Dun feel bad Wan, we too had our BFN results at least ur family still with u, my wife have to face this alone while I am at overseas, this is double blow for her. Results was the egg quality was not that good as egg is aging. Ladies help required any way to increased quality of egg?
Countless studies have shown that avoiding certain toxins and adding specific supplements can increase the percentage of eggs that can develop into good quality embryo, thereby increasing the percentage of embryos that implant, and reducing the risk of miscarriages. There is also a strong case for egg quality being crucial in determining the egg's ability to 'repair' any DNA issues contributed by the sperm.
My choice of supplements to support my TTC and IVF journey is in part based on the recommended book,
"It Starts with the Egg" by Rebecca Fett, apart from online information. Rebecca was an IVFer due to diminished ovarian reserve. To help herself, she put her degree in molecular biology and biochemistry to good use to research on what lifestyle changes and supplements would help to improve her chances. Ultimately she became a living example of hope as she succeeded to prove that the focus on egg quality does indeed pay off. She eventually had 20 eggs retrieved of which 19 fertilized and grew to good quality blastocysts. If you only want to invest on one good reading before embarking on the IVF journey, this book would be my recommendation.
The following are some measures/ supplements I follow/take and which I think are note-worthy to share. I have also consulted Dr. Loh regarding the supplements I am taking to confirm he is also supportive. I have done 3 fresh cycles over 1 year period and in each subsequent cycle, I did see a good improvement in quality as well as quantity of not just the eggs, but the embryos that succeed fertilisation. I do not have any known fertility issues apart from being in advanced age group (38yo) while hubby has severe sperm issues which also saw improvement over time.
Lifestyle
- Healthy balance diet. No extreme shifts in diet even when including foods suggested to benefit TTC. Throughout IVF journey, I ate well in terms of nutrition as if I'm pregnant but of course not in terms of quantity.
- Increase intake of protein rich whole foods and cruciferous green vege. E.g. I tried to take 2 whole eggs for breakfast almost daily.
- Drink at least 2 litres of water daily.
- Drink filtered water. Singapore's tap water is portable but I additionally use a Brita filter though not an extensive filtration system.
- Ensure regular bowel movements (a sign that your liver and kidneys are functioning optimally to remove toxins)
- Adequate restful sleep. Follow a consistent sleeping routine daily and if possible, get to bed no later than 11pm. Waking up frequently and having difficulty to achieve restful sleep are symptoms of certain ailments or poor organ function and if prolonged, can lead to worsening health conditions so it is best to get checked if that is the case.
- Regular exercise. I am not an exercise fanatic so after starting IVF journey, I only started light exercise like stationary cycling and moderately brisk walking. The idea is to get heart pumping to promote healthy blood circulation so that all the nutritional goodness gets to all the vital organs in the body. And of course, to generate endorphins.
- Minimize use of plastics, especially for food storage. Plastics have toxic chemicals such as BPA (i.e. Bisphenol A), PVC and phthlates which are proven to disrupt hormones and cause infertility. Plastic bags are inevitable part of our life. However, I would use non-plastic utensils and have switched out the plastic food containers to glassware especially for food storage and freezing.
- Minimise use/exposure to phthalates and other harmful toxins (e.g. parabens, glycol ethers, etc) by reducing or avoiding use of synthetic products particularly fragrances, hair products, soaps and detergents.
- Choose more organic or GMO free foods and products whenever possible.
Supplements (daily)
- Prenatal multi-vitamin, 1 pill (The last I was taking was Rainbow Light Just Once Prenatal One)
- Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopherol Succinate), 200IU (133.3mg)*
- CoQ10 Ubiquinol form, 300mg (Healthy Origins, Kaneka QH Ubiquinol, Soy-free non-GMO formula)
- Fish oil, supplying 1200mg EPA and 480mg DHA (The Vitamin Shoppe Omega 3 Fish Oil)
- Royal jelly, 1200mg (equiv. to 10-hydrox-2-decenoic acid 24mg)**
- DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), 2x25mg (at Dr. Loh's advice; stop during 2ww)***
* Vitamin E taken separately as dosage in Rainbow Light prenatal is low at 30IU per pill.
** Royal jelly is not suitable for those who have allergic conditions. In addition, it is recommended to consult doctor whether to continue after conceiving. Also note that in Rebecca's book, it is suggested that there is lack of evidence on the benefit of royal jelly for TTC so she did not recommend this. I have been taking this since my 1st fresh cycle and I continued with it as I do not have any allergic or adverse reaction and doctor is ok with it.
*** DHEA leads to the production of androgens and estrogens. As such, it may not be suitable for those who have conditions that may be affected by these hormones and should consult doctor before starting this supplement.
In addition, DH & I both diligently went for our TCM acupuncture sessions. DH was taking TCM meds to enhance his kidneys and hence sperms. In my case, weekly TCM sessions help to ensure body is maintained in a balanced optimal condition. The acupuncture enhances blood circulation and relaxation. Post fresh cycle, it additionally helps the body to better recover from the overload of medications.
Opps, it's a long post. Anyway, I hope you will find this useful and hope your Mrs recover well physically and mentally soon to try again. All the best.
