What keeps you going?

Since our failed first round of IVF back in December, its been really hard to keep positive and move forward with a smile and open mind.

While trying to educate myself and find more people doing IVF in the UK, I stumbled across an amazing couple who were using the same Clinic as ourselves, Create Fertility based at St Pauls, on YouTube.

Fellow East Londoners (well, we were at the time of starting all this conception bullshit), Lisa and Lynsey, have an awesome page that has really helped us understand all the stages of IVF we would be going through. They also educate with other related topics like nutrition, dealing with the fails etc, and also helped answer questions that just rubble through your hormone filled and erratic brain while trying to prepare for this tough journey of landmines!

They gave us a positive and honest out look on what we need to expect and it actually helped to calm me down, which I want them to know is such a confort for me, so thank you both.

I cant wait to get my little notification every week now to say a new vid is up and I just find so much joy and happiness in seeing how they are doing.

A great plus is that Lynsey is a PT and her fitness knowledge is really brilliant and helpful.

A worry for me is what I will be able to do exercise wise or not do, as I dont want to pork out (I know ill be an eater!) if I do eventually get pregnant. She's honest and informative which gives me happy feels as most pregnant women talk like they are made of glass and should just not even lift a finger while carrying. I am too active to be this way so she helps you know what is ok and what is too much.

Have a look at one of their videos below and they are definately worth following and supporting all they do.

Thank you ladies!

H x

Foods to help in IVF

Now we have our 2nd IVF (FET) cycle planned and in (hopeful) place I have, once again, become OBSESSED with my dietary needs and how I can help with blood flow and implantation.

Here are some foods that I have researched to help with preparing my uterual lining for thickness and implantation.

H20

We all know how important it is to drink water in life? Well its more important when you are going through IVF. It helps with bloodflow and keeps you hydrated with all the hormones and chemmicals. I was told to drink 3 litres a day and also that all my food and drink be warm and room temperature. This helps the blood not rush to the stomach with cold foods when it should be at the uterus helping implantation etc.

BEETROOT

A wonderful source of the antioxidant resveratrol, which is thought to help infertility, beetroots are also rich in nitrates. 

These are well known to improve blood flow and are often used by athletes for this purpose. So getting that blood flow to you uterus is a plus and must and it helps with embryo implantation.

I use this with my morning smoothie. I make these at home as I know and have read up, that all shop bought are just full of sugar and fats:

• half a cup of "beet it" Beetroot juice.

• spinach raw.

• handful of blueberries, (I have tiny hands so not much) frozen.

• a teaspoon of peanut butter.

• Strawberries, frozen.

• Honey.

• Chai seeds

• linseeds.

• a high potein yoghurt (always need high protein items to keep a healthy uterus and prepare for pregancy).

AVOCADOS

I think we have all heard about the benefits of the avocado and infertility. It seems to be a big symbol for fertility and is just the one we all go to.

Wha tI have learnt is that fat is a really important necessity and nutrients for fertility.

Avocados are rich in fatty acids, which are associated with lower rates of ovulatory infertility.

In addition to fat, avocados also contain folate, potassium, and vitamin A, which are all important for reproductive health.

And they contain fiber and antioxidants that are just good for you in general!

I have these for my lunch everyday with a scrummy egg and some high protein seeded bread (and then a smidge of marmite as I am addicted!)

BRAZIL NUTS

Well this was a new one for me. I love nuts (childish snigger) but wasn't sure if I was ok to put these in my diet. Well it turns out they are full to the brim of selenium, which is a mineral that helps to thicken the uterine wall, and a healthy lining aids implantation obviously ladies!

Selenium also works in relation and increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which may also increase the chance of conceiving. 

Ive been consuming 2-3 brazil nuts per day. Only fresh and raw and not cooked or roasted to make sure you get the full nutritional value.

Overal my Clinic have recommended a high protein diet and to eat fresh and well. Excercise lightly and in moderation after my egg transfer. After your transfer they will inform you to eat as if you are pregnant (techincally you will be until proven otherwise).

I cant walk the dogs due to them pulling but that doesnt stop me walking with my other half for the exercise and make sure i am moving daily instead of being stagnant.

What ever you are told and whatever you have read it all comes down to science and relaxing. It is a horrible thing to hear but you have done all you can and if you over think or over obsess this WILL add to your stress levels and worry.

My first cycle I did nothing but symptom watch, read, blog read, go on the support group on Facebook and ask stupid small questions. My advice- switch off, relax, read a book, laugh, shop, sleep and love.

H x

2nd time's charm?

So here we go again. Monday we have our follow-up appointment to our 1st failed IVF Cycle. We have one more little BB quaility frozen Embrbaby so fingers crossed we can start this soon and get our dream in 2019.

I must admit that my faith in IVF has gone slightly since our negative news, but I think thats becasue first timers go in all positive/ all shiny new and "Oh yeah it will work first time for us!" and dont realise the work, emotion and exhausting steps put into it at the time.

As we have our one frozen fella/lady on ice we dont have to go through all the injections and scans again, which is a major plus, but I dont know what the protocal for this one is so this is another thing I have to learn about.

One thing that has happened in the last week is that I have found out that friends are pregnant or given birth. The usual thing i find is that I am not upset or angry at them like I hear so much about, but I am just jealous. its not their issues or fault, its me and my emotions towards it. I dont have the right to stop them being excited and overjoyed, so I choose and let myself join in with the joy as well. Why not its a miracle thing having a child. Watching the video of my friends baby moving around, mooning them, seeing the spine and feet and its only 17 weeks, its amazing!!!

One day i hope to show people the same thing and have them over the moon for us. xx

I do post on my instagram as well so please follow @endo_and_all_that_jazz