Tips

The following is a list of tips that I got from Singapore motherhood IVF/ICSI support group:-

1. Place the raw egg white in a cup, pour boiling water on the egg white and stir, add ensure milk powder after 10-15 min. Cooking the eggs even for a short while over the stove destroys the albumin protein which we need. U must eat betw 4-8 egg whites after your ER op as the onset of OHSS is most severe after ER op.

2. Take 3 to 4 egg whites every morning during lucrin and puregon injections. Then took about 7 egg whites after ER. But reduced to 3 egg whites again after ET. Drink milk daily too.

3. Drink red dates help implantation.

4. Things you should DO before ER:
- Eat an egg or two each day or other protein rich foods
- Acupuncture (if possible)
- Massage
- Drink lots of water
- Exercise (only light exercise when stimming and after ER/ET like walking,. This increases blood flow to the uterus) Don’t get heart-rate over 140
- Eat lots of protein and high-quality fats. Nuts, seeds, eggs, meats, beans etc
- Eat lots of fiber as well. This helps PCOS women with IR to regulate insulin better
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Take frequent naps

5. Things you should AVOID before ER:
- DH should not expose himself to sauna/hottub
- Avoid cold/iced food
- Avoid excess amounts of red meats
- Don’t eat sugar or sugar substitutes! Sugar negatively effects egg quality.
- No alcohol for either partner for at least 1 month before ER
- Reduce or eliminate caffeine intake
- Avoid eating fish due to mercury content

6. Things you should DO after ER:
- Relax
- Drink plenty of Gatorade
- Drink Pedialyte(isotonic rehydration drink) and water to avoid OHSS. 3-5 liters a day!

7. Things you should AVOID after ER:
- Exposure to sun

8. After ET care:
- No heavy lifting! Anything over 5 lbs is too much
- Rest, rest, rest!!!!!

9. Avoid using Cologne, hairspray, aftershave etc during ER

10. Activity restrictions after IVF transfer
- lie on back for 1 hour after embryo transfer before going home
- limit physical activity for the remainder of that day. This means hang out on the couch or in the Lazy-boy recliner - watch videos, read, boss hubby around, etc
- allow "normal activity" beginning the morning after embryo transfer - but heavy bouncing of the uterus is restricted until after the pregnancy test. Therefore, water skiing, jogging, "uterus bouncing sex", etc. are probably not a good idea until after the pregnancy test

11. IVF embryo transfer and travel
- do not fly out on the day of the transfer, but wait until the next day