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Conception

Some nutritional advice for ttc

16 replies

Moomin · 18/02/2004 21:58

I mentioned on the ttc3 thread that I went to see a reflexologist and nutritionist at the end of last week about my stress levels and not being able to conceive after just over a year of trying. For anyone who doesn't "know" me, I'm 35 and have a dd who is nearly 2 and a half. No probs conceiving her and I know I'm ovulating and dh's sperm is ok as we've had premliminary tests. However, I do think stress is a major factor in my not getting pg, hence me seeing this lady last week.
Apart from the actual reflexology which was very intense and VERY painful in parts (because I'm such a wreck apparently!) she gave me some basic tips on improving my diet. Obviously a lot of what she said won't apply to everyone as we're all different and have a variety of diets, but this is a summary of what she said:

  • My diet's generally very good (I don't eat junk or processed food; not very much sugar at all, etc) but I need more protein at every meal. You need lots of (good) protein to kick-start conception off. I eat fish and dairy but no meat so she suggested protein from: brown basmati rice, quinoa (it's a type of grain that you use like you would rice in meals), beans and lentils and hummus.

  • A handful of mixed seeds (sunflower, sesame, pumpkin and linseeds - more of these last ones than the others) on my breakfast, in smoothies or as a snack mid-morning/afternoon AND/OR handful of mixed unsalted nuts.

  • Millet as a good source of carbohydrate

  • At least 6 glasses of water a day. We've just bought a water filter, which another source suggested.

  • Little or preferably no alcohol (if you must, stick to red wine and don't overindulge. Alcohol kills off vitamin c amongst others and so is undoing the good you do when you eat nutritious food)

  • No tea or coffee - go for herbal/fruit

  • Dh to take a multi vitamin and mineral supplement. Apparently, just taking zinc on its own isn't very effective and it helps to take it with vit D or A.

    I'm also going to take a thyroid test if I don't get pg this month to see if that's having an effect.

    Hope this is of help to anyone interested!
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twiglett · 18/02/2004 22:20

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BigBird · 19/02/2004 09:38

Great Moomin ! We are so similar....trying now for over a year for number 2. DD is 2.2 ! Prelim tests all ok.

Anyhow - thanks for the advice. I do eat meat so think I get plenty of protein. Have switched to decaf coffee, is that OK ?

Are the handful of mixed seeds for Omega 3 & 6 ? I'm a but lost here...? I started munching Brazil nuts yesterday as I thought they are rich in Selenium and that can help conception and also to prevent miscarriage. What are other natural sources of Omega 3 & 6....I do eat oily fish once a week...prob not enough though

DH is taking Zinc for months but doesn't want to take a multivitamin....maybe i'll try him again.

Thanks for all the advice.

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zebra · 19/02/2004 09:43

On multi-vits -- I thought if you took Zinc with either folic acid or Iron, they inhibit the Zinc absorption; that's why zinc is traditionally advised to be taken last thing at night.

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Allegra · 19/02/2004 10:21

I've been reading up on the subject, too and yesterday raided the local health food shop for supplements for me and DH.
One book "The optimum Nutrition Bible" says too much red meat and dairy can cause oestogen dominance and disrupt hormonal balance. Dont know how true that is but I've been eating quite a lot of meat so thought I might cut down a bit.

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pollingfold · 19/02/2004 10:42

Moomin

The diet advice sounds very similar in that given in a book I think called "The PCOS diet book". Which itself kind of follows the rules of a diabetic diet where you should eat things that have a low glycemic index value, i.e brown rice instead of white.
I tried it after TTC for 12 month and a m/c and after hopefully it contributed to me getting pg. But you can never tell when combined with temping, OPK's, vitamins and supplements, herbology, pillow under bum and plenty of BD'ing.
I was actually surprised to find that I now prefer brown rice and pasta to the white versions although my DH is less convinced!

Goodluck.

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Moomin · 19/02/2004 11:20

On the multi vit thing for our dh's, the nutritionist recommended a particular one, made by Biocare (02076378436). Maybe this is because it's specifically for ttc and so doesn't have the usual range of vits and mins (or maybe it's because she has shares in the company!!)

Oily fish - she said at least once weekly. We've been trying to include it 3 times a week.

BigBird - most nuts are good sources of the right oils. Keep at it with the brazils!

Red meat and hormones: I read somewhere else that mass-produced meat has lots of oestrogen pumped into it and only organic meat will be free of this type of intervention. Is this what you meant, Allegra?

Twiglett - yes, I'm taking folic in a pregnacare supplement which she said was fine. I've started using an opk this month and my yukky mucus is also a sign - I'll be interested to see at exactly what point the opk suggests bd'ing - to see if it coincides with the egg white! We haven't had a date for the consultant yet but should be soon. Haven't tried charting yet either.

Seeing my lady again tomorrow, so again, will report back if anything new.
Good luck in the meantime everyone.

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twiglett · 19/02/2004 11:52

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Nerthus · 19/02/2004 20:45

What does Agnus Castus do Twiglett? I get very confused about the effect of herbal-type things. I've heard both that you SHOULD take this and that you SHOULDNT, when you're trying to conceive and would love to know more.

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twiglett · 19/02/2004 20:53

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bunny2 · 19/02/2004 20:54

Agnus Castus regulates hormonal imbalances so it can regulate cycles, restart periods that have stopped, balances oestogen/progesteron ratio so can help with oestrogen dominance, also helps lessen period pain . Wow, think I'll get some.

Soya (organic non gm) is very good for women and can help with period problems too. By including soya on a diet, the luteal phase can be lengthened by up to 2.5 days.

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bunny2 · 19/02/2004 20:59

Also, baby aspirin can help thin blood which is quite often the cause of recurrent miscarriage. Vitamin E can also do this but shouldnt be taken wwith the aspirin. Vit E also helps protect against age-related ovulatory decline. My book recommends 300-400 ius a day if ttc. I take 200 at the mo and am building up.

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Kay1 · 20/02/2004 08:41

twiglett - do you know why you shouldn't take evening primrose oil after ov? i have been taking it thoughout cycle as i thought it also helped with PMS etc?

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twiglett · 20/02/2004 09:19

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BigBird · 20/02/2004 09:46

Also Starflower oil from AF to O is good for increasing CM.

Interested in the Vit E Bunny, why would you need to build it up ?

Also - are you taking all those things you mentioned ?

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bunny2 · 23/02/2004 08:27

Bigbird, taking high doeses of vit E may cause blood pressure to rise. This is avoided if the dosage is gradually built up from 100 iu to 400 iu over several months.

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bugaboo · 28/09/2004 23:01

Hi
Ive been to see a nutritionist too and he recommended Biocare one a day multivitamins ( is in a purpley colour tub) and also a teaspoon of hemp oil - you can get the oil in Planet Organic in Central London and also Fresh and Wild.
He also said to start the day with some protein ( I was having toast so he said cheese on the toast).
Also stop adding sugar or sweetners, use virgin olive oil and butter instead of marg/ spray oils and loads of organic fruit and veg

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