Conception FAQ

Vitamin B6 for Luteal Phase Defect

 

Vitamin B6 to Combat Luteal Phase Defect (LPD)

by Brigitte (MikeandBrigitte)
 
A "short luteal phase" or a "luteal phase defect" (LPD) is when the interval from the time you ovulate until you have your period is too short.  A fertilized egg needs a certain amount of time to implant in the uterine lining.  If you menstruate in less than 10 days after ovulation, the pregnancy will not be able to implant firmly and you will get your period even though you may in fact have conceived.  I always thought it was suspicious that we had not been using contraceptives for the almost 10 years we had been married and had never gotten pregnant.  Once we decided to start actively TTC (temping and charting), I was nervous because of our "track record".  I began to notice that while our timing was great, I was not getting the sought after BFP.  I started to analyze my chart and found that my luteal phase on average was 8 days (if the interval between the day of ovulation and the first day of your period is less than 12 days, you may have LPD).  I also had a few symptoms of PCOS (fibrocystic breasts, cystic acne, etc.) but have never been diagnosed.

Once I concluded that I had LPD, I called my gynecologist office to voice my concerns.  I was told that it generally takes about a year to conceive and that I needed to wait it out before they were willing to do anything for me (although they did offer to let me come in and get a blood test).  If I had been trying for over a year at that point (even though we were not using protection for almost ten), a reproductive endocrinologist would have supplemented my progesterone level. However, because we had actually been "aggressively" TTC for a shorter amount of time, I decided to look into alternatives to help myself.  That was when I found documentation to support the supplementation of vitamin B6 to lengthen LPD.

My prenatal vitamin had 5 measly mg of B6 (which is 250% of the daily value).  However, the dosage typically needed to correct LPD is between 50 mg and 300 mg daily.  I started out with an additional 50 for an entire cycle.  If your luteal phase does not change, or does not change enough, increase another 50 for each additional cycle until correction is seen.

The first time I took B6 I only took 50 mg daily and the cycle corrected instantly.  I ovulated on day 17 and got a positive pregnancy test on day 31.  I never did go back for the blood test, but it is still on my list of to do's.  I was also taking a prenatal, selenium and additional folic acid.  The only new things that cycle were the B6 and selenium (and I had DH taking the selenium as well).
 

Review: Red Bush Tea

Review of Red Bush Tea

by Katy (Katykin)

 

For anyone trying to cut out caffeine while pregnant, lactating or trying to conceive, red bush tea (also known as rooibos, red tea, African tea) from South Africa is an excellent alternative. It can be drunk with or without milk and sugar, and tastes similar to normal black tea. I’ve actually grown to prefer the taste.  It is good hot or iced!

Red bush tea is naturally caffeine free (unlike green tea), is low in tannins and full of antioxidants, vitamin C and minerals making it an ideal, safe drink for pregnancy, breastfeeding and pre-conception.

 

Women in Africa have been drinking this tea during pregnancy and breastfeeding for generations. In the UK red bush tea is becoming more widely available in supermarkets, health food stores and online.  Click here to see examples available from ConceptionFAQ.com! 

Why go caffeine free? It is recommended that caffeine intake is reduced or eliminated during pregnancy to reduce the risk of miscarriage. It is also thought that too much caffeine during pregnancy can lead to a reduced birth weight. During IVF many clinics suggest that caffeine intake is reduced to increase chances of success.

 

Tannins in tea may reduce the absorption of iron and calcium which is vital during early pregnancy, so the low tannin content of red bush makes it a perfect choice for mothers to be.

 

It is also said that red bush tea helps with nervous tension, insomnia, allergies and digestive problems.

 

A word of warning, make sure that you do not drink red bush tea which has been blended with any other herbs such as rosemary, as these may not be suitable for pregnancy.

 

 

http://www.rooibosltd.co.za/lifestyle/mothers.html

Progesterone in Oil Injection Tips!

PIO Tips!

by Jess (Flying Monkeys)

My introduction to progesterone in oil (PIO) shots was during my first IVF cycle in 2005. I wasn't sure about my husband giving me the shots since he almost passed out when our vet described the surgery he had done to place pins in our dog's leg. The last thing I wanted was to have him pass out and get stuck trying to reach the needle to pull it out, flailing around like a wounded whale, what a sight. I eventually handed over the duty. These are tips that worked for me, they may not work for everyone and some things that didn’t work for me may work for others.

*Ambesol does not numb the injection site. Even after it dries, it stings.
*If you divide your butt/hip into quadrants, the upper and outer most quadrant is the most comfortable and desirable spot. I tried my thigh and thought I was never going to get the cramp out. I suppose you could have your spouse give them in your arm.
*It’s easier to have your spouse do them for you. They drew wonderful circles that we continued to retrace so he couldn’t miss ‘the spot’.
*Slow is not the way to go. Use fast darting motions. I had my husband practice on an orange or an apple to get the darting motion down and more comfortable for him. This tip came from a friend who is a nurse anesthetist. The difference between the previous cycle and the cycle he gave us this tip was enormous. My ass thanks him.
*Warm it up. The oil is pretty viscous so I would fill my syringe, recap it and while my cheek was numbing (explained next) I would stick it in my armpit, if you have breasts that will work too. I have tinies, not cleavage to hold it. Be careful not to depress the plunger. It made the PIO go in more smoothly.
*Ice it. I would take a gallon Ziplock bag, fill it about 1/3 with water and lay it flat in the freezer to freeze. About 20 minutes before the shot I would wrap it in a thin dish towel and stick it in my sweats against the side I was getting that night’s injections. (I’m sure I could have left that part out but you never know.) After the shot I’d put it back in the freezer for the next one.
*Make sure he squeezes up some skin where he’s shooting. The pressure helps needle insertion and discomfort.
*Rubbing the site or a heating pad after the injection helps. After the injection I would firmly rub the area or place some heat on it to help the oil disperse.
*Get up and walk around, you want to keep the blood flowing, that will help you not develop lumps and sore spots, and help distribute the medicine.

The warming and icing helped me survive PIO shots through 17 weeks of my pregnancy (don’t worry, that is not the norm for the duration of shots) and 4 of the 7 cycles it took to get me there. Good luck!

Review: Natural Factors Whey Protein

Natural Factors 100% Whey Protein Mix

by Krystal (Kndkane)

I had been TTC since Jan 2007. I moved to medical assistance in Sept 2008. After four unsuccessful rounds of Clomid (three with IUI) we decided to move to Gonal-F with back to back IUIs in February 2009. Because I was paying for everything out of pocket (and possibly moving to IVF if this didn’t work) I wanted to do everything I could to get the most “bang for my buck”.

I did some research and found an “IVF To Do” list on Fertility Friend. One of the recommended items was to drink protein shakes to help boost ovary quality. Joy recommended a whey protein shake made by Natural Factors. She said she had tried the strawberry flavor and it tasted like strawberry Quik…I was sold! So, I ran out to Central Market and found it in chocolate and vanilla {no strawberry }. The chocolate is so YUMMY, though! The Central Market employee that helped me find it said it was by far her favorite brand.

I had one shake a day and followed the recipe suggested by another wise Fertility Friend member:
In a blender, blend one scoop of the protein powder, one banana, one cup of milk and lots of ice.
Super easy and delicious!

(Comment from Joy - CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BFP!!)

Be sure to see the other posts about protein!

Review: Preseed

Preseed

by Vanessa (Incognito Mosquito!)

After taking clomid, I noticed a decrease in my cervical fluid, and since I am skeeved by the thought of putting a raw egg in my neither regions, I decided to try Preseed. I asked my DR, and he (of course) said, he'd prefer I use nothing, but he didn't see the harm if it was absolutely necessary. Being as that I was dry enough that I was scared the friction might start a fire, I decided it was worth the cost.

Originally, the company only offered single use tubes... these should be labeled MULTI-USE. If you choose to use the entire tube, which is the suggested amount, you might want to have sex with a safety net. It will be similar to a slip-n-slide for your husband. Yes, it makes for a night of entertainment, but it's a bit of a problem, if you actually plan to get the job done. Use just enough to moisten for your comfort, otherwise you are just wasting the extra. With the single use tubes, I just kept the opened tube in a zip lock bag for cleanliness. It really does make a huge difference when you need moisture, but don't want to deal with the only other safe alternative of a real egg white.

Good news is this: They now offer a multi-use tube with a screw on cap. It is still a bit on the pricey side, but it lasts for a very long time and will make all the difference in the world when you are on day 1 million of TTC.

Smoothie Recipe!

Smoothie Recipe

By Amy (Practice Makes Perfect)

I SWEAR by my smoothie recipe.  M (husband) and I started drinking them close to daily back in August.  Since then, my cholesterol has gone down to rock star levels, and his triglycerides went from over 500 to below 200.  And I swear its because of the shakes.  I have only had 2 or 3 cycles of TTC since I started these shakes so I can’t swear there, but I am confident they will help!

 

It is a nice alternative to doing plain Whey Protien shakes, plus it counts as a serving of dairy and 2 servings of fruit.

 

This recipe is for TWO 32 oz shakes
2.5 cups of water 
1 cup of ice cubes 
2 scoops JAY ROBB Vanilla Whey Protein Powder 
2 scoops Samabazon Acai Powder
1 tablespoon Ground Flax seed
2 tablespoons organic creamy Peanut Butter
5 heaping tablespoons organic vanilla yogurt
2 large bananas
handful blueberries (fresh or frozen)
8 whole strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Put it in the blender and mix!  Everything can be purchased at Whole Foods or online.  Word of warning – It is absolutely a meal replacement shake calorie wise. 

 

Jay Robb Whey Protein Powder is awesome stuff too.  It is about $45 for 24 ounces - so NOT cheap - but it is seriously yummy and organic. 

Be sure to see the other posts about protein!

Protein for Egg Quality

Preparing for IVF and IUI

Better Egg Quality - Protein

If you are like me (in the AMA category), or are worried about high FSH, you might be looking for ways to improve your egg quality. 

I have read many times, and heard from many women that adding extra protein to your diet while preparing for IVF or IUI helps improve egg quality. 

But how to easily increase protein?

You can always add meat to your diet (unless you don't eat meat).  But I wonder how much protein I'm getting with meat, or peanut butter, etc. 

Protein Powders

Protein shakes made from whey (a milk product) was suggested and I was quick to jump on that bandwagon.  It is easy to control and I like the taste!   Also, if you are a lacto-vegetarian, this will fit your diet.

I wish my brand was available for me to sell - it is so good - I'm working on that!  The brand I use is "Natural Factors" and strawberry is my favorite flavor.  I like the chocolate, too, but the strawberry tastes just like strawberry Quik!

A friend of mine (thanks N) lists her favorites as Unjury for thick, traditional shakes (it comes in chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and unflavored), and Syntrax Nectar for thinner, more juice-like fruit flavors. Check out all the flavors!

I went to my local crunchy organic health food and supplement store and the Natural Factors brand was recommended by an employee.

And I have to tell you - I love my Blender Bottle!  I bought mine at the health food store, but should've bought mine here as it is less expensive!  (I'll be getting a second one and I've learned my lesson!)  It mixes up my powder really well.  I think it will be great for scrambling eggs, too!

What Not to Get

Make sure your protein powder doesn't contain soy as a main ingredient (or not at all) because soy acts like estrogen in your body - and you don't want anything "messing" with your estrogen when you are working so hard to control all your hormones through medication.

Also, I did not like many of the powders I saw at GNC or Walmart because they generally contained "extra stuff" as they were aimed at body builders and people trying to lose weight.  I wanted "pure" whey protein.  Just read labes - you may find something you like!

Cost

The cost - well, in the scheme of things - its cheaper than Gonal-F!  But what isn't?  Mine costs around $45 for the 2 pound jar.  The Syntrax Nectar is much less!  I will be trying that next!

When to Start

When to drink these shakes is a common question. The general wisdom is to start a month or two before your IVF or IUI cycle. 

And how much to use - I just follow the recommendations on my canister!  (Two yummy scoops of powder in 12 ounces of milk or water.)

You can also add the powder to your own smoothies - just throw ice, milk or yogurt, fruit (bananas are yummy), and your powder into a blender for a great breakfast shake!  Many brands make "unflavored" powders that would be perfect in a smoothie.

If you have a favorite brand, please write a review and send it to me!  I'll post it!

Be sure to see the other posts about protein!

Looking for Reviews!!

GET INVOLVED!

To help build out the information on this site quickly, I would like to ask anyone interested to review some products and websites.  I would like the format to be a pro/con type of review so that people reading can get a feel for the product/website. 

Maybe something like -

1. Product name
2. Uses (ie, increase EWCM)
3. Pros
4. Cons

Products and websites - Preseed, Vitex, Soy Isos, FF, Ovusoft, and if you have a book that you've read and would like to review it, please do!

Please email your review to info@ConceptionFAQ.com!!  (You will get credit and a link to your blog of course!)

Thanks!

(p.s. - I reserve the right to reject or edit any submissions, but I will not change the expressed viewpoint or opinion in any accepted submission.)