fraser recommended that women avoid eating soya over four days around ovulation, the peak time for conception during a woman's menstrual cycle.

Her team studied the effects of genistein on sperm in laboratory conditions.

The chemical appeared to make the sperm initially 'speed up' but they rapidly burnt out before reaching the egg. Within an hour of genistein being introduced, one-third of the sperm had burnt out, a process that normally takes 24 hours.

Genistein is among a number of chemicals that mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen, and it is thought it is this process that 'kills' the sperm." -

Dont' know how far this true but I used to be a Tofu queen - now I am not going to take any chances so no more tofu for me

[DaisyGirl]

Wow, this is really great Sam, thank you for putting it together. I wanted to comment on the no sex for 2 weeks. One doctor that I was speaking with said that sex can erupt the empty follicles causing internal bleeding (something like that, it has been awhile since we had that discussion) and that is why they make the recommendation to abstain for two weeks.

Andiy

I found that site with a bunch of hints for about everything during IVF

http://drmalpani.com/ivfhints.htm

[bal]

Wow, this is really great Sam, thank you for putting it together. I wanted to comment on the no sex for 2 weeks. One doctor that I was speaking with said that sex can erupt the empty follicles causing internal bleeding (something like that, it has been awhile since we had that discussion) and that is why they make the recommendation to abstain for two weeks.

Andiy

During my IVF cycle I was told no sex from the Dr. since before the ER until my pregnancy test, and if pregnant, until my first u/s. A little over 4 weeks. Long time, huh? I guess every doctor has a method. I didn't ask why though...

The DrMalpani site is great for ivfers! Thanks!
And thanks Sam for the list and your efforts to compile it.

[hopeful123]

ok guys so i just asked my re dr sher of sirm if its ok to continue golf after transfer and he says yes
sam

Great site!