Things to avoid

I have my first injection booked for 20th Jan and I'm feeling the same. We did get info from hospital in a booklet that included avoiding strong fragrances, perfumes, make up etc. But otherwise I'm at a loss there's so many dos and don'ts. X

Yes, I made a mistake (I forgotten what I’ve read the booklet) when I had my nails done few days before egg collection, they told and reminded me to remove them as they have a strict rules when you go into the theatre, same applies to egg transfer, no nail paints, no perfume as they do not want them to contaminate the eggs. If you are unsure, contact your ivf clinic to clarify.
Ps I’m pregnant at 20 weeks ☺️

Congratulations Carmen! Thank you for this. Was there anything else you'd advise? X

Avoid getting your nails done and using fragrances. It took me some time to get used to that, but recommended. I use the manduka yoga mat. I was told that it was a safe option. Use odor free moisturizers, face cleanser, shampoo and conditioner as well. It's because of the chemicals present in them that isn't fertility friendly. Hope this helps! Sending baby dust your way 🌟 💓

My IVF doctors didn’t say anything about all that . I have fake nails and IVF worked the first time and my daughter is 4 months . Only thing you shouldn’t do is drink or smoke . You got this . Think positive . IVF was the best experience of my life . Enjoy it

thank you! If you have any questions, do ask your clinic, they can be helpful and they are your point of contact as they will do egg collection and transfers. I made mistakes on first round which it didn’t work and I was overwhelmed and regretted for not being prepared and have a couple of questions. Once you feel comfortable knowing what procedures, preparation and post transfer, so you can relax and go flow. Which I did on 2nd round. I try to think my first round was a practice run which helped to set my mindset for 2nd round. Everyone have different experiences and expectations so do whatever you feel comfortable with. Hope this helps!

Thank you. Its definitely the unknown which is the hardest part! I feel like the medical side I've got my head around but the nutrition/excersie/lifestyle parts have been tricky for me.

You are not meant to have painted nails or perfume on for the egg collection or embryo transfer, but going beyond that there is some evidence that there are harmful chemicals which can impact on fertility. If you read the book it starts with the egg, there is a chapter on phthalates and other toxins. These aren’t the kind of things most clinics will advise you in though, they stick to the basics like don’t drink or smoke.

If you like to wear perfume you can consider switching to a more natural fragrance, that is phthalate free.

thank you Brooke and congratulations 🥰

thank you! I read about the fragrances and harmful chemicals from the it starts with an egg book. I hadn’t heard of it before and even when I googled, I could only find articles from US sources and not much from the UK, which seems strange. I am happy to give it up if I have to, but would just like more clarity

I agree!! All these things like yoga and going to the nail salon help me destress!

this is super helpful, thank you and congratulations 🥳

If you phthalates you will see there are many articles which describe them as being detrimental to health. There are also sites (mainly US) that list phthalate free cosmetics/perfume etc and suggest ‘clean’ products that you can use. As with most things, no one is going to tell you you have to give it up. And many people don’t and will still get pregnant. But for me it was one thing I could have some control over so I figured I might as well switch to more natural products.

I am going to give them a go for sure! More natural products will be better for general health as well so why not!

I'll be honest, when I started my IVF journey I followed all the guidance everyone would give me, changed my diet, avoided things. Didn't drink at all. 5 years on after many pregnancy losses I decided to have one last go at it. I relaxed, did what I wanted, ate what I fancied and guess what it worked! I'm now 21 weeks pregnant! I had made a change in my wxercise routine this cycle and had joined a gym prior to deciding to try again, I just wanted to feel better in myself. I think just go with your gut and how you feel. The one thing I did always do however was for EC and ET I didn't use deodorant/perfume, no makeup etc as it is a sterile environment so thought best not to. Good luck on your journey ✨️✨️

@Kanika oh I know. Exercise wise I'm not sure what I'll do as I like yoga and gym work outs but I'm not a runner.

I've just bought fragrance free cleanser, body wash and deodorant today. I'll start with that and no make up or nail polish.

aawww congratulations! I hear so many stories like this and it gives so much hope that there is always still that chance! I am going to ask the consultant everything and take it from there Xx

if you could please share the links that would be super helpful! I had a Quick Look but couldn’t find anything from the UK xx

@Kanika for the products? I got aveeno body wash, Mitcham deodorant and cerave facial wash all fragrance free from Boots. Xx

Hi Ashley,
I heard that, alright. especially around perfumes as they can throw off your hormones in general. The obvious advice the clinic will give you is to avoid wearing fragrances on the day of the egg collection, transfer, etc.
Never heard about the yoga mats, but with my last transfer, I did yoga for fertility every day the month prior to the transfer as well as acupuncture once a week, and I'm 27 weeks pregnant now. I had stopped using perfumes and deodorant a few years prior, although I never changed my diet as such, so I do think the yoga a d acupuncture helped a lot.
On my first transfer didn't do anything differently and that just didn't stick, on my second transfer, I got pregnant but miscarried at 10 weeks.
On this third transfer I tried to relax and made peace with the fact that things might have not worked out the way I was hoping but that I would keep trying and I'm having my lil angel this year 🙏.
Best of luck to you and mind yourself emotionally, it's a hard journey xx

I wasn’t told this, apart from not wearing perfume and deodorants for egg collection and transfer. I had false nails the whole time and used perfume etc during ivf just not on those particular days.

I had fertility acupuncture which I found amazing

My first frozen transfer was successful currently 34 weeks

thank you!! And congratulations 🥰

Where did everyone source their fertility acupuncture, online?

There is a good book called “it starts with the egg” that explains the benefits of reducing (but not necessarily completely) environmental toxins. Also useful on supplements for egg & sperm quality.
For egg collection I had to have no nail varnish and no perfume for collection/implantation procedures

Yes I've been reading this book at the moment trying to understand more. X

I didn't have my nails done at all during the IVF treatment or pregnancy and just limited use of perfume etc, tried to avoid plastics but didn't go overboard.

I joined and swiftly left a Facebook group that was fans of It Starts With The Egg, which I read, but some of the people were going so overboard I decided it'd stress me out and do more harm than any of the chemicals could!

I have gel polish on at the moment so once they grow out, I will remove them and keep my nails natural or find nail polishes which are safer. There is so much to avoid the more you read and then you get more anxious, which also doesn’t help! I’ve been getting my nails painted for more than 10 years and now starting to think that maybe that is the reason why I have low ovarian reserve 😭

The book is quite helpful in explaining that you don’t have to eliminate stuff altogether (which would be really hard), just reduce exposure below ‘high’ levels. I still got acrylic nails during IVF (apart from egg collection) and pregnancy. Hot plastics were the main thing I cut down on, eg putting food in a bowl before microwaving and hand washing plastic bottles/containers rather than dishwasher. Switched to a non bio laundry wash and metal water bottle. Wore perfume a bit less often but still on special occasions. Easy stuff that didn’t affect my life, but kept the things I enjoy eg nails

Good luck to everyone starting cycles in the New Year 🍀 ✨

It’s a bit of a minefield isn’t it!

After reading ISWTE, I contacted a number of companies regarding whether their products contained BPA, parabens and pthalates.

As much as anything, it kept me busy and allowed me to feel I was making an informed decision about some of the variables I could control regarding egg quality.

Here are some of the main companies who responded, feel free to message me for more info.

Chopped tomatoes 🍅 and kidney beans 🫘 - Waitrose use BPA in all cans, ASDA’s Just Essentials range of both are BPA free.

Sanctuary Spa, Moroccan Oil, Umberto Gianni, L’Occitane products are all free (I have stopped L’Occitane perfume but continue the hand cream as a compromise for now!)

The White Company use pthalates in the majority of their shower/bath ranges (Seychelles and Flowers 🥹) but tell me their SPA range is free… but Molton Brown’s Rhubarb and Rose Bath is free.

Sainsburys Non-Bio washing powder was free. I now use Ecover softener and kitchen cleaning 🧹 products.

Make up wise, Boots we’re just terrible to communicate with re: their No 7 range - most of which did contain the chemicals.

Coty we’re brilliant! Whilst some of the Max Factor range did contain, they were swift at recommending certain Rimmel Kind + Free items (mascara, powder and blusher) which didn’t.

Okay we’re also great. The skin product I’ve used for years did, so I’ve switched to Total Effects 7 in 1 SPF 15.

Colgate said all of their products were free. Simple wipes were too as was Fairy Rose and Satin Washing Up liquid 🧼

I treated myself to some Neal’s Yard bits too as their stuff is lovely and switched St. Ives Apricot Scrub to the Butt’s Bees version.

I hope some of the above research is both helpful and reassuring.

*Burt’s Bees 🐝 🙈 😂

how long did you do the fertility Accupuncture? I did day before and day after and had successes but miscarried.

I had it a few months before hand to try help my nerves. And I did morning of transfer and evening of transfer so two sessions in the same day.

this is so helpful! Thank you so much!! I am so glad I bought some sanctuary spa products in the sales before I’d even read about this stuff. I was really struggling to find which products I should get so this is so helpful, thank you! Xx

this is my plan as well to reduce where I can but keep some things to keep my spirits up! Xx

I went to an acupuncture clinic today and will start the sessions next week. The doctor said to have a session on the day of retrieval and the day of transfer and the day after transfer but will confirm the sessions once I get my dates xx